Captives

Hell Divers #5

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling series Humanity has finally found a new home, but the price is blood ... After a long, perilous journey, Hell Divers Xavier Rodriguez and Magnolia Katib discover the Metal Islands, a sunny habitable zone where thousands of people live by fishing and farming. But this paradise is really a violent warrior society ruled by the cannibal king el Pulpo. For the first time in X's life, he is forced to lay down his arms and surrender. Back on the airships, the Hell Divers are recovering from a gruesome discovery at Red Sphere, where they learned the truth about World War III. Now they must fight another war--this time for what remains of their own endangered species. As the battle approaches, alliances will be forged, and others broken. Forced to fight in the Cazador army, X faces his toughest mission yet. Will he help his people come down from the sky and claim the promised land, or will humanity go extinct?

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Horror, Dystopia, Action

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 7, 2019

About the author

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/

Reviews

[Aristotle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thunderstruck

I wanted to feel what the Hell Divers feel when they jump out of an airship. So i put on my hockey helmet, blasted ACDC 'Thunderstruck' and jumped off my bed screaming "Valhalla!" What a rush! I sprained my ankle and hurt my shoulder but that's okay i'm not a soccer player i'm a Hell Diver! So i brushed it off and did it again screaming "Today i dive so humanity survives!" Can anyone recommend a good chiropractor?

Anyway the book review. This was the best of the five. Story kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end. El Pupo and Magnolia reminded me of Jabba the Hutt and Princess Leia and on page 254 was reminiscent of Luke Skywalker getting his new hand. Fast and fun. They need to turn this into a tv series on AMC or Netflix. And a big thanks to Nicholas Sansbury Smith for responding to my email. Always cool when authors interact with their fans,

"The way to paradise is through hell."

[Tracy P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captives definitely held me Captive, and is an absolutely phenomenal episode! Filled with nonstop action, and as always, I got swept away by the ever intriguing, multidimensional and supremely well developed cast of characters.
Highly Recommend each and every episode narrated by the incredible R.C. Bray. #Win-Win.

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captives
(Hell Divers #5)
by Nicholas Sansbury Smith
This book had all of our heroes captive and trying to escape. It's up to not only each group working together and the airship to get them free. They are outnumbered and the enemies are totally crazy!
Lots of scary moments! Great series!

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would describe this book as all action all the time. Some people might like that, but I found it overkill and all the battles and characters blurred together. At least three different groups of people were fighting at different locales throughout most of the book. I preferred the battles with creatures to those with humans. “As they approached, the stem began to move, creating a strobe-like effect of orange light. The petals opened, exposing a circular jaw and fangs the length of a finger, each of them dripping purple fluid.”

I’ve read the entire series and the ending of this book really feels like the series is compete. I know that there is a sixth book but it seems unnecessary and I’m not planning on reading it unless it turns up in the library some day. 2.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent

I just finished reading an Advanced Reading Copy of this book and it was awesome, just like the other four books in the series. I will do a more extensive review as the publishing date in May 2019 gets closer.

And, as always, I will be buying this book when it comes out because I want to support this author.

April 29, 2019:
I just finished re-reading HELL DIVERS V and what an adventure it was. This is one of my favorite series by author Smith. 260 years in the future after World War III decimated the world, there's finally a glimmer of hope for the survivors who we've followed in the series who live in a huge airship high in the sky.

There's talk of Metal Islands in an uncontaminated area of the ocean where the sun actually shines. A prior team of Hell Divers went to investigate and are now missing.

Non-stop action, human cruelty, human bravery and the possibility that after 260 years their search might be over - but at what cost?

This is my favorite of this series so far and that's saying a lot. One thing I truly appreciate about author Smith he writes quickly. I've already pre-ordered HELL DIVERS VI due out in November 2019. And of course I've pre-ordered HELL DIVERS V even though I get Advanced Reading Copies of his books but this is definitely an author I want to support.

