​This is my kind of book, a “what if?” type of book with a dark, tormented protagonist.  The surface of the earth is completely inhospitable, the last remnants of life (or so they thought) have taken to the skies.

Hell Divers has a great concept; people living on massive airships who would still need supplies from the earth.  These brave individuals, Hell Divers, parachute to the surface and face a plethora of challenges to keep humanity alive.  Nicholas Sansbury Smith takes us deep into the life of one of these insane…I mean... brave men.

“The average life expectancy for a Hell Diver was fifteen jumps.  This was Xavier Rodriguez’s ninety-sixth, and he was about to do it with a hangover.”

This is our introduction to X, a man who is one part brave, two parts skilled, with a smattering of luck and a whole lot of crazy.  As I read Hell Divers, I was pulled into his life, I began to understand the why’s and how’s of X.  I love a tragic hero, no one wants Mr. Perfect to win, we prefer to root for the underdog.  A tragic hero like X always makes the story better.

I had a few minor issues with the story.  I found myself wondering: why do they do it like that?  I really don’t think that’s logical; but let’s be honest, this is science fiction.  Why do I read science fiction?  For a getaway, an escape and to have some fun.

In the end, Hell Divers was an exciting edge-of-my-seat experience with an incredible protagonist that was based on a well-developed, intricate concept.  It was a hell of a lot of fun.  Sign me up for the next Hell Divers Team!

*4 Stars 

Hell Divers

​(The Hell Divers Series #1)

By Nicholas Sansbury Smith

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Sci-Fi & Fantasy