Sci-Fi Pick: Diabolic

Read more: Publisher's Weekly interview with S.J. Kincaid 

The Diabolic
by S.J. Kincaid
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2016
416 pages
ISBN: 9781481472678

The Diabolic available November 1, 2016

S.J. Kincaid's exciting new adventure story takes place in space where senators rule a galactic Senate keeping all technology away from the common people, the Excess, and their planets. In this way, mere humans  will remain subservient.Science is forgotten and only machines can fix other machines. Humans lack the knowledge to repair any of their spaceships and many are breaking down and vanishing into deep space. The powerful senate would rather lose a few ships then give humans knowledge and power that could overthrow their rule.

 Diabolics were created from human DNA to be ruthless and to kill in order to save their charge. Diabolics lack feelings like empathy and love; they kill without emotion or remorse. Diabolics are not human and they undergo genetic modifications to imprint them on their masters.

Nemesis is selected out of a training pen by a powerful senator's wife to guard her young daughter. Nemesis and Sidonia grow up together almost as sisters, at least in Sidonia's mind. Nemesis cannot feel love, but she knows she would do anything to protect Sidonia. The Emperor declares death for all Diabolics, but Nemesis is hidden away by Sidonia's parents. When Sidonia is summoned to the galactic court by the powerful Emperor who is angry with Sidonia's father for studying science, the Matriarch decides to use Nemesis as a stand in for her own daughter, keeping Sidonia safe at home. Nemesis must now fit in among her superiors; she must pretend to be meek and mild Sidonia and not the trained and ruthless killing machine Nemesis. If she is discovered, she will be killed--and even worse, she will bring death to Sidonia and her family.


One slip of the tongue, one misused phrase, one gaff in manner can give her away. Nemesis isn't afraid of the powerful and treacherous court; she is terrified of hurting Sidonia. Nemesis crushes down her instincts to break necks and stomp on heads.

There is much to debate and discuss in The Diabolic: what place does religion have in science and vice versa? Should religion fear science? Should science be maintained only by a select few? Artificial intelligence--when is enough enough?  Just because we find a cure for something, when do we know whether it is right to use the cure if it causes other events? What part does power play in science? In religion?

The Diabolic is a solid YA sci-fi adventure that is sure to appeal to the masses. Though I am not usually a sci-fi reader, I was drawn to The Diabolic due to the character of Nemesis--the girl who is not a girl but so much, much more.

Highly recommended for high school readers and collections. Violence and mature situations make this a high school pick.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review. 





Striking cover art is eye-catching and provocative. Smart marketing uses red tipped (evocative of blood) butterfly wings with steel blades ( violence and warfare) and a  a part of white wing (purity?)to sell the cover. Kincaid fans of Insignia will not be disappointed by this exciting new stand alone adventure..

Book Giveaway: Cloneward Bound

Cloneward Bound (The Clone Chronicles, book 2)
M.E. Castle
Egmont
2013

I have FIVE copies of this funny new book up for grabs! Fisher Bas has to find his clone out in Hollywood before the government or the evil mad scientist does. When his class takes a field trip to a Hollywood sound stage, Fisher jumps at the chance to find Two. Book 2 in this delighfully funny series is sure to be a hit with middle grades.

For a chance to win, simply post a comment on the blog. Please include your first name, city, state and email. Deadline for posts is Monday, April 29 at noon MST. Winners will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will receive an email from me on the afternoon of April 29.Please check your email on that date. Winners have 24 hours to contact me with their mailing addresses. Books will ship from New York courtesy of Egmont and Katie. Thanks, Katie!

Good luck and start posting! Pamela

Middle School Pick: Cloneward Bound

Cloneward Bound (The Clone Chronicles, book 2)
by M.E. Castle
Egmont
2013
259 pages

Fisher Bas is witty, intelligent and sarcastic and he's going to need to use all his talents to locate Two, his self-made clone who has gone to Hollywood in search of his mother. Fisher used some of his scientist mother's accelerated growth hormone to clone himself; he figured he could get more accomplished if there were two of him. What he hadn't counted on was that Two became a "rock star" at school. Suddenly, nerdy Fisher Bas becomes  cool Fisher Bas. As Two gains more fans, he develops his own personality and decides he has a mind of his own.

Fisher is now in more trouble than he thought he was. Now government types are asking a lot of questions at his mom's work; they want to know what happened to the missing ACH (accelerated growth hormorne). When Fisher's class has a chance to visit the set of "Strange Science" in Hollywood, Fisher jumps at the chance! He will use the opportunity to look for Two.

As the students are boarding the bus, Fisher throws out this random thought, "'School bus' is the normally used term because "asylum on wheels" is considered impolite." It is observations like this that young readers will love.

Amanda Cantrell starts stalking Fisher and soon he spills his secret. Together they snoop around Hollywood. Fisher swears that someone is spying on them; he's worried about the government discovering his clone before he can get to him. Who are the people following Amanda and Fisher? Where is Two? Just who is Dr. Devilish anyway? Can Fisher and Amanda clear Fisher's mom's name?

You don't have to read book one to understand book two, but really, why would you want to miss it? Both books are clever, quirky and fun. Castle mixes weird science with snark and playful middle school mirth.

Highly recommended grade 5-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Middle School Pick: Cloneward Bound (The Clone Chronicles, Book 2)

Cloneward Bound (The Clone Chronicles, book 2)
by M.E. Castle
Egmont
2013
259 pages

Fisher Bas is worried; the government is questioning his scientist mother about how an ounce  of her growth hormone is unaccounted for, and Fisher knows it's only a matter of time before someone realizes that he is the one to blame. You see, Fisher heisted the hormone and created a clone of himself that he names "Two."

That 's not the only problem. Two is on the lam in Hollywood looking for his mother and Fisher is worried someone might connect the dots and find out their secret. Amanda Cantrall is already breathing down Fisher's neck, so he finally tells her about Two's existence. Lucky for Fisher, his class is taking a field trip to Hollywood to visit the set of "Strange Science." Fisher wants to use this opportunity to look for Two and get him back under control.

As the kids board the bus, Fisher offers this random  thought, "School bus' is the normally used term because "asylum on wheels" is considered impolite"---from the personal notes of Fisher Bas. Readers will enjoy Fisher's dry wit and sarcasm; the author has a great ear for teen dialog and snarky comments.

Fisher and Amanda close in on Two, but they fear someone is following them. If their secret gets out, Fisher's in big trouble and no telling what will happen to Two. The kids have their hands full of crazy Hollywood types, pushy "stars," and an evil mad scientist, Dr. X.

Will the kids be able to save Two and escape Hollywood? Who is following them and why? Can Two ever lead a "normal" life? Will Fisher be able to clear his mother's name?

Readers who like a good laugh and a some kooky science will love Cloneward Bound. You really don't have to read book 1 to understand the action, but why would you miss it? It is such a treat to read both of M.E. Castle's kid-friendly books.

Highly recommended for fans of the series and kids who have a great sense of humor. Grade 5-up.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)