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The Dire Saga #6
Dire: Hell
Hell. The final destination for many a villain. Brought to this infernal realm by villainous shenanigans, Doctor Dire still lives, and fights to free herself and her companions from eternal torment. But the odds are long, and she must struggle to glean resources, recruit Damned souls, and fend off demons and fallen angels. It's a one-way trip down, to find the center of Hell and pass out and back to Creation. But Hell's master may have other plans for Dire. But she is Dire, and none shall stand in her way! It's fallen angels versus ascending supervillain, in a clash that shall change Hell for all eternity!
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2018
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65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 9, 2019
4/5 Hell is Book 6 of the Dire series and it’s conclusion though it’s open ended enough to make a return and believe that to be quite possible. It does however wrap up the Arc that has been established over the last 3 novels. Though this was not my favorite volume it wasn’t my least favorite either. The characters and their shenanigans still kept me entertained the whole way through particularly Dire’s Chorus is minion Androids and this books many hilarious references to Dungeons and Dragon. Sorry I mean Monsters and Mangonels. 😂
If you’re looking for a fun super hero urban fantasy series you can definitely do worse than The Dire Saga.
If you’re looking for a fun super hero urban fantasy series you can definitely do worse than The Dire Saga.
September 29, 2024
The silliest one yet.
I prefer light and fun to grimdark, but even with the comedy and quips there is enough child torture, cannibalism, and brutality to dampen even the endless D&D references.
In what seems to be the last Dire book, the story goes off the rails into crazy town and Dire has to escape from Hell.
This series has been hobbled by terrible choices the author has made for no apparent reason. The choice to set this last book in Dante's Inferno is just another example of "It sounded good at the time".
There is a lot l Iiked and even loved about this series, but judging the 6 book Dire series as a whole, I don't think I'll be recommending this to anyone without a lot of caveats.
I prefer light and fun to grimdark, but even with the comedy and quips there is enough child torture, cannibalism, and brutality to dampen even the endless D&D references.
In what seems to be the last Dire book, the story goes off the rails into crazy town and Dire has to escape from Hell.
This series has been hobbled by terrible choices the author has made for no apparent reason. The choice to set this last book in Dante's Inferno is just another example of "It sounded good at the time".
There is a lot l Iiked and even loved about this series, but judging the 6 book Dire series as a whole, I don't think I'll be recommending this to anyone without a lot of caveats.
May 31, 2023
Happy to see this series is open-ended enough to allow future continuations...
April 28, 2019
Andrew Seiple has got to be one of the most imaginative authors around. Not too many authors would be brave enough to take on hell. While I will try not to give any spoilers beyond what reading the book synopsis would provide, you have been warned. I also assume you read the previous book. Who thinks of a way to send his characters to hell, have the book take place with scenes based on Dante's Inferno,, and then adds in a story line that makes it all make sense. Of course it also advances the Dire story-line. One has to love how no matter what happens (finding oneself in hell), Dire takes it in stride and then figures out a way to to get out. Like Andrew, Dire has no problem taking on hell as she goes through most of the circles to get to Lucifer Morningstar himself. Not the fun loving one from the TV show. Warning, it does take place in hell, and bad things happen in hell. I did find myself at times thinking, "this is kind of disturbing." It does not overly dwell on these elements and kind of makes it okay by having everything reform. This is truly impressive story telling.
June 29, 2018
M and M, Seriously?
I am holding at four stars for now just because part of the criteria I use is a story's ability to be read multiple times. Seeing as this is the first time I have worked my way through this book, well, that is still hard to determine. I have liked Dire from the start of the series. Strong, smart, willing to risk,
and willing to start over with nothing just to make the slightest change where it needs to happen. It isn't the big things that Dire has caused that will win it, but the little ones that she has influenced, that is where Dire has succeeded the most. Dire is a long term plan ment to play over possibly decades of time. She is there for the long game, don't get in her way. M and M. Now that Is just mean, funny, but mean.
I am holding at four stars for now just because part of the criteria I use is a story's ability to be read multiple times. Seeing as this is the first time I have worked my way through this book, well, that is still hard to determine. I have liked Dire from the start of the series. Strong, smart, willing to risk,
and willing to start over with nothing just to make the slightest change where it needs to happen. It isn't the big things that Dire has caused that will win it, but the little ones that she has influenced, that is where Dire has succeeded the most. Dire is a long term plan ment to play over possibly decades of time. She is there for the long game, don't get in her way. M and M. Now that Is just mean, funny, but mean.
July 12, 2020
Good wrap up to series
This series is an interesting take on the notion of Good and Evil. Using Super Heroes and Super Villains who battle their way through Earth and Hell, literally.
This final instalment strikes some hard hitting punches at religion and guilt. Dire, being D.I.R.E. is apart from all that, but understands the concept and the way humans are affected.
Her battle is not against the perpetrators so much as the methods they use to achieve their goals.
There are rules. Much like the rules in M&M (the book’s equivalence of D&D). It’s the ones who pervert or break the rules that she is against.
