The Empress: The Diabolic, Book 2
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Twisty space opera ups the intensity in middle volume.
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What's the Story?
Picking up from where The Diabolic left off, THE EMPRESS finds Emperor Tyrus ready to rule with Nemesis by his side. But their dreams of peace and prosperity are quickly dashed when he realizes that the scepter that should control every machine in the galaxy simply doesn't work, leaving them vulnerable to their enemies' plots. Together and separately, Nemesis and Tyrus must travel to the far reaches of space, hoping to find a strategy that will spare their lives and restore them both to the throne. The problem is, they can't trust anyone, not even each other. Everyone they encounter has a secret, deadly agenda that could result in their death.
Is It Any Good?
A lot of trilogies tend to sag in the middle, but this second volume takes the action and intrigue to a new level. With The Empress, author S.J. Kincaid delivers more of the political skullduggery that distinguished The Diabolic and amps up its intensity. Readers won't be able to anticipate the surprises in store, as Nemesis and Tyrus attempt to save themselves and the Empire. This is a superior space opera for teens, and readers will be breathlessly awaiting the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Empress depicts politics. Why is it difficult to rule something as big as a galaxy? Would another form of government be more suited to the task?
How do people learn to feel empathy? What behaviors promote empathy, and which can undermine it?
What role does violence play in The Empress? Is it an effective method of controlling other people? What are better methods of settling disputes?
Book Details
- Author: S.J. Kincaid
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Adventures, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication date: October 31, 2017
- Number of pages: 380
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 6, 2022
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