Nemesis is a Diabolic. Created to protect a galactic Senator’s daughter, Sidonia. The girl who is as much a sister as a master. There’s nothing Nemesis wouldn’t do to keep her safe.
But when the power-mad Emperor summons Sidonia to the galactic court as a hostage, there is only one way for Nemesis to protect Sidonia. She must become her; hide her true abilities and pretend to be human.
As the Empire begins to fracture and rebellion looms closer, Nemesis learns there is something stronger than her deadly force: the one thing she has been told she doesn’t have – humanity. And, amidst all the danger, action and intrigue, that might be the only thing that can save her, Sidonia and the entire Empire…
This books torches on a lot of stuff: problematic nature of monity, religion being wielded as a weapon and other fun triggering things.
Our main character is a killing machine, literally designed to be a biological entity that exists to destory threats of her charge.A lot of the novel deals with her humanity and whether she capable of loving someone else or if she has emotions at all.
The characters are okay. Lot of politician movements go on, so most characters have flaws and aspects that make them unlikable. I didn't really like any of them. Am I diabolic? The inclintate of like, but I never feel that invested. The relationships are done pretty well though, and there is a nice complex nature of characters. Nemesis makes a good protagonist.
The world building is done pretty well. With the royal family having such an euphansis and ignoring how science works, it feels very medievel while in space. There is a religion where the comiso is god (makes sense compare to some other things). Some extreme jumps in logic in it, but those are common when it comes to religion. Gender roles do and don't existed in this novel, all the people with power are male, e.g. the emperor, listed senators are male. Its not addressed as being a thing and there are powerful women, but more behind the scenes than in name.
Time for Rachel Verna points out something stupid (you decide if me pointing it out is stupid or the book is): Nemesis has no tear ducts...If I throw dirt in a Diabolic's eyes, wouldn't they be blind until they wash their eyes out manually? Why would anyone take away a fighter's defenses? I know it all about how she has no emotions, therefore she can't cry, but tear ducts have a biological function other than showing emotions. Also, crying can itself be a defence for girls/children. It just seems dumb to do in practice.
The plot is mostly politician moments with romance throw in. It does raises questions about the value of love. I probably have liked this better if it wasn't romantic love that was the emphasis. Convenient stuff happens for a certain character that would almost be impossible to predict properly. Feels slightly rushed at the end, but was probably was the best ending place.
Overall, I give this book for 4/5 stars for nano hair. I understand this was written as a standalone and works as one, but I am keen to see what the future holds for Nemesis and this world.
I got this book for Review from Netgalley and its being published by Simon and Schuster UK Children's on 13 July 2017.
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