ARC Review: The Diabolic by SJ Kincaid

Book Title: The Diabolic

Author: SJ Kincaid
Series: Standalone
Release Date: November 1st, 2016
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi Romance

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: Kill in order to protect the person you’ve been created for.

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a humanoid teenager created to protect a galactic senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The two have grown up side by side, but are in no way sisters. Nemesis is expected to give her life for Sidonia, and she would do so gladly. She would also take as many lives as necessary to keep Sidonia safe.

When the power-mad Emperor learns Sidonia’s father is participating in a rebellion, he summons Sidonia to the Galactic court. She is to serve as a hostage. Now, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her. Nemesis travels to the court disguised as Sidonia—a killing machine masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced senators’ children. It’s a nest of vipers with threats on every side, but Nemesis must keep her true abilities a secret or risk everything.

As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something more to her than just deadly force. She finds a humanity truer than what she encounters from most humans. Amidst all the danger, action, and intrigue, her humanity just might be the thing that saves her life—and the empire.

So I was pulled into requesting this book from Netgalley after I've read the blurb and don't even get me started on the cover (SO SHINY!). The Diabolic takes place in a sci-fi, futuristic setting where humanoids called Diabolics are created as a means of protection. This is where our heroine, Nemesis comes in. 

It's no lie that I love all reads that incorporate sci-fi action and Nemesis is not your usual heroine who saves the world and get swept up by some royal price boy. What I really enjoyed about this read is there was a good balance of political drama and great character development. Nemesis is a humanoid who lacks humanity and unable to develop normal human emotions. When she is forced to take over the identity of her owner, Nemesis is thrown into a world of dangerous politics and she must learn how to survive by pretending to be human. 

I enjoyed some of the plot twists that gone thrown into the way and her relationship with Tyrus was a slow-burn which I appreciated. Tyrus himself was an intriguing character and he was much more than a royal boy who screamed insanity. Nemesis who has been programmed to be ruthless, starts to struggle with the emotions she start to feel for those around her. 

While this proved to be a refreshing plot in the sci-fi genre, I almost wished it was not a standalone. I think there was so much more that the premise could promise to the readers but alas, it was all tied up in the end. Overall, The Diabolic is a well-paced standalone read with a slight dash of romance and a whole lot of action. 

  

ARC provided by publisher, Simon & Schuster via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.