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emhildeb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I struggled a bit with this one for how confusing it was. I struggled keeping track of what was real. I also didn't like how a lot of people kept basically coming back from the dead. So there weren't any real consequences or death. I don't care about Tyrus or the romance at all. I missed Nemesis's humanity development. I liked the beginning a bit more, and I do think the ending ultimately made sense.
robinhood2000's review
2.0
Like the first two books incredibly well written but man, it's a train wreck. The author should have stopped at the first book and left it as a stand alone novel. The characters are still good, which is why it gets a two, but it only gets worse, the first one I gave 5 stars!
jeannakedrowski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
clesh01's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
asami_kukomi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book broke me. I am in tears. This is the best book I've read in 2024.
Seven years after reading the first book, I'm so glad I decided to reread and continue with this trilogy.
I definitely was not expecting the turns this series would take from the first book. It went from fake dating to dismantling an entire empire. BEAUTIFUL, Chef's kiss.
This is the best YA sci-fi series I've read in a while, if not ever. I honestly wasn't expecting to get so caught up in this book, but my emotions were played with so extravagantly, it was a great time.
Now I need time to recover from this emotional rollercoaster.
Seven years after reading the first book, I'm so glad I decided to reread and continue with this trilogy.
I definitely was not expecting the turns this series would take from the first book. It went from fake dating to dismantling an entire empire. BEAUTIFUL, Chef's kiss.
This is the best YA sci-fi series I've read in a while, if not ever. I honestly wasn't expecting to get so caught up in this book, but my emotions were played with so extravagantly, it was a great time.
Now I need time to recover from this emotional rollercoaster.
bluejaybooks's review
5.0
Second read through
The more I think about it, the more I like it. Now I kind of want to reread the whole trilogy.
__
Post Reading
It was clever what the author pulled off here in subverting frequent criticism of traditional revolution tropes. Even if some of it was hard to read because Nemesis was so distraught that I felt like crying just reading her perspective. Ideally, I think that this book and book 2 would have been 1 long book because they're really two halves of a whole story arc. However, I'm honestly happy to have a conclusion after the long wait for this book.
That said, I'd love a spin-off novel/novella to find out what happens in the far future after this book, but I don't need one to be satisfied with how it ended.
___
Prereading
Felt conflicted about the last book, so tentatively adding this one to my TBR. I think S. J. Kincaid is a great writer but that the second half of The Empress broke the promise of what was set up in the first half, hence the mixed reviews. Hopeful that she can pick up the pieces in The Nemesis
The more I think about it, the more I like it. Now I kind of want to reread the whole trilogy.
__
Post Reading
It was clever what the author pulled off here in subverting frequent criticism of traditional revolution tropes. Even if some of it was hard to read because Nemesis was so distraught that I felt like crying just reading her perspective. Ideally, I think that this book and book 2 would have been 1 long book because they're really two halves of a whole story arc. However, I'm honestly happy to have a conclusion after the long wait for this book.
That said, I'd love a spin-off novel/novella to find out what happens in the far future after this book, but I don't need one to be satisfied with how it ended.
___
Prereading
Felt conflicted about the last book, so tentatively adding this one to my TBR. I think S. J. Kincaid is a great writer but that the second half of The Empress broke the promise of what was set up in the first half, hence the mixed reviews. Hopeful that she can pick up the pieces in The Nemesis
kstanpadg's review
3.0
i started out hating this book and wishing the author had just ended the series at the first book and i still think she could have done that bc the plot in the last two books was so complicated BUT like halfway thru this book there was a twist and i suddenly cared about the series again
“you are my family. it does not matter that i hated who you loved”
“i did not deserve his forgiveness. but how easily and wholeheartedly he gave it.”
“you are my family. it does not matter that i hated who you loved”
“i did not deserve his forgiveness. but how easily and wholeheartedly he gave it.”
renee_c's review
5.0
4.5/5
I was actually wondering to myself when the last time I finished an entire series was (other than TFOTA). Even if I like a book, it's rare that I get around to picking up the sequel, and even more unlikely that I make it to the third. That I kept up with S.J. Kincaid's releases through the years is a testament in itself to how invested I was in Nemesis' and Tyrus' stories.
I waited a long time to write this review because I had so many feelings while I was reading this book I had to clear my head. While sometimes I was frustrated with Nemesis or impatient with the politics, most of the time I eagerly anticipated Nemesis and Tyrus' romance and despaired at the hopeless circumstances. I was completely hooked throughout the entire novel because after the twists of The Empress, I had to learn what became of Tyrus. I stayed up throughout the night to absolutely devour this novel and I even teared up one specific line; for the sake of spoilers I won't say what it was, but it was said by Tyrus and when you read it you'll know what I mean. I just felt so frustrated at all of the trials they each had to go through, and for a moment I truly thought S.J. Kincaid was going to take the dark path and deny us a happy ending. Honestly, I could've made my peace with that, but I'm so glad we did end up getting our ride into the sunset.
I rated this novel so highly because I was so invested in Nemesis, in Tyrus, and in their relationship, and because of that The Nemesis kept me utterly engaged. But there are a few weak points. Though this novel does not disappoint with more plot twists, there are almost a few too many; the constant flipping back and forth got a little bit old. I continued to adore Nemesis's logical mindset, but at times her complete loyalty to Tyrus was a little frustrating. The biggest flaw is that the novel has many, many preachy passages. Kincaid drones on about the merits of a democracy throughout the entire novel and I was literally sitting there thinking, yes, I live in America, I've already been indoctrinated. Honestly, I didn't give a *** about the empire or the politics; I was only there for Nemesis and Tyrus, as I'd imagine most readers at this point in the series are, so I skimmed repetitive passages as necessary.
The positive characteristics of the novel shine brightly enough to blot out the flaws. Nemesis's relationship with Anguish was a very pleasant surprise and can be described by one of my favorite lines from the book: "We are more than friends. We are equals." Once I read that I realized that was exactly why I loved their relationship so much. The other strength of this novel is the way Kincaid was able to capture the spirit of the rebellion. When I read the phrase "NEMESIS LIVES" I get chills, and that's hard to do.
If you're a fan of morally gray characters, novels set in space, corrupt empires and rebellions, complicated relationships (think The Shadows Between Us but more complex)...I highly recommend you pick up this series, if you haven't already. If you've read the first or the first two and have hesitated to complete the series because you worry it may ruin the previous novels, fear not, for The Nemesis does its predecessors justice.
I was actually wondering to myself when the last time I finished an entire series was (other than TFOTA). Even if I like a book, it's rare that I get around to picking up the sequel, and even more unlikely that I make it to the third. That I kept up with S.J. Kincaid's releases through the years is a testament in itself to how invested I was in Nemesis' and Tyrus' stories.
I waited a long time to write this review because I had so many feelings while I was reading this book I had to clear my head. While sometimes I was frustrated with Nemesis or impatient with the politics, most of the time I eagerly anticipated Nemesis and Tyrus' romance and despaired at the hopeless circumstances. I was completely hooked throughout the entire novel because after the twists of The Empress, I had to learn what became of Tyrus. I stayed up throughout the night to absolutely devour this novel and I even teared up one specific line; for the sake of spoilers I won't say what it was, but it was said by Tyrus and when you read it you'll know what I mean. I just felt so frustrated at all of the trials they each had to go through, and for a moment I truly thought S.J. Kincaid was going to take the dark path and deny us a happy ending. Honestly, I could've made my peace with that, but I'm so glad we did end up getting our ride into the sunset.
I rated this novel so highly because I was so invested in Nemesis, in Tyrus, and in their relationship, and because of that The Nemesis kept me utterly engaged. But there are a few weak points. Though this novel does not disappoint with more plot twists, there are almost a few too many; the constant flipping back and forth got a little bit old. I continued to adore Nemesis's logical mindset, but at times her complete loyalty to Tyrus was a little frustrating. The biggest flaw is that the novel has many, many preachy passages. Kincaid drones on about the merits of a democracy throughout the entire novel and I was literally sitting there thinking, yes, I live in America, I've already been indoctrinated. Honestly, I didn't give a *** about the empire or the politics; I was only there for Nemesis and Tyrus, as I'd imagine most readers at this point in the series are, so I skimmed repetitive passages as necessary.
The positive characteristics of the novel shine brightly enough to blot out the flaws. Nemesis's relationship with Anguish was a very pleasant surprise and can be described by one of my favorite lines from the book: "We are more than friends. We are equals." Once I read that I realized that was exactly why I loved their relationship so much. The other strength of this novel is the way Kincaid was able to capture the spirit of the rebellion. When I read the phrase "NEMESIS LIVES" I get chills, and that's hard to do.
If you're a fan of morally gray characters, novels set in space, corrupt empires and rebellions, complicated relationships (think The Shadows Between Us but more complex)...I highly recommend you pick up this series, if you haven't already. If you've read the first or the first two and have hesitated to complete the series because you worry it may ruin the previous novels, fear not, for The Nemesis does its predecessors justice.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
1.0
1/5
Ok with the last book I was still aggravated with the sci fi aspect and the romance to me was just all over the place.
Ok with the last book I was still aggravated with the sci fi aspect and the romance to me was just all over the place.