I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book from Blackstone Publishing in the hopes that I would read the book and leave an unbiased review. No problem there.

[Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Review:
*I received an ecopy of this book via Edelweiss. This has not influenced my review.*

WOW. Gosh, these books are always so intense. This one especially so because it’s always intense when there are big battles to be fought. It’s hard to talk about these books without spoiling previous books, so I’ll keep this brief and kinda vague.

This book had all the same great things as the others. Fantastically flawed, gruff, and realistic but likeable characters. Beautiful teamwork and loyalty among the Hell Divers. A super interesting post-apocalyptic world. Writing that really makes you feel the tension and the adrenaline, especially leading up to dives or battles. So much intensity. So much emotion.

Seriously, these books always manage to make me feel so much. Even when it’s a side character and I can’t remember who they were, I feel such sadness when they die that I tear up. And when characters are sad or scared or upset or in a bad situation, I feel so bad for them and worry for them. And the relationships among them are so touching sometimes, so that gets me too.

Overall, this was another fantastic, intense Hell Divers book that left me feeling both happy and sad, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next for these characters and this world!

Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-4 in Nicholas Sanbury Smith's Hell Divers Series. Anyone looking for a crazy, intense, gritty, gripping, unique post-apocalyptic story and gruff, flawed, but still likeable characters.

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight

[Stacy ohmyskulls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of it! I had this preordered for months and couldn't put it down! I think I finished it in less than 24 hours I was so engrossed.

This series is extremely badass, but something I noticed in particular is that I really appreciate the inclusion of strong female MCs that fight alongside the men too! It's pretty awesome to see in post-apocalyptic fiction and when I reached out to the author to tell him how much I appreciated that he was really kind and nice to talk to.

If you like dystopian/post-apocalyptic fiction with badass fight scenes and crazy monsters (and killer narration by RC Bray, one of my faves) this series can't be beat!

[Empress Reece (Hooked on Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe this series is coming to a close. I thought this was going to be it but looks like there's another one coming soon so I'll still get my Hell Diver fix this fall. It's been a fun series though. To recap, the first book was my most favorite of the series. It was actually like my top favorite Post-Apocalyptic book of 2016! It was that good. The second book was my next favorite and I listened to the audio version for books four and five and to be honest, I wish I didn't, because I'm personally just not a big fan of R.C. Bray. I enjoyed the stories more when I was just reading the books, but to each their own. I know there are quite a few people that do like his performances. If you like the post-apocalyptic genre though, you should give this series a try. It has its own unique flair and a nice change from some of the usual post-apoc stories out there.

[Lisa Omstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle for a new home on the Earth’s surface has begun and the occupants of the airships Hive and Deliverance are about to come face-to-face with the cannibal psychopath known as El Pulpo and his minions. All hell breaks loose in this 5th installment of the fantastic NY Times bestselling Hell Divers series. No spoilers here but you WILL be blown away by the climactic ending.

[Yalonda Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Mr. Smith has hit it out of the park with his newest book in the Hell Divers series! Action, heartache, pissed off, happy.........all the emotions you could ever want in a book is yours for the reading. They just keep getting better and better if that's even possible. Dive in today!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest: I was nervous to pick up this book. Given how HD4 ended, followed up by the title and cover of this book, I was hesitant to learn what happens next. This made it difficult to get into the book to start off with. Don't get me wrong. My issues had nothing to do with either the quality of the writing or... or perhaps they had everything to do with it. In the Hell Divers series, Nick has created a cast of characters who have become dear friends. I feel I've been with them through their ups and downs, thick and thin, disappointments, losses, wins. And because of this and the direction of the story - for me, at least - it became increasingly difficult to contemplate more bad stuff happening to any of them. About the only thing that gave me the courage to plough on was reports I was hearing from others who had read it.

