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Regrowth
With the world on the brink of collapse, the last thing Jon expected was a call from the richest man on Earth.
Scientist Jon Matthews is sitting on his couch, locked out of his lab, until he gets a call from Eaton Shaw, the billionaire tech magnate. Shaw is inviting the best and brightest to an underground facility, with a simple mission. Save the world.
Jon joins the lab, hoping for a breakthrough on his research. He’s attempting the regrowing limbs in humans. But he’s not alone in his quest. The lab is filled with cutting edge science, working to solve all of humanity’s problems. Shaw presses harder and harder for results, even in the face of deformity and mutation, and Jon begins questioning Shaw’s motivations. The lab, once a sanctuary, starts to feel like a prison.
As Jon’s research spins further and further out of control, the cost is tallied in trauma and blood. Still, Shaw wants more, even as the lab becomes a slaughterhouse. Both Jon and his research are pushed to the brink.
What will be the price for regrowth?
Scientist Jon Matthews is sitting on his couch, locked out of his lab, until he gets a call from Eaton Shaw, the billionaire tech magnate. Shaw is inviting the best and brightest to an underground facility, with a simple mission. Save the world.
Jon joins the lab, hoping for a breakthrough on his research. He’s attempting the regrowing limbs in humans. But he’s not alone in his quest. The lab is filled with cutting edge science, working to solve all of humanity’s problems. Shaw presses harder and harder for results, even in the face of deformity and mutation, and Jon begins questioning Shaw’s motivations. The lab, once a sanctuary, starts to feel like a prison.
As Jon’s research spins further and further out of control, the cost is tallied in trauma and blood. Still, Shaw wants more, even as the lab becomes a slaughterhouse. Both Jon and his research are pushed to the brink.
What will be the price for regrowth?
- GenresScience Fiction
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2021
About the author
Robbie Dorman
19 books92 followersRobbie Dorman believes in horror. Words of Christ in Red is his seventeenth and newest novel. When he's not writing, he's making cocktails, walking his dog, or playing video games. He lives in Florida with his partner Kim, their three cats, and the best dog in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 5, 2025
4.5 stars. This took me a lot longer than normal, but that’s because I was fully engaged in both the story and the characters. And I didn’t want to skim a single part of this book. Really wonderful depth on almost everyone, specifically Tommy and Jon. Not so much Jon’s estranged wife, which could have been padded up a bit. There was also a period where Tommy felt excluded, but that was made by design. It emphasized how Jon always kept his disabled son at arm’s length, in favor of his diehard work ethic. And it made his motivation to perfect the regeneration formula that much more important, in addition to our suspect, philanthropist billionaire Shaw. It also built up to a very meaningful finale, too. The ending fell a little short of my expectations, and I wanted a little more from this father and son duo, but that was a minimal critique. The whole concept played out similar to a Michael Crichton, just a bit more intense. Good pacing, a really fun science fiction concept, layered characters, a complex plot, some really interesting ideas here, and even some horror elements sprinkled throughout, too. I had a really great time here.
May 25, 2026
When all soldiers are invincible, war becomes impossible.
3 ½ stars. Welcome to my third and potentially last review from my holiday weekend bookfest, namely what I'm calling my Memorial Day/Pentecost Read-A-Thon … noting the book listings at the end of each of my reads has me sorely (or sourly as I originally wrote) tempted to try and fit in a 4th before quitting time tonight! My selections have included more than an interesting trifecta from author @robbiedorman and with the first killer heatwave now camped out essentially right above my house, well, I can only confirm that it's nice to have good books to read and strong air conditioning to rely on! Thank goodness my eReader doesn't overheat because it has been on constantly since late last week!
Every creature had a limit, and they were getting dangerously close to reaching it.
To recap, my list has included : "What Dwells Beneath The Waves", a story originally meant to underline the dangers of climate change (remember kids: it's not a question of belief, it's a question of preparation!), only to reveal a plan by the Voidborn, servants of a Chthulu-like beast older than time that now seeks to return the world to conditions most suited for Its comfort! This was followed by "Death Rattle", an original vampire-centric tale of a declining small town being set up as a new community for the blood-sucking beasts, where the locals are invited to join the undead masses or become, well, lunch! And finally, I just finished "Regrowth", a story about a researcher, Jon, being pushed too fast and too far ("Think aggressively. Maybe even a little recklessly.") just to meet the targets of a megalomaniac billionaire with world domination at the forefront of his plans. All that was missing here was the massive amounts of plastic surgery and hairplugs, along with regular use of ketamine and cars that look like trash dumpsters!
I expect success. These endless failures will not stand.
