Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior

Hell Divers Series

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: Ray Porter

“Conan meets Mad Max for a new generation.”—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author

In the brutal wasteland centuries after the nuclear apocalypse, a warrior baptized in blood will defy the brutal empire that has enslaved his people.

Over two centuries have passed since the Third World War reduced civilization to ashes in a global nuclear inferno. Unforgiving geomagnetic storms rage, blocking out the sun and poisoning the radioactive Earth. Humanity clings to survival above the tempestuous skies in giant airships, sustained by Hell Divers—brave souls who risk their lives plunging to the surface for essential parts and supplies.

But this is not the story of the Hell Divers. This is the saga of the survivors on the ground, centered on Nick Baker, a frail orphan born in the perpetual darkness of an ITC bunker. He spent his early years toiling in a machine shop dreaming of what might be beyond the dark skies and poisoned wastes. That dream became a nightmare when Cazador raiders descended, massacring and enslaving his people.

From the savage cradle of life underground to the campaign of war across the brutalized surface, witness Nick’s rise from boy slave to a towering, fearsome warrior hell-bent on freeing his people from bondage to the great Cazador empire.

Embark on this riveting postapocalyptic adventure and discover the legend of a man his enemies will come to fear as Rhino …

©2025 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2025 Blackstone Publishing

Maybe better than the main storyline!

How is this so good?
Action packed from first page to last -CHECK
AMAZING characters including protagonists, antagonists, heroes, and anti-heroes. -CHECK
Stellar narration by Ray Porter - CHECK
RHINO is a very long and very in-depth story with superb world building. It has a bit of everything, even romance and hope in a very dark and violent world. This isn't just an origin story for Rhino, it's an origin story for el Pulpo and characters like Wendig, Gran Jefe, Whale, and Mac. There are just so many well developed characters in this story, which makes it move at a breakneck pace.
Smith also humanizes the bloody narrative in way that really sheds light on what a brutal world like this would be like, while allowing the reader to be right there in the battles and fight for survival. I found myself rooting for el Pulpo at times and even some of the antagonist Horse Lord characters. There are also plenty of easter eggs sprinkled in for hardcore fans like me that will enjoy finding them. I honestly can't recommend this one enough. RHINO is one of my favorite entires in the Hell Divers universe. I hope there are more like this that give us a glimpse into other civilizations in this richly developed world.

1000/10 SO GOOD!

This was an amazing new entry in the Hell Divers lore. As other reviewers have pointed out, this is one of the top Hell Diver books in the series for a lot of different reasons. In my opinion, the character development is so well done that the battles and missions into the wastes are filled with a lot more tension. I kept wondering what would happen next. Ray Porter did an excellent job bringing this story to life. I wish there were more RHINO. Definitely excited about anything else including the prequel and other side stories. Someday I hope there will be more books in the main storyline as well!!!!!

Ray Porter narrates and excellent story!

Having been a big fan of the main series for a long time now, I was excited to read/listen about the rise of the beloved character, Rhino.
First off, you DO NOT need to have read ANY of the main Hell Divers books to enjoy this one.
From beginning to end, this book absolutely DID NOT DISAPPOINT!
Great action from start to end, and amazing character development of not only Rhino, but a lot of other characters that we see in the Hell Divers main series.
Nicholas Sansbury Smith did an awesome job of further establishing the different civilizations throughout the wastes still surviving, and adding depth to them all.
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS BOOK!
I know that the audiobook is not narrated by RC Bray, but Ray Porter is an excellent top notch narrator, and did an excellent job!
This story is too good to pass up just because Btay is not narrating!
Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior is without a doubt in my top 3 Hell Divers books!
Nick has not lost his touch!