“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: Kill in order to … 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.more
The Diabolic follows Nemesis as she takes Sidonia’s place in the treacherous galactic court.
Interesting Setting
The Diabolic was reminiscent of a space opera that worked. It takes place in the far-off future, after a deep expiration of space. Society is separated by those who live planet side called Excesses, and then the aristocrats who live in domes in space with artificial gravity and weather.
It is a strong setting and one that works for pulling the reader into the world. It gives it something contemporary to ground the reader in this narrative of social injustice, differences in the class system, and themes such as slavery and indentured servitude.
There are many layers to the storytelling, much more than listed above, and it is interesting to see them developed through Nemesis’s perspective. As a Diabolic, Nemesis’s creation is for one purpose: to be sold to the highest bidder as a tool of protection. She is considered lesser than, and it is not until she ventures from her home to protect Sidonia that she learns that she is more than just a tool.
Nemesis’s story is more than just a sci-fi adventure about overthrowing an evil emperor. Her story is one of finding value in herself. Nemesis learns that her existence exceeds her initial definition, that she is more than just a tool. Nemesis learns to laugh, learns to feel, and learns to love herself as Sidonia loved her.
It is touching to see this character development, to see her memories of her life before Sidonia come forward, empowering her need for justice and equality in a society that sees her as a commodity. Memories of herself trapped in a cage told to kill and fight for food and survival.
Good Development
As mentioned above, Nemesis’s character development is well done. She goes through great lengths to keep Sidonia safe from the emperor. It is Nemesis who drives the story forward as she tries to navigate the complexities of the court.
However, it is also interesting to see the story unfold in the way that it did. There were bits and pieces of the story that are predictable, especially if the reader is paying attention to the details. They are subtle, but they give the reader an idea of where the story is going.
The rising tension and the subterfuge, the manipulation, and court politics are sharp and precise. They push the reader to the edge of their seat as they seek to find out if Nemesis will live or die. It is such a roll of the dice that it keeps the reader guessing.
The reader wants to root for Nemesis and see all her enemies fall at her feet as she comes into her own. Furthermore, that makes for a compelling read.
Final Thoughts
The Diabolic is an excellent start to a new series. Following Nemesis’s growth and development, the story brings out some challenging themes while grounding the reader in the sci-fi plot.
It’s so perfect…I love the fact that it takes place in a futuristic and dystopian world.You’ll love it!
I enjoyed the decadent imperial world, contrasted by the vicious nature of the court Nemesis has to navigate. Lovely enemies-to-lovers romance and well-rounded characters!
A real page turner, especially the last half. When I finished, I wanted the story to continue.
If you are a big fan of Red Queen, this is the book for you. The Diabolic is set in a world where you can travel between planets! In a world where this is possible, there are bound to be Emperors who usurp their power. In the Grandiolque, they refuse to let anyone learn of science and math, as it will cause a rebellion. But the starships are falling apart, and pretty soon everyone will be confined to one planet. Nemesis is diabolic, and she was created to serve and one person. Sidonia. But what will happen when Nemesis has to go to the Chrysanthemum, the heart of the Emperor, in place of Sidonia? Diabolics are not created to feel love, or cry, or have feelings. they are simply there to protect. How far will Nemesis go to protect the one person she loves above all?
The beginning is a little slow. But once the world is set up, there are so much suspense, softness in the middle of many plots, and surprises that we are blown away by this wonderful story. I can’t wait for reading the second book.
Six thumbs up! Beautifully written with vivid and rich characters.
Absolutely incredible, the amazing character development, the realistic grieving even in such a strange universe, a true show that one is not always who they seem. Realistic emotion and internal as well as external conflict that positively enchants the mind and toys with the delicate emotions of one’s soul. I highly recommend this to anyone, ANYONE at all!