Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior

Hell Divers

by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

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 …

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

462 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

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

[Brandon Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Having been a big fan of the main series for a long time now, I was excited to read 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 version won't be narrated by RC Bray, but Ray Porter is an excellent top notch narrator, and this story is too good to pass up!
Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior is without a doubt in my top 3 Hell Divers books!
Nick has not lost his touch!

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated. This is a story set in a post apocalyptic Earth, 2 centuries after nuclear armageddon. Survivors are in clusters, with a Mad Max style theme.

A good story, the central character starts out as a young boy who survives best he can after being taken by a group of cannibalistic marauders. lt speaks to his inner drive to do what he has to survive.

[Benny Mullinax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining all the way through, Great characters and plot kept you in suspense. Now I will have to dive into the Hell Divers series to learn more.

[Lynn Hallbrooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Hell Divers Universe. It runs parallel with the main storyline yet is a different take on what's going on in the post-apocalyptic world in which all the characters exist.

I was impressed by the depth of the backstory of Rhino. In relation to all the other characters in the main storyline, his was relatively short-lived. However, with this book, we get a fuller picture of the life he lived before and after the time the main series began.

The author's words conveyed a roller-coaster of emotions felt by Rhino as well as the actions he undertook during his lifetime. This was definitely a good read.

I'm looking forward to the story that shares the beginnings of this universe.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

✦ Book Review: Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

✧ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @blackstonepublishing

➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂

Centuries after nuclear war scorched the Earth, survivors cling to life in a brutal wasteland. While humanity’s remnants float in skybound airships, one orphan named Nick Baker rises from the darkness of an underground bunker after raiders massacre his people. Enslaved by the brutal Cazador empire, Nick transforms from a frail boy into a fierce warrior known as Rhino, determined to free his people and bring war to their oppressors.

➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂

Even if you’ve never cracked open a Hell Divers book, Rhino is a fierce standalone entry into Nicholas Sansbury Smith’s post-apocalyptic world that hits harder than a sledgehammer in a sandstorm. Following the brutal evolution of Nick Baker from a bunker-born teen to the hardened warlord known as Rhino, the story kicks off with a boy’s love for a girl and detonates into a blood-soaked battle for survival. From ITC Star Station to the scorched Earth below, Nick’s journey is packed with cannibal raiders, burning ruins, and a gritty, relentless push toward redemption and revenge. It is the kind of story where “just one more chapter” turns into watching the sunrise through bloodshot eyes.
This is not just a high-octane action ride, though there is plenty of that. It is also a story about brotherhood, trauma, and the moral cost of survival in a poisoned world. The side characters are just as compelling as Rhino himself, the world building is vivid and unsettling, and the pacing never lets you breathe for too long. Fans of Mad Max and hard-hitting dystopian fiction will devour this one. It is brutal, emotional, and so addictive it will likely drag you straight into the rest of the Hell Divers universe whether you planned to go there or not.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rise of Nick Baker – and Rhino! Another winner of a novel

Iowa author Nicholas Sansbury Smith, a movie star handsome young man whose extracurricular activities include a passion for racing in Midwestern triathlons (he is an Ironman triathlete!), entered the world of literary art while working for the State of Iowa – in the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in disaster planning and mitigation. His genre is science fiction with an emphasis on post-apocalyptic tales – the Extinction Cycle, the Trackers, the Orbs, and the Hell Divers. This young bright hunk has talent to burn and likely someone will pick up this and the subsequent books and touch it with CGI and voila! - the next blockbuster film series!

The Prologue establishes the ‘rise’ of this new novel: ‘Two hundred thirteen years after the bombs erased civilization, a violent geomagnetic storm rushed across the wastelands above a buried Industrial Tech Corp bunker. The 304 occupants living deep beneath the surface heard only the usual rattle of the ventilation systems that kept out the toxins and radioactive dust. They went about their day, doing the tasks that kept the bunker going…Ranger Mac McGee was one of those individuals…’ And into this atmosphere a baby is born – Nick Baker, who is the principle character of this drama! And once again, Nicholas Sansbury Smith has us by the gonads as he leads us into yet another dark tale that pleads further elucidation.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick is a frail orphan who dreams of one day being part of the Rangers that get to go outside the bunker. Only his chance to go outside comes as a prisoner a slave. All he wants now is to be able to free his people or as many as he can. No one ever thought little slave Nick could become the big revered warrior Rhino. This is Nick’s story.
This story takes place from below while the Helldiver’s story is one from the above.
This is a new and wonderful aspect of the Helldiver’s period. This book so is full of action and suspense you will be staying up way past your bedtime just to read one more chapter, and another, and another. Or if you are like me and prefer the audios you will find all the long routes home and hope you get behind a hay truck on the way. Ray Porter the narrator for this audio is awesome he really brought the story to life for me. Oh, but I warn you dear read of the twists and turns you might face along the way as not everything always appears as it seems. I do hope there will be more.

