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Hell Divers

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The New York Times Bestselling series is now available in Kindle Unlimited for the first time and includes an exclusive NEW novella at the end.They dive so humanity survives…

More than two centuries after World War III poisoned the planet, the final bastion of humanity lives on massive airships circling the globe in search of a habitable area to call home. Aging and outdated, most of the ships plummeted back to earth long ago. The only 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.



This version includes an exclusive new novella featuring X in his quest for survival as well as custom artwork.

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2023

1603 people are currently reading
163 people want to read

About the author

Nicholas Sansbury Smith

103 books2,392 followers
Nicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels with two million copies sold. Before his writing career, he served at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a background that inspired many of his story concepts. A two time Ironman triathlete, he enjoys running, biking, and hiking. Nicholas also loves traveling, especially to his cabin in Northern Minnesota where he weaves his tales. He lives in Iowa with his wonderful wife and their son and daughter.

Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.

Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/

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5 stars
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409 (32%)
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156 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Howard.
2,141 reviews121 followers
July 2, 2025
3 Stars for Hell Divers (audiobook) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith read by R. C. Bray.

After WWIII the survivors move up into the atmosphere in giant airships to avoid the radiation. Centuries later these people are hanging on to survival by skydiving back to the surface to collect spare parts to help keep the ships aloft.
Profile Image for Terry and dog.
1,015 reviews35 followers
February 15, 2024
This reads like it should be a movie. I really got sucked in. I don't know why but all the futures in the books I choose, are bleak, and this is very true with this story. There is a solid group of characters, mainly strong, dedicated people, a diver named X is the main one, and then another that will draw you in, is a young boy named Tin. Their relationship is something I expect to see more of in future books. Lots of action, brutal monsters and dire situations. Good stuff.
Profile Image for Kevin.
Author 141 books325 followers
April 20, 2023
I read Hell Divers ages ago but picked this one up just to read the new bonus novella, The Lost Years. Absolutely loved it. It's the story of how X found Miles. Really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
Author 59 books272 followers
May 11, 2023
Pretty good story

Interesting concept....lots of action, sad fate for Earth that we are heading for now. If we keep destroying ourselves and our planet.
Profile Image for taylor cyan.
34 reviews2 followers
April 1, 2025
honestly better than i thought it would be. kinda like R rated version of the 100
Profile Image for T.D. Lawler.
Author 17 books37 followers
March 21, 2025
Fantastic action/adventure/thriller with bits of SCIFI and horror.
1 review
February 20, 2025
Fun, suspenseful, and action packed from start to finish. They do a good job at keeping you on the edge with multiple overlapping plot points. However, some things were a bit repetitive and redundant, and there are some plot holes but if you don’t take it too seriously and enjoy a post apocalyptic survival story, it’s worth the read. Would recommend.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
938 reviews10 followers
April 14, 2023
They dive so humanity survives! Plus The Lost Years - a novella

For 250 years the Hell Divers had secured the nuclear fuel cells and supplies that kept the great airships afloat, and the airships were home to the last surviving members of the human race. Kept afloat by huge helium-filled bladders and guided by powerful turbofans, the last two remaining airships flew above the lightning storms that covered much of the devastated landscape. All that was left by the bombs which destroyed the structures and covered the ground with deadly radiation was incapable of supporting human life. Only deadly deformed creatures survived on the inhospitable surface blasted by the powerful lightning storms also produced by the bombs dropped from the very airships currently used as the homes of humanity.

Truly a terrific backdrop for this amazing story. Unexpected plot twists keep the tale lively and the powerful characters burst into life and draw you into their lives sharing their pain and pleasure, pride and shame.

Xavier Rodriguez, 'X' to his friends and fellow Hell Divers, leads Team Raptor, one of the Hell Diver teams that jump from the "Hive", their home airship, to the surface of the blasted Earth where they hope to find the supplies that kept humanity's home afloat. X has survived 95 jumps. The average life expectancy of a Hell Diver was 15 jumps. His best friend and fellow HD, Aaron, and his son Michael, nicknamed 'Tin' for the tinfoil hat Aaron had sculpted for him, were his only friends. They might be the only thing keeping him from hitting the bottom of the bottle of shine he drank, or maybe it's too late, but he's functional.

Anyone who likes dystopian science fiction, pure action described brilliantly by one of my favorite storytellers, will love this deep dive into a new series.

The Lost Years: a HD novella.

Xavier Rodriguez, Hell Diver supreme, has been left behind on the battered, radioactive, deadly Earth. Populated by mutated plants and animals, every one inimical to human life. Every plant, every creature is bred to kill humans. Whether intentional, or just natural breeding, people just can't live down here! But X is going to have to find a way. It doesn't look like anyone is coming to save him. He's going to have to save himself!
This novella stars Xavier Rodriguez. The only character is X, until he finds Miles, but that's later in the tale. You'll see. X is injured, battery depleted, leaving his hud and suit unpowered, little protection from the deadly radiation, cold or plant and animal that wants him dead or eaten! This tells of his attempt to stay alive and somehow let his people know he's still alive, still on the surface and wants to get back!

