What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dire Saga #3
Time
Destroying city blocks, battling heroes, and working towards a sinister master plan... all part and parcel of Doctor Dire's day. But when unexpected interference from a time-travelling enemy throws her back in time, she finds herself up against an evil more vile than she could ever be. It's Dire versus the Third Reich, and the poor Nazi bastards have no idea what they're in for! Meanwhile, back in present day, Dire's friends and allies must scramble to fend off both heroes and villains, while trying to assemble the means to return Dire to her proper time. Can the motley team of society's rejects withstand the stress without Dire to aid them? The Doctor and her teammates have a hard road to travel, and before it's done, the darkest secrets of Doctor Dire shall finally be revealed... with fatal consequences. This is the second novel of the Dire Saga, and the third novel from the "Tales from the Teslaverse" project.
308 pages, Paperback
First published August 14, 2016
44 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 6, 2019
Well this is unfortunate.
I honestly can't remember another book series that's gone from 100 - 0 as quick as this. To be blunt I thought the ending was horrible. A last minute twist full of convoluted non explanations and lightning-quick slide show of reveals that lacked emotional impact.
The ultimate disappointment though is that I was extremely invested in this universe and these characters and I eagerly awaited each release. But the ending to this book was such a let down that I can no longer continue with the series. It has absolutely murdered an urge to see the greater plot unfold and I just don't know how you are supposed to connect with the characters after these events. Respect to the author for having the courage to make these kinds of narrative decisions, but for me they sapped all the fun out of the series and future prospects on where the story is headed don't seem optimistic.
You might say they are D.I.R.E. in fact.
Best of luck to the author in his future endeavors but this is where I bow out.
I honestly can't remember another book series that's gone from 100 - 0 as quick as this. To be blunt I thought the ending was horrible. A last minute twist full of convoluted non explanations and lightning-quick slide show of reveals that lacked emotional impact.
The ultimate disappointment though is that I was extremely invested in this universe and these characters and I eagerly awaited each release. But the ending to this book was such a let down that I can no longer continue with the series. It has absolutely murdered an urge to see the greater plot unfold and I just don't know how you are supposed to connect with the characters after these events. Respect to the author for having the courage to make these kinds of narrative decisions, but for me they sapped all the fun out of the series and future prospects on where the story is headed don't seem optimistic.
You might say they are D.I.R.E. in fact.
Best of luck to the author in his future endeavors but this is where I bow out.
August 22, 2016
So she's a damn robot? Booooooooooooo
I guess we're supposed to take it the hardwired AI's are better than the net ones, but who cares. They're AI's. No loss if they go poof.
I guess with the head cutting off and Minna ditching her kid (like there was no other way to do this? And why do your memories need to go?) you can just pop Dire's 'mind' back in and off we go. Minus Minna. Who wasn't much of character, anyway.
The time travel stuff was mostly spinning wheels and to explain CEO guy acting like he did after the fact. Though it was entertaining enough, just the ending brings it all back around.
So she's going to take over the world presumably now. Get cracking!
I guess we're supposed to take it the hardwired AI's are better than the net ones, but who cares. They're AI's. No loss if they go poof.
I guess with the head cutting off and Minna ditching her kid (like there was no other way to do this? And why do your memories need to go?) you can just pop Dire's 'mind' back in and off we go. Minus Minna. Who wasn't much of character, anyway.
The time travel stuff was mostly spinning wheels and to explain CEO guy acting like he did after the fact. Though it was entertaining enough, just the ending brings it all back around.
So she's going to take over the world presumably now. Get cracking!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2019
Another amazing installment in what has become my #1 favorite super villain series. This one really sold me emotionally without going into spoilers, Things does not go well for Dire and take a guess who is behind the mess? If you think about the title and came up with You got it in 1 ;) like Dire wold say. I say this for Dire when the chips are down and her luck fails her like we know it always does, she doesn't whine about it or waste any time getting down to engineering a solution. This is 1 of the things I love about Andrew Seiple character Dire. From the first page of the first book she hits the ground running, straight into trouble but not in a stupid way. For she is Dire and when things are truly Dire she will find a smart way out. A smart way doesn't always mean the best way though. However that is why she is such an awesome character, we see her grow and learn from her earlier mistakes so much in this book. On top of that we see secrets being revealed and man are they juicy. Muhahaha you will have to read or listen to the book to find out what they are though.