[Michael Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The layers of Rhino

The evolution of Nick Baker from a 13 year old ranger wannabe with 304 souls trapped underground in a bunker silo to the scarred champion of the Cazadore Warriors called Rhino. It begins with the love of a girl - the beautiful Sophia. Nick would fight the world to care and protect her. And he does! His battle to protect Sophia is waged from the inside of ITC Star Station to the bomb devastated surface, captured by the cannibal Cazadore Warriors. That's just the beginning of the physical and mental transformation that saw Nick become Rhino.
Amazing storyline as old characters become new favorites. The Metal Islands are the perfect base of operations that the predatory Cazadore Warriors can't resist. The characters are rough, tough postapocalyptic warriors surviving in a poisoned wreck of a world. Up all night action binges bring out the "just a few more pages" swears that are immediately violated again. Great read!

[Arthur Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhino: The Rise Of A Warrior is not just a high-octane, post-apocalyptic novel. It is also a gritty story of survival, brotherhood, and sacrifice. Through the character’s adventure, we learn what it really takes to face seemingly impossible situations.

Under the main story of Rhino, we uncover deeper themes of the cost of survival, the moral complexity of war, the impact of trauma, and inner strength.

Rhino: The Rise Of A Warrior is a compelling, vividly depicted journey that blends relentless combat scenes with emotional depth. Fans of military thrillers, dystopian fiction, and action-packed narratives will find themselves fully immersed in Rhino’s gripping origin story.

For the full review head to Fully-Booked

[Brian Greco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read everything that this author has published and I hold the Hell Divers series in extreme high regard. I think about the characters almost on a daily basis, when I finished the final chapter in the Hell Divers saga I was completely devastated that I was done reading my absolute favorite series. Enter all the updates from NSS on what characters we wanted him to write about, and NSS gave us RHINO!

From the first chapter I knew this book was going to be epic and I was not wrong! I loved following the story of the greatest Cazadorez warrior and everything and every one that is in this book. Action packed from 1st chapter to the final chapter. This is my favorite of the Hell Diver books and it has ignited a re read spark for the series again. To the author Nicholas Sandburg Smith.. Thank you for not letting your fans down

[BookzBookzBookz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so good to be back in the world of Helldivers. Rhino is definitely one of those characters that you'd wondered about, in the back of your mind, like El Pulpo. To gain rich history and backstory, that puts you closer to when the ending began is always a pleasure when you have an author who seems actually live there with them all.

Rhino takes us back to where we get to see how homes and villages are taken by man-eaters. How a young man, small in physical size, had to work his way up a chain ladder, to obtain the loyalty to those he'd love to see fall down. To ensure the safety of those he loves and to finally be free again.

I loved every minute of this audiobook, as with all the others. I will also be ordering the hardcover copy to sit upon my shelves, with the rest of my HellDivers series. You can never go wrong with these books.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally published at FanFiAddict.

Nicholas Sansbury Smith trades the apocalyptic skies for the stormy seas in this Hell Divers prequel novel, Rhino: The Rise of a Warrior. The titular character became a fan-favorite following his debut in Captives, the fifth entry of the Hell Divers series, as a grizzled warrior in the cannibal army of the Cazadores.

Here, Smith winds the clock back a good thirty years, taking us back quite literally to the very beginning of Rhino’s story as an infant who only barely survived his birth in a run-down underground fallout shelter. As Nick Baker grows and becomes a part of the community, he wants nothing more than to become a Ranger, one of the men tasked with not only protecting their bunker but journeying into the Texas wastelands to determine if humanity can return to the surface. The radiation levels from the Third World War two hundred years prior have left most of the world uninhabitable, and what life is out there has been radically mutated. When a small team of Rangers respond to a distress call from a fallen airship, Nick sneaks out with them and into a trap laid by violent warmongers known as the Cazadores, who have been raiding the fallen cities for slaves and supplies. The bunker comes under attack and Nick, along with many others, are captured and forced into a life of bondage, and worse.

Captured, imprisoned, and forced to fight in gladiatorial games for the amusement of the Cazador king, Nick has only one goal — to free his love, Sofia, and escape from their hellish new lives.

As the decades pass, the once-frail and scrawny Nick grows into a muscle-bound leader, earning the respect of the other Cazador warriors, including the king’s lieutenant, the violent madman el Pulpo, as war is waged across the seas and wastelands of a destroyed world.

