unfortunately, I haven’t read this series in so long that I don’t really remember what the first two were about, and it doesn’t feel fair for me to review them as a sequel when I don’t remember the first books.

This is a great way to end a series. The characters' stories are wrapped up in a fantastic plot, and you'll love the ending. If you haven't read The Diabolic, (book 1), I highly recommend. And, now that all three books of the series are out, you can binge them all.

A little all over the place with the plot, but in general a pretty solid ending. You just have to get past how terrible everyone is (except Anguish, he is a perfect murderous baby boy who just wants love). Also, more confirmation of my fear of black holes.

Another day another series finished. The Nemesis is the final book in SJ Kincaid’s Diabolic series and what a closer it is. I think that if you are looking for a science fiction series that explores politics and humanity but is also kind of brutal, you should be reading this series by SJ Kincaid. Personally, I appreciate getting closure on Nemesis, Tyrus, and the supporting characters. FYI, if you have not read The Diabolic and The Empress, it might be a good idea to stop reading this review and instead pick those books up as there be spoilers from here on out.

Kincaid’s The Nemesis opens up with the whole of the galaxy believing that Nemesis is dead. Only as we discover, she is alive and hiding out on a planet that does mining and has med bots with Anguish, another diabolic. However, there is a contingent of rebels who believe Nemesis is alive. As a matter of fact, she ends up being discovered and it is publicized. This is bad because as you may remember, Tyrus is now emperor, he is mad, and in pursuit of Nemesis. What happens is that she will end up leading a rebellion to bring the empire down and destroy the Grandilioquy.

This final book is a rollicking adventure. I am not generally one who enjoys space books, but let me tell you, I definitely enjoyed this book. The way Kincaid wraps this trilogy is brilliant. Granted, there was one thing that I did see coming. However, I was not sure how it would come to fruition or play out. I am just glad that it did. Yes, I am being purposefully vague because I don’t want to spoil you. I did love the development of Nemesis’s character and how even though she isn’t human because she is an engineered diabolic, she’s learned to love. She has learned to have a softer side. Still, she dominates and is the perfect person to lead the uprising. Action packed and thrilling — The Nemesis perfectly closes out the Diabolic trilogy.

Okay, I truly, honestly feel that everyone has been sleeping on this YA series.

And it disappoints me.

Because generic ensemble poo rises in YA sci-fi, and the twisty, turny, complex (ish) and delicious mess that is the Diabolic trilogy sinks into oblivion.

I'm not going to talk a whole lot about this one, because #spoilers, but I will give three reasons on why you should check out this trilogy:

1. It takes a contemplative look on what makes humanity human
2. It has characters and plotlines that are just as amorally gray and hopelessly twisted as The Folk of the Air trilogy
3. Solid. Fucking. Sci. Fi.
4. Bonus! It takes a lot of YA tropes and has fun with them :)

Anywho, despite a beginning that was heavily in the YA mode of the third book in a series, as in, heroine recovering/hiding from what has happened in the previous several books, it recovers and Nemesis got to be as diabolical and heroic as she needed to be. Truths were learned about the empire. Tyrus was a monster. Nemesis had her heart wrung out. Side characters got their due. Rebellions were fought. Battles won. And black holes were...there.

As to the final plot twist. Tyrus had a dark descent into megalomania and madness, and there were so many, many parallels to the Trump administration that I was just reeling from the implications. There were not-so-subtle hints of Rome before Caligula and Nero, and the dancing of the elite upon the graves of the exploited, that I was like oh wow yeah she really went here.

And then the final twist, and I was mildly disappointed because it was very YA typical and annoying. Just let people be bad, dammit.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Nemesis, by author S.J. Kincaid, is the long-awaited series finale to the authors Diabolic trilogy. A story that took 3 years to complete. The story starts off by flashing backward and forward to cover the months since we last saw Nemesis, the most famous face and hair in the galaxy. Nemesis, who was engineered for murder but found love, is living a life of obscurity on Devil's Shade mining colony. It has been 3 years since her husband, Emperor Tyrus, drove a sword into her chest. If Tyrus can murder his own wife, nobody is safe.