December 29, 2024
My favourite quote from this book:
“You do not take joy in killing evil. You do it and move on. That's the only way to kill and stay yourself, the only way I'd found. It isn't glory, it isn't self-righteousness; just quietly making the world a better place, without expectation of reward or personal gain. That's the difference between murder and execution. I'd executed them, and that was all.”
This is the third instalment of Dire and boy are we in for a ride!
We learn more about her gang Martin, Bunny, Vorpal and Minna, whilst also getting to read about her kicking Nazis and Hitler’s bums, what more could we ask for?
“You do not take joy in killing evil. You do it and move on. That's the only way to kill and stay yourself, the only way I'd found. It isn't glory, it isn't self-righteousness; just quietly making the world a better place, without expectation of reward or personal gain. That's the difference between murder and execution. I'd executed them, and that was all.”
This is the third instalment of Dire and boy are we in for a ride!
We learn more about her gang Martin, Bunny, Vorpal and Minna, whilst also getting to read about her kicking Nazis and Hitler’s bums, what more could we ask for?
January 17, 2019
I really enjoyed the ]previous two in the series and gave them 5 stars each.... but this one was garbage - I have never seen a series go from 5 to 2 stars.
Time travel - never gives a good story and in this case ruined a good story - I hate it.
I have already got the first 5 in the series as I liked #1 and #2 so much so I will open # 4 and see if things improve. Hopefully this was just another (very extreme) case of middle book syndrome and please PLEASE no more time travel!
Time travel - never gives a good story and in this case ruined a good story - I hate it.
I have already got the first 5 in the series as I liked #1 and #2 so much so I will open # 4 and see if things improve. Hopefully this was just another (very extreme) case of middle book syndrome and please PLEASE no more time travel!
August 28, 2016
My need for the next book is immense. IMMENSE!!! Mysteries were revealed!!! So much... is explained. I laughed a lot. And Nazi beat-down!!! Who doesn't love a good Nazi beat-down???? I loved this book with unholy love and I'm going back to re-read everything of the series!!!!
November 25, 2018
this ain't it chief
the was so good but the ending made me feel like everything I read so far has been a waste of my time. I feel cheated there were alot of interactions I wanted to see but they don't matter now.
the was so good but the ending made me feel like everything I read so far has been a waste of my time. I feel cheated there were alot of interactions I wanted to see but they don't matter now.
September 7, 2016
Ok book bad ending
Was a good series I liked the mc. But on last book she was killed off. That has left a bad taste.
Was a good series I liked the mc. But on last book she was killed off. That has left a bad taste.
March 20, 2017
Good till the last chapter
Whether the ending is changed in the next book or not, that is not a good point to end the story on; I will probably not continue reading the series.
Whether the ending is changed in the next book or not, that is not a good point to end the story on; I will probably not continue reading the series.
July 23, 2017
I feel I should preface this review with a statement to the effect that while I rated this book low, it was on a personal opinion basis, rather than a factual technical judgement. Andrew Seiple is a good author. As a self-published one, he's one of the best. You can read his books and you'll be very lucky to find an error. His characters are well designed and seem alive, his dialogue is smooth and flows well and his plots are at the very least dynamic. Why then did I rate the book as 'Okay'?
Well it comes down to stylistic issues. The first Dire book was an excellent character introduction and I really enjoyed reading about the amnesiac genius forming a personality and interacting with people. The slow build up of tech and power as she found scrap, stole from heroes and committed MAD SCIENCE! left you with a solid feeling of anticipation for future books and where they would lead.
My problems began with the second book. It was another single, self-contained adventure in which Dire... did things. However, unlike the first book which contained a single main adventure which the plot was based around, and ALSO introduced the character and required her to build up from nothing, the following books feel a LOT less dense. There is an adventure, but she already has most of a cast of characters and has developed most of her technology. The adventure is right at the forefront and doesn't seem to leave much room for anything else.