And was that faith well rewarded! I should perhaps have trusted Smith more... Don't be silly. I do trust him. I'm just not so sure I trust some of those monsters he invents quite as much, though! And as is to be expected, this book is packed full of all types of monsters. But it's also chock full of good people.

Given the self-induced rocky start, once I really got into the story, it settled right down into being a classic addition to the Hell Divers' story - aforementioned monsters and all. I'm not sure if this is one of the shorter stories in the series, but it certainly went down a treat in the end. I'm glad to have read it, and I look forward to reading more about the further adventures of the Hell Divers.

PS: The dog's fine!

[Jonathan Monnich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am having a difficult time writing this review. Awesome, great, incredible do not do this book justice in describing my thoughts. Using the definition of awesome, something that leaves a person in awe, is the best word I can use to describe this book, Captives (Hell Divers #5). If you have read Hell Divers 1-4 so far, reading Captives will leave you in absolute awe of Nicholas Smith's writing skill.
This book is packed with action and emotion. You will not be able to put this book down once you begin reading it. Even as humankind has managed to self-destruct, for whatever reason, this book will help you realize that there is one emotion humankind can hold on to, HOPE.
They dive so humanity will survive.

[PHYL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Great Read! This latest book in the Hell Divers series is excellent Exciting, fast paced, and at times heart-pounding. Hell Divers has been a favorite series of mine since I read book one. It is a very unique story in the Sci-Fi genre, and a great read in any fiction category. “Wow” may sound like a childish way to start a review, but that was the first word out of my mouth after finishing the book. I was given an Advanced Reader Copy. I will definitely buy the book. I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a well written story.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The battle for a new home has begun. The Sky People will need to wage a war against the cannibal warriors lead by El Pulpo. Can X help his people? This is another of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's great stories. Thanks for the advance copy...loved it

[Mike Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

While still a great sci-fi adventure, this latest installment in the Hell Divers series was slightly less engaging for me than the previous books. I think the reason for this was that the majority of the story takes place on the ocean and "metal island" oil platforms rather than on the Hive airship and/or the deadly wastelands of Earth in the earlier books. The latter locations were simply more interesting to me. But if you liked volumes 1 through 4, you'll like this one as well. If possible, listen to the audiobook version--as usual, R.C. Bray does a bang-up job. He was born to voice Xavier Rodriquez, the main character.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have sincerely enjoyed this series. If anything, it continues to improve with each consecutive book — no small accomplishment given that we're now five books into the series. Smith has developed a finely crafted postapocalyptic world filled with adventure.

[BookLoversLife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one heck of a ride!! I couldn't read this fast enough and never wanted to put it down. There is so much I want to say about what happens, but it would spoil things. X, Magnolia, Rodger, Miles and all the other characters are put through the ringer and I gasped, cried and was with the throughout the ordeals.

The author has an amazing ability to create characters we care about, and there are so many in this series that I root for. When X went off with certain people and they encountered something, the action sequences left me breathless. My heart went out to Magnolia, and it was in my mouth the whole time because of Miles. Then when you add in Tim and everyone else, I was on the edge of my seat.

This book was everything I was hoping it would be and more. I devoured it and am so looking forward to the next one. Be prepared because when you dive into this one, you won't want to come up for air.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!

This is one of my favorite series ever.

It is a new take on post apocalyptic Earth and the bravery and Patriotism is refreshing.

I cannot wait for the next adventure.

I would LOVE to get some Intel from Miles' point of view😀

[Barb Gunzenhauser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The War is here

I love this series! Somehow Nick is a master at writing a series that you can't put down. X and his team are facing a foe that they may not be able to beat. And yet they have to try, or they and all of their hopes and dreams of a new life on earth will end.
Keep it going Nick, can't wait for next one!

[Nakia's Hideaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5!

-Still happy to be with X, Michael, and Magnolia. I'm never as invested in anyone else.

