awwwwwwwwwwwww this book was great! I loved it.
Update: January 11
Less than 100 pages to finish The Empress , the book is so good, but whats happening is pissing me off because it is so unfair to the characters. I just want to go into the book and rip Pasus heart off like Nemesis did to his daughter! That evil bastard I hate him so much. This is the only one exception in hating a villain because I always love them.

"Every moment of unhappiness I've had, I'd relieve a thousand times just for the heartbeats I've passed with you. Now by the light of all the stars, save yourself."

This is not fair. I hate Pasus so much.
I finished The Empress, it took me way too long but it was so good. Even better than the first book.
I am so heartbroken , hate won and all I want to do is lay on bed , curl up and cry .
I don't know what to say about this book without spoiling it. Everything that happened in the last 100 pages or maybe less was unbelievable. I can not accept this happened. Why????? I am in denial! I blame it on Pasus I hate him so very much.
Can't wait till next awesome book for more Tyrus and Nemesis! I Love them together.

PS: Did I miss something or it seemed like there was something going on between Anguish and Neveni? I really hope there is.

I absolutely loved The Diabolic but wasn't a huge fan of this book. I did finish it but it was slow and just not great in my mind.

I...

This...

Book...

Like, it is a good book...

BUT IT DEVASTATED ME TO MY VERY CORE AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER RECOVER.

🖤CHANGES SO many changes in only 378 pages. We start and end in incredibly different places-but I also didn't feel blindsided, more like I was in denial since breadcrumbs were left even in the very first book. S. J. Kincaid is such a good writer; she is bringing her A game to the YA genre, and MORE PEOPLE NEED TO READ ALL OF HER BOOKS ASAP.

🖤 Character Development is on poooint. Nemesis felt like an entirely different person from what we got at the beginning of Diabolic, though not really. She still gets her bouts of insensitivity (like saying to someone "you'll be fine" after they learn their entire family has been killed with no warning) but she has also grown into her empathy. I read The Empress right after finishing The Diabolic, so I was still on the fence of trusting Tyrus. His character development was devastating, but not unexpected. This whole novel was like a tragedy, so well written but maybe we will not be getting the HEA I usually crave.

🖤 THAT ENDING I am DYING to read the next book. Like, I am terrified to read it but also cannot wait for it. This series could go anywhere, and I fully trust S. J. Kincaid to take us there with mastery and ease.

Side note: S. J. Kincaid really needs to bring her talent to the adult genre--I mean, The Empress actually felt like I was reading an "adult" novel.

I knew that there would be a second story in this riveting series. Pick this up and start off where we left our main characters: futures uncertain, beset by challenges from every side. I am rooting for this power couple.

I can't remember when I read the first book, but I feel like it was disappointing, if I try to think back on it.
As far as this one goes, it was ridiculously all over the place. The book could've been cut in half, because it was just long times of boring things happening. The end of this book was a "cliffhanger" but I don't think I'll be continuing on with the next books.

I loved this book! The full review will be posted soon at kaitgoodwin.com/books! Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to connect books to their readers!

After being blown away by The Diabolic, I was SO excited for the release of the sequel. It absolutely breaks my heart to say that I was unable to finish it. I made it nearly halfway through and there was nothing happening at all - just lots of drawn out politics that had me so bored I could barely stay awake. It makes me so sad because The Diabolic was one of my favorite books of 2016!

The Empress by SJ Kincaid was a book that I was kind of really excited to dive into. The Diabolic basically ends with this big bang, right? So here I am SO READY TO GO. Alas, my expectations were 100% not met. Maybe they were too high? Maybe I had too much going on in my personally life? All I know is that a good book should really whisk you away from all the stuff you have going on in your day to day. This book did not do that for me.

