The Diabolic by SJ Kincaid

For Sale: Your own person genetically altered bodyguard.

This was a 12 books in 12 months book challenge recommendation that I was really excited to read. I had seen this book around, had looked at it numerous times at the store, but for some reason just left it sitting on the bookshelf and went with something else. Now, I am excited to finally check it off the excessively long TBR list that haunts my dreams. Ok, it doesn’t haunt my dream, I love my list and strive to add books as often as I can.

So, with this one we have a science fiction space world where reading, science, and knowledge is not just frowned upon but is in all intents and purposes prohibited. No wonder all their spaceships are beginning to explode in hyperspace. If STEM skills were allowed to create such things, you basically need the same skills to fix, maintain and enhance. This is just one little piece of a very complex world that is built in this little hidden gem of a book.

The world itself is what has created the diabolics, genetically altered humans that are designed to be ruthless killers. They are programmed and ‘bonded’ to one person who they are to protect and serve with no regard for themselves or others. Enter Nemesis, a diabolic, who is bought as a young child to be the diabolic to Sidonia, the daughter of a senator. Essentially it was the whole, “Mom! All the cool kids have a diabolic.”

Nemesis and Sidonia grow up together where it is apparent that Nemesis is part sister, part best friend, and part pet. Through the genetic modifications, Nemesis doesn’t have any really unique physical features, no true “human feelings” but does possess enhanced physical strength. They are inseparable and for the first portion of the book this is pretty much the focus which creates a very slow pace.

I was really worried about the progression of the plot and if I would even be able to stick it out. Rest assured, once Nemesis, in Sidonia’s place,  arrives at the Chrysanthemum, the space station-esce‘ “capital’ of the empire, the plot really hit its stride. I began to really enjoy it because the conflict is finally introduced even though it’s clear that there is so much more going on. Obviously the Senator wouldn’t send his only child, heir to the position into the hands of someone who may wish her harm. Sidonia is protected and kept safe by modifying Nemesis’s looks and sending her in essence to possible death.

The characters drive the plot and are very well developed and presented. Nemesis wasn’t my favorite. There were actually several times where she really annoyed me. Her constant self deprecating behavior and lack of any degree of self worth, became a little too overwhelming. I do, however, understand the importance of these character traits for they set the groundwork  for her evolution, but there are moments and narration that can be a little too dragged out and slightly whiny.

Tyrus is the absolute best. He presents himself as the completely mentally unstable heir to the throne causing his uncle, the Emperor, and his grandmother to be completely unconcerned about his actions. They are comforted in the belief that he is able to be manipulated and controlled. This allows him to be the point of the power struggle triangle that is unknown to the others. His ability to see Nemesis for who she truly is and not simply who society expects her to be seen influences Nemesis’s own character development. So, here is one character that paves the way for multiple characters to achieve their full potential and the outcome of several tense moments.

The secondary characters play their parts well and add the subtext that is critical to move along and set up the larger action scenes. Neveni and Eltrana are perfect opposites that hold the balance with Nemesis and Tryus in the middle.However, at the end of the day, I think Deadly was my absolute favorite secondary character. Apparently I have a soft spot for the animals.

The plot itself has an effective peaks and valley approach. Climatic moments would happen, then the settling moments would allow time to develop and build the tension to the next moment. I loved the events occurring on Neveni’s planet and all the conspiracy planning that takes place in Tyrus abode. But, all these moments always lead back to encounters with the Domitrians, more specifically the family squabbles within the Domitrian family. The power triangle is really just a sophisticated chess game of who can outwit and out manipulate the others. There are plays made that I was not predicting, and that always makes the plot more engaging.

There are some interesting symbols presented if you pay attention to them. There are a few mentions of scorpions. These little creatures tend to symbolize death, power, evil, and control. Yep, that is fitting, and remember it isn’t always just the antagonists of a story that can be seeking control and power and choose to use whatever methods needed to achieve that. The chrysanthemum also symbolizes ideals that align to the novel. Longevity and loyalty can definitely be tied to the Domitrian family and their tenure on the throne. But in some cultures, the flower can also symbolize death and grief, which both are woven throughout.

All these pieces blend together to develop a detailed world. There were intentional moments taken to build and explain accepted and unaccepted practices allowing better understanding of characters' intentions and interactions with each other and their environment. I liked the subtle addressing of topics like racism, prejudices, class distinctions, self acceptance, the subjugation of people through the manipulation of religion and withholding knowledge and technology. All very subtle but very present.

Finally, the ending is tied up in a nice solid little bow. Had Kincaid wanted, this could very well have been a stand alone book. I didn’t even realize at first that this was part of a series. That made me then think what could possibly be the conflict and driving force to continue the plot? I’m going out on a limb to think that the trilogy will continue to focus on Nemesis, but the conflict would come from someone not being dead whom everyone thinks is dead or from the Excess wanting to rise up. I will just have to read book 2 to find out.

Where does this land on my bookshelf?

Definitely on the middle shelf. If the first quarter of the book wasn’t slow like it was, I may feel differently. I thoroughly enjoyed the sequence of events once Nemesis took on Sidonia’s identity, and how she found her human self through being someone else. There is a little bit of everything mixed in here. There’s death and love, scheming and deceiving, and twists and turns. I saw others state that this could be compared to a combination of Red Queen and The Hunger Games. Personally, I don’t see either of these in this book, but I’m also pretty against comparing books. I, on the other hand, appreciate this one for it’s unique and somewhat innovative approach to a pretty popular genre. It was different and engaging. I thought it was fun to see how the characters were going to try to out due each other and who was going to throw the next punch. The rest of the series will be added to my TBR, but I’m not going to rush to get them read.

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