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The Diabolic

(The Diabolic #1)

S.J. Kincaid (Goodreads Author)

4.06 · Rating details · 20,228 ratings · 3,572 reviews

“The perfect kind of high-pressure adventure.” —TeenVogue.com
A New York Times bestseller!

Red Queen meets The Hunger Games in this epic novel about what happens when a senator’s daughter is summoned to the galactic court as a hostage, but she’s really the galaxy’s most dangerous weapon in disguise.

A Diabolic is ruthless. A Diabolic is powerful. A Diabolic has a single task: ...more

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Kindle Edition, 416 pages

Published November 1st 2016 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

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· 20,228 ratings · 3,572 reviews

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Nov 11, 2016 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-all, favorites, young-adult, own, sci-fi

Re-read on audio just in time for the second book coming tomorrow on Halloween 2017!! And I still freaking love it! Woot! ❤️

I freaking loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All the stars baby!

I love Nemesis! She is bad @ssed but a really good diabolic and their not supposed to have feelings, goes to show what they know. She is a lethal weapon but she never really liked what she had to do to learn some things. She had to be trained to kill with no hesitation so she could go o ...more

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Sep 16, 2018 Miranda Reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobook

Some might call us a monstrous pair, and they would be right.

There is just something absolutely riveting about getting inside the head of a monster.

Nemesis is a Diabolic - a genetically engineered "thing" designed with one, single purpose. She has to keep Sidonia safe - at any cost.

Sidonia, the only daughter of a minor nobility, is the absolute light of Nemesis's life. The one thing that holds her grounded and sane.

But Sidonia is not without her quirks - she keeps (stubbornly) insisti ...more

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Nov 13, 2016 C.G. Drews rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi, young-adult, read-2016

This was very stabby and I LIKED IT. Because, well, I have a small love for all things stabtastic (shh, that's a word) and I loved how we got an actual vicious protagonist here who is all anti-hero and inhumane tendencies and stunted emotions and fantastic at stabbing things and WOW, I JUST REALLY ENJOYED THIS. Although I do not like one of the finale plot twists because #illogical. But pfft. Will I let a few small cantankerous feelings put me off? NO I SHALL NOT. GOOD BOOK IS GOOD.

Also you get ...more

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Mar 05, 2017 Chelsea Humphrey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

That cover is shiny and gorgeous, right? It’s initially what made me start oogling this book from afar and keeping it on my radar for months before finally taking the time to read and review it. I finally had a legit excuse to jump on the bandwagon once my Literary Box copy arrived, and while I’ll go into more detail below, I was so grateful I chose to read their copy with the author’s notes inside. This detail made the difference in my final star rating, which I decided to round up to a 4 on Go That cover is shiny and gorgeous, right? It’s initially what made me start oogling this book from afar and keeping it on my radar for months before finally taking the time to read and review it. I finally had a legit excuse to jump on the bandwagon once my Literary Box copy arrived, and while I’ll go into more detail below, I was so grateful I chose to read their copy with the author’s notes inside. This detail made the difference in my final star rating, which I decided to round up to a 4 on Goodreads in case you don’t follow me there. While I did find some inconsistencies and had a few issues, overall this was a highly enjoyable read! I think what had me flipping back and forth was knowing this is yet ANOTHER YA fantasy series in a sea of YA fantasy series and initially it’s what caused me to pause before picking this up to begin with. To it’s credit, this book was much more engaging and enjoyable than I was anticipating from the reviews I read early on; it’s clearly a book that has encouraged healthy debate which I’m always glad to see.