So basically The Empress picks up where The Diabolic leaves off. Tyrus is now emperor. Only all the other nobles are the absolute worst and getting in his way and just ruining things. So then Tyrus and Nemesis end up going to the religious city where all the priests are trained and meeting up with the head honcho. There they learn some secrets and they get the guy to agree to make science and the exploration of knowledge legal again, so to speak. They go back, things are a freaking mess. There’s double crossing. AND MORE DOUBLE CROSSING. AND MORE DOUBLE CROSSING. So, this book kind of goes off the rails.

I think the primary reason I wasn’t the number one fan of this book is the romance aspect. It took a turn that I just really did not care for. Maybe I am too invested in Tyrus and Nemesis? Who knows. Let’s just say this ship has probably sunk. I don’t even know what or where endgame is at this point. Other people might like this though, given how tumultuous romances are probably super interesting?

The other thing that I just could not get over with The Empress was the pacing. OMG. This book is S L O W. I am sorry, I said it. It took me so long to read and get through. I just was not in the headspace I think to really enjoy this novel. For me, I couldn’t get into it. I felt no real hope or anything while reading. Just kind of felt punched over and over and over with the things happening to the characters. I will say that the ending is pretty solid. However, I am still not quite sure if I will be around for book three.

Once again we are transported into the world of the diabolics. But this time how far will the emperor go to prove his future empress is a person and not just some creature created in a lab. How far will his enemies go to gain control of his empire. Religion and science must come together to solve a crisis of science and faith.

“Half a lifetime of dedication, love, and effort, and it was demolished in a second. The universe was so cruel. What a fool I’d been to forget it.”

I’m actually kinda sad, because I didn’t really love this one as much as I wanted to. It kinda felt like all the parts I loved about The Diabolic were shifted away from to focus on the politics. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE politics in SFF stories, but I felt like the characters were really given the short stick because of all the political power plays.

I really loved Nemesis and Tyrus’ relationship in the beginning of the story. It felt much like the partnership we see in book 1. They protect each other and support each other, and I loved it. But their relationship really gets the shaft because of the political drama that comes into play, especially with Senator Pasus and his agenda. I just didn’t connect to this story nearly as much as the previous one. The time jumps and character’s actions really hindered my ability to connect and enjoy the story.

I received a copy of the book from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Empress is the sequel to The Diabolic, which released last year on November 1. The book was marketed as a standalone, and had one of those ending that left room for a sequel if the publishing house and author decided to. And well, they did, and I couldn't be more pleased! I really enjoyed The Diabolic (review here!), and I was a bit nervous to read this one. I couldn't resist requesting it from Netgalley though, and I am so glad I did. S.J. Kincaid upped the stakes with The Empress, and delivered a nail-biting sequel that I enjoyed even more than it's predecessor.

First let's talk about the characters. Nemesis is the main character, and I absolutely loved her. I enjoyed her character in the first book, but The Empress dug a lot deeper. I love this overarching question of what it means to be human, and I definitely think Nemesis is! Tyrus, who is the male protagonist and Nemsis' love interest was so complex this go around. I don't want to give anything away, but I feel so bad for him. At the same time I hate him. He faces a lot of horrible circumstances (as done Nemesis) and he changed a lot because of them. Neveni also comes back this book. At first, I liked her, but then she does something that is super messed up. I'm interested to see how Nemesis and Neveni interact in the next book, because I don't know if I would be able to forgive Neveni if I were Nemsis. Gladdic was also in this book! To be honest, I forgot who he was at first, but he plays a much more important role. I wish I saw more of him in these two books! Anguish, another Diabolic, comes to be of importance in the last third of the novel. We don't get too much of him, but I liked what I read! And lastly, General Pasus! Whew...this guy really knows how to mess things up, and I loved what happened. Now granted, I'm all for a happy ending but he really brought the drama and conflict in!

Now, the plot! A lot of reviews are saying that the book had a slow start, and I would have to agree with them. It took me two days to get to the 25% mark, and then I read the last 75% in one sitting. So while the beginning is a bit slower, Kincaid makes up for it with a dazzling second and third act. The ending was absolutely extraordinary, and has cemented this series as one of my favorite YA science fiction series. I have extremely high expectations for the next book, and I don't think I'll be let down.