5 months after she was killed, Neveni Sagnau, who joined with the Partisans, an organized resistance group of Excess against Tyrus and the Empire, tried to kill Nemesis after she saved Tyrus from an assassination attempt. It is better for everyone that the galaxy believe that she really is dead. Her only companion is her Diabolic brother Anguish who is suffering from an untreatable disease that has ravaged his body and there’s no real cure. Trouble soon arrives after people on Devil’s Shade recognize Nemesis and word gets back to Tyrus who sends Inquisitors to bring her back to.



Meanwhile, Tyrus has seriously gone crazy to the point of naming himself a God and using malignant space to destroy a supernova. He's also forced the elite of the Empire, the Grandiloquy, to believe everything he says and does even as stupid or bonkers as it may be, or he threatens them with destruction by malignant space. The problem is that there are those who believe that Nemesis is alive and not dead as the lunatic Emperor has proclaimed. So, when Nemesis does arrive, she has to come up with ways of escaping from any plans Tyrus has for her.



Nemesis has been struggling with her identity from the first time she had to become Donia, and I think she finally found the balance needed to live her best life. Nemesis's emotional journey is one of heart break, and scenes of lots of murder, mayhem, and bloodshed as she tried to send a message to Tyrus that she's not easily killable. Nemesis is, as always, a force to be reckoned with on her own, and once more does not hesitate to get her hands dirty to accomplish her own goals. I really liked her relationship with Anguish. The two have proven they are capable of human feelings including love.



One of my biggest pet peeves is that it took so long for this book to be released (3 years), that you really ought to go back and read the books as they were released or together if you can. I would have loved to have some sort of recap with a list of important characters like Neveni and Gaddic. As I get older, my memory isn't all that it's cracked up to be and I have to use notes to remind me of things that I would have otherwise missed. Nemesis has a tendency of having flashbacks to some other periods of time to cover things that happened in between books.



Nemesis dances back and forth between 'I must kill Tyrus' to 'I can't kill him, I still love him.' However, the ending really makes up for things that happen throughout the story. You can tell that Tyrus and Nemesis were made for each other even though Diabolics weren't supposed to be made to have feelings. Her love for Donia one again proves that she's not just something created in a lab without feelings. There’s a series of betrayals, of surprises and shocking revelations, and definite romance between Tyrus and Nemesis even after they realize they can't truly be together if what they originally intended for the Empire is going to happen. In case you weren’t aware, this series is based off I, Claudius, and the Roman Empire. Now you know!

I was so angry at this book for the first half! So much so that I nearly stopped reading. For anyone who may get to that point and reads this... KEEP READING! The first half is a brilliant buildup to a colossally wonderful end! Such a wonderful twisty roller coaster ride down! Definitely worth the long ride up.

I had thought the first two books in this series were great. Then along comes The Nemesis and it knocks the other two out of the water. I really enjoyed seeing the relationships throughout the book. I liked how you could see the love Nemesis had for Diona as a friend, how she loved Anguish like a sibling and of course her love for Tyrus. I feel that Nemesis would be the perfect friend for everyone. There were so many surprises and thrilling twists that led to a beautifully hopeful ending. I know that it was the end of the series, but I am secretly hoping for a bonus scene that continues Nemesis and Tyrus's story. Overall, a great conclusion to a wonderful series.

*The Nemesis is the final book in Kincaid's Diabolic trilogy. This review contains spoilers for books one and two. Start at the beginning with The Diabolic*

Nemesis has lived as a Diabolic bound to the young elite Sidonia. She has forged alliances and friendships as often as she has watched them crumble. She has been an empress and traveled across the space and time to earn her personhood.

But at her core Nemesis wonders if she is still merely a Diabolic--a creature whose love is possessive, ferocious, and all-consuming; a creature crafted for violence.

Three years ago Tyrus shocked the galaxy when he killed Nemesis and set himself on a path of destruction and debauchery poised to bring the entire empire to its knees.

Very few people know that Nemesis survived her would-be assassination and all of them want to use her. Blinded by rage at her own betrayal, Nemesis is determined to exact revenge against those who have wronged her.

In her hunt for vengeance, Nemesis may also find her humanity but only if she's willing to truly look at everything that has transpired to bring her to this point in The Nemesis (2020) by S. J. Kincaid.

The Nemesis is the final book in Kincaid's Diabolic trilogy. This review contains spoilers for books one and two. Start at the beginning with The Diabolic and The Empress.

It's always hard to review the end of a series without revealing too much. Kincaid does an excellent job of tying things together while continuing to expand the world both as Nemesis travels through the system and as she learns more about the history of the empire.