“Did he who made the lamb make thee?”
-William Blake, “The Tiger”

Let’s start at the very beginning. I really appreciated the immediate insight we receive into just who and what a diabolic is. We learn early on that our narrator is called Nemesis and that all diabolics receive fun, intimidating names, such as Enmity, Hazard, and Anguish. These beings are not human and are created for the sole purpose of bonding with an owner, meaning they form a connection to protect only that one human at any and all costs. After we fast forward a bit to present day, there was a good chunk of the book (about 75 pages I’d say) with a great info dump to catch us up to speed. I struggle with these as they have become a staple in most YA Fantasy fiction; the first in the series contains infamous info dump instead of slowly building it into the story. I think this is just a personal peeve of mine, as it’s clearly up to the author to do as they choose and I know a good number of readers who love this aspect and want to gain the world building knowledge as quickly as possible. Once I got through those pages though, I couldn’t put this down! It was exciting, and fun, and had plenty of twists I didn’t see coming, especially in the final 25%. I greatly appreciate the great dedication to detail and complex layering Kincaid went to in order to ensure the story was necessary in an already saturated market.

“Ages ago, humans beings progressed technologically at an exponential rate. We expanded into space; we left Earth and traveled the galaxy. And then the same thing happened that always does-we grew lazy. We had technology we stopped learning how to use. We let machines think for us, act for us. The supernova and rise of the Helionic faith merely worsened a problem that already existed. Our ancestors sought knowledge, but we, their descendants, glorify ignorance.“

That above was my favorite quote from the entire book. Ok, so we don’t have machines taking over like in The Terminator, but how easily we could apply that last bit to today’s time. I always enjoy a plot that involves the banning of books and knowledge; this was a seed that was planted and investigated in this first book that I’m really hoping is more fleshed out in the following chapters of the trilogy. Even if it comes in an allegorical form, how important is it for us to take a step back and recognize how easy it is for us to become lazy with our technology and our need to make sure our learning never ceases. This book was progressive in many ways, but especially in the sense that women and men have equal chances of ruling and flourishing in leadership roles. I wouldn’t say this novel had huge amounts of diversity, but I would chalk that up to the fact that people altered their appearance for basically every scene, as this was part of their culture. The romance was fairly strong and there wasn’t the typical, dreaded love triangle, although there were a few twists in that department and the ending left me wondering who we can trust and how this story will end in the long run. There was a bit of poetic justice that I appreciated for including a bit of diversity in the love department as well. *Insert vague intrigue here!*

I think my only major issue with the plot is in the description above on the book jacket, so not a spoiler. We know going into the book that Nemesis and her diabolic kind are incapable of emotions, feelings, etc, yet Nemesis finds herself developing all of those things. We are literally pounded over the head for 150 pages with “I am not capable of feelings or love. I am programmed like a robot.” And then boom, out of nowhere Nemesis has feelings and emotions like it happened overnight. Why? How? None of this was really described or explained. Again, maybe this will be further explored in the remaining entries, but I was slightly bummed that I’m told for half the book one thing and then there is an immediate 180 that I was expected to believe without questioning.

The reason I decided to go with a 4 instead of 3 star rating on Goodreads was simply due to the influence the author’s notes had over me. For those who missed it, I was sent a YA review crate from The Literary Box by Quarterly Co. that included this book in it. S.J. Kincaid was this quarter’s curator, meaning her book was featured, along with 2 books of her choosing, and The Diabolic came full of post it notes with her personal annotations inside. After experiencing this form of reading, I wish I could pick up all my books this way! I cannot stress how insanely pleasing it was to have insider information that other readers didn’t get to experience. I was able to hear out her explanations of why she chose to write things a certain way, what her family’s reactions were to certain plot points, and how things were re-written to keep certain people alive and kill off those initially meant to not die. Sorry, if you want in to you’ll have to order the box, but I highly recommend doing so! Overall, this was a strong start to the series that I only think I’ll grow more fond of as I continue on.

*Many thanks to Alinn for providing my box for review; it’s been a pleasure sifting through it and reviewing the products!

** In case you missed my initial review of the unveiling of The Lit Box I was sent, you can find that review here: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com/... ...more

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Jan 27, 2018 booksNpenguins rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian-and-scifi, book-heaven, space-and-aliens

THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK HOLY CROW THIS BOOK

...more

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Jan 10, 2017 ♛ may rated it did not like it

Shelves: buddy-read, in-the-trash-you-go, bye, n-o-p-e, 400-pgs, fantasy, sci-fi, why-is-this-a-book

I am scrolling up and down through The Diabolic reviews and seeing lots of strange things:

4 and 5 star ratings ?????

