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desiree930
1.5 stars
I'm so annoyed right now. I really wanted to like this book. P&P is one of my favorite books of all time, and I am always on the look out for a good adaptation. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me.
I liked the inclusion of poetry into this story. I don't think it was fantastic poetry on its own, but it was the strongest writing in the book, in my opinion.
I liked the concept of setting this story in modern-day Brooklyn in a neighborhood filled mostly with BIPOC characters. I also liked that the main character and her family are Haitian-American. I don't think I've ever read a book featuring a protagonist with Haitian background.
Unfortunately, there were a few reviews I read that said that the Santeria representation wasn't entirely accurate, so I don't feel comfortable commenting on that further than to say that I was intrigued by the character of Madrina and her religious practices.
My biggest problem was that Zuri was such an unlikable person. Darius was no picnic either, but we were stuck in Zuri’s headspace the entire book.
I just couldn’t stand her. Now, for those of you who would say, “But you like Elizabeth Bennett! She’s judgmental too!” I would say that while she does decide early on that Mr. Darcy is a thoroughly disagreeable young man, that comes after she actually has an interaction with him and then hears him insulting her to Mr. Bingley. Zuri hates Darius before she even meets him. She hates him because he has money and a nice house. BEFORE SHE EVEN MEETS HIM.
There are so many instances in the book that showcase her hypocrisy toward him. Here are just a few:
Pg. 74 When her friend says she would be stuck up too if her family had money. “No, I wouldn’t! I wouldn’t think I was better than everybody else. I wouldn’t look down on other people who look like me.” SHE ALREADY DOES THAT WITHOUT MONEY.
Pg. 100 “You can’t walk around here thinking that you’re better than everybody else.” Zuri literally does this through the entire book. She accuses Darius of not being ‘real’ and that he’s not a ‘normal’ black person.
Pg. 172 “Money can’t buy manners.” Says the rudest person in this whole story.
Pg. 181 She criticizes him because he doesn’t know what ‘trap music’ is. She says he should know what it is already, insinuating that he somehow is ‘lesser than’ in her world.
There are at least a dozen more examples, but you get the idea.
I don’t buy their love story. It basically comes out of nowhere. She hates him, and then five minutes later they’re kissing and she can’t stop thinking about him. There is almost no foundation for their relationship. In P&P, the relationship and specifically Lizzie’s feelings toward Darcy are gradual. She isn’t instantly in love with him after he gives her the letter about Wickham and his sister. I don’t feel like these characters earn their love story, if that makes any sense.
I think what it comes down to is that this story and its characters lack depth. It feels like the author had it in her mind that she wanted to hit specific P&P story points and so she just inserted them without really establishing the characters first. Zuri is really the only character we get to know, and I couldn’t stand her. Most of this book is rushed. It lacks the subtlety and nuance of its source material.
As for the writing, I didn’t really care for it. I did appreciate that Zuri had such a distinct voice, but again, I really disliked her character.
There were also many WTF moments I had about the plot. Some of these may be a bit spoilery.
1. I still don’t understand why Darius’ parents would move to Zuri’s neighborhood in the first place. We get a couple of lines about his dad being a real estate investor, but it just doesn’t fit to me that they would choose that neighborhood and only build one house. Maybe I missed something. I would imagine if their fear was the gentrification of the neighborhood, that would entail more than one upscale residence...
2. Zuri spends the entire book glorifying her neighborhood. She continually says she wants to live there forever. Then when they have to move, she laments over it for about two pages and then just gets over it?
This is such a disappointment for me. That being said, I’m sure that there will be many people who enjoy this book, and that’s great. It just wasn’t my favorite.
I'm so annoyed right now. I really wanted to like this book. P&P is one of my favorite books of all time, and I am always on the look out for a good adaptation. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me.
I liked the inclusion of poetry into this story. I don't think it was fantastic poetry on its own, but it was the strongest writing in the book, in my opinion.
I liked the concept of setting this story in modern-day Brooklyn in a neighborhood filled mostly with BIPOC characters. I also liked that the main character and her family are Haitian-American. I don't think I've ever read a book featuring a protagonist with Haitian background.