Kincaid has a wonderful mix of action and characters. I was able to empathize with everyone, (except Pasus!) even when people were making mistakes and ruining plans. Kincaid makes all her characters so complex and her plots so intricate, that I had no idea what was going to happen next. I was left reeling in the aftermath of this book, and it's only two weeks after finishing this book that I was able to coherently write this review!

Like I said, the ending is downright amazing. Nemesis teams up with someone unexpected, and the interactions should be interested! It will be an interesting dynamic in the third book, but I have no idea how Kincaid is going to pull together the HEA that us readers expect from YA. And if there isn't a HEA, I'm okay with that. I think it will be very refreshing!

In comparison to The Diabolic, there is a huge tonal shift. The Empress is a dire book, where nothing right seems to happen. While reading this, I thought "How worse could it possibly get?" and then it would get worse and worse. If you are a reader who doesn't like hopelessness, then this is definitely not the book for you. I, however, really liked this. Whenever I was reading The Diabolic, I always had the feeling that everything would turn out okay. I don't have that feeling anymore, and it's just as exhilarating as it is frightening.

With that, I give this book
4.5 out of 5 Stars!

While the book has a slow start it picks up speed and culminates in a mind-shattering ending. This sequel to Diabolic follows Tyrus and Nemesis as they stand together against the ruling class. Despite any opposition, Emperor Tyrus is determined to make the genetically engineered Nemesis his Empress. The couple know that they will need to fight for their beliefs but the question facing them is just how diabolical will the actions of the Grandiloquy (the ruling body) extend in trying to stop them? Tyrus won’t waiver in his dedication to being a better Emperor and to having Nemesis by his side. In fact, he is willing to go to extreme measures to keep the throne. Nemesis is stands alongside him and is as single-minded as Tyrus. She will do whatever is necessary to keep him safe and secure the throne from any who try to undermine them. The second half of the book is pulse-pounding and intense. The stakes have never been higher and placing their trust in others is a gamble that could backfire.

Kincaid leaves readers breathless by the end. Her characters live and breathe devotion to each other but even that may not be enough. There is a complicated journey that muddies the plot a little but ultimately is critical to the overview. Readers who loved Diabolic should not be disappointed. If ever a book has left readers awaiting the next installment, this surely sits at the top of that list.

No thank you. The chemistry between the characters did not work for me, and the plot was all over the place. Nemesis did not have a believable personality, and the villains didn't have depth to their motives. I couldn't see how events related to the plot, and there wasn't any escalation. Random things would just happen, like the pair traveling to the center of a black hole to see the creator of their society, and it would be glossed over. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and I would not recommend.

This is book two in The Diabolic series and it definitely stood out. I couldn't get enough of this novel and I loved how it had well placed recaps so that the reader could try following along in case they missed the first book (not a standalone, so a read of the first would be good). The start of it was what I was hoping for, as it gave me a picture of what was to be expected from the rest of the novel. There wasn't a stop in sight and I was left with a want to read the next in the series.

With main characters like Nemesis and Tyrus it was easy to feel very invested in them and what their future held. Especially with someone like Nemesis who is fighting throughout most of it, physically and emotionally, to be more than what everyone around her thinks/believes she must be. Sometimes I felt her to be a ruthless creation, but then I would be shown that it was only because of her hardships and experiences that she came off that way.

Then we have Tyrus, once again reminding us why we fell in love with him, with a true concern for those he governs. Or so it seems for half the novel and then something drastic happens and everything shifts, leaving me a little despondent over the whole situation. Even though the novel had a radical transition, it didn't make it any less of a good read (it did irk me quite a bit though). It doesn't change the fact that it was a real doozy of a read .

There were always imminent moments looming about, as well as several shockers that kept the reader hoping it wasn't so. It continued on with the consequences of all of their actions, with many new ones that leave them at their wits end, creating a rift between the ones that matter the most and new bonds that have been forged upon each character. Either way, I know I'm reading the next one because I need to know how it all comes to an end.

***I received this copy from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

While The Diabolic started out slowly and built towards an amazing finish, The Empress starts out strong and only gets stronger as the story progresses. This is in part because it assumes that you read the first book and remember enough to keep going. Because it is a sequel, gone is the need to spend much of the exposition world-building, which means that the action immediately starts. The strong start is also in part because Nemesis has entered a whole new level of political machinations. Things are ugly, and they get a whole lot uglier before the novel ends.

Ms. Kincaid does a fantastic job one-upping each crisis she has Nemesis face. She proves her humanity ten times over and still has no happy ending. Whereas I critiqued the first book as a bit too predictable, the sequel is none of that. Some of the twists took my breath away in shock because they were so unexpected. Yet others may have been predictable, but I was so caught up in the story itself that giving any extra thought to figuring out the arc of the story was not something with which I bothered. I was but a passenger on the crazy ride of Nemesis' life, and it was so engaging that my own thoughts fell to the wayside. To me, this is the sign of an excellent novel.

It has been a long time since a book played with my emotions so dramatically and so often. Not only that but reading elevated my heart rate for the last half of the novel. Nemesis' fight to prove her humanity and save Tyrus kept me reading the book in one sitting, another rare occurrence these days. The Empress is a book I literally did not want to stop reading. By the time I reached the end, I was excited, over stimulated, and in tears because I did not want the story to end. The worst part about this is I now have to wait another year to find out how her story ends. Someone please hold me.

**** Huge thank you to Simon & Schuster for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!****

**** All of my reviews are spoiler free but if you haven’t read “The Diabolic” you may not want to continue. If you have read it then continue as you will not be spoiled here!****

Right when I didn’t think S.J. Kincaid could blow my mind any more, she did it again! I think it’s safe to say my mouth was open, jaw on the floor the entire time I was reading and that I’m also dying for the third book now. I NEED IT NOW! Prepare for a review that will probably mostly be me fangirling.

This review will be a bit shorter than usual since I don’t want to spoil anything but you can read my full review for “The Diabolic” here for a little more information!


If you were worried, like me, that “The Diabolic” should have remained a standalone and the sequel wouldn’t live up to it: don’t be worried. I was very satisfied with this book and now I’m happy that it turned out to be a series because what would I do if I didn’t have more of Nemesis?! I think this one is equally as enjoyable as “The Diabolic” but parts also weren’t as great, however, seeing as how we really waste ZERO time setting anything up it was better in that sense. Kincaid throws us right into the nitty gritty immediately.

Extremely fast pacing, I’m talking about the kind of pacing where you can’t turn the pages fast enough to keep reading! I am a sucker for fast pacing and “The Empress” did not disappoint whatsoever, as I mentioned we are thrown into a breakneck speed at the start and it doesn’t let up until the last page. There wasn’t a single dull or boring moment!

And the twists! The twists! There are so many ridiculously good twists in this book and I fell for every single one! At one point during the story I think there were about 3 major twists on ONE PAGE. So yeah you definitely will not be bored with this book! There is a ridiculous amount of action and I felt so many emotions while reading, mostly I got so enraged by the antagonist that I wanted to crawl into the book and pummel him…but hey that’s how you know they’re doing their job and the author is a fantastic writer!

I also really, really enjoyed that Kincaid expanded a lot more on the world building for this series, seeing as how in “The Diabolic” we didn’t get much. It’s definitely really interesting and also a bit of a shocker too!

If you’re a fan of political intrigue, you’ll definitely love this. Trust me. Trust me!

Kincaid’s writing packs the usual punch, and by that I mean it was fantastic and made me an emotional roller coaster the entire time I read this book.

Also that cliffhanger ending will destroy you so be prepared!