Average of 4.07 rating from almost 3000 reviews ????

description

Excuuuuuuse me, ARE WE READING THE SAME BOOK???

The Diabolic takes place in a sci-fi world where Diabolics are created and chosen to protect their master. Nemesis, our MC, lives to protect and love and care solely for the Senator’s daughter, Sidonia. But when the power-hungry Emperor demands Sidonia as hostage for her f ...more

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Feb 18, 2019 jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

i had a difficult time writing this review because, within the last six months, ive read two other books with very similar premises and it feels like i will just be repeating what i said in those reviews. so i have tried to stay away from comparisons and just talk about what this particular story did well.

and where this book excels is in its world building. the heart of this story is the galactic kingdoms and various planetary commonwealths. the plot is very politically motivated, so what intri ...more

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Dec 24, 2016 Elena rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

Diabolics weren't people.
We looked like people, to be sure. We had the DNA of people, but we were something else: creatures fashioned to be utterly ruthless and totally loyal to a single individual. We would gladly kill for that person, and only for them.

When I first read that quote, I thought Nemesis was gonna be loyal so Sidonia, but I was quite wrong. Although I wasn't upset with it, I kind of wished Nemesis would choose Sidonia, but authors sometimes gotta bring other characters ...more

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Jun 18, 2016 Candace Robinson rated it it was amazing

First off this is nothing like Red Queen or The Hunger Games. I hate when they try to compare books, and it is totally different. I loved this book, and Nemesis is an MC that was one like I have never read before. She was ruthless and lovable at the same time. I loved seeing her become more human but still maintain her protective stances. Towards the end things get pretty darn intense! Full review on my blog https://literarydust.wordpress.com/20...

I received an awesome hardback copy of this book ...more

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Feb 20, 2018 Jessi ♥️ H. Vojsk rated it really liked it

“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.”

Story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nemesis always thought she was an inhuman machine, a DNA-designed “thing” to protect her beloved Sidonia as a Diabolic.
So when Sidonia is threatened by the Emperor and send to the court of the Emperor, Nemesis secretly goes in her place.
Trying to protect Sidonia and her family Nemesis learns more of humanity by seeing all the friendships, s ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya-science-fiction, science-fiction, romance

A soft 4 stars, maybe 3.5. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:

The Diabolic (2016) is set in some distant future, when humans have settled the galaxy using spaceships that travel through hyperspace. Humanity has also been experimenting with genetic engineering, and for a period of time it becomes fashionable to purchase so-called Diabolics as bodyguards. Diabolics are cloned humans, engineered to have superior strength and resistance to sickness and poisons, and trained from early ...more

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May 29, 2017 April rated it it was amazing

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Can't wait for the sequel. ...more

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Feb 05, 2017 Brittney ~ Reverie and Ink rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian-scifi, best-audiobooks

First of all, a huge thanks to Quarterly for sending me this book along with their book box - Literary YA (see more below!)

I was actually quite surprised by this. I'm really not a huge dystopian/sci fi fan (there are exceptions of course.) With other books in that genre, I've found that the world building takes precedence over the characters and is generally confusing. Plus, I'm just a fantasy kinda gal.

All that to say, I actually got quite sucked into this one. It is definitely character drive ...more

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Feb 26, 2017 Christy rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-audio, 2017-three-stars-and-below, 2017-ya-challenge

3.5 Stars!

photo stencil.blog-post-image_zpso4vulch2.jpg

The Diabolic is a story about Nemesis. Nemesis is a Diabolic. Diabolics are genetically engineered weapons who are made to bond with one person. Once they do, they will do anything to protect their person. Only the powerful and rich families can afford this type of protection. Sidonia is the daughter of a galactic senator and she is who Nemesis is created for. Donia and Nemesis have a special bond, beyond that of a diabolics. Donia doesn’t see Nemesis as someone to protect her, she truly cares for her. When Donia’s life is put in danger, Nemesis doesn't hesitate to do whatever she needs to protect her. Even if that means becoming her…