Unfortunately, there were a few reviews I read that said that the Santeria representation wasn't entirely accurate, so I don't feel comfortable commenting on that further than to say that I was intrigued by the character of Madrina and her religious practices.
My biggest problem was that Zuri was such an unlikable person. Darius was no picnic either, but we were stuck in Zuri’s headspace the entire book.
I just couldn’t stand her. Now, for those of you who would say, “But you like Elizabeth Bennett! She’s judgmental too!” I would say that while she does decide early on that Mr. Darcy is a thoroughly disagreeable young man, that comes after she actually has an interaction with him and then hears him insulting her to Mr. Bingley. Zuri hates Darius before she even meets him. She hates him because he has money and a nice house. BEFORE SHE EVEN MEETS HIM.
There are so many instances in the book that showcase her hypocrisy toward him. Here are just a few:
Pg. 74 When her friend says she would be stuck up too if her family had money. “No, I wouldn’t! I wouldn’t think I was better than everybody else. I wouldn’t look down on other people who look like me.” SHE ALREADY DOES THAT WITHOUT MONEY.
Pg. 100 “You can’t walk around here thinking that you’re better than everybody else.” Zuri literally does this through the entire book. She accuses Darius of not being ‘real’ and that he’s not a ‘normal’ black person.
Pg. 172 “Money can’t buy manners.” Says the rudest person in this whole story.
Pg. 181 She criticizes him because he doesn’t know what ‘trap music’ is. She says he should know what it is already, insinuating that he somehow is ‘lesser than’ in her world.
There are at least a dozen more examples, but you get the idea.
I don’t buy their love story. It basically comes out of nowhere. She hates him, and then five minutes later they’re kissing and she can’t stop thinking about him. There is almost no foundation for their relationship. In P&P, the relationship and specifically Lizzie’s feelings toward Darcy are gradual. She isn’t instantly in love with him after he gives her the letter about Wickham and his sister. I don’t feel like these characters earn their love story, if that makes any sense.
I think what it comes down to is that this story and its characters lack depth. It feels like the author had it in her mind that she wanted to hit specific P&P story points and so she just inserted them without really establishing the characters first. Zuri is really the only character we get to know, and I couldn’t stand her. Most of this book is rushed. It lacks the subtlety and nuance of its source material.
As for the writing, I didn’t really care for it. I did appreciate that Zuri had such a distinct voice, but again, I really disliked her character.
There were also many WTF moments I had about the plot. Some of these may be a bit spoilery.
1. I still don’t understand why Darius’ parents would move to Zuri’s neighborhood in the first place. We get a couple of lines about his dad being a real estate investor, but it just doesn’t fit to me that they would choose that neighborhood and only build one house. Maybe I missed something. I would imagine if their fear was the gentrification of the neighborhood, that would entail more than one upscale residence...
2. Zuri spends the entire book glorifying her neighborhood. She continually says she wants to live there forever. Then when they have to move, she laments over it for about two pages and then just gets over it?
This is such a disappointment for me. That being said, I’m sure that there will be many people who enjoy this book, and that’s great. It just wasn’t my favorite.
This book has so much that makes it worthy of recommendation. I think the information in the text is really important, especially with the climate we are currently in. I don't think anyone with a modicum of common sense could examine this book and disagree that there is a massive injustice with regard to BIPOC people in our country.
However, it's only a 3-star for me. Not because I disagree with the idea that mass incarceration has predominately and unfairly affected Black people and other people of color, because it's quite obvious that it has. But as a book, this just didn't work for me. It was far too repetitive.
For starters, this is the 10th anniversary edition of the book. Added to the original text is a preface from the author talking about how things have (or haven't) changed in the decade since she wrote the book, as well as her addressing some critiques of the original text. The book was originally 290 pages. The 10th anniversary edition is 352 pages! That's 60+ pages mostly consisting of the author rehashing entire sections of the book in order to defend it. And some of the passages from the preface are almost directly lifted from the original text, so as I listened to the audiobook, I got the same information multiple times.
It wasn't just the preface either. She kept referring, in great detail, back to things she'd already discussed. Most of Chapter 5 (out of 6...these were incredibly long chapters.) was her reiterating things that she'd already said. For me, it made the narrative feel scattered and muddled it all a little for me.