The Nemesis covers a surprisingly long span of time given the book's fast pacing as Nemesis works with friends and unlikely allies to try and save the empire from itself as Tyrus continues to debase both himself and the ruling elite.


The Nemesis is everything I wanted for this series conclusion. Touching on politics, social norms, and public perception versus reality, this book is truly a book of our times. The Nemesis is the perfect conclusion to a favorite series. A must readers for anyone looking for a splashy space opera that will leave them picking their jaw up off the floor.


Possible Pairings: Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Mirage by Somaiya Daud, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher, Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray, That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E. K. Johnston, Proxy by Alex London, Legend by Marie Lu, The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows, Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate, A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix, Birthmarked by Caragh M.O'Brien, For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski, This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, Scythe by Neal Shusterman, Impostors by Scott Westerfeld, And I Darken by Kiersten White, Bring Me Their Hearts by Sara Wolf

*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*

"We'd vowed to make this galaxy better.
He'd had such beautiful dreams.
How to salvage a dream, when the dreamer himself had been destroyed?"

I am speechless. This book made me legit cry 😭

I need time--ya'll are not ready for this devastation.

"What good was a fight without something to defend? Even Diabolics needed love to power our hate."

The Nemesis took a long time to reach us, but by the gods was it worth the wait. The Diabolic was a good, fun read. It had its moments of devastation, but overall you got the feeling that everything would somehow work itself out. In Empress you soon realized that happiness was not something built to last, as S J Kincaid basically ripped our hearts out. The Nemesis? uuuuf. Empress upped the stakes and Nemesis delivered the punch.

All the characters have layers upon layers of complicated histories--Neveni for one; I wanted to literally strangle her on various occasions. She went from a sweet girl/friend, to basically the most hunted terrorist in the galaxy. Talk about a 180! I just couldn't understand why Nemesis kept forgiving her for everything she did, but then that is the burden of a Diabolic, to love fiercely even when they shouldn't and to protect those they love even from themselves. I wouldn't have forgiven her, so Nemesis is a much better person than me. I loved that Anguish is now part of the team! He is a lot of times the voice of reason, and the one who SEES things for what they are. Anguish and Nemesis' brother/sister relationship was just what was needed in this very dark novel. They were a breath of fresh air, and gave each of them someone outside of a romantic relationship to hold on to.

"For their young Emperor had turned into a terror, a creature of unpredictable moods and merciless whims."

TYRUS--I feel like anything said about Tyrus would be spoilery; let's just say he is one of the most interesting characters in the series and he delivers 1000x times in this novel. I do so hate to place a beloved character in the role of a villain, but it is the complicated kind of hate where I love where Kincaid took the story but it hurts to see them in that position.

Oh and Nemesis-I loved that in this book is where we get I think the truest face of Nemesis, not a full Diabolic, not a human, but a blend of both. Which, duh, the title of the novel but it is so true. Nemesis has been struggling with her identity from the first time she had to become Donia, and I think she finally found the balance needed to live her best life. We get to see her suffer a lot, because of Tyrus, a bit because of Anguish. We also get to see her struggle with her love for Donia and how complicated it is since she is the whole reason Nemesis even begun to think she could be more.

I would have loved to see a short novella or something of how the Empire looks thousands of years later. What changes Nemesis and co brought to the galaxy. The novel ends on a perfect note, so it is just curiosity. I am so looking forward to whatever S. J. Kincaid writes next!! I love all her books, including her first series Insignia. She is a master storyteller. She writes the first book in a way that makes the reader fall in love with the world and characters, getting you comfortable, only to pull the rug from under you and deliver sequels which are wonderful and layered and gut wrenching but ultimately smart and human 🖤

The wait between this book and the previous one did me a disservice, as it was difficult to recall all of the characters and events of the past. Because of that, I felt really disconnected from this book as I have from the other books in the series. That being said, I think Nemesis did a wonderful job wrapping up the trilogy and readers are sure to be pleased by the ending!

The writing is just as fantastic as her other books. Nemesis had a lot higher stakes and I could feel the tension through the pages. There were also a couple twists that I did not see coming, and that really made the reading so much more enjoyable! One of the bigger events definitely caused some intense emotion which helped connect me better to the book, as I was feeling pretty disconnect before then. I also really loved the ending! It's exactly the kind of ending I would have hoped for for these characters and this series.