Now I'm not going to start here with the word "unfortunately" - because it was bound to happen - but "Regrowth" wound up being the first (and only) book of Dorman's so far that I wasn't simply over the moon about. Don't get me wrong though: it's a very original tale and even in many ways an homage to some of your favorite horror (see The Thing for one!). And if there's one thing RD does right, he knows how to create despicable villains, especially those that disguise their true intentions with speeches about "transformative discoveries that could save the world." Riiiiiight, just like all the good work done with DOGE and co., right? Nothing like getting rid of needed services for the actual tax-paying public while tapping away on your cellphones in your Mom's basement, huh?
We’ve never been saving the world. We’re working on taking it over.
Unfortunately (shit, sorry!), I found this story missed some of his usual strengths, namely putting the common man - where his character developments, evil AND good, are the highlight of his books. Yes, the folks we meet are up against seemingly overwhelming odds - noting even here it's taking place with the world in turmoil over (again) climate change issues including "massive food shortages and riots, across the globe" - and seeing them fight their way to freedom or away from all kinds of monsters, both human and supernatural ("Imagine, that thing, on a battlefield."). I mean, sure, we do get we do get some of what I found to be milder than usual resistance and even our quota of fighting - relying then on some of the research along the way - but for me it didn't have that usual Dorman-oomph to it!
We’re pushing the limits of biology. We’re playing God.
In many ways I felt that the story was too rushed, including the build-up of tension ("The Chosen One isn’t getting it done. It really is a pity."). It left both the players and the locale more, well, shallow than usual. We definitely don't move around much nor can we truly relate to our setting, as most of the story takes place deep in our gazillionaire's hidden underground lair, I mean, research base (which, oddly enough, is built right in the middle of one of the areas of the planet with the most volcanic and earthquake activity). And unless you've conducted research that required the use of live animal testing to determine the efficacy of your work, I don't think that aspect was all that relatable either. Sure, I've done my share of research (noting it took days to get simple analyses done) but there's a huge difference between seeing if your newly discovered organic compounds make pretty colors versus having to maim and ultimately euthanize dozens if not hundreds of animals along the way.
That’s science fiction. That’s The Lizard from Spider-Man.
Our "environment" if you will also made it difficult to get to know our cast as intimately as I'm used to as well. The researchers are obviously being driven to the point of exhaustion and mental breakdown ("You’re the one losing control, right when we need you the most."). We see their drive, their focus, and their "work-a-holicism", but who were they really as people? This time our exposure to their backgrounds and own "stories" if you will was very limited in that regard and, for me, they came across as more superficial and one-dimensional compared to other offers in the RD catalogue. It's an exciting story, yes, especially the final battle sequence, which to me brought back great memories of Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune ("…it was just a worm now, its legs and arms only small tendrils, four of dozens extending out from its mass."). And man, but that cover is AMAZEBALLS! Still, I wanted to know these people a lot better. Even Tommy we only see as a surly, video game playing teenager, who granted suffered a horrible accident. But surely he had more to him than that!
Do you think I invited anyone’s family out of the kindness of my heart?
Still, if there's one common theme I've seen in my reads by this author is that the überrich and powerful definitely do not have our best interests at heart, an "opinion" if you will that I agree with 110%! Whether it be politics, money, or obviously supernatural advantages, we "mere humans" are nothing but fodder for these people that have developed truly troubling sicknesses when it comes to needing more money, more power, and showing no empathy at all for the common man. One thing you can say about Dorman's work is that no matter how bizarre the scenario - even when "Killer Hockey Mascots" are running loose - it's easily imaginable that something like that could happen… or is happening already somewhere! Hm, speaking of underground bunkers, I'd better get back to diggin' …
3 ½ stars. Welcome to my third and potentially last review from my holiday weekend bookfest, namely what I'm calling my Memorial Day/Pentecost Read-A-Thon … noting the book listings at the end of each of my reads has me sorely (or sourly as I originally wrote) tempted to try and fit in a 4th before quitting time tonight! My selections have included more than an interesting trifecta from author @robbiedorman and with the first killer heatwave now camped out essentially right above my house, well, I can only confirm that it's nice to have good books to read and strong air conditioning to rely on! Thank goodness my eReader doesn't overheat because it has been on constantly since late last week!
Every creature had a limit, and they were getting dangerously close to reaching it.