Nemesis travels to the Empire as Donia. She doesn’t know what will happen when she gets there, but she’s ready to face anyone or anything. As long as Donia is safe, that is all that matters to her. While Nemesis is there, she realizes some crazy things are going on in the Empire. She meets a lot of good and bad people along her journey. A lot of people die. Like A LOT. I honestly didn’t expect there to be so much death in this one. One person in particular dying really bothered me and it definitely effected how I enjoyed/rated the book (view spoiler)

Overall, I did enjoy this one. I thought Nemesis was a fantastic kick ass heroine. She truly did make the book for me. I loved being in her head and seeing her growth. Tyrus was great as well. There were a few twists in the story I didn’t see coming, and a couple I definitely guessed, but I liked the element of suspense through the book. There was action, friendship, loyalty and even love. I give The Diabolic 3.5 stars. If the author were to write a sequel, I would definitely read it. I loved the heroine that much!

A copy of the book was provided to me in a free sample box from Quarterly. The book had tons of post-it notes through it (written by the author) and I have to say- it was a pretty darn cool way to read a book! (view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 21, 2018 Always Pouting rated it liked it

Nemesis is a Diabolic, a creature specially genetically engineered to bond to one person and protect them at all costs. Nemesis is bonded to Sidonia, the heir of a senator, and for whom Nemesis would gladly die. Nemesis's bond to Sidonia is tested though when the Emperor summons Sidonia to court, as punishment for her father's disobedience, and Nemesis must go in place of her. Nemesis will gladly masquerade as Sidonia if it means protecting her life, but everything is complicated more and more a Nemesis is a Diabolic, a creature specially genetically engineered to bond to one person and protect them at all costs. Nemesis is bonded to Sidonia, the heir of a senator, and for whom Nemesis would gladly die. Nemesis's bond to Sidonia is tested though when the Emperor summons Sidonia to court, as punishment for her father's disobedience, and Nemesis must go in place of her. Nemesis will gladly masquerade as Sidonia if it means protecting her life, but everything is complicated more and more as a rebellion looms and the Emperor takes more and more extreme measures to consolidate his power.

Uh spoilers ahead most likely? Anyways I was pretty unsure what to do with this one. I feel like the whole masquerading at the autocrats home and the underlying rebellion for knowledge and freedom plot line has been done so much that you really need to bring something more to it to get me interested and this book really didn't do that. Also I had to work really hard to suspend my disbelief through out the book because it honestly felt so ridiculous. So many things bothered me, like first of all if no one is educated and has knowledge and the machines do everything what is with the breeders? Why do they have people genetically modifying and raising living things on their own. Just seems like one would need biology for that and science is off limits.

Also just from my own limited understanding of biology, there is totally a way to engineer a being that lacks empathy and make it look human and I don't know just seems like a civilization that has multiple dwelling places in the universe could do better than to make someone like Nemesis, like no offense but that's just lazy as hell to end up with a killing machine with that much conflict and morality. Then there's the whole thing through out the book where Nemesis has to tell us that she's this emotionless being with only one purpose but like it just feels like she's trying to convince herself and it's so strange because like if you have these preconceived notions of yourself that are reinforced by those around you (ok except by like Sidonia) than does your inner monologue have to constantly be I'm a monster. Like show don't tell, just let her behave like a monster and then start questioning her own behavior and other people's reaction to herself when she see's she's not necessarily just an emotionless human shield. It would have felt so much less strange and like juvenile if there had been so subtlety to it.

Last complaint but that was such a cop out in the ending, it just felt so neat, like I had to sit through all that crap just for it to work out so cleanly, and for the Sidonia thing to have a resolution so simply. So much for the bonding, if it weren't for Nemesis's constant insistence that she cared about Sidonia I'd have had a hard time believing it. I just was not really convinced by anything and I think it's because I kept having a hard time getting into the book because it clearly wasn't well thought through, especially the logistics of the world itself. Like when they go to the planet and Nemesis doesn't know what lightning is but can say she gets into a car. I don't think they have cars flying around through space, they use ships through out the book. It was all just strange.

I do tend to like these types of stories though and I did read it in one sitting to know how it would end so it's not terrible. It just felt like it could have been more well thought out and I'm just kind of irritated Sidonia had to die. ...more

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Nov 22, 2016 Paul rated it it was amazing

I started this novel with at least semi high expectations based on some reviews I browsed. it met or exceeded all of my expectations. not only a novel on bioethics and the question of the soul but an intriguing space opera.

I confess I am not surprised it met my expectations but am surprised a little at the pace the novel set.

this book didn't contain as much action as I thought it might, but I was enthralled by the world building and the political intrigue and the action was more meaningful by be ...more

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Feb 18, 2018 Swaye rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2018, books

Wow. What a book! 😮😮😮

The Diabolic is a truly incredible read. Kincaid is a brilliant storyteller. It's full of twists and turns that you genuinely never see coming. It was honestly one of the most unpredictable books I've ever read, and after a while I was suspicious of just about every character and didn't know who to trust or what to believe!

The only reason why it doesn't get a perfect 5 star rating is because the flaws of this book are still sitting with me days after finishing. If it was me ...more

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Sep 29, 2015 mith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, arcs, reviewed, dystopia-post-apocalypse, kindle-or-ebook, spaaaaace, series, royalty, re-reads, 2016-publication

Yknow, having reread this a second time, it made me notice things. Before, and admittedly, while reading this, I'd been so blindly enamoured with Tyrus.
But there's something off, something too strange for me and so I am no longer like that.
I do wonder how it will bode in the sequels.
---
you can find this review on my blog as well!
---
AHHH. GUYS. THIS COMES OUT IN LESS THAN A MOOOONTH.
And I so badly want to read it again. This book was BRILLIANT.
Like I've mentioned before, this book is NOTHIN ...more

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Mar 25, 2016 Cindy ✩☽♔ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines, sci-fi, otps-feels, space, arc, favorites

*ARC Review*

"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."

The perfect blend of dystopian and sci-fi. A story of friendship, humanity, family, politics and love.

Despite the initial pitch, this book is not Red Queen, though I do see where potential similarities may be drawn from. (view spoiler) ...more

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Feb 22, 2018 Ishmeen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5/5 stars 🌟 I am so shook by this book right now because I was not expecting to love it this so much?? Nemesis’s character was just so damn interesting to read about and the plot twists in this story made me not want to put it down. And boiiii the romance got me real bad I loved it 😍 I am not a big fan of politics but combined with science fiction I realised that I didn’t really mind it much in this story! Really looking forward to what’s to come next ❤️

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Oct 11, 2017 Bibi rated it it was amazing

3.5 stars

This was fun, fast-paced, and intriguing. Can't wait to read the sequel.

...more

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Feb 03, 2017 Chesca (thecrownedpages) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction, young-adult, qbc-2017-quarter-1-kickass-female, read-in-2017, favorites, favorite-book-boyfriends, owned-books

“Perhaps scorpions were the only ones who could save each other.
Whatever lay ahead, it would always be the two of us above the rest of the universe, and woe to any who dared step in our path.”

667 stars!
THAT WAS BLOODY AMAZING. I HAVE ANOTHER NEW FAVORITE!
Buddy-read with: Samantha (A History of Books)
for The Quarterly Book Club's 2017 1st Quarter - Kickass Female Leads

Nemesis was a Diabolic, designed to defend one person and kill all the others who posed as threat to her master. All ...more

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Oct 09, 2016 Alyssa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-releases

4.5 stars

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

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 grow ...more

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Nov 16, 2017 Aj the Ravenous Reader rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, five-stars, apocalyptic-post-apocalytic, emotionally-intense, physically-owned-books, unexpectedly-good, horror, young-adult

“To care was to be helpless in the worst possible way.”