It's obvious that the author did a lot of research into the history of these laws and specific cases where Black people were unfairly treated and how those cases helped form a system of legal oppression, in many cases going against rights laid out in the Constitution. It's disturbing and disgusting that this is not only a part of our legacy, but still prevalent in our society and government to this day. That said, this did start feeling more like an academic text that I would expect to see in some sort of college-level criminal justice or civil rights class. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's a lot to process, especially when the structure is so repetitive.
I would've appreciated a little more unpacking of the discussion surrounding for-profit prisons and how it's in their best interests to keep inmate numbers high, regardless of the fairness or constitutionality of the laws used to target Black people, throwing them into a cycle that is next to impossible to escape.
I do think there is a lot of really good information in this book, especially for those who weren't already on board with the thesis of the book. I would absolutely recommend it to people curious about the history of Black people in this country, specifically in how it pertains to criminal and social justice and systemic oppression.
However, it's only a 3-star for me. Not because I disagree with the idea that mass incarceration has predominately and unfairly affected Black people and other people of color, because it's quite obvious that it has. But as a book, this just didn't work for me. It was far too repetitive.
For starters, this is the 10th anniversary edition of the book. Added to the original text is a preface from the author talking about how things have (or haven't) changed in the decade since she wrote the book, as well as her addressing some critiques of the original text. The book was originally 290 pages. The 10th anniversary edition is 352 pages! That's 60+ pages mostly consisting of the author rehashing entire sections of the book in order to defend it. And some of the passages from the preface are almost directly lifted from the original text, so as I listened to the audiobook, I got the same information multiple times.
It wasn't just the preface either. She kept referring, in great detail, back to things she'd already discussed. Most of Chapter 5 (out of 6...these were incredibly long chapters.) was her reiterating things that she'd already said. For me, it made the narrative feel scattered and muddled it all a little for me.
It's obvious that the author did a lot of research into the history of these laws and specific cases where Black people were unfairly treated and how those cases helped form a system of legal oppression, in many cases going against rights laid out in the Constitution. It's disturbing and disgusting that this is not only a part of our legacy, but still prevalent in our society and government to this day. That said, this did start feeling more like an academic text that I would expect to see in some sort of college-level criminal justice or civil rights class. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's a lot to process, especially when the structure is so repetitive.
I would've appreciated a little more unpacking of the discussion surrounding for-profit prisons and how it's in their best interests to keep inmate numbers high, regardless of the fairness or constitutionality of the laws used to target Black people, throwing them into a cycle that is next to impossible to escape.
I do think there is a lot of really good information in this book, especially for those who weren't already on board with the thesis of the book. I would absolutely recommend it to people curious about the history of Black people in this country, specifically in how it pertains to criminal and social justice and systemic oppression.
I've been wanting to re-read Little Women recently, with the current hype surrounding the recent movie. When I saw this audiobook available on overdrive, I was curious.
I really enjoyed the way this audiobook told the story of Louisa May Alcott, interspersed with the analysis of her most famous work. I also really enjoyed the discussions around the public's perception of Little Women and how it's changed in the last 150 years since the book's first publication.
Whether this book is a good example of a feminist work is something that is thoroughly explored, and I also liked that sections that talked about media from more recent times and how many beloved stories have taken inspiration from this seemingly simple story about four sisters growing up in Civil-War era America.
Since this book was written before the 2018 PBS/BBC miniseries was released and also the 2019 movie, I'd be interested to hear her analysis of both of those adaptations, as she did dissect many of the previous iterations.
I have been trying to read more non-fiction and while I tend to enjoy interesting memoirs, I haven't read many biographies. This isn't a traditional biography, as much focuses on the book Little Women as a piece of literature and its importance, but a good deal of time is spent learning about Louisa May Alcott and her family. I found her story fascinating. She was definitely a determined woman and even though much of her motivation seemed to stem from the need to support her family, it seems she also had a healthy desire to be accomplished and self-sufficient.
I'm really happy I found this book! Now I really need to re-read Little Women!
I really enjoyed the way this audiobook told the story of Louisa May Alcott, interspersed with the analysis of her most famous work. I also really enjoyed the discussions around the public's perception of Little Women and how it's changed in the last 150 years since the book's first publication.