The tale of X's lonely years, trying to survive, trying to get back to his friends and family, this sets perfectly between Hell Divers 1 and Hell Divers 2. A tale long missing, is now complete and is amazing! Hell Divers 1 and The Lost Years are great reads!
Profile Image for Alyssa (HeartwyldsLibrary).
556 reviews21 followers
December 31, 2025
I have had Hell Divers on my radar for a few months now and getting that 3 months KU subscription for .99cents finally helped make it possible for me to read this.

I have to say I was surprised by how much I ended up liking this. Smith has no issues with killing off characters, which took me by surprise honestly. I have noticed that its strangely becoming harder and harder to find authors who are willing to go the extra mile and show how in dire situations not everyone is going to survive. No one is safe in this book, so do not get attached to anyone, or do its up to you as the reader.

The action scenes were very well plotted out and highly enjoyable and as someone who can see what she reads I found them to be very well executed. Though I will admit a few times it did feel repetitive because the same situation kept happening, although I do understand it from the plot line perspective as our main cast was facing off against something new to them. I will say the rebellion on the ship did help break up the repetitiveness but I do wish it had been a bit more fleshed out, it gets wrapped up fairly quickly but doesn't feel satisfying as we don't know the full outcome of the situation.

I found the lore of the world to be intriguing even if it doesn't fully go into what led to humans living in airships. I also do worry about the lack of other airships, doesn't seem good for all of humanity to only be left to one ship, after a few more years you can't really continue the population for fear of incest, so I do hope there is a plan for that in future books.

I enjoyed X as the MC although I really could have done with out the cheating on his wife bit, that honestly soured my liking of him. He was an amazing vet, who had the skills and knew his stuff, he genuinely cared about his team and Tin, but like why would you give such a great character a horrible backstory like that, way to ruin your MC.

Overall I found this engaging and entertaining and I look forward to continuing on into the next book.
Profile Image for Jim.
388 reviews9 followers
April 12, 2024
Wow, how have I never read this? A dark future needs every little light it can get.

Humanity has always been its own worst enemy and in this future, there are less than a thousand humans alive that they are aware of. Two airships of the type that once dropped the bombs that destroyed earth remain. After 250 years in the air, they are falling apart and running low on batteries, and specialized parts that they cannot make. As the planets surface is irradiated, the skies are covered in storms of lightning and wind, humanity struggles along on the bravery of the few who become hell divers. They dive off the airships to scavenge the remaining land for anything that can prolong their flight and the last living humans on, well above, earth.
In the daily nightmare struggle for survival, hell divers die regularly but the continued needs of the ships force them to continue. Jumping with a parachute and a helium balloon system to rise back up, they must survive the lightning storms and radiation as the ships are forced to the remains of a Chicago, which has been forgotten as it is now called Hades.
As one airship takes critical damage and calls for help, the final captain must make the decision that could save the only other humans she knows of, or doom those humans on her ship should she fail.
Hell diver “X” or Xavier isn’t going to let that happen while he lives and after 96 jumps, his words carry weight as does his determination and drive to continue to dive so that humanity survives.
Profile Image for Kat.
37 reviews
February 23, 2025
Such a different book than anything I’ve ever read. Post apocalyptic with a twist. X is a hell diver for the hive. He’s got a death wish but death can’t seem to take him. During one of his dives things go south and he loses most of his team and discovers a horrific monster. Soon the Hive finds itself having to respond to an SOS from the only other floating ship carrying humans but when they get there X is informed he needs to dive into Hades. Shit goes even further south and the Hive comes critically close to crashing…..

Other readers might claim this story is too bleak. I think it’s the perfect post apocalyptic read. It’s realistic in the sense that IRL there wouldn’t be hope so many years AFTER the apocalypse. There isn’t always a happy ending.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maria.
300 reviews
June 29, 2024
The beginning of X and Miles

I already listened to the first 11 books when I came back to this short blip in the story. I really like seeing how X survived when he was abandoned on the surface. Reading about the moment when he met Miles and his whole life changed was a special treat. I would have preferred to listen to this on order but the audio wasn't released yet. I'm glad it's attached to the first book for those reading through Kindle. The whole series is great for anyone who enjoys sci-fi, action, distopian or post-apocalypse genres.
15 reviews
November 11, 2024
Hell Divers book 1

I don’t usually do a review. You gotta read this series . One hell of a book. I am only on book 1. 5 or 6 more to go am told an outstanding series. In the future life on 1an2 airbus left with a handful humans,short of supply. Hell divers men an woman Dive from this plan for parts to keep it in the air. World 🌎 in state of disaster from war. Lots more going though, gets you thinking. Strong story. wow I know I did not do the explain it very good. Just read it WOW
1 review1 follower
September 7, 2025
Overused cliffhangers, irrational tech, poor motivation s

Some may like this but there were major problems. The technology lacks sense. Sky cruisers are possible but parashoot soldiers to the grond. They return by helium ballon, impractical at best.

Motivations are: retrieve dead bodies, take care of family, honor fallen comarde.