The first book read like Worm or perhaps The Dresden Files (Gritty, interesting, dynamic, full of characters and full of character), while the following books honestly read more like a pulp adventure novel. DRAMATIC TWISTS are present everywhere, and each book explores a single adventure in the lives of the cast, and not much else.
With that said, the book was still okay. The same high standards are present, and its certainly not 'bad'. But I feel like the first book made us a promise on the tone and character, while the following books broke that promise.
Overall, an alright book from an excellent author.
Well it comes down to stylistic issues. The first Dire book was an excellent character introduction and I really enjoyed reading about the amnesiac genius forming a personality and interacting with people. The slow build up of tech and power as she found scrap, stole from heroes and committed MAD SCIENCE! left you with a solid feeling of anticipation for future books and where they would lead.
My problems began with the second book. It was another single, self-contained adventure in which Dire... did things. However, unlike the first book which contained a single main adventure which the plot was based around, and ALSO introduced the character and required her to build up from nothing, the following books feel a LOT less dense. There is an adventure, but she already has most of a cast of characters and has developed most of her technology. The adventure is right at the forefront and doesn't seem to leave much room for anything else.
The first book read like Worm or perhaps The Dresden Files (Gritty, interesting, dynamic, full of characters and full of character), while the following books honestly read more like a pulp adventure novel. DRAMATIC TWISTS are present everywhere, and each book explores a single adventure in the lives of the cast, and not much else.
With that said, the book was still okay. The same high standards are present, and its certainly not 'bad'. But I feel like the first book made us a promise on the tone and character, while the following books broke that promise.
Overall, an alright book from an excellent author.
June 7, 2020
Crotch punch you the reader
In this book Dr. Dire fights Nazis (fun!). In this book everything falls apart. Friendships, relationships, and faith are shattered (not fun). In this book Andrew Seiple breaks faith with the reader and sticks a knife in your heart for no good reason but to show that he can be angsty (screw you Mr. Seiple).
In Dire Time, adherence to the cliché super villain trope takes precedence over any rational sense.
As I've mentioned in reviews of previous books in this series there is an abundance of suspicious convenience. Andrew Seiple finds implausible ways out of a extraordinary situation, by arranging elements in just such a way that the desired outcome is achieved. Oh how convenient, but it's fun when your hero wins.
And yet he, as the writer chooses to gut punch you and all the characters by not pulling a rabbit out of his hat in the nick of time when there were plenty of hats and rabbits close to hand and instead allows heartache and tragedy to befall our band of friends in a way that sucks much of the joy out of this series. There is often loss and sacrifice in the heroes journey but this sucker-punch ending feels so contrived and unnecessary and just WTF WHY!? And now I'm kinda' pissed off. I just can't see how this plot twist serves the story in any way. I feel disgusted with the author and alienated from the story and there is just a general feeling of ickiness that hangs over the rest of the series like a pall, and all for no reason or benefit.
So yeah you could say that I hate the ending, and a lot of the middle too.
In this book Dr. Dire fights Nazis (fun!). In this book everything falls apart. Friendships, relationships, and faith are shattered (not fun). In this book Andrew Seiple breaks faith with the reader and sticks a knife in your heart for no good reason but to show that he can be angsty (screw you Mr. Seiple).
In Dire Time, adherence to the cliché super villain trope takes precedence over any rational sense.
As I've mentioned in reviews of previous books in this series there is an abundance of suspicious convenience. Andrew Seiple finds implausible ways out of a extraordinary situation, by arranging elements in just such a way that the desired outcome is achieved. Oh how convenient, but it's fun when your hero wins.
And yet he, as the writer chooses to gut punch you and all the characters by not pulling a rabbit out of his hat in the nick of time when there were plenty of hats and rabbits close to hand and instead allows heartache and tragedy to befall our band of friends in a way that sucks much of the joy out of this series. There is often loss and sacrifice in the heroes journey but this sucker-punch ending feels so contrived and unnecessary and just WTF WHY!? And now I'm kinda' pissed off. I just can't see how this plot twist serves the story in any way. I feel disgusted with the author and alienated from the story and there is just a general feeling of ickiness that hangs over the rest of the series like a pall, and all for no reason or benefit.
