The Circuit

By: Rhett C. Bruno

Narrated by: Jefferson Mays

Length: 28 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

USA Today Best-seller Rhett C. Bruno's debut sci-fi series is a gritty, space-opera epic perfect for fans of The Expanse!

Earth is a dying planet. To survive, humanity founds the Circuit, a string of colonies across the solar system, dedicated to mining resources vital to preserving what remains of mankind. Here there are no heroes or villains, only those willing to do what's necessary to survive.

The New Earth Tribunal, a powerful religious faction, has risen to rule the Circuit. They believe a Spirit within the Earth will one day appear and welcome humanity back home. Following a string of seemingly random attacks, the Tribunal suspects its mortal enemy, the Ceresians, have again rallied to challenge their absolute rule. But a new, sinister threat has arisen - and it plans to bring down the Tribunal once and for all.

Join an unlikely band of would-be saviors - the Tribunal's best spy, a roguish Ceresian mercenary, a subservient android, and a disgraced general - as they are drawn into a conspiracy destined to change the Circuit forever.

"Bruno has crafted a complex, multi-dimensional story that combines the best of his genre with age-old truths - and quandaries - about humanity, politics, religion, family, and, yes, love." (Portland Book Review)

©2017 Diversion Books (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Critic reviews

"All the distinctive voices carry a complicated, ultimately very human, story to a powerful conclusion." (Audiofile Magazine)

If you liked The Expanse, walk away.

If you came here from the Expanse and want another thrilling space opera, this isn’t it.

Jefferson Mays is fantastic, granted. But even his performance can’t save this.

An author who understands science fiction and true story telling!

I truly don’t know where to start in reviewing this tremendous work of sci-fi art. Because that’s what it is.
The narration is flawless! The narrator makes it seem like I’m really in the story.
This is truly a pure understanding of how to compose a story with rich characters along with intricate yet totally understandable backstories, unbelievable, but realistic environments, wonderful awe inspiring action at every turn, but I personally think that the real treat is the lesson the author and narrator have shown humanity.
This tale exposes all of our very real flaws as a supposedly civilized species.
It’s a mirror image of today’s horror here on Earth.
We lie to each other, cheat each other, kill one another and at the same time we’re destroying the only home we have.
Mr. Bruno, I hope I’m not reading more into your stories here than you wanted, but for me it was an exciting lesson.
I can’t give out spoilers, so all I can say to others is to read and or listen to this trilogy and if you love science fiction then this is for you.
Thank you Mr. Bruno and thanks to the narrator, Mr. Jefferson Mays.
Sincerely,
Alan McDonald
(note: my vision is impaired, so I was helped by my daughter to read this wonderful tale and I’ve managed to read most of his other wonderful works as well. The audiobook version provided me with no restrictions and was simply wonderful)

Excellent performance undercut by a poor story.

Hearing all the great reviews for this title and being a fan of Jefferson Mays’ narration from The Expanse, I had high hopes for The Circuit. Unfortunately, I have to say that the story is just plain juvenile. It indulges in some ridiculous tropes that would be shameful in a B-movie Hollywood production. The characters tend to be painfully one-dimensional retreads with hardly an artifice of humanity or believability (some much, much worse than others). When it comes to the settings, their scientific and technological premeses have an ounce of potential here and there, but Bruno just fails to sell it to my suspension of disbelief.

Let me put it this way: If you approach The Circuit as a YA novel and aren’t prone to cringing over simplistic and fantastical storytelling, you’ll do fine. For the rest of us, Mays’ superb narration skills just can’t rescue the underlying material.

Arrrrggghhhhh

I just can’t continue. How did this book get so many 5 star ratings? The other critical reviews are 100% correct in my opinion. I’m about 4 hours into this book a could not care less what happens next. I am sending this one back. Btw Mays did a fine job. I don’t think he was a good choice for this book. His performance didn’t help or hurt this book it just is.

Some of the best Sci-Fi on Audible!

This is some of the best SF on Audible. The three books found within are set in the distant future. Its a true space opera in the sense that there's a need for a bit of disbelief suspension, but that's not a bad thing. Bruno does a great job of shifting between characters and plot lines and then back again. he built a wonderful world with the Earth uninhabitable and human settlements on the Moon and Mars, as well as on asteroids. It is violent, however not too graphic.

An Epic Trilogy

I thoroughly enjoyed all three of the Circuit novels. As a huge fan of sci-fi, it is a real treat when I find a new author and series to get into. The universe that Rhett Bruno has created here is astounding. Each book builds up to an epic crescendo, with plenty of twists and turns throughout. This is one of those series that leaves you depressed when it is over, as you really feel like you are part of the world and you never want it to end. The character development is amazing, in particular, a certain non-human is probably one of my favorite characters in any sci-fi universe. I can't wait to see what else Rhett Bruno has in store for us!