Every situation is an impossible odds with some intervening problems repeatedly. It becomes predictable. And nothing resolves until the next book(s).

196 reviews
Read
June 10, 2023
Inspirational and exciting

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book. It is a really unique story set in an interesting, dangerous and exciting world. X is a great character and it was good to see him grow and develop throughout the story. The lost years short story was really good, I found it quite touching and really well written. I hope we get more stories about X and Miles time surviving and travelling through post apocalyptic America.
Profile Image for John S. Jones.
28 reviews
June 14, 2023
This book has an interesting premise. All humans still alive are existing in orbit around the Earth but they need supplies from the surface so Hell Divers go down to retrieve the necessary items. There are creatures on the surface that are dangerous. The writer maintains tension throughout the book with exciting action sequences that come one after another with almost no time for the reader to relax. In the end, there is plenty of room for at least one sequel, although I predict more than one.
862 reviews5 followers
December 10, 2023
Good introduction to a series

This was a good introduction to a series and universe. Unlike some, this is not a universe I would like to live in or even visit, but it works for the story and characters. I like the friend the main character made in the bonus story, and look forward to future stories in the series about them. I recommend this book if you like lots of action and adventure and some surprises along the way.
Profile Image for Steve Davies.
5 reviews
March 4, 2024
Quite a fun read. Like the universe he builds, even though very bleak! Does feel a little repetitive in parts, particularly when on the ground. Does feel like nothing goes right for the main character X. The poor guy needs a break! I can relate! Does seem that future concepts and discoveries are setup for the ongoing series. Good action and good characters. Overall a good strong recommendation from me.
Profile Image for Kelly Smelcer.
404 reviews
September 18, 2024
Wow!

Earth is no longer inhabitable, thanks to nuclear bombing in WWIII. The people of the world that are left are living on air ships patrolling the skies, but after many generations, those ships are failing. The gate of humanity is left to Hell Divers, specially selected people who dive to Earth looking for items needed to keep the ships afloat. This book follows Xavier "X" Rodriguez and his fellow Hell Divers in their quest to keep humanity alive.
36 reviews
September 14, 2023
awesome!

I started this series in audiobook format first, but it really is amazing. The author really knows how to drop you right in behind the main characters, whether it’s on the aging airship or the frozen hell scape known as hades. Really loved the audiobook versions, so I know I’m going to love the book versions!
Profile Image for Michael Thompson.
50 reviews
April 28, 2024
AMAZING BOOK!!!!

After finding this author thru one of his other series I knew I had to give it a chance. I listened to it on audible but I’ve got in a reading mood as of late so I decided to read it and I don’t regret 1 minute. Great story memorable characters. Just as good the 2nd time around. If you love apocalyptic books this is a must read for sure
Profile Image for Marcus.
764 reviews4 followers
August 25, 2024
End of the World

Very interesting story featuring man in his intense desire to kill himself. But there is, now, a very very small population of humanity fighting to survive. There are dangers, physical, emotional, and mental, to overcome. A very good start to an interesting series
24 reviews
November 21, 2024
Gripped!

I love these books because they produce every emotion. Not just dark and scary, not just happy endings but everything else in between. Faultless editing which is a rarity for unlimited books!

Great character and world building. Realistic as far as a dystopian, post world war 3, monster ravaged world could be, I think!! A warning, appreciate the world you have.

13 reviews
December 26, 2024
Classic post-apocalyptic adventure story. I read this on a whim and it gave me Fallout vibes. I didn’t really know the book became a video game; it makes sense.

Easy read with likable characters. Not really a big cliffhanger at the end but the relationship formed with story makes me want to find out more.

Profile Image for Emmanuel Obi.
202 reviews
July 2, 2025
Action Packed Po

Just completed book one. Looking forward to enjoying the next book in this series. Talk about an interesting take on post apocalyptic world and survival, radioactively mutated monsters, the bane of human survival (humans themselves), and the courage of those that put everything on the line to save what’s left of humanity. Looking forward to the next book.
27 reviews
April 28, 2023
Love the novella!

I enjoyed Hell Divers 1 years ago, as well as the next 9 books. This novella providing the backstory of X and Miles was a welcome addition to the series. NSS does a great job of letting us see how these two found each other. Great writing!
937 reviews8 followers
May 12, 2023
Absolutely brilliant apocalypse fiction

A thrilling read. An apocalypse that seems ok so possible.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one.
Profile Image for James Barnes.
11 reviews
June 2, 2023
Loved it!

More details to follow but if you’re looking for a great sci-fi read don’t hesitate. This one personally took me a while to connect and care about the characters but now I’m hooked! On to book 2!
Profile Image for Bigred6126.
1,385 reviews3 followers
December 27, 2023
Divers

This is a really good novel. It's a thrilling post apocalyptic work of art. I love the characters and their development. It's a great story. The novella at the end was really cool as well.
35 reviews
March 28, 2024
Nick a wrote an awesome BRAND new novella called “The Lost Years” about X and how he found Miles added to the end of book 1. Loved it.

I keep putting off reading this series, but now don't know why I waited. Excellent story telling with a different premise.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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