The Biomass Revolution

By: Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Narrated by: James Fouhey

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

What would you do if you lived in a world where your every move was scrutinized by your own personal artificial intelligence - a world where everything is regulated, from power usage to relationships - a world where everything you thought you knew turned out to be a lie?

Welcome to Tisaia - the last hub of modern civilization in a world left scorched by the nuclear fires of the Biomass Wars. Surrounded by a fortress of steel walls and protected by a fierce and loyal Council of Royal Knights, Tisaia seems relatively safe to the average State worker and citizen. A plentiful supply of Biomass powers the cities and food is abundant, but security has come at a terrible cost. The State will do anything to protect its resources, even if it means suppressing the rights of its citizens and deporting immigrants into the Wasteland - a virtual death sentence.

Spurious Timur is one of the State workers helping keep the wheels of prosperity turning in Tisaia. As he starts to explore Tisaia and question his own worth, he realizes there may be more to his subsistence than he thought. When he meets and falls for co-worker Lana Padilla, he begins to understand he may hold the key to restoring Tisaia to a just and free State.

However, restoring Tisaia will come at a cost; both to Spurious and those he cares about, because in Tisaia nothing is ever what it seems. And as more of his past begins to surface, he is faced with the ultimate decision--on which side of the revolution should he fight?

©2013 Nicholas Sansbury Smith (P)2014 Audible Inc.

There was little depth and detail in characters

The Biomass Revolution is set in the post-apocalyptic near future in the city of Tisaia. The story follows many characters as they navigate the challenges of this isolationist and oppressive state. Through the eyes of government officials, citizens, and revolutionaries, the reader gets a perspective of the conflict surrounding human rights and control of fuel.

There are many different directions that this book could have taken and the focus on the fuel source and the human rights questions are compelling issues that would arise in a post-apocalyptic world. Structurally, the novel is built up of chapter for a lot of different points of view. Some of them we only see once while a few of the others are recurring. I generally love novels with multiple points of view, and like many such novels, in The Biomass Revolution, listening to the story is like getting a bird's eye view of whats happening. The perspectives range from government officials, soldiers, government workers, minorities, revolutionaries and more. It's a very high up view of how all the pieces are moving toward a conclusion. And the best part is that the points of view converge at the end without leaving any hanging story lines. While bordering on cheesy, the end and the epilogue were especially satisfying. Overall, I thought the world building was adequate. The different settings were clearly defined. The only thing that I wish had more depth in this regard is the biomass. There was no detail into what exactly was the biomass, other than a fuel source, which seemed a bit vague.

This leads me to the biggest flaw of the novel. There was little depth, detail, and really character, in most of characters. The characters' motivations were written simply without much depth, which made the actions of characters difficult to believe. For example, the romantic plot-line was especially frustrating to me. The relationship just became serious without any defined reason for it being so. And it was a driving factor for a lot of the actions the main character took, but I just didn't believe that those actions made any logical sense. Perhaps, if fewer points of view had been used it would've possible to provide a bird's eye view of the plots moving pieces, without sacrificing subtle character development. As it is, the characters' different points of view just seemed to be there to move the plot forward. Overall, I found the writing to be simple and without much nuance.

As a result of my dislike for the simplicity of the writing for the book, it was difficult to tease out my thoughts on the narration. I often stopped paying attention and so I had to constantly shift backwards, but I'm not sure if that was the author's fault or the narrator's. The main criticism that most of the characters tones and voices did not vary, which made it difficult to remember who was speaking, which was critical in a book with so many different points of view.

I've been thinking about how to review this book from when I started reading it. Something about it just didn't mesh with me. Overall, the premise had a lot of potential and the plot was delivered in a logical bare bones way, but the character development leaves a lot to be desired.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

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Worth it

I'll admit I was hesitant at first. I'm not usually into this style of sci-fi fantasy. I go more for zombie military apocalypse. Nick developed great characters and a great story. The struggle of the main character is what kept me listening. if you like suspense and unexpected turns I implore you to check this book out.

A fun take on the post-apocalyptic world

The Biomass Revolution is a post-apocalyptic tale of a society living after a world-wide nuclear war. This society's government uses a brutal military to oppress its citizens and keep out all outsiders, including those who need help. Living in all of this is a state worked named Spurious who soon learns that his government has been lying to him for years and his life is not what it seems.

I enjoyed the setting of this book as it was a rather unique take on the possibility of a society. Sure, there are the survivors and marauders of the wasteland, but inside of Tessea was a high-tech, brutal regime. The characters were also strong and well done and I really liked Spurious and Obie (the squad leader in the resistance). I thought the plot was somewhat predictable with few surprises and some of the dialogue was a bit over-the-top and uninspired.

The narrator did a fine job and I had no complaints there.

Overall, it was a fun listen and had a very satisfying ending. Well worth the read.

NOTE: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.

Cult classsic

“Biomass Revolution”is Nicholas Sansbury Smith first book. I have read just about every series he his written and I finally got to this one. For a first novel I really enjoyed the story because it was so unique.
However it was a little difficult at first to keep track of all the characters and took me a little while to decipher who the actual story was about.
Overall I think is one of the books that are considered a “ diamond in the rough” and can become a cult classic. Kinda reminds of the movie “ equilibrium”.

epic adventure worth a read

this story is amazing its worth a read and will have you on the edge kf ur seat for most of the ride I strongly recomend giving it a go you wont he disiponted definetly one of the best stories of this kind I have listend to in a lond time thanks for the ride Mr smith

Vivid future Dystopian World

In this Nicholas Sansbury Smith's first novel he has created a vivid believable dystopian future. After a nuclear war in the not too distant future our hero struggles as a government "serf" to make things better.

His society hoards the energy resource biomass. Our hero's every move is watched and personal freedom totally controlled. Our hero faces many dangers and losses as he struggles to make a better future with the woman he loves.

It is an exciting story about likable people. I listened to the Audible version and the narrator was good and brought the story to life!

Dystopian Adventure that didn't hit Home for me

Was it enjoyable? For the most part. Was there action? Yes. Is it one of Smith's bests? No. This reminded me of Star Wars like story in the Fallout Universe with 1984 politics set in ancient Rome. I like most of it but the man character was a little too blah for me to like. The soldiers were interesting. Not a very deep story but a decent action story. We'll see if I get the next book.

Another excellent journey with Michael

Man was this tale riveting. I listen to my audio books while at work at my factory and so far all of Nick's books entertain and take me away from work.

This tale is wicked . One can easily put themselves into the situations the characters go through. And I sincerely hope we never get to this extreme of a point, though it's semi heading there now.

Narrator gives life to the characters and does a great job with both genders.

Well done!!

Rebellions are built on HOPE

The story felt the book 1984 but set in 21 century post-apocalyptic world.

it's not bad book it shows a quality of an author trying to find his grove when you compare it to his later books that are better stepped in world building and chacther growth futility. Then there's this a book that felt at times like events where happenstance completely enstead of chacther IQ moments that felt tge story could've gone either way.

mehh...

I'm a NSS fan, but this was a tough one to stay tuned-in to. The characters are boring and I found myself not really caring what happened to them. The story is a jumbled mish mash of ideas, that are trying to have cohesion. However, they just remain a jumbled mess. Sorry NSS, I'm a fan, but this was a rough one.

Rivertin

absolutely 💯% loved this book. fantastic attention to detail from start to finish brovo. Sir