The three years we had to wait for this book was so worth it! This book was everything I ever wanted in a series finale and then some. Such emotional turmoil, through out the book and the series. If you have yet to read this amazing series, you really need to get to it, you won’t be disappointed.

I went into this final book, totally prepared for the worst as far as Nemesis and Tyrus were concerned. And there were times when it looked like the worst was going to be the way it went down, but wait, turn the next page to have your expectations changed and your hopes revived only to have them dashed once again. So many twists and turns and heart wrenching moments along with anger and depression for all of the things that these characters go through to get to the end. I could barely stand it.

Both Nemesis and Tyrus continue to develop as characters. Nemesis continues to come to the realization that she really is more than a Diabolic, and perhaps she really has a soul or whatever it takes to make someone human. Then there was Tyrus, who continued to amaze me with how he can manipulate people and situations to his desires and purpose. I just wish he had been more honest with Nemesis.

Neveni and Anguish have a lot more page time in this book and I just loved it. Anguish and Nemesis bond like siblings and are so supportive of each other that it just about broke my heart. Neveni continues to be the enemy that you love, who eventually becomes a close friend even when you are wanting to hate her for what she is doing.

I don’t want to say much about the plot, because I really don’t want to spoil anything for you, but just know that there are so many twists and unexpected consequences that it will keep you turning those pages. I loved the world that the author created here, sort of an Ancient Rome set in space. But the science part of the story is always there. You always know that this takes place in another galaxy, and on space ships even when what is happening feels like you are in the coliseum watching gladiators. The ending was absolutely beautiful and perfect, even though the science might have been a bit tricky and I am not really sure it works that way.

This final book in the series was maybe the best of the three, which is not something I say often. While I enjoyed the first two, this one was certainly my favorite. This is a series I will read again, just because there is so much going on with the plot and the characters, that I am sure there were things I missed. If you enjoy science fiction this is a must read.

I'm not sure how I can write a review without spoiling the book. It's really good and why it's really good is revealed in a twist.

My heart was broken during the ending of the last book and this book healed it. This has a great ending that made me want to reread the series. I consider this superior over the Red Rising series.

This review is based on an advanced copy provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

Series authors take note, this is how you end a series! I will obviously be keeping this one vague/short because series finale and all, but if you hadn't started because you've been let down by series in the past... yeah, this was one of my favorite series enders of... well, ever. So let me tell you all about what was awesome!

►Such high stakes! The whole series is full of high stakes, and this book is no different. The fates of our main characters are always in question, but that too of the universe around them. Add to it, the author isn't exactly shy about killing characters, so no one is like, guaranteed safe here.

►Morally gray, my fave! You all know how much I love an "impossible decision" by now, yeah? Well, they are aplenty in this series, especially in this finale!

►The characters go through a lot of change and development and growth. Again, I have to be vague (series are so hard to review, right?) but the characters have all changed so much from when we first meet them. Add to it that even more minor characters are really well developed, so it makes the reader care and connect for so many characters!

►I had so, so many feels. My emotions were amped during this book. And, all over the place! Which, I think is a huge win for any reading experience.

►I was not, for one minute, bored. The pacing was spot-on for me, a great balance of action and character-driven plot points, I absolutely never wanted to put the book down. At the same time, I loved it so much that I didn't want the series to end, and frankly that is the best way for a series to end!

Bottom Line: Honestly, the best of the series right here. It was so engaging and exciting and full of intense emotions and equally intense character development.

To avoid spoilers for the end of a trilogy, this review will be brief. So, first let's get the big question out of the way: is it a worthy ending to this trilogy? I would say that it absolutely is.

There are Machiavellian twists and turns, alliances and betrayals, partings and reconciliations, triumphs and sacrifices galore. So if those were the things that brought you to the first book and kept you reading through the second, you will not be disappointed. That said, there is no satisfying villain for our protagonists to fight in this book, and so new characters must be introduced and familiar characters get fleshed out in satisfying ways.

I had a few quibbles, but the only one worth mentioning, really, was that I could probably have done without the parts that were from Tyrus's point of view (even though I have enjoyed his character from the start). Nothing that happens there did not also get explained in Nemesis's narrative (which is still the majority of the text).

It is really important to note that this book does not stand well alone. The opening does not adequately catch a reader up to where they need to be in order to really enjoy this book. So, if this is the first you're hearing about this trilogy, I strongly advise you to read it in publication order.

Thanks to Simon and Shuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of "The Nemesis" by S. J. Kincaid. I started this series in 2016 when a publishing representative gave me an advanced copy of The Diabolic at BookCon-Chicago and told me I would fall in love with this story. And fall in love with Nemesis, Tyrus, and the cast of characters, did I (in the words of Yoda). The Domitrius clan were crazy, stone-cold killers. Tyrus and Nemesis became allies and fell in love. My heart melted at the end of The Diabolic when Tyrus declared his love for Nemesis. When I read The Empress in 2017, my heart broke when Tyrus went off the deep end and betrayed Nemesis. What???? I couldn’t wait to read the end of the trilogy, The Nemesis, to see how S.J. Kincaid would resolve this mess; I felt Nemesis’s heartbreak, anger, and pain. Grrr! Well, S. J. Kincaid doesn’t disappoint; she did an excellent job wrapping up this series. There were twists and turns and political intrigue galore, and I felt like a ping pong ball trying to keep up.

Throughout this series, Nemesis’s growth from a genetically engineered creature designed to protect Sidonia, a senator’s daughter, who learned to love and care for others was incredible. Tyrus Domitrius is a master strategist and politician who keeps you on the edge of your seat. Is he cra-cra or sane? Is he a villain or a hero? Can he be redeemed? Once I started reading The Nemesis, I pulled an all-nighter and didn’t stop until I finished it. I'll never forget the characters in this series, especially Sidonia, Anguish, Nemesis, and Tyrus. The Nemesis is the perfect conclusion for this wonderful series. Thank you, S.J. Kincaid, for taking me on an exciting intergalactic journey!

Tyrus had made Nemesis his Empress and then he shocked the galaxy when he killed her. It has been three years and he is more of a tyrant now than ever before. But rumors are floating around the galaxy that Nemesis is not dead. Some have whispered that they saw her in faraway star systems and these whispers have led to rumors. Will Nemesis truly rise from the dead? Will she lead the people against the man she once loved?

The Nemesis is the third and final book in The Diabolic trilogy. This Sci-Fi adventure takes place primarily in space and readers will enjoy the world-hopping and backstabbing that transpires throughout. Kincaid did a wonderful job answering questions along the way and readers will be wondering into the final pages where the story will end. Will you be satisfied with the ending? Well, read the conclusion to The Nemesis to find out.

I waited almost three long years after finishing the second book in this series, The Empress, which nearly destroyed me.  To say I was thrilled upon receiving an ARC of The Nemesis doesn't even begin to touch my level of excitement.

I'm a voracious reader, and it's rare I'm surprised by plot twists, but this series is full of them.  Surprises that ripped my heart out, made me want to throw the book across the room, and even kill the characters at some points.  For me, that's the sign of a crafty, clever writer, and a big reason why Diabolic will always be one of my favorite YA sci-fi series.

Nemesis's character arc has been fascinating to watch as she learns to believe she's more than just a killer created in a lab.  Her strong bond with Anguish is one of my favorite aspects of this story.  As much as I love her, Tyrus has always been the draw for me.  No matter your intelligence, he'll always be ten steps ahead of you and out-strategize anyone.  He's delightfully wicked in this final novel and has an abundance of thought-provoking ideas in that head of his.  Both he and Nemesis are pushed to their breaking points, so be prepared for some nail-biting moments.  

It takes a few chapters to find its stride, but the author delivers an intricately plotted, thrilling story loaded with political maneuvering - and a perfect ending in my opinion.  This is a series I'll absolutely go back and read again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve been following this series since the beginning and absolutely loved this finale! It absolutely CRUSHED ME THOOOOO!!!! Like aaahhh! I’m glad there’s a third book but still... way to rip out my damn heart

I have been waiting years to get my grubby hands on the last book in this trilogy and I can’t believe I finally did. The Diabolical series is one of the most original fantasies I’ve read and the series itself has continually surprised me from book one to now.

This book, like the other two in the series, was heartbreaking and full of twists and turns I never saw coming.

We get to see the final outcome of all of Nemesis and Tyrus efforts to reshape the corrupt Empire and while totally different all space opera give me Star Wars feelings.

I won’t be spoiling any of the plot of this book but I will say you don’t know what going to happen and don’t discount any characters and think you know them before the end.