This year is about to end but I could only count with my fingers books that really wowed me. I didn’t expect Diabolic was going to be one of them. That cover though very simple and unassuming is also completely gorgeous and captivating. It’s honestly one of the reasons why I bought the hardback and it pleases me to the bones to finally fully connect with the symbol at the front cover after reading the story. It’s perfect!

The story is wr “To care was to be helpless in the worst possible way.”

This year is about to end but I could only count with my fingers books that really wowed me. I didn’t expect Diabolic was going to be one of them. That cover though very simple and unassuming is also completely gorgeous and captivating. It’s honestly one of the reasons why I bought the hardback and it pleases me to the bones to finally fully connect with the symbol at the front cover after reading the story. It’s perfect!

The story is written in the standpoint of a Diabolic called Nemesis, a humanoid created with the sole purpose to protect a Senator’s daughter named Sidonia from the political threats of a cruel and tyrannical galactic emperor. The plot is simply brilliant. It started nice and slow with the perfect pacing and build up, rich with imaginative world building.

The futuristic world is very detailed and I could imagine the people looking like those from the Capitol of the Hunger Games except here, their beauty bots and enhancing machines are a lot more advanced. People could change hair style or color in a single command while humanoids or bots serve humans with their every possible need and caprice.

Multi, cruel twists of fate led Nemesis to finally decide what to do with her life by involving herself with the emperor’s “foolish” nephew, Tyrus. and thus putting herself in direct conflict with Emperor Rendevald and his power hunger, controlling creep of a mother, Cygna.

I must say the plot twists in this novel are endless and unpredictable. Events get more and more intense page after page that my heart won’t stop pounding. They get even more intensified by this fluid, majestic writing adorned with beautiful imageries and gripping metaphors. In short, it was a completely gripping read from page one till end.

The plot, character development, the philosophy, the politics, the literary writing, the romance and every other element of the story fits one another like unique individual pieces of this huge, beautiful puzzle of a novel. It was amazing! ...more

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Mar 09, 2017 Jilly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi, dystopia, y-a

This book totally surprised me. It was the Donald Trump of books because it really grabbed my attention and wouldn't let it go.

*whispers* never let me go...

If you were a fan of Red Rising, you will really like this one. It has the same feel with a fake identity, court & political intrigues, twisty turns, lots of bloody death, and a bunch of insanity. There were so many times when you weren't sure who was trying to kill who. I loved that!

Our heroine is Nemesis, who is a genetically engineered bod ...more

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Oct 19, 2017 Suzanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was an awesome read! I've had it on my bookshelf since around the time it came out but never got around to reading it for some reason or another. I am so glad I finally did! The world building does not override the plot, which I love since extended world building tends to annoy me. The characters are mostly vicious but that just adds to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed it so much that before even coming to review it on Goodreads, I went to Amazon and preordered the sequel that comes out this H ...more

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Aug 08, 2017 Gavin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya-books, sci-fi

I had high hopes for The Diabolic because the blurb grabbed my attention and made it sound like just the sort of sci-fi book I love to read. The actual story definitely delivered on the promise of the blurb. S. J. Kincaid had an engaging writing style and I loved both the characters and the story itself. The world building was a little simplistic but it was effective so it did not hurt the story.

A Diabolic is a genetically engineered human designed to protect the human it is bonded to at all co I had high hopes for The Diabolic because the blurb grabbed my attention and made it sound like just the sort of sci-fi book I love to read. The actual story definitely delivered on the promise of the blurb. S. J. Kincaid had an engaging writing style and I loved both the characters and the story itself. The world building was a little simplistic but it was effective so it did not hurt the story.

A Diabolic is a genetically engineered human designed to protect the human it is bonded to at all costs. Diabolic are superior to regular humans in every way. They are faster, stronger, and far more resilient than any regular human could hope to be and that is before the training they undergo from creation to hone their deadly skills! Nemesis is a Diabolic. She was created to protect Sidonia, who is the daughter of one of the noble families in the Empire. When Sidonia's father makes some unwise political moves that upset the Emperor, Sidonia is called to the royal court to act as surety of his future good behaviour. Given the Emperor's well know cruel nature it is decided that Nemesis will go to court in the guise of Sidonia!

