Hell Divers II: Ghosts

Hell Divers Series, Book 2

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times and USA Today best-selling series

Betrayal and sacrifice in the skies...

Ten years ago, Hell Diver Xavier "X" Rodriguez fell to Earth. Those he left behind went on without him aboard the airship he once called home. Michael Everheart - the boy once known as Tin - has grown into a man and the commander of Hell Diver Raptor Team. While Michael dives to help keep the Hive in the air, Captain Leon Jordan rules with an iron fist at the helm of the ship. But unrest stirs under his strict leadership as a prophecy of hope sweeps the lower decks. 

When a mysterious distress signal calls the Hell Divers to the surface, Michael and his loyal team begin to uncover long-buried truths and the secrets Captain Jordan will do anything to keep. They dive so humanity survives...but will they survive the ultimate betrayal? 

Nicholas Sansbury Smith delivers another heart-pounding thriller in Hell Divers II: Ghosts, the second audiobook in the acclaimed science fiction series. 

©2017 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Can't wait for the next book!

This is an excellent follow up to book 1. Nicholas Sansbury Smith has become one of my favorite authors! I am loving this series so far. Lots of action! It's not your typical post apocalyptic series. This series takes place 250 years after WW3. Humanity has been forced to live in sky ships where it is safer. The planet is full of mutated life and electrical storms. This is one of those books you just can't put down! Great narration by R. C. Bray! He is one of the best narrators out there in my opinion. Looking forward to book 3!

A dive that everyone must take!

Josh here and oh my, 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. 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 on the surface. 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 or read 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. 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.

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.

Wow!!! You've Got To Get This Book!

When I checked and found that 6 hours had already elapsed I couldn't believe it. Then I realized, with sadness, that it was almost over. Book 1 was great. Book 2 is absolutely fantastic. Everything about it improved. Except that X is personally only in the story for a small portion of this book. Not saying if he lives or dies, just that he only appears in the story for a short while. The action is fast paced. The plotline is great. Captain Jordan is a poo rag who spends every day rationalizing and justifying his increasingly Stalin-like rule of The Hive. Tin is a stud. Weaver is every bit equal as a leader to X. Magnolia is actually a pretty decent human being. The Earth bound monsters are just as tough as ever. And narration is spot on. This is perhaps the #1 series I've ever listened to on Audible.

Thrilling, Fast-paced, Horrifying, Awesome!

Hell Divers is so cool, and this second book absolutely adds to the series.

This is from my Editor's Pick for July:

I was already totally set on listening to Hell Divers II before I met author Nicholas Sansbury Smith at the 2017 Book Expo America, but I secretly freaked out when offered the surprising chance to talk to him. He’s a young guy, early thirties if I recall correctly, but he’s already penned more than 16 books. 16 books! Can you imagine? All of that work has more than paid off in his fine-tuned Hell Divers series. Beyond a brilliant concept, Smith’s writing is fresh, fast-paced, and chock full of compelling characters. What’s more, the second book in the series does a remarkable job adding depth and excitement to an already sophisticated storyline. In talking to Smith we were both super excited about R.C. Bray’s narration, and you will have to agree that with Bray – the modern day voice of Sci-Fi – this all-star combo is one that cannot be ignored.

Even better than the first

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. RC Bray is a great narrator, and with Smith's story, this one is impossible to stop listening to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael Everheart was very cool. It was interesting to see how evolved from the boy, Tin, in Book 1.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended. Obviously, if you haven't read/listened to the first, you owe it to yourself to do that before this one. This is an excellent sequel.

Great 2nd book ... annoying puppy love.

I enjoyed this 2nd book more than the first as solod action and more of the how/whys started to be discovered and explained.

I did get sick of every 2nd character being in love or falling in love with tje next .... the teenager puppy love shoild stay in TWILIGHT and not in Hell divers.

Over all : Recommended

Good but it feels very much like 1 big cliffhanger

As a sequel its a good book but everything feels like its a prelude to book 3. The narration was again very good! The personalities are a bit small with make the storyline not nearly as interesting as the first book. However: I cant wait for number 3 to see how it ends!!

Ps. I'm a native Dutch speaker so please excuse my grammer etc.

WHY ISN'T THIS A MOVIE OR TV SERIES YET

This is the best sequel book of Smith's since his Orbs 2&3..Just an outright tension-soaked post apocalyptic buffet of twists, secrets, manipulation and action.*all in a awesome sci-fi burrito of POWER*

We dive so they survive. Epic!

Awesome sequel. Very well written and had me on the edge of my seat. keeps making me think of a gears of war type characters and world. Excited for the next addition. R.C Bray is always a great.

Half a story.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If it was a complete book. This is half a book.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story is good. They should not try to stretch it to three books. Two would've been fine.

I devoured this!!

