The New York Times and USA Today bestselling series
They dive so humanity survives … thing keeping the two surviving lifeboats in the sky are Hell Divers—men and women who risk their lives by skydiving to the surface to scavenge for parts the ships desperately need.
When one of the remaining airships is damaged in an electrical storm, a Hell Diver team is deployed to a hostile zone called Hades. But there’s something down there far worse than the mutated creatures discovered on dives in the past—something that threatens the fragile future of humanity.
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Can’t wait to read the next book. Excellent development of main character.
Both my husband, and teenage son, and I listened to this book on tape when we travelled. It was one of those stories that you just wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next. Looking forward to reading Hell Divers II. We all recommend this book!
Great action novel with an unusual premise. I bought the next two books in the series.
Unusual premise even for a science fiction story; world has more or less ended with only survivors living on board blimps; but not just any blimps, these airships were built by the military and have lasted a very long time…. but there are problems…. enjoyed 99.9% of it.
This book was a good effort at apocalyptic story telling. The premise was an interesting take on survival and though captivating with all of the plot twists but would have been well served to offer some more historical context. This small critique is in no way to detract from the well written story. I am looking forward to the next book!
Enjoyable read – good sci-fi
Fast moving- plenty of action. Premise of plot interesting and very original for future-concept gendre.
Original plot – Can not wait for the third book in series!
It’s a quick read although the underlying premise is a bit much to believe. Still entertaining.
Interesting premise and decent read
Action packed. Interesting ‘after the fall’ premise that doesn’t hold up to close scrutiny. I put this in the same category as popcorn chomping action movies. I’ll probably read the next one.
Tossed after 50 pages. Didn’t like much about it.
I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t. It was fast paced but you could see what was coming easily and parts didn’t makes sense or were disconnected.
This gets a rating of 4.75 stars. The first star is just because it is written by Nick Smith and I have a real penchant for his work. I have pretty much liked everything he has done so far and he did not let me down here. This is something I have never seen before and I have read a lot of science fiction and apocalyptic stories over the years. Nick has a great imagination when it comes to the creation of the creatures that are going to be inhabiting his world, and because I could actually visualize them I give even more points, because they are terrifying. I was not so sure about 250 years of what sounds like nuclear winter but I will defer to the science as written. The characters were introduced and gone in the blink of an eye and so most did not have a chance to be very fleshed out, but those who remained at least have room to grow.
Xavier Rodriguez is a Hell Diver who has managed to outlive most of those who decide to do the job. He has managed to survive 96 jumps when the life expectancy is a measly 15 jumps. X, as he is known to friends, is the leader of Team Raptor which happens to have 2 other veteran divers. X lives and works on the Hive, one of two remaining airships riding the currents and storms above a blighted world not fit for human habitation. His job and that of the other Hell Divers is to drop down to that uninviting land and make sure that the Hive continues to fly so that the last of humanity can survive.
When a distress call comes from the Ares, the other airship, Captain Maria Ash has no choice but to go to their rescue. But is she putting her ship in danger for nothing?
While I really did like the story of the divers I was less thrilled with the side story of what was going on aboard the ship itself. With the divers you had action, danger, sacrifice, and heroics of all types. With the passengers you had whining and ungratefulness, though maybe that was intentional. This is about an apocalypse that has left the world dead, class wars, broken family ties, survival at any cost, courage, and a lot more. This made me feel something for them all as they pushed to keep going and survive one more day. Was not happy with the end, but that was personal.
Anyone who likes stories of the apocalypse will like this. Highly recommend!