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tsimpampis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
swaye's review against another edition
4.0
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 merely the cringey as fuck couple of angsty, melodramatic chapters I would have been fine, but something pretty big happens towards the end that just doesn't sit well with me AT ALL.
If you haven't read the book look away now!
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 merely the cringey as fuck couple of angsty, melodramatic chapters I would have been fine, but something pretty big happens towards the end that just doesn't sit well with me AT ALL.
If you haven't read the book look away now!
Spoiler
I am not one of those "problematic" bandwagon types. I feel like a work of fiction can contain whatever the hell an author feels like putting in their book. One of the reasons fiction is so wonderful is that it's just that, fantasy! It's not Mein Kampf for godsake. That being said, I was deeply saddened and disappointed by the fact that the only gay character has no happy ending, in fact, she gets murdered, and if you get right down to it she basically gets killed off TWICE. I thought we were well past the nauseating "Bury Your Gays" trope but apparently I was wrong. 😞😞😞linara4522's review against another edition
5.0
4th read
I actually couldn't wait to start rereading this book. I was already picturing some scenes and dialogues in August, but I had to wait till fall to actually start it. Anyways, nothing more to say other than: I COULD DIE FOR THIS TRILOGY.
3rd read
I'm officially making this an annual reread.
2nd read (in french)
24/12/2021 to 27/12/2021
J’ai tout simplement adoré!! C’était aussi bien qu'à la première lecture même PLUS à vrai dire. J’ai véritablement éprouvé des choses qui me surprennent, je n’aurai cru capable de telle empathie envers des personnages fictifs, de mots et d’encres. Hélas, je me suis retrouvé en train de m’émouvoir à 2 heure du matin à côté de mon frère et un ami lorsque je lisais la terrible scène entre la protagoniste et l’amoureux du protagoniste.
Bon j’arrête un peu d’éluder le résumé:
Alors, ce livre nous raconte l’histoire de Némésis, une Diabolic, c'est -à -dire une créature génétiquement modifiée afin qu’elle puisse être utilisée en tant qu’arme pour la grandiloque du Vif Cosmos. Ça à l'air compliqué dit comme ça mais c’est très simple.
Némésis égale esclave de la noblesse, en d'autres termes d’une famille spécifique de la noblesse. Et cette famille c’est celle des Empyrées, une prestigieuse lignée de sénateurs qui a des tendances religieuses envers l’Empire. Le père de Sidonia notamment, la fille sous laquelle sert Némésis en tant que garde du corps, provoquent le mécontentement de l'empereur en s’alliant à des idéologies blasphématoires, telle que celle de la science et non de la hélio-religion-je-sais-plus-trop-quoi.
Bon un jour le père de Sidonia est allé trop loin et par conséquent sa fille, Sidonia est convoquée au Chrésanthium. Celle-ci l’en est empêchée par ses parents, qui veulent la protéger coûte que coûte ainsi ils désignent Némésis comme remplaçante pour Sidonia et l’envoie à l’autre bout du Galaxie pour imiter la sénatrice von Empyrée. Bon après y’a v’là les obstacles et conflits dû au rumeurs liant à la famille Empyrée donc y’a pas grand monde qui l’apprécie, et genre Némésis elle même n’aime personne d’autre que Sidonia. À ses yeux seule Sidonia compte, seule elle peut être sa raison d’exister. Ainsi au long du tome on découvre en même temps que Némésis qu’elle est dotée de particularités humaines qu’elle ne savait pas être capable de ressentir, comme par exemple la peur, ou même le chagrin, et même… de l’amour.????? Et ouiiiiii, Némésis va tomber amoureuse mais je ne dirai pas de qui car c’est encore qu’une revue et que ce serait spoiler à mon avis.
Anyways, fini les plaisanteries.
Laissez-moi vous rendre fous avec mes pensées tumultueuses qui me suffoquent depuis que j’ai lu le dernier mot de la dernière page du premier livre de la trilogie écrite par S.J KINCAID. Faut tout d’abord acclamer l’écrivaine qui à fait un boulot hors-norme sur le développement du protagoniste. Jamais je ne me lasserai de cette histoire et du voyage qu’entreprend Némésis lors de ses cours 500 et quelques pages.
ARGHHHH, les enfants!!! Si je peux seulement montrer à quel point ce livre m’a bouleversé!!! Et rendu heureuse!!!! Arghhhhhhh
1st read
I was young and I can't remember anything other than LOVING this book.
I actually couldn't wait to start rereading this book. I was already picturing some scenes and dialogues in August, but I had to wait till fall to actually start it. Anyways, nothing more to say other than: I COULD DIE FOR THIS TRILOGY.
3rd read
I'm officially making this an annual reread.
2nd read (in french)
24/12/2021 to 27/12/2021
J’ai tout simplement adoré!! C’était aussi bien qu'à la première lecture même PLUS à vrai dire. J’ai véritablement éprouvé des choses qui me surprennent, je n’aurai cru capable de telle empathie envers des personnages fictifs, de mots et d’encres. Hélas, je me suis retrouvé en train de m’émouvoir à 2 heure du matin à côté de mon frère et un ami lorsque je lisais la terrible scène entre la protagoniste et l’amoureux du protagoniste.
Bon j’arrête un peu d’éluder le résumé:
Alors, ce livre nous raconte l’histoire de Némésis, une Diabolic, c'est -à -dire une créature génétiquement modifiée afin qu’elle puisse être utilisée en tant qu’arme pour la grandiloque du Vif Cosmos. Ça à l'air compliqué dit comme ça mais c’est très simple.
Némésis égale esclave de la noblesse, en d'autres termes d’une famille spécifique de la noblesse. Et cette famille c’est celle des Empyrées, une prestigieuse lignée de sénateurs qui a des tendances religieuses envers l’Empire. Le père de Sidonia notamment, la fille sous laquelle sert Némésis en tant que garde du corps, provoquent le mécontentement de l'empereur en s’alliant à des idéologies blasphématoires, telle que celle de la science et non de la hélio-religion-je-sais-plus-trop-quoi.
Bon un jour le père de Sidonia est allé trop loin et par conséquent sa fille, Sidonia est convoquée au Chrésanthium. Celle-ci l’en est empêchée par ses parents, qui veulent la protéger coûte que coûte ainsi ils désignent Némésis comme remplaçante pour Sidonia et l’envoie à l’autre bout du Galaxie pour imiter la sénatrice von Empyrée. Bon après y’a v’là les obstacles et conflits dû au rumeurs liant à la famille Empyrée donc y’a pas grand monde qui l’apprécie, et genre Némésis elle même n’aime personne d’autre que Sidonia. À ses yeux seule Sidonia compte, seule elle peut être sa raison d’exister. Ainsi au long du tome on découvre en même temps que Némésis qu’elle est dotée de particularités humaines qu’elle ne savait pas être capable de ressentir, comme par exemple la peur, ou même le chagrin, et même… de l’amour.????? Et ouiiiiii, Némésis va tomber amoureuse mais je ne dirai pas de qui car c’est encore qu’une revue et que ce serait spoiler à mon avis.
Anyways, fini les plaisanteries.
Laissez-moi vous rendre fous avec mes pensées tumultueuses qui me suffoquent depuis que j’ai lu le dernier mot de la dernière page du premier livre de la trilogie écrite par S.J KINCAID. Faut tout d’abord acclamer l’écrivaine qui à fait un boulot hors-norme sur le développement du protagoniste. Jamais je ne me lasserai de cette histoire et du voyage qu’entreprend Némésis lors de ses cours 500 et quelques pages.
ARGHHHH, les enfants!!! Si je peux seulement montrer à quel point ce livre m’a bouleversé!!! Et rendu heureuse!!!! Arghhhhhhh
1st read
I was young and I can't remember anything other than LOVING this book.
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
4.0
I saw buzz and good reviews all over the place for this book, so I decided to get it, and I’m happy that I did. Not only is the cover beautiful but the books is just the same.
It starts of a bit odd as we learn of the world and Nemesis. And the humans around her. Nemesis is owed and bonded to Sidonia and pretty much programmed to love and protect Sidonia. As well put her own life down and die for her master if it comes to it. And Nemesis is just ready to do that. She is going through a so much pain just protect Sidonia and become her.
But it comes clear very early on that Nemesis is starting to have feelings and emotions herself. Something that she is not build or programmed to have.
As she arrives at the Empires estate things turn ugly right away and she does anything to help Sidonia survive but that might be harder than she thought because she is away from her master and really is pretending to be her and nobody can know.
Please see my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/diabolic-s-j-kincaid/
It starts of a bit odd as we learn of the world and Nemesis. And the humans around her. Nemesis is owed and bonded to Sidonia and pretty much programmed to love and protect Sidonia. As well put her own life down and die for her master if it comes to it. And Nemesis is just ready to do that. She is going through a so much pain just protect Sidonia and become her.
But it comes clear very early on that Nemesis is starting to have feelings and emotions herself. Something that she is not build or programmed to have.
As she arrives at the Empires estate things turn ugly right away and she does anything to help Sidonia survive but that might be harder than she thought because she is away from her master and really is pretending to be her and nobody can know.
Please see my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/diabolic-s-j-kincaid/
amoiderer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
It seems to be a common belief that, if you read a book in one or two sittings, that means it's a better than one that you read over a week. Which is so not the case. I don't know about other people but there are plenty of books I've read in a single sitting and ended up rating 1 or 2 stars. And this book, which I've been "currently reading" for months, is one that I quite liked.
The protagonist is Nemesis, who is a Diabolic. Diabolics are people, though they're not seen as people, who are bred for protection. They're stronger and faster than ordinary humans. They're raised and trained in the most horrendous conditions and then biologically linked to the person they're supposed to protect such that they care about and love only that person. And they'd do anything, kill anyone, for that person's safety. They's even sacrifice themselves if the situation demanded it. But not just anyone can get a Diabolic. Nemesis is a Diabolic for Sidonia, who is the heir to a royal family.
I'm not sure royal family is the right word though. The setting of the novel is sci-fi, but despite the technology, the belief system is more primitive. In fact, scientific learning or teaching is punishable by death. Yes, everyone lives on huge space stations but they don't know how the tech works. The Emperor's family had used ignorance to maintain power for centuries.
When Sidonia's father does something to upset the Emperor, Sidonia is invited to his court. No one's under any illusion that it's more than a hostage situation waiting to happen. So Sidonia's mother trains and sends Nemesis to the court disguised as Sidonia. And Nemesis's is job is to navigate the court, convince the court that she's really Sidonia, find out what the Emperor plans for the family and, if necessary, die in Sidonia's place.
And the situation at court is so much worse than one would expect. The Emperor is a manic who abuses his power in the worst of ways. His mother is worse and actually responsible for having most of the family killed, including all her other kids because she wants only the "strongest" on the throne. The heir to the empire is mentally unstable. And the court is full of visiting royalty who are all ruthless religious extremists who are concerned only with kissing the emperor's ass.
It's a pretty bleak world that Nemesis has to navigate. It's a good thing she's not afraid of any of them. Honestly, Nemesis is a great protagonist. She's introduced to us as this emotionless being, except in case of Sidonia, and it's wonderful to see her coming into herself. We see her form a personality outside of the person she's supposed to protect, without losing any of her brutal, cross-me-and-I-will-snap-your-neck nature.
That said, I still could've done without the fast-developing romance. I mean, we're not really introduced to the love interest until halfway through the book, although I suspected who it would be pretty early on, and I would have loved to see a romance between the two had it happened slowly. This is a series, the author could stretch it out between this book and the next so they moved from tentative friendship to trust to love. But it was kinda rushed. I still liked it well enough though, mainly because both the characters are great and complement each other well.
The story of the book was good. But it was a bit jarring how often the setting changed. I mean, this is a completely unfamiliar world. Going to so many new placing with so many new people wasn't fun. It took me out of the story for a while every time.
Overall, this was a good book with great protagonists. I was even on board with the romance after I got time to get used to it. And while a part of me is interested to know what will happen next in the series, the sequel has gotten some... mixed reviews. And the book kind of works as a standalone as well so I might just stop here. I could change my mind later on, especially since the last book hasn't come out yet, but for now, I'm good.
It seems to be a common belief that, if you read a book in one or two sittings, that means it's a better than one that you read over a week. Which is so not the case. I don't know about other people but there are plenty of books I've read in a single sitting and ended up rating 1 or 2 stars. And this book, which I've been "currently reading" for months, is one that I quite liked.
The protagonist is Nemesis, who is a Diabolic. Diabolics are people, though they're not seen as people, who are bred for protection. They're stronger and faster than ordinary humans. They're raised and trained in the most horrendous conditions and then biologically linked to the person they're supposed to protect such that they care about and love only that person. And they'd do anything, kill anyone, for that person's safety. They's even sacrifice themselves if the situation demanded it. But not just anyone can get a Diabolic. Nemesis is a Diabolic for Sidonia, who is the heir to a royal family.
I'm not sure royal family is the right word though. The setting of the novel is sci-fi, but despite the technology, the belief system is more primitive. In fact, scientific learning or teaching is punishable by death. Yes, everyone lives on huge space stations but they don't know how the tech works. The Emperor's family had used ignorance to maintain power for centuries.
When Sidonia's father does something to upset the Emperor, Sidonia is invited to his court. No one's under any illusion that it's more than a hostage situation waiting to happen. So Sidonia's mother trains and sends Nemesis to the court disguised as Sidonia. And Nemesis's is job is to navigate the court, convince the court that she's really Sidonia, find out what the Emperor plans for the family and, if necessary, die in Sidonia's place.
And the situation at court is so much worse than one would expect. The Emperor is a manic who abuses his power in the worst of ways. His mother is worse and actually responsible for having most of the family killed, including all her other kids because she wants only the "strongest" on the throne. The heir to the empire is mentally unstable. And the court is full of visiting royalty who are all ruthless religious extremists who are concerned only with kissing the emperor's ass.
It's a pretty bleak world that Nemesis has to navigate. It's a good thing she's not afraid of any of them. Honestly, Nemesis is a great protagonist. She's introduced to us as this emotionless being, except in case of Sidonia, and it's wonderful to see her coming into herself. We see her form a personality outside of the person she's supposed to protect, without losing any of her brutal, cross-me-and-I-will-snap-your-neck nature.
That said, I still could've done without the fast-developing romance. I mean, we're not really introduced to the love interest until halfway through the book, although I suspected who it would be pretty early on, and I would have loved to see a romance between the two had it happened slowly. This is a series, the author could stretch it out between this book and the next so they moved from tentative friendship to trust to love. But it was kinda rushed. I still liked it well enough though, mainly because both the characters are great and complement each other well.
The story of the book was good. But it was a bit jarring how often the setting changed. I mean, this is a completely unfamiliar world. Going to so many new placing with so many new people wasn't fun. It took me out of the story for a while every time.
Overall, this was a good book with great protagonists. I was even on board with the romance after I got time to get used to it. And while a part of me is interested to know what will happen next in the series, the sequel has gotten some... mixed reviews. And the book kind of works as a standalone as well so I might just stop here. I could change my mind later on, especially since the last book hasn't come out yet, but for now, I'm good.
nomadic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
phoenix2's review against another edition
3.0
For me it felt more of a YA than Sci Fi but I did liked it. Have to give credit to the author who managed to pull it off with such a difficult character. Nemesis is bloody ruthless but her character development was amazing. However I still don't trust Tyrus (sorry but something feels off). With Donia, I've got to say that the twists involving her were kind of obvious... All in all, I liked it, it had enough action, good writing, easy pace, good characters and interesting plot.
larimaya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
yodamom's review against another edition
3.0
audiobook- narrator- 4 stars
Interesting take on the humanity in us, genetically engineered people and animals.
Political back stabbing, familicide, rape, animal abuse, abuse mental and physical.
The book directs you to look at what is love, or it tries too.
The heroine was loyal to a fault at times, as she was designed to be.
The who was really the snake fooled me to the end and I'm still wondering
I enjoyed the book but had some issues with bits.
1) The love was too instant without any real reason for it. Why did he love her ? I never got it, it seemed just to be there. I needed some grounding on that.
2) Her jumping from robotic like to emotional to robotic like did not flow right for me it felt broken
3) The big happening was too easy, the ending too neat
Interesting take on the humanity in us, genetically engineered people and animals.
Political back stabbing, familicide, rape, animal abuse, abuse mental and physical.
The book directs you to look at what is love, or it tries too.
The heroine was loyal to a fault at times, as she was designed to be.
The who was really the snake fooled me to the end and I'm still wondering
I enjoyed the book but had some issues with bits.
1) The love was too instant without any real reason for it. Why did he love her ? I never got it, it seemed just to be there. I needed some grounding on that.
2) Her jumping from robotic like to emotional to robotic like did not flow right for me it felt broken
3) The big happening was too easy, the ending too neat