The story was a ton of fun. Nemesis managed to be a super likeable lead character despite being a ruthless killer and it was great following her as she mimicked being a regular human! Her nature made her what she was so it was still easy to root for her and her development from a Diabolic into something more as the story progressed. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch. Sidonia was surprisingly likeable despite her pretty much being Sidonia's owner. When Nemesis pitched up at court we got to meet a whole bunch of interesting villains and a few likeable characters. The best of them turned out to be the Emperor's insane nephew and heir.

The sci-fi elements of this story were pretty cool. There was a lot of cool sci-fi technology but the rise of a knowledge opposed religion meant that no one had any deep understanding of how any of the technology worked!

All in all I found this a very fast paced and exciting read full of characters than were easy to like and root for and with a story that kept me totally captivated from start to finish. S. J. Kincaid just knew the perfect moment when a surprise twist was needed to keep the tension at a maximum!

Rating: An easy 5 stars as this is one of my favourite new YA finds in years.

Audio Note: Candace Thaxton gave a fantastic performance in this one. She got the tone of the story and her voice acting was very good. ...more

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Oct 27, 2017 Veronica ⭐️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, young-adult

Wow! I loved this book. It’s fast paced and nasty.
The story is narrated by Nemesis. She is a Diabolic. Bred to protect their bonded human. They have no feelings, no love, fear or empathy, only a fierce loyalty to the person they are bonded to. Only thing is Nemesis has felt fear and empathy, but when it comes down to kill or be killed, she will kill.

Nemesis’ role is to protect Sidonia and when Sidonia’s father, Senator Von Impyrean, displeases the Emperor and Sidonia is summoned to the courts he ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Carlos rated it really liked it

Wow, I didn't think I was going to finish this book in just one day, but once I started I could not stop ... this was such a thrilling ride to witness. Picture this , an intergalactic empire on the brinks of revolution, the elite having forsaken knowledge as something esoteric and punishing anyone who pursues knowledge to the point of murder . Diabolical are genetically modified creatures who are bonded to once person for life and then they will protect that person for the rest of their lives ev ...more

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Dec 23, 2016 Mairenn rated it really liked it

Shelves: friendship, young-adult, 2016-reads, fantasy, romance, fictional-creatures, kick-ass-heroine, buddy-reads, sci-fi

Dec. 31, 2016

from 1 star to 4 stars ...
Guys... I know! I know! ^-^

The early chapters of this book were indeed very difficult for me that's why I dnf this. But then, I remembered that I'm doing a buddy reading with a friend on another app, Books Amino, so I continued and really tried to get over my first impression.

Yes, I will stand by what I said that I couldn't relate with the characters at first and the story was difficult for me to get through. Maybe it's because this is my first sci-fi re ...more

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What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Fantasy. Beings with abilities created to serve the elite, one's master is a teenage girl who takes pity on her servant and encourages human experience and emotions for it, they become friends or lovers. Spoiler ahead. [s]	7	494	Dec 29, 2020 10:23PM
Shut Up & Read: The Diabolic, by S.J. Kincaid	12	15	Dec 16, 2020 10:17AM
Tallinna Keskraam...: 2020 august - "Põrguline" S. J. Kincaid	9	9	Sep 05, 2020 12:46AM
The Diabolic	2	19	Jan 02, 2019 12:40PM
Ung i Norrbotten: Diabolic av S. J. Kincaid	2	6	Jul 28, 2018 04:19PM

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About S.J. Kincaid

S.J. Kincaid

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Quotes from The Diabolic

“It’s terrifying to realize your own decisions are shaping your destiny.” — 38 likes

“Perhaps scorpions were the only ones who could save each other.
Whatever lay ahead, it would always be the two of us above the rest of the universe, and woe to any who dared step in out path.” — 33 likes

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