The Empress by S.J. Kincaid

The Empress by S.J. Kincaid continues the story begun in Diabolic and picks up right where events left off in the first book. Nemesis and Tyrus have seized control of the Empire, but will they be able to hold onto it?

Tyrus is intent on gaining full control of his powers in the face of enemies with strong ties to the old way of doing things and much to lose if he succeeds. What Tyrus is proposing is truly heretical and while popular with the lower classes or “excess” poses a threat to the Grandiloquy. Nemesis is intent on protecting Tyrus and is willing to be far more ruthless than he would contemplate. When Nemesis and Tyrus are outmaneuvered, they set off for the Sacred City to either find the Interdict who’s edicts have kept the empire on a path away from science and towards mysticism, or to disprove his existence. What they find is unexpected and will have shocking repercussions both for them and the empire.

Kincaid’s universe with it’s anti-science fanaticism ironically built on highly advanced science that is no longer understood continues here. Nemesis continues to struggle with her own humanity while Tyrus struggles to effect change without losing his humanity. The Sacred City and the Interdict hold an important key to how the empire has been set on this course and why it has persisted as long as it has. Unfortunately, Kincaid spends far too little time here exploring what could otherwise have been a fascinating component of this universe and its history.

Kincaid doesn’t shy away from truly heinous action and putting her characters through devastating emotional arcs. At times it pushes you further away from the characters rather than bringing you closer to them.

The Empress is a solid entry in The Diabolic series. It doesn’t cover a lot of new ground but it sets up for a strong finish in the next book. The book is narrated by Candace Thaxton who does another great job here. The characters go through strong emotional swings in this book and Thaxton’s narration captures the highs and lows of these swings. She has a good sense of pace and keeps the story moving swifty.

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

Listen to a sample:

Buy it here: