The Empress by S.J. Kincaid Series: The Diabolic #2
Published by Simon & Schuster (10.31.2017)
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Format: Audiobook, 378 pages
Length: 11 hours, 8 minutes
Narrator: Candace Thaxton
Source: Library
It’s a new day in the Empire. Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side and now they can find a new way forward—one where they don’t have to hide or scheme or kill. One where creatures like Nemesis will be given worth and recognition, where science and information can be shared with everyone and not just the elite.
But having power isn’t the same thing as keeping it, and change isn’t always welcome. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets and systems for centuries—and they are plotting to stop this teenage Emperor and Nemesis, who is considered nothing more than a creature and certainly not worthy of being Empress.
Nemesis will protect Tyrus at any cost. He is the love of her life, and they are partners in this new beginning. But she cannot protect him by being the killing machine she once was. She will have to prove the humanity that she’s found inside herself to the whole Empire—or she and Tyrus may lose more than just the throne. But if proving her humanity means that she and Tyrus must do inhuman things, is the fight worth the cost of winning it?
My thoughts
Full disclosure: I almost didn’t read this. The first time I picked it up I was bored out of my mind with the politics and I DNFed it. It took me years, but I finally decided to give it another shot! I think listening to the audio really helped, honestly. It was much easier to get through this time around!
It was still pretty slow in the beginning, but the last half really picked up. And THAT ENDING!!! View Spoiler »
I never knew which direction the story would take. I love an author who can keep me on my toes!
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3/5
Premise: 4/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 3.5/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 3/5
Feels: 3/5
Narration: 4/5
Cover: /5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
The Nemesis by S.J. Kincaid Series: The Diabolic #3
Published by Simon & Schuster (8.25.2020)
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Format: Audiobook, 320 pages
Length: 11 hours, 15 minutes
Narrator: Candace Thaxton
Source: Library
Three years ago, Tyrus Domitrian shocked the galaxy by killing the woman he swore to love forever. The woman for whom he upended the Empire. The woman with whom he wanted to build a new and brighter future.
Now, the once-idealistic heir apparent has become the cruel Emperor Tyrus, wielding his authority with an iron fist, capable of destroying planets with a single word, controlling all technology with a simple thought. He has bent the Grandiloquy to their knees, and none has the power to stand against him.
But there is a muttering among the Excess. They say that Nemesis is not truly gone. They whisper of her shadow spotted in distant star systems. They say that Nemesis lives. That she will rise, and rally the people to topple the man who was once her truest love—and is now her fiercest enemy.
My thoughts
This was a solid conclusion to a great sci-fi trilogy!
Tyrus makes it SO hard to decipher what is real and what is a lie, so I can understand why Nemesis mistrusted him. I did too! I thought he was very well written because I could never guess what he would do next or what his true motive was.
So, I have mixed feelings about the ending. View Spoiler »
Overall Assessment
Plot: 4/5
Premise: 4/5
Writing style: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Feels: 3/5
Narration: 4/5
Cover: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 4/5
Other books in the series
Overall series rating
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