Smith is known for his impressive, post-apocalyptic world-building, a trait that has carried across the swath of his bibliography since his self-published debut in 2013 with The Biomass Revolution. With the Hell Divers series, the Earth is little more than an irradiated, large-scale disaster zone and what little of humanity is left has taken to the skies aboard massive airships…and their fleet is perpetually shrinking. As the series expanded, so did the discoveries made by the Hell Divers, such as those of the underground bunkers where Nick Baker was raised, as well as the secrets lost to history in the wake of World War III. The land is populated by mutant plants and animals, along with horrific flying creatures known as Sirens, who are sharp in tooth and fang, and hungry for human flesh.

While the Sirens are certainly brutal, they pale in comparison to the Cazadores, the epitome of the human monster. Selfish, thuggish, cannibalistic, they are a warrior tribe constantly in battle against not only themselves but everyone whose paths they cross. We’re constantly reminded of the good-hearted boy Rhino once was, but as his story evolves across the pages it becomes harder to reconcile. Smith does a fantastic job capturing Nick Baker’s evolution into the fearsome Rhino, a man who practically lives dual identities at cross-purposes in service to the Cazadores. Each life he takes is a stepping stone to his eventual freedom and his plans to free Sofia, but it constantly comes at a cost.

The question becomes, of course, how do we root for such a group of psychotic warlords and murderers? The answer is simple — by making the other survivors they find themselves entangled with even worse! There’s little room for empathy in this corner of the Hell Divers world, where the metaphorical bleeding heart becomes a direct path to the literal en route to a violent death. The sun may shine down upon the Cazador Empire, but there’s little brightness or warmth to be found.

It’s dystopian pulp hewn close to perfection, and at its absolute worst, Smith still manages to find moments of humanity even in the most dehumanizing situations possible. We root for Rhino because we understand the abject horrors of the various no-win scenarios he is thrust into, and because Smith has taken the time to show us the real Nick Baker, rather than man he presents himself to be in order to survive. He may live among the Cazadores, but he is not a Cazador. What would you do to survive, how far would you go for the ones you love, especially in an apocalyptic hellscape such as this? In the world of the Hell Divers, the logical conclusion is anything and everything, even as an overriding sense of morality and humanity puts natural limits in place. Survivors are forced to do awful, terrible things in order to live, but the good ones do so in service to the ideal of a greater good.

The catch-phrase of the Hell Divers series as a whole is, “We dive so humanity survives!” In Rhino, Nick Baker kills in order to live, and lives as a slave in order to be free. It’s an interesting series of blood-soaked contradictions, but that’s life at the end of the world.

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

RHINO: The Rise of a Warrior. A must-read for fans of Hell Divers

This is one of the best prequels I've read! Author Nicholas Sansbury Smith digs into the history of a decimated Earth leading up to what fans now know as the 'HELL DIVERS' series. There is so much background in 'RHINO: The Rise of a Warrior' that it has me seriously considering rereading 'HELL DIVERS' - all of them!
If you are a nubie to the series, reading 'RHINO' is not a spoiler. In fact, I don't see how you could not read the rest of the series after you close the cover on 'RHINO.' If you spend time commuting, I recommend the audible books. The very talented Ray Porter brings his storytelling expertise giving life to each character. -Mr.Bill

[Jarryd Kalideen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but also a let down.

This story is basically a prequel and parallel tale alongside the main story. It has plenty of promise and is well written. However, let down by the poor characters and at times, asinine decisions.

Nick's entire existence is based on him freeing Sofia. A girl who was introduced as an 8-year-old. From the time of the capture, suddenly they are both deeply in love with each other. Considering she's way underage. All Nick gets is a fleeting glance over the years, a few whispered words and one kiss. Yet he's entirely in love with her. How does that even compute.

He also has had opportunity to end the madness, but refuses to take the chance. Then continues to rage and complain silently. Mac, is a much better character and a deeper one too.

[Gary Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book as there was such great promise at many different points in the journey. But ultimately I was continually left disappointed, climaxing with the most unsatisfying ending for this journey which the reader invests.

The beginning story arc was by far the most entertaining to me and I would have been much happier with an entire book focused on that initial world, rather than the disjointed journey we took to explore several different worlds and civilizations. We never quite learned enough about any of the civilizations and just when I was beginning to become invested, bang we were off again.

Entertaining enough to finish, but I was left wanting to go back and rewrite the journey and/or explore different arcs along the way further.

[Harry Smooth · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST GD Book in the “Hell Divers” saga!
But you don’t want to read this until you’ve read the complete Hell Divers series. Nick has REALLY batted one out of the park with “Rhino”. If you’ve read the HD Series you’ll remember Rhino, as he was bigger than life thruout the Series. He’s the Biggest, Baddest SOB you’ll ever conjure up in your wildest dreams, But he also is fiercely loyal to the very few closest to him.
Rhino is a very complex man with many ranges of emotions, some of which you would never expect from a man of this obvious size and power. The story takes you from Rhinos early days as a boy, and takes you thru his VERY interesting life as he carves out a life for himself within the Brutal “Casadores” Clan where if your not Tough….you DIE!
As usual Nick blends his flair for the imaginative in this beautifully written tale of a very complex Giant of a man, from his youth to his final days, you won’t want to put this down!

HUGE Kudos to Nicholas Sansbury Smith on yet another Amazing and Powerful Story.

[Thomas Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhino is another great add on to a great series the Hell Divers. Rhino started off as a slave known as Nick Baker. He was soon named Perrito, after joing the Cazadors. This story is like a autobiography basically following Nick as he grows into a man and eventually becomes Rhino. Story ends with the mention of finding a man in Florida named Xavier a Hell Diver that has been roaming the country for 10 years. This was great; numerous battles, a brutal takeover in battle. And it describes the lives of Cazadors in full detail.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book set right in the middle of the Hell Divers world. It was great to learn about the origins of one of the most prominent characters in the series and how he came to be who he is, through all the tragedy, self preservation, and perseverance. This book takes place in the middle of book 1 and brought back a ton of information that I had forgotten since it’s been a couple years. This was a great entry into the Hell Divers catalog and a must read for fans of the series or anything on the fence about it.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good novel! As far as where I would put this novel in the reading order there were a lot of nods to future events that surpassed the current event and story of Rhino. This won't interfere with anything really. This also is a good standalone you don't need to know the backstory of the hell divers to get great value in this one. I would put this novel as good but great if you finished the series.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of Nick Baker and how he started off with his birth in a hidden bunker and growing up there with a wish to be a Ranger. After his community was raided by the Cazadores his journey continues from being a prisoner to one of the Cazadores warriors. I enjoyed reading this book and learning all about Rhino's journey. This book is full of action and adventure. It is a great story of how one can grow and find a way to survive in the worst of times.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crazy about prequels coming out after the end of a series because they mess with my need to read or listen in chronological order, but I was happy with this one. Rhino ended up being a complex character towards the end of Hell Divers and this book made me love him, totally rooting for him and Sofia. NSS did a good job, as usual , of giving us the epic hero's journey, creative monsters and vivid apocalyptic scenes. It makes me want to restart the whole series.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the narrator, Ray Porter. As Always, an excellent job. The story itself was ok. Wish I had known it was going to be in the library, I never would have bought it. It was a character back story from the Hell Divers series, which was kind of pointless. Good enough for a listen but nothing that will stick in my memory for long. The most interesting part is the epilogue, which refers to the character X.

[Jesse Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhino

I'm biased. Hell Divers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith is my favorite sci-fi post apocalyptic series. Rhino and the Cazadores were one of my favorite additions to the series.
This book doesn't disappoint. If you're at all interested in the history of Hell Divers works, check out Rhino : The Rise of a Warrior.

[Kirse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new view into the Hell Divers' World

This book provides a great new view into the Hell Divers' World, from the perspective of Nick, who becomes El Perrito, who becomes Rhino. I want to know more! And I think that I'll start reading the Hell Divers series from Book I again, just to enjoy the excitement of this world Nicholas Sansbury Smith has created.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, after having finished the Hell Divers series, the memory of Rhino and his story is a dim flicker. This back-story endeared him, but there are too many books left in the world to read to go back and connect the dots. He’s as likable, if not more than X and I. glad to have learned more about him - and Sophia.

[Jason Hildenbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old friend hello again

So great getting a full back story to Rhino. He was such a beloved character in HDs. I often wonder if Nick already has a full back story when writing the main storyline. Everything is so perfectly laid out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended it to any HD reader or to anyone who hasn't read the series to get their start.

[Ah-Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible. Loved seeing the journey of one of the most awesome characters in this series. It was also pretty cool to live through the creation of so many epic characters, the Barracudas and seeing the growth of Nick Baker into Small Dog into Rhino! Now I’m going back to listen to the overlap of the cazadores with the sky people again!

[Kylar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An awesome new perspective in the hell divers series, you get to view the world of hell divers through the eyes a boy turned warrior who gets captured and forced to be part of a vicious war machine of cannibalistic raiders all while he tries to figure out a way to free his true love form the same fate he has suffered.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic addition to the Hell Divers series. Loved this book from start to finish. It was great reading about life in the bunker and how they got things done. Just like The Lost Years I could read another one or two of these side stories.

[Adrian Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhino!

Fantastic origin story of the great warrior from the Hell Divers series. I enjoyed learning about the motivations and of the history of the Cazadores. A expertly weaved story which fits perfectly into the HD universe. Highly recommend.