Whether this book is a good example of a feminist work is something that is thoroughly explored, and I also liked that sections that talked about media from more recent times and how many beloved stories have taken inspiration from this seemingly simple story about four sisters growing up in Civil-War era America.
Since this book was written before the 2018 PBS/BBC miniseries was released and also the 2019 movie, I'd be interested to hear her analysis of both of those adaptations, as she did dissect many of the previous iterations.
I have been trying to read more non-fiction and while I tend to enjoy interesting memoirs, I haven't read many biographies. This isn't a traditional biography, as much focuses on the book Little Women as a piece of literature and its importance, but a good deal of time is spent learning about Louisa May Alcott and her family. I found her story fascinating. She was definitely a determined woman and even though much of her motivation seemed to stem from the need to support her family, it seems she also had a healthy desire to be accomplished and self-sufficient.
I'm really happy I found this book! Now I really need to re-read Little Women!
3.5 stars
I’ve seen people rave about this book, and since I’ve never read this author before I figured this would be a good place to start.
For the most part, I enjoyed it. I’ve read hundreds of historical romances over the years, but never really got into the Highlander sub-genre the way some people are. I like the fact that this one doesn’t have dialogue written in some bastardized version of a Scots dialect. That can get really old, really quickly.
I liked the premise of the story and the focus on strong women and female friendships in this book.
I enjoyed the humor and the way the characters were able to see the inherent humor in their own practices. Is it historically realistic? Maybe not. But it was fun to see this turned on its head a bit.
I would say if you are sensitive to things like overbearing men and the idea of women ‘belonging’ to their husbands, there is some of that in here, but it feels like the author subverts the trope by having strong female characters who aren’t willing to just be ornamentation, existing only to do their husband’s bidding.
This only gets 3.5 stars from me because while I did enjoy it, there were relationships and characters that felt like they weren’t fully realized. Villainous characters felt one-dimensional and like they didn’t truly serve a purpose other than to prop up our protagonists. I also would’ve liked a little more exploration of Judith’s relationship with her family.
For a historical romance written in 1992, I do think it (mostly) holds up.
I’ve seen people rave about this book, and since I’ve never read this author before I figured this would be a good place to start.
For the most part, I enjoyed it. I’ve read hundreds of historical romances over the years, but never really got into the Highlander sub-genre the way some people are. I like the fact that this one doesn’t have dialogue written in some bastardized version of a Scots dialect. That can get really old, really quickly.
I liked the premise of the story and the focus on strong women and female friendships in this book.
I enjoyed the humor and the way the characters were able to see the inherent humor in their own practices. Is it historically realistic? Maybe not. But it was fun to see this turned on its head a bit.
I would say if you are sensitive to things like overbearing men and the idea of women ‘belonging’ to their husbands, there is some of that in here, but it feels like the author subverts the trope by having strong female characters who aren’t willing to just be ornamentation, existing only to do their husband’s bidding.
This only gets 3.5 stars from me because while I did enjoy it, there were relationships and characters that felt like they weren’t fully realized. Villainous characters felt one-dimensional and like they didn’t truly serve a purpose other than to prop up our protagonists. I also would’ve liked a little more exploration of Judith’s relationship with her family.
For a historical romance written in 1992, I do think it (mostly) holds up.
This is one of those books that I've had on my radar for a few years. The vast majority who read it seem to love it, and on paper it's right up my alley. But for one reason or another, I didn't pick it up until now.
Better late than never.
I adore this book. The descriptions are lush and vibrant, the characters are interesting and flawed, and the story itself just sucked me in. I love the Middle Eastern setting and culture being showcased here, setting it apart from so many fantasy books that are vaguely inspired by Medieval Europe.
I believe that this is technically an adult fantasy, but it has major crossover potential for readers who have mostly read YA and are looking to step into adult fantasy. The writing is descriptive but not tediously descriptive. It's very accessible.
I have the second book available through Overdrive and I can't wait to jump in. The first book left the protagonists in precarious situations, and I'm eager to see what happens with them next.
Better late than never.
I adore this book. The descriptions are lush and vibrant, the characters are interesting and flawed, and the story itself just sucked me in. I love the Middle Eastern setting and culture being showcased here, setting it apart from so many fantasy books that are vaguely inspired by Medieval Europe.