To recap, my list has included : "What Dwells Beneath The Waves", a story originally meant to underline the dangers of climate change (remember kids: it's not a question of belief, it's a question of preparation!), only to reveal a plan by the Voidborn, servants of a Chthulu-like beast older than time that now seeks to return the world to conditions most suited for Its comfort! This was followed by "Death Rattle", an original vampire-centric tale of a declining small town being set up as a new community for the blood-sucking beasts, where the locals are invited to join the undead masses or become, well, lunch! And finally, I just finished "Regrowth", a story about a researcher, Jon, being pushed too fast and too far ("Think aggressively. Maybe even a little recklessly.") just to meet the targets of a megalomaniac billionaire with world domination at the forefront of his plans. All that was missing here was the massive amounts of plastic surgery and hairplugs, along with regular use of ketamine and cars that look like trash dumpsters!
I expect success. These endless failures will not stand.
Now I'm not going to start here with the word "unfortunately" - because it was bound to happen - but "Regrowth" wound up being the first (and only) book of Dorman's so far that I wasn't simply over the moon about. Don't get me wrong though: it's a very original tale and even in many ways an homage to some of your favorite horror (see The Thing for one!). And if there's one thing RD does right, he knows how to create despicable villains, especially those that disguise their true intentions with speeches about "transformative discoveries that could save the world." Riiiiiight, just like all the good work done with DOGE and co., right? Nothing like getting rid of needed services for the actual tax-paying public while tapping away on your cellphones in your Mom's basement, huh?
We’ve never been saving the world. We’re working on taking it over.
Unfortunately (shit, sorry!), I found this story missed some of his usual strengths, namely putting the common man - where his character developments, evil AND good, are the highlight of his books. Yes, the folks we meet are up against seemingly overwhelming odds - noting even here it's taking place with the world in turmoil over (again) climate change issues including "massive food shortages and riots, across the globe" - and seeing them fight their way to freedom or away from all kinds of monsters, both human and supernatural ("Imagine, that thing, on a battlefield."). I mean, sure, we do get we do get some of what I found to be milder than usual resistance and even our quota of fighting - relying then on some of the research along the way - but for me it didn't have that usual Dorman-oomph to it!
We’re pushing the limits of biology. We’re playing God.
In many ways I felt that the story was too rushed, including the build-up of tension ("The Chosen One isn’t getting it done. It really is a pity."). It left both the players and the locale more, well, shallow than usual. We definitely don't move around much nor can we truly relate to our setting, as most of the story takes place deep in our gazillionaire's hidden underground lair, I mean, research base (which, oddly enough, is built right in the middle of one of the areas of the planet with the most volcanic and earthquake activity). And unless you've conducted research that required the use of live animal testing to determine the efficacy of your work, I don't think that aspect was all that relatable either. Sure, I've done my share of research (noting it took days to get simple analyses done) but there's a huge difference between seeing if your newly discovered organic compounds make pretty colors versus having to maim and ultimately euthanize dozens if not hundreds of animals along the way.
That’s science fiction. That’s The Lizard from Spider-Man.
Our "environment" if you will also made it difficult to get to know our cast as intimately as I'm used to as well. The researchers are obviously being driven to the point of exhaustion and mental breakdown ("You’re the one losing control, right when we need you the most."). We see their drive, their focus, and their "work-a-holicism", but who were they really as people? This time our exposure to their backgrounds and own "stories" if you will was very limited in that regard and, for me, they came across as more superficial and one-dimensional compared to other offers in the RD catalogue. It's an exciting story, yes, especially the final battle sequence, which to me brought back great memories of Frank Herbert's God Emperor of Dune ("…it was just a worm now, its legs and arms only small tendrils, four of dozens extending out from its mass."). And man, but that cover is AMAZEBALLS! Still, I wanted to know these people a lot better. Even Tommy we only see as a surly, video game playing teenager, who granted suffered a horrible accident. But surely he had more to him than that!
Do you think I invited anyone’s family out of the kindness of my heart?
Still, if there's one common theme I've seen in my reads by this author is that the überrich and powerful definitely do not have our best interests at heart, an "opinion" if you will that I agree with 110%! Whether it be politics, money, or obviously supernatural advantages, we "mere humans" are nothing but fodder for these people that have developed truly troubling sicknesses when it comes to needing more money, more power, and showing no empathy at all for the common man. One thing you can say about Dorman's work is that no matter how bizarre the scenario - even when "Killer Hockey Mascots" are running loose - it's easily imaginable that something like that could happen… or is happening already somewhere! Hm, speaking of underground bunkers, I'd better get back to diggin' …
January 6, 2026
This was a pretty easy, quick read. The writing was very to the point. It was an interesting concept and created a vague dystopian world with a crazy rich man. It didn't 'wow me but I was certainly entertained
September 1, 2023
Excellent read. Only took me 5 hours or so and I was hooked. I wasn’t sure when the book was given to me but really enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews