Warmonger

The Primal #0.5

by Monique Singleton

War is a natural phenomenon.
It’s Nature’s way of dealing with overpopulation. It’s basically a Cull. War, earthquakes, floods, pestilence are all her reactions to the overcrowding of this planet.

I start Wars. I initiate the Culls.

If you really looked at world history, you’d be able to identify my hand in most of the major conflicts in the past 3,000 years. I instigate and magnify conflict. I set parties against each other. You humans are predisposed to kill each other anyway. I just make sure that it’s done on a gargantuan scale that leaves an imprint.

It’s time for a new major struggle: a World War. As with all things, it’s “think big and start small”. You don’t just wake up and start a world war. It takes a lot of preparation. A lot of networking and diplomacy. And usually brutal murder.
I cultivate certain characters that have potential. They need to have the basics: the charisma to entice others to follow no matter what, and the insanity to cross over the boundaries of good sense, ethics, morals and basic humanity. Thankfully, there are more than enough candidates around. I just choose the one with the best credentials.

War is like fire. It cleanses.
Sometimes you humans are capable of tending the flame yourself.
Sometimes you need my personal brand of assistance.

It’s what I do. And I’m good at it.

I gather the tinder.
Strike the match.
Fan the flame.

…………….Then watch it burn.

Genres: Fantasy

Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2017

About the author

Monique Singleton is a USA Today and International Best selling author of dark Urban Fantasy. She lives and works in a small village in the south of Holland. A Brit by birth, she has travelled extensively and finally settled down in Holland. In addition to her writing, Monique also holds a job as an IT business consultant. She lives with her two big dogs, two horses and two cats. The cats are the boss.

Reviews

[Cheryl(In Mourning) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, what can I say? ...... This was dark, extremely dark .... and more than a little depressing, but then the story is hardly going to be a barrel of laughs when the main character is a 3000 year old being that starts wars.
That's his whole point of "being" - he is the catalyst that starts wars and therefore a cull of the pestilence that ravages the earth. When the balance is thrown out of order with Nature and humans place too much of a strain on Earth, it fights back with earthquakes, famines and disease ..... and when that's not enough? Well, the Warmonger steps into the frame and fans the flame of dissent.
The premise is not only fascinating but believable ... and timely too! Making this short novella almost prophetic is that the coming of the Third World War begins with a revolutionary uprising and civil war in France. Very pertinent indeed given the last month or so's news from France.
I suppose my problem with this novella, which is a prequel to the author's Primal series, is that it's B.L.E.A.K. I had a hard time reconciling the "collateral damage" of good, innocent people while the sociopaths seemingly got away with everything.
For a fantasy book it's very hard hitting with both feet firmly placed in reality while an arm wafts the air on the fantasy side. Perhaps a little bit too dark for this chicky .... and I do like my fantasy gritty, just not this gritty.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monique Singleton is one of my very favourite authors, I simply love whatever she writes, her style of writing really strikes a chord for me however I must admit I was surprised at the turn this book took as it is so different to her Primal nature series. This is an urban fantasy which is so true to life, it's scary! Humans mistreat and abuse their environment till the planet has to hit back to strike a balance once again hence the natural disasters but the best cull of all for overpopulation is WAR! Seems like wars are ingrained into humans, it's like it's second nature for humans to fight other humans but more so it is usually in the Governments interest to start a war for one reason or another and these go all out to trick their citizens into believing the lies they are fed and when they purposely set them up and people are deliberately killed they are just called collateral damage but the match would have been struck to the tinder and the war or the hatred for one people against another, one race against another is set!! Well done Monique Singleton for presenting us with yet another great thrilling read!!

[Tony Duxbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up not knowing it was a prequel, which I don't normally like to read. Anyway, I read it and really enjoyed it. The story is very basic and simply written, but it exposes all of humanity's faults. It gives a dim view of mankind, but unfortunately, it is also very true to life. The War Monger's view of us is sadly very accurate. That said, it is also worth a read, although it may make you feel uncomfortable.

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[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing read. Has you gripped until the very end. Definitely ready for more of this author.

[Aviar Savijon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what i expected at all it was much more intense, with international intrigue and wow what a journey was taken. I loved it!

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a plot and it has fantastic characters. A must read. I volunteered to read an advance copy for an honest review.

[Myriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the series and is not directly related to the main character of the series but the world building and, to some extent, the explanation of the phenomenon. I would suggest reading it after the first book Primal Nature.
The main character is a 3000 years old man who can change his appearance to look like any other man. For all intents and purposes he is an immortal with a purpose to create chaos by manipulating human weaknesses, with an end goal of creating war that would reduce human population on Earth.
Although he might seem evil at first, he is neither good nor bad, he just is, and he works towards fulfilling his purpose. He does his work without emotion and does not stray from his purpose to save Mother Nature by creating chaos and war resulting in loss of resources and reduced human population.
The author questions human nature, human propensity for greed, lack of morals, sadistic nature of those corrupted by too much power, role of religion and lack of value of human life and natural resources. Indeed a cautionary tale.
There are three books in the series and the prequel: Warmonger, Primal Nature, Nature of the Beast, and The Beast Inside.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Warmonger" is a peculiar book and one which is let down by poor writing and overly simplistic plotting.
An example:- "Natalie sobbed uncontrollably. Completely crushed by what basically amounted to rape ...," - there's nothing 'basically amounted to' about the rape and the many rapes that follow.
The bio of Monique Singleton notes that she was born in Britain so my suspicion that it was badly translated seems unlikely.
The gist of it is that an immortal being has come to the belief that his reason for being is to cull the human race. He's a chameleon who can fit in anywhere and right now he is in the corridors of power in France - planning chaos.
I found it almost unreadable and, even though it is very short, could not bring myself to finish it.
1 Star.

[Joan Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monique kept my mind working with this story. I was trying to guess what would happen next...but she would outthink me all the time.

She makes it sound so easy for someone to do what the warmonger did. Really makes you wonder what goes on behind the walls of political people.

I would recommend this series..at least, I hope there are more to come.

[Helgaleena Healingline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novella length and reading eerily like today's news,

this is Singleton's gratis introduction to the world of her magical immortals. But don't expect sweetness and rainbows from this crew, because they are all bound up in dealing with us, the much too numerous human race.

Read on if you think we might be due for a cull.

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[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a short read that can be finished in a few hours. Really puts a spot light on humans and the way we are. I can honestly say that I can actually believe these events have taken place in the past and will again. It's human nature. This book should stop and make you think, at least it did me.

[Elvira · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting introduction to a new series. The characters are strange and the premise of the storyline is interesting throughout the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dalene Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

This short prequel offers a different view on
politics, people, and everyday civilizations. Each time I thought I knew where it would go, I found myself pulled into the plot yet again. Loved it!

[Stacy B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This is an interesting prequel to the Primal Series. While I didn't like it as much as the series, it was very well written with interesting characters.

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short prequel to the series. Here we have War, for all practical purposes, setting for the rest of the series, I think.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short story with a good concept but in need of more editing to make it flow.
Trigger warning: contains rape scenes

[Cristina Roskoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written.

The premise of the story was strong, greed, incontemp for humanity. Evil in every form unimaginable (the downfall of man). Very well done.

[Paula J Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique

The story of warmonger, a being who culls humans by setting up the conditions to start wars. A entertaining and unique story.