So yeah you could say that I hate the ending, and a lot of the middle too.
July 14, 2019
Note: I listened to audio book which isn't currently listed on Goodreads.com so I'm putting my review here.
The super villain / genius Dire has time traveler problems. Worse, the time traveler is barely competent and so strands both himself and Dire in the middle of World War II. Dire was in her armor when transported back in time but Dire was also fresh from fighting the Crusader and so her armor is severely damaged. There is a way for the time traveler's powers to be jump started but this requires Dire to make her way across Nazi occupied lands and confront Hitler and the Nazi supers with almost no modern technology. Oh, and there's magic, stupid, doesn't follow any logic, magic.
Bottom line: read it.
The super villain / genius Dire has time traveler problems. Worse, the time traveler is barely competent and so strands both himself and Dire in the middle of World War II. Dire was in her armor when transported back in time but Dire was also fresh from fighting the Crusader and so her armor is severely damaged. There is a way for the time traveler's powers to be jump started but this requires Dire to make her way across Nazi occupied lands and confront Hitler and the Nazi supers with almost no modern technology. Oh, and there's magic, stupid, doesn't follow any logic, magic.
Bottom line: read it.
February 9, 2019
Time travel, Nicholas Tesla, Nazis, under covering local corruption, super heroes, villains, betrayal, loyalty, and plenty of surprises. What is not to love? The ending. Went from loving to "what the heck" (to put it mildly). Leaving out spoilers. It is easy to see the point and reasoning. Still, one does not have to like it. If book four was not out our and one was able to see things work out, the rating would be lower. Fortunately, you can go immediately into book four. Trust in Dire :-) If you have read the past two books, you know the authors loves twists and turns. Have faith that the author is going to do right by his readers.
January 9, 2019
Not sure how I feel about this book. From the start, the format changes by giving POVs of the different characters since they're not together at all times. The first 3/4 of the book followed the basic "Dire" mode of genius and combat. But the last 1/4 of the book went off a cliff and I'm not sure I like where it landed. I'm going to go back and listen to that last 1/4 again because it got very complicated and kind of left me confused. I'll probably have to listen to book 4 just because I need some closure in what happened.
May 29, 2020
Can the same book be the best and worst of the series?
For me, Time is one such book. We get an added personal/emotional element between the characters which we did not have in previous books. Though it's new, it does tend to give the book a bit of a soap-y feel. Though this adds a lot to the bittersweet climax, I overall felt this to sidetrack the book from what I loved best, Doctor Dire. Though the plot has been woven intricately and well, kinda geta more cheesy feeling after finishing this. Still overall a good trilogy and a good climax.
For me, Time is one such book. We get an added personal/emotional element between the characters which we did not have in previous books. Though it's new, it does tend to give the book a bit of a soap-y feel. Though this adds a lot to the bittersweet climax, I overall felt this to sidetrack the book from what I loved best, Doctor Dire. Though the plot has been woven intricately and well, kinda geta more cheesy feeling after finishing this. Still overall a good trilogy and a good climax.
April 27, 2022
This is a weird one but I am less surprised the more I think about it. I also wonder is this review will get deleted due to my take.
Andrew Seiple is a fantastic author, very skilled and creative. And also very left leaning for politics. Punching Nazis is a trope of those on the left. And having 80% of the characters be gay is just odd.
The book itself is generally good. Andrews writing skills are top notch. The fight at the beginning was epic. But his left leaning politics kinda really pulled me out of the story a bit.
Andrew Seiple is a fantastic author, very skilled and creative. And also very left leaning for politics. Punching Nazis is a trope of those on the left. And having 80% of the characters be gay is just odd.
The book itself is generally good. Andrews writing skills are top notch. The fight at the beginning was epic. But his left leaning politics kinda really pulled me out of the story a bit.
November 2, 2020
Decent.