I believe that this is technically an adult fantasy, but it has major crossover potential for readers who have mostly read YA and are looking to step into adult fantasy. The writing is descriptive but not tediously descriptive. It's very accessible.
I have the second book available through Overdrive and I can't wait to jump in. The first book left the protagonists in precarious situations, and I'm eager to see what happens with them next.
I don't know if this was just a case of being the exact right book at the right time, but I adored this!
I've never read a Maya Rodale book before but I definitely want to look into her other books because this was a delight.
I like that it's set in the Gilded Age in New York City--not a common setting for a historical romance. I love books set in the Regency and Victorian periods as well, but there are just so many of them. I would love to read more set right around this time, especially if they are anything like this.
The characters are fun and their banter is off the charts. I absolutely love Daisy and Theo as a couple, and as individuals. This is a perfect example of antagonists-to-lovers and the transition felt believable for me, even though it does happen rather quickly. I love the way they complement one another, she the inventor and entrepreneur and he the witty promoter and marketer.
I enjoyed the exploration of feminism and how things like wearing cosmetics and eating alone were such a taboo and the nod to the strong and courageous women who refused to be governed by nonsensical rules foisted upon them by a ridiculous patriarchy.
This story has one of my favorite romance tropes in fake dating, mixed with an engagement of convenience. Also, for all those people who get tired of the 3rd-act breakup so prevalent in romance (it doesn't bother me personally unless it's REALLY lazy, but I get why people don't like it) this book doesn't have that.
I can't wait to read more from Maya Rodale.
I've never read a Maya Rodale book before but I definitely want to look into her other books because this was a delight.
I like that it's set in the Gilded Age in New York City--not a common setting for a historical romance. I love books set in the Regency and Victorian periods as well, but there are just so many of them. I would love to read more set right around this time, especially if they are anything like this.
The characters are fun and their banter is off the charts. I absolutely love Daisy and Theo as a couple, and as individuals. This is a perfect example of antagonists-to-lovers and the transition felt believable for me, even though it does happen rather quickly. I love the way they complement one another, she the inventor and entrepreneur and he the witty promoter and marketer.
I enjoyed the exploration of feminism and how things like wearing cosmetics and eating alone were such a taboo and the nod to the strong and courageous women who refused to be governed by nonsensical rules foisted upon them by a ridiculous patriarchy.
This story has one of my favorite romance tropes in fake dating, mixed with an engagement of convenience. Also, for all those people who get tired of the 3rd-act breakup so prevalent in romance (it doesn't bother me personally unless it's REALLY lazy, but I get why people don't like it) this book doesn't have that.
I can't wait to read more from Maya Rodale.
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Everything I said about the first book holds true here. This is a series that just grabs on and doesn't let go. I absolutely adore the story and the characters, even when they are making decisions that drive me up the wall.
I find myself sympathizing with every character at one point or another. Even the 'villains' have qualities that can be thought of as admirable, and there was a moment near the end where I actually had tears in my eyes for a character who had annoyed me through a good chunk of the book.
This world is so vivid and interesting. It does get a little confusing at times with all of the different groups of people and how they relate to and feel about one another, but I followed along well enough.
And that ending?! I really need my turn to come for my hold at the library!
I find myself sympathizing with every character at one point or another. Even the 'villains' have qualities that can be thought of as admirable, and there was a moment near the end where I actually had tears in my eyes for a character who had annoyed me through a good chunk of the book.
This world is so vivid and interesting. It does get a little confusing at times with all of the different groups of people and how they relate to and feel about one another, but I followed along well enough.
And that ending?! I really need my turn to come for my hold at the library!
**********
RE-READ April, 2018
I definitely enjoyed this more the second time around. Full four stars. While I still think Sidonia is my least-favorite character, I didn’t dislike her nearly as much. I also didn’t feel like the book dragged in the first half like I did the first time I read it.
This second go around I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I’m so glad I revisited this story before just jumping into the sequel, because while I remembered the basics, there are so many characters and plot points I didn’t really remember.
***********
3.75 stars. Rounded this up because the second half is so much better than the first.
