Hell Divers VI: Allegiance by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Format: Kindle
Rating:  5 Stars
Reviewer: Laurel

The people from the Hive may have found paradise on the Metal Islands, but paradise has to be worked for when you’re trying to bring two completely disparate societies together as one. And X, now king over both societies, walks a fine line in trying to please both. But while one external threat was known, several new threats – both internal and external. – emerge. In amongst all this, Michael and his fellow hell divers – along with some Cazadores, are sent to Rio in search of more survivors.

I often find that, as I get deeper into a series, I become more invested in some of the characters. Allegiance is no exception, which made some parts of the book tough to read. Good, but tough. And totally the mark of a brilliant author.

Once again, this book is one of the easiest reads I’ve ever come across, in that very little, if anything, gets in the way of my absorption of the images Smith puts down on the page. This series in particular is remarkable for this. I thoroughly enjoyed following the further adventures of X and Michael, and I look forward eagerly to Book 7.

Extinction Inferno (Extinction Cycle: Dark Age #2) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J Melchiorri

Format: Kindle
Rating:  5 Stars
Reviewer: Laurel

Phew, now that was a ride!

In this book, the Allied States are only just beginning to tap into how organised their enemy is – and I suspect there is much more to come. Team Ghost, as always, are right in the thick of events – and run ragged – while Lovato once again has the task of investigating a scientific solution to the problem. Beyond that, Beckham and Horn try to hold their families and friends together, all while working out who is friend and who foe.

One thing I love in these books – which comes through very strongly in this one – is the “band of brothers” we get between Beckham and Horn. Those two have certainly been through the fire and come out the other side, and now they watch each other’s backs, no questions asked.

This book is, without giving away any spoilers…well, smack in the middle of a “dark age”. That is such an excellent description of this series in the Extinction Cycle. Wow. Not easy reading, but also highly addictive with non-stop action. And the next book is thankfully not too far away, because I really want to know the outcomes for quite a few of the characters in this one.

Extinction Shadow (Extinction Cycle: Dark Age #1) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J Melchiorri

Format: Kindle
Rating:  5 Stars
Reviewer: Laurel

This is a special book. I love that Smith decided to revisit the Extinction World, and that doing so has brought us another collaboration with Melchiorri. And all the things I’ve come to expect from a Smith novel are present here: military action, horror, solid science, and realistic characters.

What a treat it was to meet Reed, Kate and their friends eight years after Extinction War ended. With upcoming elections, life is guaranteed to be a bit unpredictable for a while, but I’m pretty sure no-one in the Allied States ever considered just how unpredictable. Team Ghost is once again in action, as well as new characters and new threats.

Five solid stars to this new entry into the Extinction World. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

Windwalker: Order of the Red Sons by HG Chambers

Source: The author
Format: Ebook
Rating:  5 Stars
Reviewer: Laurel

Once again Chambers draws us in to Kiva’s life in Madina Basin, the hidden Sahra’ home deep in the Miralaja wasteland. Kiva is settling in as a Windwalker and about to start a female sect to mirror the male-only one. But when she is viciously attacked on her way home by members of the Order of the Red Sons, who appear to want to return the basin to a time before females being members of the formerly male-only sects, a warning is issued: she must either leave the basin or those close to her will be in danger.

I enjoyed this book very much. We learned more of the Sahra’ people’s past, and of ancient threats to their existence. The characters are all well developed – as is the world – and it is a pleasure to read such a well-written story. This is truly a fascinating world Chambers has created, and I love being able to return to it.

Hell Divers V: Captives by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Format: Kindle
Rating:  5 Stars
Reviewer: Laurel

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!