Really the only characters I continued to love were Nemesis and Tyrus and that’s simply because they’re really the only characters with any substance. They’re complex and develop A TON during the course of this story and really learn their limits. They both continue to be badasses out smarting everyone, which is all I will say!

There were a couple other secondary characters that were okay and came into the story a couple of times but they weren’t very complex or developed, in my opinion. Still they were there and definitely progressed the plot…..a lot.

The antagonist was pretty dang good though too in the sense that I wanted to choke them out the entire time…..just means they were well written because that’s what the author wanted you to think!


I burn. I pine. I perish for this romance! I will always and forever be a big fan of Nemesis/Tyrus especially since I’ve been rooting for them since “The Diabolic” so of course their wonderful romance continued on in this book and made my heart happy.


Overall, I was very impressed with this sequel! Usually sequels, specifically in trilogies, suffer from middle book syndrome in which they really drag on and are mostly there to set up the last book. However, “The Empress” suffered no such syndrome! It packed a huge punch and still managed to set up the last book magnificently!

What I Loved:

Can I say literally everything?
Twists and political intrigue
Fast pacing, non stop action!
Great writing
Great main characters
The romance
Did I mention plot twists?
Great additional world building
What I Didn’t Love:

I kind of wish the secondary characters were a bit more important, but they did serve their purpose! (hence the 4.5 instead of full 5 star rating)

If you read “The Diabolic” and enjoyed it but aren’t sure if you want to read the sequel…do it. Just do it! It’s fantastic and I promise you, you will not be disappointed!

I had a great time reading this surprising, action-packed follow-up to The Diabolic.

Like that first book, it has many of the things I look for in the YA dystopian/sci-fi genre: a strong heroine, political machinations, an intriguing plot, romantic tension, evil and/or manipulative adults. However, this time around some other, equally important things are largely eschewed in favor of over-the-top space opera. Complex relationships are more or less 86ed in order to focus on the core relationship between Nemesis and Tyrus. Of course there are other characters, but they barely seem to factor until a few key plot moments, with the exception of the single-minded Villain with a Capital V. The world-building is a bit slim, leaning too heavily on the hard work done in the previous book, and what we see this time around doesn't really add to that. Nemesis, whose status and physical strength as a "diabolic" were so important before, is still a strong heroine but is rendered a lot more human now, with constraints on her physical strength and with less depth to the exploration of what being human might mean.

And so, the plot, with its increasingly dark twists and turns, very much carries the whole book. And it is a SPACE OPERA, in no uncertain terms. Galactic overlords! Sex and drugs! Slavery! Mass destruction! Genocide! All used to full effect as a backdrop for the story of Nemesis and Tyrus. If this sounds entertaining to you, you will probably love this book.

(3.5 stars)

I did receive an early copy from Simon Teen in exchange for this honest review.

However...

I put off finishing this book in the timeframe before its release. I was actually disappointed in this sequel and expected so much more of it.

It didn’t start off too well. I mean, Nemesis and Tyrus are set to get married down the road and Nemesis is adjusting to life as a future royal. She is trying to figure everything out and people aren’t really accepting of her because she isn’t human.

Senator von Pasus has come aboard and is basically wanting to take over himself while holding control over Tyrus, which in turn, infuriates Nemesis. It’s exactly what he wants, though. He wants full control.

All of the chapters that I read just felt..forced. There was way too much information that I couldn’t contain for myself, so it really went over my head. There are so many elaborate plans being set off that it was hard to understand WHY they were happening and WHEN something useful would actually happen. Nemesis kept hitting a wall with every plan because it didn’t really come to fruition. Everything seemed to backfire and it just got annoying. I just wanted to get to the end.

What was really frustrating was the fact that S.J. Kincaid kept writing in scenes for Tyrus where it seemed like he was this awful character and then it was all an act, but then she’d turn it around as if it WASN’T an act. It got so confusing. Like, what the hell is going on? I was like Nemesis.