I have been looking forward to this book for awhile now. I have been yearning for more YA sci-fi, and look at that cover. Seriously. Plus the synopsis intrigued me from the get-go. Deadly assassin thrown into a world of political intrigue and has to pretend to NOT be a deadly assassin?! I am so here for that.
Now, I can't lie. The first part of this book dragged for me. I just couldn't get into it to the extent that I wanted. It just wasn't a book that I had to keep reading because I was so hooked. I feel like a big part of that was my reaction to both Sidonia and Nemesis in the first half. I was just not feeling Sidonia at all. For someone who is going to be a senator one day and is expected to understand the intricacies of court and royal politics, she makes some stupid decisions. She is far too reactionary. At one point, Sidonia tells Nemesis she will throw herself out of a window if anything happens to her. Nemesis then thinks that Sidonia threatening to kill herself if Nemesis dies shows her that Sidonia is indomitable. In my mind, it reminds me of a child stamping her feet and holding her breath when she doesn't get her way. She redeems herself somewhat later in the book, but I still didn't find myself in love with the character.
I also had 'meh' feelings for Nemesis in the beginning of the book. I think it was because she was so lacking in emotion. This story being told through her perspective in first person makes it difficult to connect, because the only time she displays emotion in the first half of the novel is when it is concerning Sidonia, a character I was not very fond of. When she and Tyrus team up, I began to warm to her very quickly. I love their interactions, and she shows such growth throughout the story in the way she relates to the people around her. She starts exhibiting free will, and I really appreciated that.
I read a couple of reviews that criticized the violence in this book. And there is violence. It's abrupt and sometimes gruesome. But what did readers expect? This is about an ASSASSIN. I know that there are certain assassins in certain series that are more concerned with how they are dressed and eating cake than they are about actually being bad-ass assassins, but I appreciate the authenticity in this story when it comes to her character.
Also, I really enjoyed the romance element in this story. It started as just a partnership, turned to friendship, and then love, which I appreciated. I've read WAY too many insta-love situations recently. I also liked that they were both strong characters; Nemesis with her physicality, and Tyrus with his mental fortitude and strategic abilities. They complement each other very well.
The world building was very interesting. The idea that as a society they take advantage of technology, but have no idea how it works is fascinating. Things break down, and no one knows how to fix it because education is pretty much illegal. This leads to one of my favorite quotes in the book:
"Our ancestors sought knowledge, but we, their descendants, glorify ignorance." -Tyrus
I liked the descriptions of the world, and really want to go to a ball in a zero-gravity dome. How cool would that be?!
I also love the fact that this appears to be a stand alone novel. I love series, don't get me wrong. But I also love a contained story that is able to get our characters from A to Z in one book without completely sacrificing character development.
Some things I didn't like:
I wish there had been a little more closure between Nemesis and Neveni. A scene at the end of the book would've been nice.
Speaking of the ending, it felt a little rushed to me. I liked what I read, but I wish there was more, especially if this is a stand alone book. I just wanted a little more of these characters. Pure selfishness on my part :)
Even when Sidonia came back (which I thought she would) I wasn't super excited about her character. I wish she'd been fleshed out a little more. I also saw her revelation about her feelings for Nemesis coming from a mile away.
For the most part, I wasn't surprised by any of the twists or reveals. Sidonia's 'death' shocked me at first, but I immediately suspected she had survived somehow.
All in all, I really liked this book. It is my first S.J. Kincaid and it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.
Oh, and one more thing. I've heard this compared to Red Queen and Hunger Games. I don't see that at all. The only thing it has in common with Red Queen is that both main characters are forced into a ruse in the middle of a royal court. The only correlation I see to The Hunger Games is the attempted overthrow of a corrupt government and a main character who kills people. The Diabolic is its own unique story. I really wish people would stop with the, "it's 'book x' meets 'book y'! I get the purpose behind it. If you liked books x and y you should like this book. I get it. But why can't they just say, "If you liked books x and y you will like this."? Okay, rant over.
RE-READ April, 2018
I definitely enjoyed this more the second time around. Full four stars. While I still think Sidonia is my least-favorite character, I didn’t dislike her nearly as much. I also didn’t feel like the book dragged in the first half like I did the first time I read it.
