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birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
I put this one off - a 10 year gap. I didn't think I was going to like it. I was wrong. It was amazing. Listened to the whole thing in one day, too.
marshmalow01's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
terminalfin's review against another edition
5.0
What an emotional roller coaster! My favorite author’s work being read by my favorite narrator, what a ride. This is the series that introduced me to, and hooked me on, Nicholas Sansbury Smith’s works late last year. To say that I have been anxious for the first sequel in this trilogy would be the understatement of the century. This was a sequel that was worth the wait and then some.
Let me start by saying that the transition from the first book to the second was very well done. The opening to this book picked up right where I am certain every fan of the series wanted it to. What happened to X? Where has he been? Did he even survive? I now know the answer and, to steal a quote from the Starship Troopers movie, “I would like to know more”.
This was a book that I wanted to push through as quickly as possible, but also didn’t want to finish because I know part three is some time off still. I couldn’t wait to start the book and watched as I became more and more depressed as the time on the Audible app ticked down to the end of the story. There were times I considered slowing down the narration just to make the story last longer.
Nick uses his masterful writing and descriptive talents to bring us up-to-date, 10 years later, about the status of X, the hell divers, and the other citizens of the Hive. I was almost taken aback mid-book as I listened to R.C. Bray narrate his purposeful mispronunciations of the names of US cities and America, only to realize that I would have understood had I read the physical book. My wife had to set me straight on this one.
As I said above, there were several key emotional scenes throughout this story that had me angry, upset, and intrigued. The issues surrounding Janga and her prophecies (I came to refer to her as The Oracle) brought about great anger later in the story. Witnessing the evolution of Michael (Tin) from the timid boy to the commander of a Hell Diver team was like watching the child you once knew grow up into a successful adult. The new monsters (Vultures, eyeball creatures, and the vines) left me imagining them the story progressed and I listened to Nick’s vivid descriptions.
The origins of the creatures on the surface is explained in this chapter of the series and helps paint a new picture on whether or not humanity actually stands a chance at survival. The challenge, of course, is whether or not the hive will actually make it to the surface given the drama surrounding the new pilot of the Hive. To give you an idea of what I mean, I will give you a simple quote from the book: “There is no room for mercy in the sky”.
This entry in the series is filled with just about every thematic element I could think of. Relationship building, betrayal, drama, action, horror, suspense, it is all there. And it is all masterfully tied together through Nick’s wordsmithing skills. There is a new team bond formed and I can say that I am proudly a member of Team Rodgnolia.
If you have not listened to the first entry in this series yet, please do so; you will not regret it. If you have, then what are you reading my review for as you already know the awesomeness that surrounds this series. Go forth and read/listen! If you have read the books, I highly recommend giving the Audible narration a try as R.C. Bray does an absolutely fantastic job of bringing Nick’s words to life.
This is an easy 5/5 although I am now saddened about having to leave as I now know that I have to wait for the conclusion. At just over 8 hours, this is a book where you will find yourself wishing it were twice that length.
Let me start by saying that the transition from the first book to the second was very well done. The opening to this book picked up right where I am certain every fan of the series wanted it to. What happened to X? Where has he been? Did he even survive? I now know the answer and, to steal a quote from the Starship Troopers movie, “I would like to know more”.
This was a book that I wanted to push through as quickly as possible, but also didn’t want to finish because I know part three is some time off still. I couldn’t wait to start the book and watched as I became more and more depressed as the time on the Audible app ticked down to the end of the story. There were times I considered slowing down the narration just to make the story last longer.
Nick uses his masterful writing and descriptive talents to bring us up-to-date, 10 years later, about the status of X, the hell divers, and the other citizens of the Hive. I was almost taken aback mid-book as I listened to R.C. Bray narrate his purposeful mispronunciations of the names of US cities and America, only to realize that I would have understood had I read the physical book. My wife had to set me straight on this one.
As I said above, there were several key emotional scenes throughout this story that had me angry, upset, and intrigued. The issues surrounding Janga and her prophecies (I came to refer to her as The Oracle) brought about great anger later in the story. Witnessing the evolution of Michael (Tin) from the timid boy to the commander of a Hell Diver team was like watching the child you once knew grow up into a successful adult. The new monsters (Vultures, eyeball creatures, and the vines) left me imagining them the story progressed and I listened to Nick’s vivid descriptions.
The origins of the creatures on the surface is explained in this chapter of the series and helps paint a new picture on whether or not humanity actually stands a chance at survival. The challenge, of course, is whether or not the hive will actually make it to the surface given the drama surrounding the new pilot of the Hive. To give you an idea of what I mean, I will give you a simple quote from the book: “There is no room for mercy in the sky”.
This entry in the series is filled with just about every thematic element I could think of. Relationship building, betrayal, drama, action, horror, suspense, it is all there. And it is all masterfully tied together through Nick’s wordsmithing skills. There is a new team bond formed and I can say that I am proudly a member of Team Rodgnolia.
If you have not listened to the first entry in this series yet, please do so; you will not regret it. If you have, then what are you reading my review for as you already know the awesomeness that surrounds this series. Go forth and read/listen! If you have read the books, I highly recommend giving the Audible narration a try as R.C. Bray does an absolutely fantastic job of bringing Nick’s words to life.
This is an easy 5/5 although I am now saddened about having to leave as I now know that I have to wait for the conclusion. At just over 8 hours, this is a book where you will find yourself wishing it were twice that length.
writerroguereader's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing continuation of the story of the Hell Divers: brave men and women who dive from the last remnants of humans' shelter, the airship known as the Hive. Breakneck action and edge of your seat fight scenes keep readers in their seats til the last page. I cannot wait for more!
flashrock's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wannabekingpin's review against another edition
3.0
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: If you would’ve asked Xavier about a possibility of survival on the surface, let alone in the Hades Zone, he would’ve thought you’ve a screw loose. But here he is, ten years after his crew had to abandon him to save themselves. About to embark on a journey. Meantime the ship he called home has designs for surface of their own, designs filled with hope, rumors, and secrets they might have preferred not knowing about…
My Opinion: The concept is very good, but the execusion is proportionally poor. Drama and dialogues are in the soap opera levels, like watching bad actors convey poorly written scenes. So where good characters might save a poorly written plot, here we get to witness the opposite effect. Where good plot is being choked out by very poorly written characters. All whilst there’s so much lore and history here to explore. Will read more, and hope for the best.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: If you would’ve asked Xavier about a possibility of survival on the surface, let alone in the Hades Zone, he would’ve thought you’ve a screw loose. But here he is, ten years after his crew had to abandon him to save themselves. About to embark on a journey. Meantime the ship he called home has designs for surface of their own, designs filled with hope, rumors, and secrets they might have preferred not knowing about…
My Opinion: The concept is very good, but the execusion is proportionally poor. Drama and dialogues are in the soap opera levels, like watching bad actors convey poorly written scenes. So where good characters might save a poorly written plot, here we get to witness the opposite effect. Where good plot is being choked out by very poorly written characters. All whilst there’s so much lore and history here to explore. Will read more, and hope for the best.
amarao1120's review against another edition
5.0
This is a killer series so far. The characters are complex and likeable/hateable. There is romance, suspense, adventure, horror, gore. Literally what more could you ask for??
grimm147's review against another edition
4.0
This was a solid sequel to Hell Divers, and I can't wait for book three. This one introduced new creatures on the surface, expanded our understanding of how the sirens came into existence and brought closer to the death of Captain Aida.