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The Empress (The Diabolic #2) by S.J. Kincaid

"It did have moments of honest surprise, a few good twists and turns and it did indeed, further the series but at the same time, the ending was reminiscent of Jackson's "LOTR: Return of the King", where it could have ended and ended acceptably about 100 pages before it actually did. It was disappointing and this addition did not live up to the first book."

2 STARS

Pros: Not too man new characters introduced, which is always nice, keeps things easy/There were definitely a few twists and turns and I was surprised but by the end it just seemed like one hug reveal after another, it gold old. 

Cons: The dialogue between Tyrus and Nemesis, the entire writing style just seems different, like Kincaid's trying too hard to sound sophisticated/The ending was predictable but I have a feeling the third book will be full to bursting with sap and just...I don't think I can read it. 

Full Review: 

All is well for the new Emperor, Tyrus Domitrian and his Empress to be, Nemesis, a former Diabolic who's realized that her life is hers to live, it doesn't have to be lived for someone else. When Tyrus ascended to the throne, he promised to bring the Sciences back, to make all these huge, world shattering changes but it turns out that it's not going to be that easy. When a disaster happens at one of his coronation events and dozens are killed, Tyrus admits to Nemesis that it's the Scepter. An instrument that's been used by Emperors for generations, he's unable to control it. He needs the Vicars blessing and they won't get that because the Vicar does not consider Nemesis, human. 

So they head off to the Sacred City, a place where no one has ever returned from, to seek the most Ascendant one and seek his advice. To ask that he grant Nemesis personhood and that he give them guidance as to how to control the Scepter. Of course, it all goes to Hell and Tyrus and Nemesis return to the Empire four years later, since the Sacred City is near a black hole and time acts differently. Time has moved on at a regular pace for all the others in the Empire, whereas to Nemesis and Tyrus, it seemed like seconds. 

The Empire they return to is now ruled by an ambitious and cruel Senator, Von Pasus, the Father of Tyrus' bethrothed, Elantra, the girl who Nemesis killed. Essentially, Von Pasus has Tyrus completely at his mercy, since he's done something so horrific and forced all the other Senators in the Empire to go along with it, that Tyrus and Nemesis are backed into a corner. He gives Tyrus his terms and they aren't pretty. But for his part, Tyrus goes along with it all, hoping beyond hope that he can make things right. Nemesis plays along, hoping as well that everything will work out in the end. 

But, to say it doesn't, would be a vast understatement. 

I think my main issue with this book was all the big, surprising reveals. It was reminiscent of "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" where there were about 15 different places where the movie could have ended and it would have been acceptable, but Jackson kept prolonging the inevitable. I liked the twists and turns and was honestly surprised at some of the developments, but by the end of the book, I was done with it all and just wanted it to be over. 

Sure I'm curious as to how the series will end but will I be running out to get the last book? No. I just have a bad feeling that the last book will be 300 + pages of "Nemesis must get her revenge but can't bring herself to do what she has to do" angst and I'm not willing or ready to put myself through that yet.

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