This second go around I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. I’m so glad I revisited this story before just jumping into the sequel, because while I remembered the basics, there are so many characters and plot points I didn’t really remember.
***********
3.75 stars. Rounded this up because the second half is so much better than the first.
I have been looking forward to this book for awhile now. I have been yearning for more YA sci-fi, and look at that cover. Seriously. Plus the synopsis intrigued me from the get-go. Deadly assassin thrown into a world of political intrigue and has to pretend to NOT be a deadly assassin?! I am so here for that.
Now, I can't lie. The first part of this book dragged for me. I just couldn't get into it to the extent that I wanted. It just wasn't a book that I had to keep reading because I was so hooked. I feel like a big part of that was my reaction to both Sidonia and Nemesis in the first half. I was just not feeling Sidonia at all. For someone who is going to be a senator one day and is expected to understand the intricacies of court and royal politics, she makes some stupid decisions. She is far too reactionary. At one point, Sidonia tells Nemesis she will throw herself out of a window if anything happens to her. Nemesis then thinks that Sidonia threatening to kill herself if Nemesis dies shows her that Sidonia is indomitable. In my mind, it reminds me of a child stamping her feet and holding her breath when she doesn't get her way. She redeems herself somewhat later in the book, but I still didn't find myself in love with the character.
I also had 'meh' feelings for Nemesis in the beginning of the book. I think it was because she was so lacking in emotion. This story being told through her perspective in first person makes it difficult to connect, because the only time she displays emotion in the first half of the novel is when it is concerning Sidonia, a character I was not very fond of. When she and Tyrus team up, I began to warm to her very quickly. I love their interactions, and she shows such growth throughout the story in the way she relates to the people around her. She starts exhibiting free will, and I really appreciated that.
I read a couple of reviews that criticized the violence in this book. And there is violence. It's abrupt and sometimes gruesome. But what did readers expect? This is about an ASSASSIN. I know that there are certain assassins in certain series that are more concerned with how they are dressed and eating cake than they are about actually being bad-ass assassins, but I appreciate the authenticity in this story when it comes to her character.
Also, I really enjoyed the romance element in this story. It started as just a partnership, turned to friendship, and then love, which I appreciated. I've read WAY too many insta-love situations recently. I also liked that they were both strong characters; Nemesis with her physicality, and Tyrus with his mental fortitude and strategic abilities. They complement each other very well.
The world building was very interesting. The idea that as a society they take advantage of technology, but have no idea how it works is fascinating. Things break down, and no one knows how to fix it because education is pretty much illegal. This leads to one of my favorite quotes in the book:
"Our ancestors sought knowledge, but we, their descendants, glorify ignorance." -Tyrus
I liked the descriptions of the world, and really want to go to a ball in a zero-gravity dome. How cool would that be?!
I also love the fact that this appears to be a stand alone novel. I love series, don't get me wrong. But I also love a contained story that is able to get our characters from A to Z in one book without completely sacrificing character development.
Some things I didn't like:
I wish there had been a little more closure between Nemesis and Neveni. A scene at the end of the book would've been nice.
Speaking of the ending, it felt a little rushed to me. I liked what I read, but I wish there was more, especially if this is a stand alone book. I just wanted a little more of these characters. Pure selfishness on my part :)
Even when Sidonia came back (which I thought she would) I wasn't super excited about her character. I wish she'd been fleshed out a little more. I also saw her revelation about her feelings for Nemesis coming from a mile away.
For the most part, I wasn't surprised by any of the twists or reveals. Sidonia's 'death' shocked me at first, but I immediately suspected she had survived somehow.
All in all, I really liked this book. It is my first S.J. Kincaid and it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next.
Oh, and one more thing. I've heard this compared to Red Queen and Hunger Games. I don't see that at all. The only thing it has in common with Red Queen is that both main characters are forced into a ruse in the middle of a royal court. The only correlation I see to The Hunger Games is the attempted overthrow of a corrupt government and a main character who kills people. The Diabolic is its own unique story. I really wish people would stop with the, "it's 'book x' meets 'book y'! I get the purpose behind it. If you liked books x and y you should like this book. I get it. But why can't they just say, "If you liked books x and y you will like this."? Okay, rant over.