What?

Nearing the end, we hit that same crossroad: an act or for real? I still don’t know what is real. Like, is this the REAL Tyrus? If so, then he sure is an asshole. I have no respect for him anymore and I am 100% with Nemesis.

This is the only reason I will actually read the next book in this series. If S.J. had not have written that kind of twist and ending, I would never pick up the next book. I just pray that the third book will be a lot more exciting than this dud.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid
Book Two of The Diabolic series
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 31, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Review copy sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

It’s a new day in the Empire. Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side and now they can find a new way forward—one where they don’t have to hide or scheme or kill. One where creatures like Nemesis will be given worth and recognition, where science and information can be shared with everyone and not just the elite.

But having power isn’t the same thing as keeping it, and change isn’t always welcome. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets and systems for centuries—and they are plotting to stop this teenage Emperor and Nemesis, who is considered nothing more than a creature and certainly not worthy of being Empress.

Nemesis will protect Tyrus at any cost. He is the love of her life, and they are partners in this new beginning. But she cannot protect him by being the killing machine she once was. She will have to prove the humanity that she’s found inside herself to the whole Empire—or she and Tyrus may lose more than just the throne. But if proving her humanity means that she and Tyrus must do inhuman things, is the fight worth the cost of winning it?

What I Liked:

I. Am. Slain. Vanquished. Defeated. Here lies Alyssa, perished by the hand of S.J. Kincaid due to a particular emotion-evoking book written by said vanquisher. I don't even know how to process what I've just read. I was going along, reading the book very gamely, getting a little more anxious as it went, and then BAM! The ending. I am shooketh. (Is that what the young people say these days? I'm 22. I should know these things. I don't.)

The Empress picks up after The Diabolic left off, with Tyrus ascending the throne as Emperor, and Nemesis by his side. Many are opposed to their upcoming union, but it hasn't stopped them from making appearances together. But being in love might not be enough in the world of politics. One Senator in particular wants to manipulate and maneuver his way up, and Tyrus and Nemesis must figure out a way to stop him without outright killing him. They will fight for each other and die for each other, and this may be their downfall. All Nemesis ever wanted was to be seen as human, and to be happy with Tyrus. But the fate of the galaxy is so much bigger than her and Tyrus's love for each other. Sacrifices must be made, morals must be cast aside, and lines must be drawn. This sequel is sure to bring readers to the edge of their seats and desperate for more.

Well, it definitely had me on the edge of my seat. And I'm definitely begging for more. Where the heck are the rest of the pages?! The ending of this book was so cruel. I guess that's as good a spot as any to start with, in this review. The ending of this book is where all of the shenanigans I'd been expecting occurred. HOW does Kincaid do this to readers?! I was howling as I was reading the ending. I have no idea how the author is going to turn things around in book three (if she is going to turn things around). Do I WANT her to turn things around? Kind of? But also no? But also yes?

The pacing of this book is somewhat fast, though initially, not quite. A lot happens in the book and a lot of time passes (think on the scale of years). The author did an amazing job of making time pass, although it broke my heart a little bit (because of how the passage of time was done). It was so cool - the explanation and whatnot - but it was also sad because lost time. Nobody likes to lose time! But again, the science is really cool.

In fact the science aspect of the story in general is cool, in all parts. The time passage thing is neat but this whole story is sci-fi, set among various planets and starships and among the stars as Tyrus and Nemesis hop into hyperspace to travel across the galaxy. I love YA sci-fi, so I was really happy about how science-heavy this book was. Not enough to be off-putting to non-sci-fi-loving people, I promise!

Another heavy aspect of the book was the politics. There is a lot of politics in this book, from start to finish. A lot of negotiating, a lot of scheming, a lot of betraying, a lot of careful planning, a lot of backstabbing... a lot of everything political. Tyrus is a political mastermind, and I loved seeing his brain work. Seeing him and Senator Pasus try to outsmart and outmaneuver each other was nerve-wracking but also kind of thrilling (at least whenever Tyrus gained the upper hand).

