Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*
Much like the first book, this was an intense, gripping post-apocalyptic read. The world-building in this series is incredible and really makes me feel like I’m there, especially on the bleak, terrifying surface. The characters are all flawed and gruff, but most of them are still likeable and good people. The concept of the airship and the hell divers is such a unique one (I mean, come on, just look at the kickass suit on the cover). In short—these books are so well thought-out and well-written, and there is so much to love about them.
I felt like this book suffered a bit from middle book syndrome though. It seemed kind of repetitive (the ship was falling apart, hell divers had to go on dangerous missions, the surface was filled with mutated monsters that tried to kill them, etc.), and even though it did eventually start getting to the secrets mentioned in the blurb, it still seems like little actually happened plot-wise. But the things that did happen were significant, some info was found that shed more light on the world and the creatures, and it seems as though a lot of interesting stuff is going to happen in the next book.
There was one major difference between this book and the first one though, and that was the main characters. I admit I was disappointed to find out X wouldn’t be a main character in this one since, to put it simply, his character was awesome, but all the hell diver POV characters were just as unique and well-written. I’ve read a lot of books lately in which all the third person POVs sounded the same, but I never found myself getting confused about whose POV I was in while reading this book. And for anyone who has finished Book 1 but is unsure about whether to continue because of the ending, *SPOILER* he survived! And although he did not make an appearance in this book, aside from the prologue, he is presumed to still be alive, and it seems likely he’ll make an appearance again in Book 3. *END SPOILER*
There was also Captain Jordan instead of Captain Ash this time, and JORDAN WAS AN AWFUL PERSON. He liked to pretend he had the best interests of all the people on the ship at heart, but most of his decisions were actually as selfish as selfish can get. If you like a good hate-able antagonist to root against, you won’t be disappointed. *SPOILER* It was funny, he made up a story about how the hell divers were planning to kill him, even though they weren’t, but, in a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy kind of way, they did all want to kill him by the end. *END SPOILER*
Overall, despite some repetition in the plot, this was a gripping book that I didn’t want to put down with flawed but good-hearted characters, intense scenes, and a unique, complex post-apocalyptic world!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Nicholas Sanbury Smith's Hell Divers Series. Anyone looking for a crazy, intense, gritty, gripping, unique post-apocalyptic story and gruff, flawed, but still likeable characters.
More Books in the Series:
Book Review: Hell Divers (Hell Divers Book 1) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Book Review: Ghosts (Hell Divers Book 2) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Book Review: Deliverance (Hell Divers Book 3) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Book Review: Wolves (Hell Divers Book 4) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Book Review: Captives (Hell Divers Book 5) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Book Review: Allegiance (Hell Divers Book 6) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith [Audiobook]
Book Review: Warriors (Hell Divers Book 7) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith [Audiobook]
I love that it has great world building! Sorry it suffered a bit from middle book syndrome though. That can easily happen.
-Lauren
Oddly enough, I’ve heard a lot about middle book syndrome, but I’ve rarely come across it myself. But yes, the World building was still incredible!
oh no no no no here is the review! I AIN’T READING THIS yet! not yet! I’ll be back soon because I decided I VOWED to read this next week 😉
Lol good! Read it already, woman! 😛
I think I remember the first review and thinking the post apoc landscape sounded cool. And yeah that suit is kinda awesome- reminds me of all the cyberpunk art I’ve been seeing on Pinterest lately lol. I do kinda hate the middle book syndrome, especially when it feels like the plot is just treading water for a while. I’m reading one like that now too, where I feel like I’m reading a really long prologue for book three ha ha. Still sounds like a good series.
Lol about the second spoiler.
It really is a unique world with some amazing world building. And that suit is awesome! Ha, that’s a good way of putting it. Like a really long prologue for Book 3. I’ve read first books in series that were like that too though, so it’s not just a middle book thing.
Middle book syndrome is something that is just something that is so hard to avoid in a series, even if it is quite good. I also really like the sound of the world building being so wonderful too!
I don’t know, I don’t come across a lot of series that have middle book syndrome. But at least this was still good, and the world building is definitely impressive.
Your review for the first book interested me and this second one still does but less so. I don’t always like when books change out main characters but glad you still enjoyed it. I love the sound of these books, they sound intense and interesting and lots of action so pretty damn fun.
Understandable. I wasn’t quite as enthused about this second book. I also don’t like when books change main characters, so that’s probably a large part of the reason. (Side note: it’s so disappointing to me when I find a fantastic book I love and get all excited to have found a new series only to find out the next book is about different characters. It really kills all the excitement I had been feeling.) But I still recommend the series!