So people have the freedom to be chaotic evil or paragons of virtue, each with all the strengths each choice grant, as long as they follow the rules. Simple really.
This series is an interesting take on the notion of Good and Evil. Using Super Heroes and Super Villains who battle their way through Earth and Hell, literally.
This final instalment strikes some hard hitting punches at religion and guilt. Dire, being D.I.R.E. is apart from all that, but understands the concept and the way humans are affected.
Her battle is not against the perpetrators so much as the methods they use to achieve their goals.
There are rules. Much like the rules in M&M (the book’s equivalence of D&D). It’s the ones who pervert or break the rules that she is against.
So people have the freedom to be chaotic evil or paragons of virtue, each with all the strengths each choice grant, as long as they follow the rules. Simple really.
April 26, 2018
Good, but less satisfying than I had hoped
I enjoy Dire's adventures, and this one had its moments, but ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I can't entirely put my finger on why. I can't say that Dire was not challenged. Her solutions were the usual combination of theatrics and contingency plans. I think maybe the issue is that her brilliant contributions plans didn't really come off as something planned so much as plot contrivance. Which isn't terribly fair since there were hints towards them. Still, it just didn't satisfy me.
I enjoy Dire's adventures, and this one had its moments, but ultimately fell a bit flat for me. I can't entirely put my finger on why. I can't say that Dire was not challenged. Her solutions were the usual combination of theatrics and contingency plans. I think maybe the issue is that her brilliant contributions plans didn't really come off as something planned so much as plot contrivance. Which isn't terribly fair since there were hints towards them. Still, it just didn't satisfy me.
June 14, 2018
This book was a solid 4/5 up till the ending.
That on the other hand, was some of the most idiotic, masturbatory drivel I've had inflicted on me.
If you've enjoyed the series so far, read up till they reach , it takes a rapid turn for the stupid there.
That on the other hand, was some of the most idiotic, masturbatory drivel I've had inflicted on me.
If you've enjoyed the series so far, read up till they reach , it takes a rapid turn for the stupid there.
May 7, 2018
Great addition to the dire saga.
Dire:hell had all best parts I've come to love reading superhero fiction. while reading this series I was entertainied the entire time.Dire and her band of misfits have been a balst to read she is such an interesting character and badass. This book was so Good I read it twice
Dire:hell had all best parts I've come to love reading superhero fiction. while reading this series I was entertainied the entire time.Dire and her band of misfits have been a balst to read she is such an interesting character and badass. This book was so Good I read it twice
May 17, 2018
It's Good
The cover blurb is the premise.
The pacing is great, the action is pretty good, the characters get development and page time, and the challenges feel serious. Great stuff.
The cosmology of the setting also gets explored, with some surprising twists.
I am really looking forward to the next book.
The cover blurb is the premise.
The pacing is great, the action is pretty good, the characters get development and page time, and the challenges feel serious. Great stuff.
The cosmology of the setting also gets explored, with some surprising twists.
I am really looking forward to the next book.
February 18, 2019
A bit of a disappointment; felt like filler. While it's full of Dire doing what Dire does, triumphing against long odds and so forth, it's also... ultimately unimportant. Nothing that happens in this book matters in Dire's longer campaign to make the world a better place. I'd say it's safe to skip this volume, but there is still the joy of reading Andrew Seiple's prose.
April 10, 2019
Oof. Going from a gritty dark series about a dystopian world with super humans to a story where the main character is sent to a ridiculous version of hell inspired by Dante's Inferno? This was a huge step down in a lot of ways. I hope this is the worst book we'll see in the series, as I was enjoying it quite a bit up until this point.
July 14, 2019
Note: I listened to the audio book but its not listed on Goodreads.com so I'm putting my review here.
Dire has defeated many foes, including those prone to use stupid, illogical magic. Unfortunately, one defeated foe manages to send Dire, Vector, the Last Janissary and the Greek Chorus to Hell. Kind of makes you wonder what that guy had against Hell.
Bottom line: read it.
Dire has defeated many foes, including those prone to use stupid, illogical magic. Unfortunately, one defeated foe manages to send Dire, Vector, the Last Janissary and the Greek Chorus to Hell. Kind of makes you wonder what that guy had against Hell.
Bottom line: read it.
May 2, 2018
Another great entry to the DIRE saga
Such a great ride though this story. Fits properly with the rest of the Dire works, but a little lackluster compared to the second and fourth books. Still a great read and can’t wait for the next one to come out!
Such a great ride though this story. Fits properly with the rest of the Dire works, but a little lackluster compared to the second and fourth books. Still a great read and can’t wait for the next one to come out!
May 6, 2018
Dire in Hell: just what you would expect
I enjoyed this book of Dire in Hell. It was an interesting take on Hell with the existence of super powers. I am looking forward to the next Dire book.
I enjoyed this book of Dire in Hell. It was an interesting take on Hell with the existence of super powers. I am looking forward to the next Dire book.
May 30, 2018
Still the best
This series continues to empress me and stun me on this genre of lit. The ending is the best by far in the series and causes a must in far-reaching of the series. Lucifer never stood a chance and puts both positive and a super negative spin on help.
This series continues to empress me and stun me on this genre of lit. The ending is the best by far in the series and causes a must in far-reaching of the series. Lucifer never stood a chance and puts both positive and a super negative spin on help.
February 3, 2019
Dire delivers again
I really enjoyed Dire: Hell. Action, strategy, and humor quickly and consistently. An easy and fun read with a heavy final chapter. I look forward to re-reading as well as enjoying any sequels.
I really enjoyed Dire: Hell. Action, strategy, and humor quickly and consistently. An easy and fun read with a heavy final chapter. I look forward to re-reading as well as enjoying any sequels.
March 29, 2019
Yes...Yes...Yes. Dr. Dire meets Mr. Mann (by John Byron). I would love more, but if this is the last of the series, then it went out with a bang. This is one of the most enjoyable series I have read. Give it a shot.
April 24, 2019
Helluva series. Couldn't bring myself to give more than 4 stars (actually more like 3½ rounded up) Just got a little too ridiculous in places.
For all it's flaws I have really enjoyed this series - I guess that is the sign of good books - and can recommend it.
For all it's flaws I have really enjoyed this series - I guess that is the sign of good books - and can recommend it.
July 10, 2019
So good
I’m such a nerd and this part of the series had me laughing with the “M&M” references. Very cool. Learnt some stuff about Dire’s brain. I felt it was a.. slower read then the previous books. Had to really make myself read it. But if picked up about halfway through.
I’m such a nerd and this part of the series had me laughing with the “M&M” references. Very cool. Learnt some stuff about Dire’s brain. I felt it was a.. slower read then the previous books. Had to really make myself read it. But if picked up about halfway through.
November 4, 2021
Another great novel from Seiple!
What does Dire do after defeating the Seven Deadly Sins, led by Pride / The Murder Maestro? She heads to Hell, of course!
Another great book in the Chronicles of Dire. A definite must-read!
What does Dire do after defeating the Seven Deadly Sins, led by Pride / The Murder Maestro? She heads to Hell, of course!
Another great book in the Chronicles of Dire. A definite must-read!
May 12, 2018
Book six
I found one mistake, but Dire is awesome so I will let it slide.
This has to be the best of the series. I want more!
I very highly recommend this entire series!
I found one mistake, but Dire is awesome so I will let it slide.
This has to be the best of the series. I want more!
I very highly recommend this entire series!
May 13, 2018
Great story
Another fun entry in the series. I've been looking forward to this book since the cliffhanger ending of the previous book.
Another fun entry in the series. I've been looking forward to this book since the cliffhanger ending of the previous book.
February 7, 2019
Amazing book and an amazing book series. I am so sad to see that there isn't a part 7-21 yet.
Overall, it was a good usage of Hell and I approve of the sheer fuckery that went down.
Overall, it was a good usage of Hell and I approve of the sheer fuckery that went down.
May 27, 2019
Enjoyed this one, keep up the good work.
August 4, 2020
Love the take on the metaphysics, and would like more Dire books, but overall kind of bleak due to the setting.
September 13, 2020
Lots of fun
Dire continues to be a fun romp through superhero villainy. This time in hell, along with a bunch of returning characters
Dire continues to be a fun romp through superhero villainy. This time in hell, along with a bunch of returning characters
January 11, 2024
Satisfying sci-fi conclusion to book 6.
September 2, 2018
Eminently Skippable
I've loved this series since I came across book one, but this is not it at it's best. The story loses steam halfway through, and ends in a literal deus ex machina. It left me with the impression that nothing that happened in this book will impact the plot going forward, with the exception of where the character physically is at the end. The author has stated in a blog that this is likely the last we'll see of the main character for a while, which makes this a pretty disappointing jumping off point. I don't think you'd be missing much if you decided to skip this one.
I've loved this series since I came across book one, but this is not it at it's best. The story loses steam halfway through, and ends in a literal deus ex machina. It left me with the impression that nothing that happened in this book will impact the plot going forward, with the exception of where the character physically is at the end. The author has stated in a blog that this is likely the last we'll see of the main character for a while, which makes this a pretty disappointing jumping off point. I don't think you'd be missing much if you decided to skip this one.
January 14, 2020
I really like the DIRE novels.
The author has a really intriguing Dr. Doom-style anti-hero and as with the previous five novels, this one shows her off in all her glory.
Mr. Seiple takes positive glee in depicting super-hero tropes, and their silly justifications, all throughout his series, and his take on Hell is no different. And VERY super-heroey.
I highly recommend this series to fans of the Supers genre.
The author has a really intriguing Dr. Doom-style anti-hero and as with the previous five novels, this one shows her off in all her glory.
Mr. Seiple takes positive glee in depicting super-hero tropes, and their silly justifications, all throughout his series, and his take on Hell is no different. And VERY super-heroey.
I highly recommend this series to fans of the Supers genre.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews