Hell Divers: The Lost Years

Hell Divers #1.5

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith, R.C. Bray (Narrator)

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith comes a brand-new novella set in the world of the Hell Divers series.

Before you knew him as the king or the Immortal, he was Commander Xavier “X” Rodriguez—with ninety-six dives under his belt, the most experienced Hell Diver on the airship known as the Hive. Time after time, he dived through the electrical storms, returning with parts to keep his home in the sky. Then, on a jump into Hades, the most hostile environment in North America, he sacrificed everything for mission and team. They returned to the airship with the fuel cells needed to keep the Hive running, but X was left behind.

This is the story of how he becomes the last man on Earth. His will drives him to keep fighting, to survive the monsters and the radiation in the wastes, to find a way back home. But as the days pass, he feels the things that make him human slipping away. He has become a waif, a phantom, with little to live for. Then he stumbles upon something that makes him feel again.

This is the chronicle of those lost years, told for the first time ever.

Genres: Audiobook, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Horror, Dystopia, Thriller, Futuristic

Audible Audio

First published November 12, 2024

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

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commander Xavier "X” Rodriguez, 96 dives and counting, the most seasoned Hell Diver aboard the Hive.

I really enjoyed hearing about X’s survival after being left behind on the surface. It gives a quick glimpse into life on destroyed Earth and what the world looks like after WW3. Loved learning how Miles, his dog, came into the picture too, such a cool moment when X finds him in the pods.

R.C. Bray absolutely nails the narration. That deep, growling baritone of his doesn’t overdo it, nothing overly dramatic, just straightforward narration.

Way better than Bronson Pinchot, who narrates a lot of NSS’s older apocalyptic stuff.

[Sarah E B ʚ♡ɞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4/5 stars

I really enjoyed how this novella fleshed out X’s character more — that was one of the few things I thought the first book was missing. It gave some great insight into his perspective and added more depth overall.

I just wish it had been a little longer! I know it’s a novella, but still… when it’s this good, it’s hard not to want more.

It is a great bridge between books one and two!
🐶🧪

[C.J. Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw this was releasing, I was already a couple of books into the series and a big fan. I bought the first book on kindle to get the newly included novella, but something didn’t feel right, and I didn’t end up reading it. Finally, I realized it was because I went with the audio for the series, and the narration from R.C. Bray is simply too good to just switch to reading the text. So I bought the audiobook for this one separately… IYKYK.

While the Hell Divers world is filled with badasses, no one even scrapes the surface to how intense X is. Almost 100 dives, a feat that no diver is even close to, and now he’s survived what the others considered to be certain death. Some may say he’s just too stubborn to die, but even so, he’s my favorite.

So what took place on earth while Tin was growing up? For the first time ever, we finally know! Well, part one of it at least. X survives the fall back down to land, and if that wasn’t harrowing enough, now he has to survive in a wasteland that’s not meant to be survived in. He’ll need batteries for his suit—or at least a charger, medical supplies, ammo, shelter, and most importantly, safe food and water. But how will he find anything safe in a red zone? How will he sleep at night with the monstrosities fighting for flesh? This is something that only X could figure out.

I was a little saddened by how long it took for readers to first meet Miles, but I’m pleased to see that it’s only a part one. And while being stranded can seem like a lot of searching and waiting, this still packed in an awful lot of scifi, post apoc goodness.

“This is commander Xavier Rodriguez, I’m still alive you motherf**kers.”

https://fanfiaddict.com/review-the-lo...

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miles!!

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like it's lacking in content a bit. I understand that it's a novella, but I didn't even get the sense that these are standalone chapters. It feels like these should have been included in a separate book.

[Alan Clark · Rating 1 out of 5]

All we learn here that wasn’t in book 2 is that Nick really wants to keep this nice little money spinner he has going. I can respect that. The plot is a whole lot of nothing.

[Darnell]

Read the novella mainly because it came along with the book I had. Fine, but mostly more of the same.

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell Divers: The Lost Years

"We dive so humanity survives!” .... In a post-apocalyptic world, often you dive and die! Worst case, the home you dive from takes a dive. Death and destruction follow. Dreams and hope also died that day. For one man, Commander Xavier Rodriguez, everything and everyone he knew were gone. Seared into his memory was the hulk of a burning airship that had crashed into the frozen landscape that was once a city. The firey aftermath illuminated those who survived the crash. They ran from the carnage, many engulfed in flames. Followed soon afterward by the screaming deadly mutations known as Sirens. Commander Rodriguez, known as X, had only one choice, survive!
If you've been a fan of the Hell Divers series, you've probably been anxious to hear of any follow-up Hell Divers stories. Now you have it. Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith provides a lot of background and history about Commander Xavier Rodriguez, or X. The man who became known as 'The Immortal.'
It's not too late to start reading the Hell Divers series. Like X, these stories will be Immortal! - Mr.Bill

