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.

Dystopian Spartacus

I have read several of Nicholas Sansbury Smith's other books and decided to give this one a try. While this is not a bad book, I found myself not really caring what happened to the main characters. This is definitely not one of Mr. Smith's best works IMHO.

The story is a sort of mash-up of the Roman Empire and a dystopian future. The names of most of the characters were definitely Roman and I found it hard to keep track of them. I never really learned what caused the two separate groups and what the Biomass Revolution entailed. It appears that the author had a lot of ideas floating around and he tried to meld them together. After a huge, drawn out buildup in the story, the ending seemed a little rushed.

The narrator did a good job and held my interest in the book. I would recommend this book for diehard sci-fi fans or those who just want to read a written by an author they enjoy.

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.

I never fully engaged

I am a fan of the Extinction series, but I never seemed able to fully immerse myself in this story. I don't know if the narrator's tone felt too relaxed for me in the more tense, or intense situations, or the characters lacked the emotion or depth or action I needed. I will try the short add-ons and see if my sentiment is the same.

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.

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

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!!

Great book

NSS does it again with this post apoplectic view of the future. Just goes to show some things never change when it comes to power. Great book NSS.

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!

Excellent and intriguing 1st novel

Biomass Revolution was an excellent story, and I have to say the two shorts that go with it gave me such pause to think.

At the heart of it, we are all the same. In the accompanying shorts, the story of the two soldiers, each so similar in heart, each just on either side of the "fence" that a corrupt society created is still valid today.

The author claims, "Yes, it was my first full length story. I wrote it at a time when my ideas of the world were still being formed...." His is not an innocent or naive interpretation. It was very deep whether he meant it that way at the time or it was subconscious bleed through. The choice is left to the reader and author to decide. It is an excellent and thought-provoking book along with its two accompanying shorts.

Similar to 1984

Has a George Orwell feel to it. It's a little scary in that you can feel the similarities between what their government is doing and what ours does, but it doesn't go quite as in depth as a typical government conspiracy might. Has some decent suspense as well, over good story. The narrator had no change in voice from character to character though.