-This book is very action packed compared to the other books in the series. It focuses a lot on war and fighting. So, depending on what you prefer, this one may or may not work as well for you. I definitely prefer the more character driven plot lines we got in the other books in the series and focusing more on the sirens and other unknown creatures.

- The Cazadores weren't as bad as I thought they would be. I still don't like the cannibalism aspect but it didn't get too gruesome or gory.

-I also found the other books to be more suspenseful. In "Captives" the most suspense I experienced was worrying about Miles. Miles does survive. Thank God!

-But no matter what, Nicholas Sansbury Smith continues to tell compelling stories and listening to the audiobooks narrated by R.C. Bray is just the best way to experience these books. Highly recommend!


You can check out my full thoughts on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZzIt4_cdmt8

[Nicko · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know, I read NSS's books and keep wondering how come Hollywood is not paying closer attention. Do we really need 137 reboots of Spiderman when the next thrill ride is already here? When X is the hero we all need? Someone who has given up everything for humanity? I digress...

The fifth installment of the Hell Divers Saga sends us head on to a climactic battle between the Sky Gods and the Cazadores. Everything in the previous installment was leading up to this and now there will be some...uh...hell to pay (pun!) for everyone involved. Avoiding spoilers and keeping consistent with the horrors of war, the reader should not be coming into this with rose-colored glasses. The seer determination will be translated into brutality of action. And a battle of wills will be the ultimate champion in either side.

Never come between a man and his dog! Enjoy!

[Todd Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always hate hearing the words "Audible hopes you've enjoyed this program" when I'm truly enjoying a book like this. Thankfully there is more to come, but sadly I have to wait. This is truly one of the best post-apocalyptic series I've listened to, and I'd love to see it made into a movie or TV series as long as it doesn't get butchered by directors. This series gets better with each book and I'm glad to know there are a few more in the works! I can't wait to see what the future holds for X and his friends. As always, excellent writing by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and an outstanding narration by R.C. Bray!

[Michael Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

X, the Immortal, and the Hell Divers take the war to the oil platforms, the Iron Islands.

WARNING!! There be Spoilers ahead! If you haven't read the first four books of this series, you will surely find Spoilers to ruin your fun. You haven't read the rest of this amazing story? Why not? What's keeping you? Get busy!

More than 250 years have passed since WWIII had rained radioactive hell on the surface of the Earth, leaving a tortured hell where every plant and animal mutated to kill everything remaining.

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 remaining airship 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.

The "Hive", last of the mighty floating airships that had sheltered humanity for a quarter-millenium, was now joined to the "Deliverance", an airship like the"Hive", slightly smaller, capable of everything the "Hive" was plus it could land on the surface safely. The "Deliverance", when attached to the "Hive", helped keep it afloat.

The Metal Islands, home to the Cazadores, were located near the Virgin Islands. The Metal Islands floated in a huge patch of clear, sunny skies. No radiation or poisonous atmosphere bothered the inhabitants and the Islands grew several fruits and vegetables to supplement their cannibal diet.

In spite of X's wishes, Katrina and the newest rookie divers, dove to the surface to inspect a top secret military installation off the coast of Cuba, code-named Red Sphere. Hoping to find weapons and supplies for an assault on the Cazadores' Metal Islands. The expedition didn't go exactly as planned. When do they ever?

A terrifying dystopian future provides an amazing storyline and characters you can immediately fall in love with, or growl and spit every time their names are printed. We've lived with and fought beside these actors, dove through forked lightning and crashing thunder. They're well known and much loved (some of them). The story keeps your pulse racing and your tired eyes wide with excitement. Now in this fifth volume of Hell Divers, the action picks up as the sky people (X and Katrina's crew and passengers) take the fight to the Cazadors. Terribly outnumbered, outgunned and out of luck, the Hell Divers lead the charge in the war for the Iron Islands. This is a terrific read! Don't take my word for it! Grab a copy and see for yourself!