Surprised and disappointed (in a good way)!

I hadn't read or listened to any works by Rhett C. Bruno before this title nor have I listened to any works narrated by Jefferson Mays. I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this book (compilation) and was disappointed when it finally came to a conclusion (I wanted more!). The publisher's summary compares it to The Expanse and I can see some similarities but I also got a slight "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown vibe (books 2+). I feel like if you enjoy either of those series this book would be a great addition to your reading/listening library.

The story took a bit to get going while it introduced characters and the universe (i'd say about 20 chapters or so before I was moved from interested to thoroughly hooked) but once it hooked me I couldn't stop listening! I think what I found most interesting about this book was that, despite some pretty clear indications that some 'bad' decisions were made (i.e., serious negative consequences for many), I really liked all of the 4 main characters! It was (for me) a unique experience where you start rooting for the 'bad guys' alongside the 'good guys' and find yourself at odds with who you really want to 'win'.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful narration by Jefferson Mays and would not hesitate to pick up additional works narrated by him! Excellent performance and character variation throughout!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Wonderful

I liked the narrator. I loved the story. I carried my device around the house with me and listened while I made dinner, checked emails, etc. Wonderful!

Narration brings the story and characters to life!

I have both the Kindle version of The Circuit Trilogy and I have now listened to the narration expertly executed by Jefferson Mays on the Audible version.

Rhett Bruno is an expert at painting a story picture in words, and The Circuit Trilogy, comprising 3 volumes and 30 odd hours of listening pleasure is no exception. The Circuit is extremely professionally and well-crafted with a flair for imagery and extremely high quality writing and language usage. One of my favorite things about a Rhett Bruno piece is the quality of literary skill and enjoyment you get.

Adding the narration by Jefferson Mays, who is perfect for the characterizations and story-telling, only makes this near flawless gem all the more satisfying.

I read The circuit a while ago, so remembering the Frankensteinian awe of ADIM, the savage, ruthless pursuit of Casius Vale and his goals, yet at the same time his tenderness and love for what he cares about – this is a story full of juxtapositions, angst, and action. Casius is to all intents and purposes amoral and unethical in his single-mindedness of purpose. ADIM, for all that he is a lethal killing machine who flawlessly executes instructions demonstrates the innocence and naiveté of a child in some ways, yearning to express that machine-based love of his creator, wanting to be "loved", and exhibiting a sense of wonder in all things human.

There is a lot of action, violence, and immorality in this story. There are times when it will leave you gasping, crying, laughing and having to remember to breathe.

For me, that is what a good story is all about. Yes, it paints a dark – but very realistic – picture of humanity, with all its flaws, shams, and broken dreams, and yes, a very bleak future after we have decimated the planet. Yet somehow Bruno manages to find beauty, love, and some measure of hope for a better future. In a way it gives you that sense of morbid fascination like coming upon a horrific disaster or incredible work of art; it is terrible or wondrous to behold but you cannot take your eyes off it either way.

This is a very fast-paced story. It goes from subplot to storyline to action to alternating characters and points of view in such a flowing way that it never lags, and will always keep your interest. It will often keep you on the edge of your seat, and it will keep you up reading / listening long after you should turn out the lights and go to sleep.

Jefferson Mays was the absolute perfect pick for bringing this story to life, and he does so in a fashion that will keep you 100% riveted, attentive and absorbed. He was type cast for the roles, and does a masterful job at capturing the menacing immorality and the fragility of the human condition. Mays brings The Circuit to life.

This is one incredible story, one incredible performance, and left me saying to myself, if Bruno writes it or Mays performs it, I’m in! I want it!

This is not one to be on the fence about. Push the button. This is one not to be missed.

Interesting Trilogy

Overall this set is 3.5 stars. This box set includes all three books in The Circuit series (Executor Rising, Progeny of Vale, and Earthfall). These books are not standalones. This set makes it easy to read them all in order without trying to find the next book. There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the storyline so I'm not going to repeat that all of that info here. There are clues in the storyline that keep you guessing what will be revealed next. It definitely kept me reading. Overall it is an interesting storyline and worth taking the time to read.

I own both the Audible and Kindle versions of this book. I like how you can go between the two and not lose your place in the story. The audio book is narrated by Jefferson Mays. He does a very good job and his words are very understandable and easy to listen to.

Intelligent Science-fiction

There’s intellectual thought behind this book is it All for the greater good for humanity to move forward ? To become the villain to force change ?

Good read and believable futuristic tale

And the narrator is brilliant one of the few American narrators I can listen to in science fiction

Jefferson mays!

Mays was the selling point for this book. Never heard of the author but needed to fill the void left by the expanse. Mays is a great narrator and I hope he gets more releases on this genre soon!

Regarding the story being too long, noted in some reviews, just want to point out that this is a trilogy. Quite short in comparison to the expanse.

