The Diabolic is set in the dystopian future, where humanity has decided to settle in the faraway galaxies in large spaceships. In addition to the new discovery of space travel, humans have also been experimenting with genetically engineering bodyguards that are known as the ruthless Diabolics, which have super strength, are resistant to various poisons, and are willing to kill anyone who is seen as a liability to the person that they are designed to protect under all circumstances. Nemesis, a young Diabolic girl, has sworn to protect the Senator’s daughter, Sidonia. Despite their close relationship, Nemesis is unable to feel close emotions that Sidonia feels for Nemesis. When Diabolics are outlawed in their galaxy, Sidonia knows that she will be unable to live without Nemesis and forces her parents to keep her alive. However, trouble arises when Nemesis offers herself to travel to the royal court when the Emperor of the galactic empire orders all heirs of senators to travel to the court as hostages. As Nemesis is forced to impersonate Sidonia in order to protect her, she may very well be exposed to politics, danger, corruption, and even what she isn’t able to feel: love.
From the summary above, the book offers a very interesting premise. But, don’t be fooled! I was very eager to read this book and now I suffer the consequences: a reading slump. The writing was incredibly flat despite the intrigue that the plot offered. I also have a few issues with the book itself and that manifests itself in the form of Nemesis. The author gives no reasons as to why Nemesis began to randomly feel emotions and love despite her genetic code being that she shared no sentiments or duty besides the obligation to protect Sidonia. And, this might be a spoiler, but it also isn’t: after Sidonia’s “alleged” death, Nemesis isn’t even that discouraged or attempting to take her life like she had promised to do beforehand. I also don’t get the alliance that had formed between the empire’s “madman” and Nemesis because it seemed extremely unlikely due to the Diabolic’s supposed wariness. The main issue with this book was that the writing was extremely dull and tedious, and it led to the book itself being dull to read. Like, we’re talking about a galactic empire with genetically engineered bodyguards! I do wish the author was able to make it more interesting, especially the action scenes because those all fell flat to me as well. I am now rethinking reading the series after the disappointment of this book.