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-Packed, Emotionally Driven, and Fantastic

Where the heck do I start with Captives? I literally just started writing my feelings out into paragraphs and I think I’ll try and put them into a meaningful structure if it’s possible. Hell Divers tells these deeply emotional and real feeling stories and pulls it off – even five books in.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to describe the feeling I had throughout this entire book and it sort of felt like knowing a panic attack was coming on but it never really surfacing (in a good way if that makes sense). There was such a feeling of anxiety from beginning to end. But the entire time I had a smile on my face knowing that things were happening or about to happen (no spoilers here). I was intrigued and hopeful throughout most of the first 60 or 70 percent. The last 30 I can’t talk about at all since it’ll spoil it for you.

Captives made me feel all of my emotions. There were times it made me laugh and at others it had me in full-on tears. There were a couple moments where I felt unsure but everything was tied up in a nice little bow.

Smith even made me feel hopeful and hopeless within a few pages. It’s crazy to me that an author can do that to me even this many books in. Not a lot of authors can do that and in my experience even less can do it with the pure adrenaline-fueled fiction like the Hell Divers Series had.

There were a few scenes (especially towards the end) where it was very clear that I was going to cry. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (except that I was driving and it’s hard to drive while crying).

So, can I talk about the book at all without giving anything away? Well, know if you have not read the first four books – that I’m accidentally giving things away just by mentioning anyone’s name. In Captives, the book title is what three of the Hell Divers are.

We spend the first parts of the book figuring out who is still alive and to what extent along with what their current situation looks like. We also bounce back and forth between the “sky people” as they’re referred to and life on the Metal Islands. Pretty much anything out of the reminder of what happened from book 4 – anything else I talk about would spoil it for you.

Just know that you’re in for action-packed emotionally driven fantastic fiction that was performed by one of the industries best narrators, R.C. Bray. I want to write more but honestly, I’m still reeling from just how absolutely amazing this book was. I can’t believe that it’s over and yet I’m also thrilled that I’m done with it. I loved the ending and I’m happy with where things are.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the absolute best of the series so far... action-packed throughout. The narrator of the audiobook series does a fantastic job. The ending was INTENSE! I was driving while listening to the end…screaming and cursing at the top of my lungs, pounding my steering wheel, and bawling like a baby the whole time (I’m sure people thought I had lost it completely). Now I just have to wait patiently for 6+ months for book #6 to come out!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I luv you NSS! Great read!

[Arnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Charles A Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Hell and High Seas

Book 5 in this exciting and imaginative series is a another well crafted winner. I have really enjoyed Nicholas Smith books and this latest book of his does not disappoint. One thing I really enjoy is how Smith pulls no punches. His characters have to fight and struggle for everything they need. Again and again I am surprised how bad luck follows more bad luck for the characters in his stories. And yet with determination and sacrifice they find a way for humanity to survive. Very enjoyable series. Please keep them coming Mr. Smith. I cannot wait for the next book.

[Lady Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Hell Diver books are incredible! Each book I hungrily devour and afterwards I am left in stunned awe. I enjoy the character stories, the depth of emotion and the intricate and detailed storyline. In this installation the word home becomes prominent but the war wages on. I enjoyed this book I think the most in the series. I find I ask myself: Could you dive so humanity survives? This book, the whole series really, is well worth every second it takes to read it and every penny it cost to buy it (which wasn’t much at all).

[Sleepless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an intense thrill ride! Nicholas Sansbury Smith knocks it out of the ballpark with Hell Divers V: Captives!

An exciting and unrelenting addition to the Gritty Hell Divers Series! The action is nonstop as the plotline weaves multiple threads in this jaw dropping story! The promised showdown between good and evil! The battle for humanity is epic, and the storytelling is sublime! A magnificant page turner that never disappoints!
The author continues his mastery of the scifi genre! Hell Divers V: Captives is brilliant! It left me stunned and breathless and wildly entertained! But now, I have to wait 6 months for the next episode in this compelling saga!