Speaking of Tyrus, I adored him. He is so clever and "Type A", always thinking ahead and planning and overthinking. I connect with him on that level, although he is more masterminded than me. He plays the long game, and suffers as he does it, but he endures. His strength of mind and iron will are so impressive. I'm rooting for him in book three.

Nemesis is such a wonderful protagonist to follow. This book is written entirely from her first-person POV, and while I would have loved to read from Tyrus's first-person POV, it was just fine to have her narrative alone. She grows even more in this book, with having to make so many difficult decisions. She and Tyrus fight alongside each other and really learn their limits. While Tyrus is intelligent and clever, Nemesis is loyal and stubborn. I didn't love a few of her decisions, but at the same time, I put myself in her position and there is a good chance I'd do the same.

I looooove how Tyrus and Nemesis two would fight and die for each other. They prove this over and over, how willing they are to sacrifice themselves, and the extreme lengths they'd go to protect the other. I really ship this romance and I loved seeing them grow closer and closer in this book. As individuals, they are super cool and I admire them. As a couple, they are wonderful together and I ship them. Sparks really really fly and the pages heat up in this book. And they are actually together for the majority of the book, which is surprising for a second book in a trilogy. You don't ever see that (usually the couple is split up early on). I was happy to see them together with no internal couple drama between them. It's that ending though.

That. Ending. It changes everrrrrrrything. In a good and bad way. I'm so curious as to how Kincaid is going to go about book three. I'm hoping for one thing, but that thing seems impossible. But knowing our hero, and knowing our heroine, nothing is impossible.

Seriously, Tyrus is wicked smart and plans and accounts for everything. And Nemesis is kickbutt and seemingly indestructible. So. We shall see!

I'm not going to say too much about the plot because a ton of action happens in the book, whether it is flying off into space or being imprisoned or fighting narcotics (yeah, there is a lot going on). This book made me grow more and more anxious but 100% hooked and needing to know what happens next. Once I settled into the first couple of chapters, I was hooked.

If you couldn't tell, I am sooo looking forward to reading book three. I hope it is on track to be an October 2018 publication (or earlier???). Gimmee.

What I Did Not Like:

THE ENDING OKAY???

I may never recover.


Would I Recommend It:

If you read The Diabolic, you must read The Empress. Not only did it NOT disappoint me, but it is probably the first YA book in a loooong time that actually made me FEEL things like excitement and anxiety and thrill. Well, a lot of those things. I've been feeling very "meh" about YA but this book was given me life. It also drained that same life with the ending, but that's irrelevant (well not really). This sequel is exciting and thrilling and just as good as its predecessor. And it sets up really well for an intense final novel!

Rating:

4.5 stars. I am so here for this third book. Also I'm terrified of it. I'm so afraid of how things will end because how else are they supposed to end?! Hopefully Kincaid does something that will make readers happy. I really don't want to rage over the final book. Pleaseeeee let me love it. I hate it when you love a series and you support it so much and then the final novel is a huge disappointment that makes you want to set things on fire!

I really enjoyed SJ Kincaid's first book, Diabolic, so I started out with high hopes as I read The Empress. I really enjoy books with strong female characters and was rooting for the underdog … Which is always fun, but somewhere along the way the story became muddled and confusing. I found it difficult to understand (or (or sometimes to care) where the story was going, how to keep track of the good guys' motives and the bad guys' motives, following the science-fiction aspects of the story involving space and black holes ... it just seemed a bit of a mess. And somewhere along the line it stopped being an enjoyable read. I'm not sure exactly how it went off the rails for me, but I did consider putting the book aside several times. In the end, I did keep reading and finished and was glad I did, mostly because I like to finish books I've started. It's a great premise with strong characters, but overall the book felt confusing and a bit disjointed.