This is book 2, and while I try to stay away from spoilers, I could accidentally spoil something for those who haven't read book 1 yet, so read at your own peril!!

Set 10 years after the last book, this sees everyone aboard the Hive believing that X died, but one man knows the truth and will do anything necessary to keep his secret. The young Tin isn't so young anymore and is now a Hell Diver like his father and X. When Magnolia is though to have found out a devastating secret, she is sent on a mission and ultimately ends up falling to the earth. Michael, aka Tin, and his team mate Rodger believe she is still alive and, despite the objections from the Captain, dive down to find her. Will they survive the wasteland the earth has become?

The ending of book 1 left me with a hole in my heart so I couldn't wait to dive into this straight away!! Once again, the author grabs you from the start and doesn't let go till the bitter end!!! I couldn't read this fast enough, yet I didn't want it to end. My poor, poor heart took a beating with this one! A certain character and what was happening to him had me on the edge of my seat, and when I got to the end of the book, I was cursing the author for not having him in it enough!! But it also made me extra excited for book 3 because I can sorta see where this is going, well it's more that I'm hoping I know where this is going! There's two characters I want to meet each other and I'm hoping and praying they do!! Sorry if that sounds vague but I don't do spoilers!!

This one focuses on Team Raptor. Michael is the head Diver and is doing it to honour his dad. Plus, things are getting pretty bad on the ship and resources are getting thin. The lower decks are seconds away from revolting and the Divers are the only ones who can help. When one of the team, Magnolia, is lost, the Captain sends down a small team to retrieve some much needed power cells that are in the red zone near where she fell. He tells the team that their main priority is to find the equipment and if they have time then they can look for Magnolia. Michael isn't one of the initial ones to go, but he learns something that shocks him to the core and dives down to the earth. Team Raptor set off into the heart of Hell, to find Magnolia and to learn the truth that the captain has kept hidden!

I loved Team Raptor! While I was disappointed that we didn't get to see one of my favourite characters, I still ended up loving all the new ones! Michael has grown into an amazing person. He is brave, strong and fights for what is right, no matter the consequences. Magnolia is as sassy as ever! She is awesome and I'm hoping she realises that there is a certain someone who is perfect for her!! I also loved Rodger. He is quite the character :) Once again, this author excels in the way he develops his characters. They are all relateable and ones you can't help but love. They get under your skin!! Lol. He also writes loathsome bad people. The captain is one of the worst and I hated him!!

In all, this book is non stop! This author is a master storyteller and is firmly on my auto buy list. If you love heart stopping action and adventure, jawdropping secrets and twists, monsters galore and characters that will steal your heart, then this is a series for you!! I highly, highly recommend!! "We dive so humanity survives"

R.C Bray is phenomenal!! I don't think there's any other word to describe him to be honest. The atmosphere... the fear and panic the characters felt, was brought alive with his performance. Every character was clearly defined and had their own tone. He is one of the best, and it shows!!

Total letdown

Fragmented storyline boring killer plants seriously in this day and age. This sequel was nothing like the first . It was like treading through mud. Sorry to be down on any book but this has to be one of the worse l have purchased. I would suggest that if this book was free it would still fell expense in time alone not for me!!!

Excellent series

Saved the best till last. I seem to be a bit of a bray fan so most, if not all, are his narrations. Anyway I’ve saved them all till last. Finished books 1 and 2 driving to and from work and looking forward to my 60 mile drive home tomorrow, with book 3 ready to go. Awesome 5 stars

Gripping

Another great book in the series. With great characters!

Narration by R C Bray is simply fabulous as ever. He just has that Midas touch when it comes to narration.

On to book 3

Stop what you are doing and read this book

A captain haunted by a ghost he left behind.

A young man trying to live up to the memory of his father.

The people needing a saviour, and a fallen hero becoming a myth.

Nicholas s smith at his best this book kept me riveted to my seat with its plot twists and raw emotion this book is a necessity

Poor bridge of a story

Seems like a fast written poor bridge to fill the story line, nothing really happens and you don't meet x again
Very disappointed

Bray is on point

This story just seems to get better and better. Narration by Bray is supurb and helps the story. On to the next!

Not as good as the 1st but still good.

Good series of Audio books not as good as the 1st but I am hooked & looking forward to the 3rd book & would definitely recommend this series. The narrator is better than most other's I've heard aswel so thanks for that. "On to the nxt one"

My guilty pleasure

I love this series. It is not high literature. It is not intellectually challenging. But it is perfect for high action escapism. I'm not sure I would read the book on its own but R C Bray is such a great narrator that I want to listen all the time. One complaint, the book is too short so I have to wait another 3 weeks before I can get the next installment.

we dive so humanity can survive.

after listening to book one i was hooked. book two does not disappoint. try these