I enjoyed the story, so much that I’m writing the review before finishing the last book. There may have been a lack of depth and absence of scientific explanation, but the story, in my opinion, makes up for it.

A lot of plans within plans, taking lessons from other sci-fi writers. Not sure where it’s heading for the climax but I have some ideas and I just hope the author goes Down the path I want.

Give it a go, it’s not the expanse, but it’s not trying to be either.

On another note, I listen at 1.5/1.75 speed and Mays is still perfectly clear.

This unit does not bleed.

Several centuries before, Earth had finally succumbed to mankind's abuse, killing millions and forcing survivors to find new homes in space, only made possible by the mined gravitum. The Circuit connected, protected and made travel possible between the numerous colonies. Many clans and factions had grown up but, after war, the Tribunes dominated with the religious beliefs about Earth itself and a far crude revival when the totally inhospitable homeworld would again be welcoming, green and filled with life, the atmosphere breathable, the ground not giving to ferocious upheavals. One man, Cassius Vale, had been instrumental in winning the war and had been rewarded by being made a Tribune, so becoming one of the four most powerful beings in the universe. However, the death of his only son so grieved him that he left his exhausted position and determined on a very different way forward. And he built a different son, ADAM.

Skillfully world building and breathing life into his characters, Rhett Bruno has written an enthralling story of the struggle to survive, political intrigue and double-cross, familial love and hate, friendship, courage, battles, murder, the threat of renewed war, new technologies and an android's coming of age. Narrator, Jefferson Mays, gives a pleasant, clear and well modulated reading, filled with understanding and giving differentiated voicings for all of the protagonists. His narration at first is in slow motion, which adds even greater strength to the action and emphasises the power of ADAM. However, this reader later increased the playback speed to 1.25, which in no way diminished the excellent performance.

The Circuit includes all three full length novels of the Circuit Trilogy - nearly thirty hours to explore the worlds, the people and their motivations as terror once again sweeps over the inhabitants inside the Circuit. Intriguing as well as exciting, and even better in audio, his book is not to be missed.

shocking

Bought this as recommended for readers of the Expanse...the algorithm is clearly not working...what a load of generic, unimaginative twaddle. Audible doods....what are you playing at?! Hard science was clearly having the day off. Poor characterisation, terrible dialogue and story telling, and a lot of it did not make any sense with characters acting "out of character" withen the same paragraph they were "in" character....if that last sentence didnt make sense try listening to the first chapter....the great Sci-fi authors are rolling, while probably laughing, in their graves. Hard Science
? Hard avoid.

Exceptional

An utterly brilliant, well written, superbly executed adventure. I wasnt expecting much from an author Id never heard of - but now Rhett C.Bruno has another fan.

If you like Political, but action packed Sci-fi - listen/read/ingest this

Writer probably has OCD!

This may have a plot but I think it is hidden behind the endless detail. World building requires some detail in order to paint a realistic picture. What I don't need is enough detail to paint a world. Combine this with what I choose to call effluent dialogue (like fluent, but shitty), and you have a tedious listen. The narrator was doing his best. I didn't get past the first few chapters.

Excellent !

High Octane indeed!, Jefferson Mays delivers a great performance. Great characters and lots of interesting plots. highly enjoyable

Space Fan-Tas-Tic

What a great book the circuit is full of an all to believable world with characters that appeal to the reader, or in this case the listener.
Who would think that a robot would be one you can feel for or that those who think there doing good can make us really think what would i do? and how I would feel. Rhett Bruno is starting to become a household k own popular sci fi author with good reason and this show cases why.
Although I think this worked better as a book rather than an audio almost 30hrs of a deep political epic is great and the skills of Jefforson Mays does great with his sonorous take on Cassius and Adam especially.
Some of the female characters i would of thought sounded different in my own head but he does a good job I think and i can see why he is so sought after.
For me the real skill is the political landscape and the insights into the characters that really grip you, something i think Rhett excels at.
For those new to his work then this is a great introduction to his work on audio and I'm sure will be the first of many as his name gathers followers and fans. Hopefully some of his other books follow suit as i think a lot of his work and characters need Audio and as an avid fan of good narration this is all good for us Audio fans.
This audio was requested and i have chosen to leave my thoughts on this.

It's OK but corny. Linear science fiction

I bought this for two reasons. One - it was a recommendation "because you read The Expanse" and two- Jefferson Mays.

Straight off - this is nothing like The Expanse. Nothing. The story is linear. The "plot" is a tired TV series good vs bad. The characters are stereotyped, corny, and unbelievable. The relationships between the characters are adolescent and puerile.

Its descriptive narrative moves at a reasonable pace. It was good company for a few days on my walks but will easily be replaced and forgotten.

Again - if like me you're trying to fill the void left by The Expanse, this isn't it.

My favourite narrator

Liked the story. Jefferson Mays is amazing as always. The editing wasn't the best though.