But not great. The Nazi trope is almost always a turn off for me. The second negative in my opinion is the speed with which Dire is able to produce her gadgets including the lack of realism with mental and physical fatigue. I only dinged one star because the ending surprised me.
But not great. The Nazi trope is almost always a turn off for me. The second negative in my opinion is the speed with which Dire is able to produce her gadgets including the lack of realism with mental and physical fatigue. I only dinged one star because the ending surprised me.
February 11, 2022
This is entirely too long with a ridiculous ending.
Three quarters of this is just bloated set up. It isn't that it is unnecessary, it is just boring and drawn out. The ending is a complex mess only meant to set up the next book. This whole thing is a transition piece with no merit on its own. A transitional story is fine, this just forgot the "story" part.
Three quarters of this is just bloated set up. It isn't that it is unnecessary, it is just boring and drawn out. The ending is a complex mess only meant to set up the next book. This whole thing is a transition piece with no merit on its own. A transitional story is fine, this just forgot the "story" part.
May 17, 2018
Time travel is fucking hard to write
Loving this series. The time travel will hurt your brain if you don't remind yourself that this is a comic book world. Also this is the low point of the arc, you have been warned.
Loving this series. The time travel will hurt your brain if you don't remind yourself that this is a comic book world. Also this is the low point of the arc, you have been warned.
May 29, 2018
And thus, Dire participates in the great American Pastime
Punching Nazis! Everything about this author is fantastic. A believably intelligent protagonist with solid morals- the anti hero done without a trace of grimdark. Love every bit of it!
Punching Nazis! Everything about this author is fantastic. A believably intelligent protagonist with solid morals- the anti hero done without a trace of grimdark. Love every bit of it!
May 15, 2019
What was that ending?
What is with the Loki pronunciation in the audio book?... if its spelt Logi in the books that's just stupid.
To be honest it's probably 3 maybe 3.2 stars until the end then its just wtf just happened?
What is with the Loki pronunciation in the audio book?... if its spelt Logi in the books that's just stupid.
To be honest it's probably 3 maybe 3.2 stars until the end then its just wtf just happened?
May 7, 2021
I get that it was important to setup the rest of the series but I hated the killing Hitler plot. It is a tired old cliche. Additionally by turning the over plot into a save world plot Seiple took an interesting take on superheroes and turned it into a run of the mill story for the genre.
February 20, 2018
Book three
Got to admit, I didn't really like the way this book ended.
No spoilers!
I'll just need to read book four. You should too.
Got to admit, I didn't really like the way this book ended.
No spoilers!
I'll just need to read book four. You should too.
June 11, 2019
I enjoyed this entry in this series. I'll put the next one on my list to read.
October 19, 2019
Time traveling Dire
A bit confusing with Dire traveling in time. Especially the future. I will read book four. I enjoyed Dire in the past fighting the Nazi's. I was disappointed in only a cameo by the Steam Punks. Want to read more of them. So far it has been an enjoyable read. I hope Dire doesn't become a Hitler herself. On to the next book.
A bit confusing with Dire traveling in time. Especially the future. I will read book four. I enjoyed Dire in the past fighting the Nazi's. I was disappointed in only a cameo by the Steam Punks. Want to read more of them. So far it has been an enjoyable read. I hope Dire doesn't become a Hitler herself. On to the next book.
June 19, 2020
Stunning!
I stayed up past my bedtime for this one. I'm really interested in the next book. Here I come heroes!
I stayed up past my bedtime for this one. I'm really interested in the next book. Here I come heroes!
August 20, 2020
How dare you!
This book has made my soul bleed. It is also probably the best take on time travel I have ever read.
This book has made my soul bleed. It is also probably the best take on time travel I have ever read.
October 26, 2021
Great read!
Andrew Seiple does it again! What a compelling story with several twists and turns! I can't wait to read more of Andrew's works!
Andrew Seiple does it again! What a compelling story with several twists and turns! I can't wait to read more of Andrew's works!
January 23, 2022
I almost invariably hate time-travel stuff. Didn't hate this.
January 9, 2024
Best book in the series so far. So much is revealed and explained. Very satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews