Goodreads Rating: 4.07 stars

Goodreads Summary:

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. Nothing else.

For Nemesis, that person is Sidonia, heir to the galactic Senate. The two grew up side by side, and there’s no one Nemesis wouldn’t kill to keep her safe. But when the power-mad Emperor summons Sidonia to the Imperial Court as a hostage, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia.

She must become her.

Now one of the galaxy’s most dangerous weapons is masquerading in a world of corrupt politicians and two-faced Senators’ children, and Nemesis must find within herself the one thing she’s been told she doesn’t have—humanity. With the Empire beginning to fracture and rebellion looming, that could be the one thing that saves her and the Empire itself.

My Thoughts:

When I was reading the Red Queen series last year, lots of people who didn’t like that series were telling me to read this one instead. I don’t get the comparison. They’re SO different! I love them both though.

The Diabolic took me completely by surprise. First of all, I really need to read summaries before I read books if I don’t want to be surprised by what genre they are. I totally thought this was going to be a fantasy, but it’s definitely a sci-fi. I haven’t read a sci-fi yet this year, so it was a nice surprise. Second of all, Nemesis is SUCH A FANTASTIC CHARACTER. There are so many layers to her and the plot itself. I just cannot wait to see how her character arc continues to progress.

I can see typical ya tropes in this novel, but they’re done in a way that they feel fresh. There was some insta-love going on which wasn’t my favorite. On the other hand, it wasn’t as abrupt as other books, so I can overlook it.

I flew through this book because it was always keeping me guessing. Did any of the twists surprise me? No. But I foresee that potential in The Empress. It’s taking everything in me not to look up spoilers.

Am I a little bit disappointed that this isn’t a duology? Yes because I just want to know everything about the plot RIGHT NOW. I have high hopes for The Empress. If it doesn’t meet my expectations… I dunno what I’ll do guys. We’ll see how it goes.