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. What I want those to know is that this is book 1.5 and I mean that truly. I believe the author has stated this book can be considered standalone but I disagree. Please read book one first before doing this. Sure it's short and helpful if you want less commitments. This is part one, it does not show the entire story of X during the lost years. Will part two conclude the lost years? I am uncertain

I read this book in physical copy through the short story collection by Blackstone Publishing. I bought it in Hardcover from Amazon

[Josh Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good back story, but not a particularly thrilling story. Nice to know where the puppers came from, and an interesting look inside on of the IEC buildings.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite good! At first I was not convinced by all the typical last minute coincidences that helped the main character to survive against all odds. But the setting is quite nice: a post-apocalyptic-Chronicles of Riddick-like Robinson Crusoe story. It was the dog that converted me. I couldn’t stop listening after it made its first appearance. I am now looking forward to devouring the whole series.

[Jan Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not long enough, but I'm hopeful future stories will tell more.

[Libbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved hearing about X's and Miles meeting

[Alyssa (HeartwyldsLibrary) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll be honest, this felt like a waste of time. For being 98 pages, it felt like it would never end. I was bored and honestly it kind of ruins the end of the 1st book. X went out like a warrior in the first book, I cried and felt so bad for everyone who cared about him. It was honestly this really awesome self sacrificing moment but apparently we can't have that, because he didn't go out in ablaze of glory, he's still around, doing boring mundane survival stuff on the Earth surface. There was no exploration into the Sirens, just him trying to survive doing the same stuff everyday.. If there was even a modicum of exploration into trying to uncover what the Sirens are, or just more info about the ITC or the War then it would have made up for it, but there really isn't.

At one point there is a moment were 5 of the chapters are literally summed up in the 2nd to last chapter, you can just start there and know what all he went through, the story did not need to recap what he did.

I actually wish I had skipped this, I felt like it ruined the high I was riding from the end of the first book as I gave that one 4 stars.

[Anna Aguayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay…so there’s a 50/50 chance I’ll skip novellas..I just..can’t. Like why? I’m not gonna spend however much money on a smidget of the story that could have been added to the previous one or next one. No thanks I’ll just have to use context clues.

BUT

This book had me in a chokehold and I needed that novella so I got it, I listened..I loved every second..tears were shed..words were said…loudly and it was a fun time..really, sincerely. I’m just still having sharp spasms of pain in my chest when I think of it. That’s all.

This series man. I—I was so excited about the fact that there were several other books out. Like “yes! I can keep going!”, but I don’t know if I can. I’m literally having a war with myself about this dang series. I WANT to keep going, but I don’t know if my achy breaky heart can take it.
…thus far I have settled with reading the other however many books left synopsis’s and I’m okay with that..at least for now. Until I can muster some semblance of courage to read…listen on.

But you—you go on and do it! Bc this series is incredible, I’ll get there eventually.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hell Divers: The Lost Years: X and Miles: Book 1.5 in the Hell Divers Series, my first read from author Nicholas Sansbury Smith. I own 7 other books by this author that I've been acquiring since 2018 but none in this series. This was Today's Daily Deal from Audible and I'm voluntarily reviewing it. All I can say is WOW! Well-written and captivating story. I just went out & bought Hell Divers: Hell Divers Series, Book 1 and I’ll be reading more by this author in this series as I get them. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Ebony Irby · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEW!! I thought we'd lost X for good! This was a nice in-between until the next book in the series. It gives us a brief look at the surface of the planet, and the aftermath of WW3. Hopefully book 2, goes more into the back story of what drove humanity to the stars.

[Ronie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful addition to the Hell Divers series. Loved reading how X and Miles came together, although I gotta admit--I wanted more. So much more!!

[August Cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

X is so resilient and strong. To be left stranded for even 5 days would have broke me. He just pushes through. I am excited for part two to see how the strong bond of X and Miles builds.

[JJ Lehmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting prequel. It was pretty short and not really necessary for the series, but I still enjoyed it.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I story of survival… and the benefits having of a canine companion.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like hearing about Xavier's time on earth while he was abandoned. I can't wait until I can read about more.

Xavier is my favorite character in this series.

[Jason Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to the series.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the eerie progression of time and getting to see X and Miles first meeting.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

a novella that continues X's story and fills the gap before the next book.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable short story following the first book which was slow going for me but I am sure we'll pick up as I jump into book 2. Good writing, characters, and premise.

[Michael Hackerott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Good Short Story

I hope that there will be more about X and Miles in future stories of the Hell Divers series. I am glad that X finally had a companion.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Leah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved getting the story when he rescued Miles.