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Monster Republic #1
Monster Republic
An explosion in a nuclear power plant. Kids patched up with scavenged body parts and bionic implants. A growing army of superhuman soldiers programmed for destruction. 'No', whispered Cameron to the monster in the glass. And he watched it shaking its hideous head. 'That's not me. You're not me'. As commercial and compelling as a computer game, this is the first book in a major new series.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2009
2 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Ben Horton
7 books13 followersBen Horton was born in Buckinghamshire, grew up in Norfolk, went to university in Cambridge and now lives in London. When not writing, Ben runs a theatre company, enjoys cooking and watching films like Batman and X-Men.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 31, 2017
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1.5/5 Stars
Cameron Riley was your typical 14 year old boy until he attends a school trip to a nuclear power plant and an explosion occurs. With the hopes of creating a new army of soldiers, Dr. Fry pieces Cameron back together giving him enhanced abilities. After escaping the laboratory, Cameron joins up with the Monster Republic, a group of Dr. Fry's reject soldiers to put an end to his master plan.
Honestly, I just found the book to lack a plot or any action. I found it to be very bland and boring. I didn't connect with any of the characters and didn't really care what happened to them in the end.
1.5/5 Stars
Cameron Riley was your typical 14 year old boy until he attends a school trip to a nuclear power plant and an explosion occurs. With the hopes of creating a new army of soldiers, Dr. Fry pieces Cameron back together giving him enhanced abilities. After escaping the laboratory, Cameron joins up with the Monster Republic, a group of Dr. Fry's reject soldiers to put an end to his master plan.
Honestly, I just found the book to lack a plot or any action. I found it to be very bland and boring. I didn't connect with any of the characters and didn't really care what happened to them in the end.
August 9, 2013
Boring. Simple. Basic plot. Waste of time. I started this book and read over 2/3rds of the way into it and finally just gave up. If you asked me what the ending was I could probably guess. This story was SO predictable. I am disappointed that I spent any time on this at all. Very very basic writing and a very bad read.
January 3, 2010
As you’ll know from the books I review, I’m a huge fantasy fan, but when it comes to sci-fi, my attitude towards it, in a word, is pretty much "meh". However, when Carolyn enthusiastically reviewed Monster Republic on her blog Book Chick City, it sounded awesome! So when I was offered the chance to review the book myself, I jumped at the chance. And it wasn’t a mistake! Monster Republic is amazing! The premise is just incredible, the imagery is fantastic, and the action is just wow!
I’m saying this fairly often lately, but I’ll be saying it again; Monster Republic is very much the first book in a series. We’re introduced to the main characters, namely Cameron, and the important members of the Monster Republic, Rora, Slater, Smarts, and Tinker, and the evil mad scientist, Dr. Fry. We also find out about what the Monster Republic is, and follow Cameron as he comes to terms with what has happened to him, and with who he is now. Saying that, there is quite a lot of action, which I loved, and there’s a great set up for a sequel!
If I had to criticise the book, I would have preferred a bit more story in between the action scenes. There was story, don’t get me wrong, I just would have liked a bit more. There are a few days that are mentioned have passed, and although we’re told what happens over those days, I just feel there should have been more page time showing Cameron coming to terms with the huge changes that have happened in his life. The action shouldn’t change, it was great, just a few more pages could have been added for the internal monologue, in my opinion, but it’s not a huge deal.
Monster Republic’s tagline is X-Men meets Terminator, and I couldn’t agree more! I have to say, the description and imagery is cleverly done; it’s not exactly graphic when it comes to describing what Cameron now looks like, but the images your imagination conjures from the description is what’s disturbing – it’s brilliant! This would be a great book for YA male readers! The press release advertising the book says, "Written with a teen readership in mind, Horton set out to write a book that would steal young people’s imaginations from Xbox, MSN and i-phones," and I think it’ll do just that. This is an amazing book for those who spend their time sitting in front of a TV screen playing computer games and turn their noses up at books. My brother is one of them, he hates reading and gets really annoyed when I talk books with my parents, yet when I got this book, he saw it, read the blurb and said, "I might have to read this myself." Points for Mr Horton! My brother never reads!
This book would also make an awesome movie! It would look amazing on the big screen, I seriously wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being optioned. And what’s more, I don’t think there would need to be anything cut from the book – it’s a pretty quick read, and the plot is very tight, I could literally see the whole book on the screen.
To sum up, Monster Republic: The Divinity Project is an awesome book, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I’m saying this fairly often lately, but I’ll be saying it again; Monster Republic is very much the first book in a series. We’re introduced to the main characters, namely Cameron, and the important members of the Monster Republic, Rora, Slater, Smarts, and Tinker, and the evil mad scientist, Dr. Fry. We also find out about what the Monster Republic is, and follow Cameron as he comes to terms with what has happened to him, and with who he is now. Saying that, there is quite a lot of action, which I loved, and there’s a great set up for a sequel!
If I had to criticise the book, I would have preferred a bit more story in between the action scenes. There was story, don’t get me wrong, I just would have liked a bit more. There are a few days that are mentioned have passed, and although we’re told what happens over those days, I just feel there should have been more page time showing Cameron coming to terms with the huge changes that have happened in his life. The action shouldn’t change, it was great, just a few more pages could have been added for the internal monologue, in my opinion, but it’s not a huge deal.
Monster Republic’s tagline is X-Men meets Terminator, and I couldn’t agree more! I have to say, the description and imagery is cleverly done; it’s not exactly graphic when it comes to describing what Cameron now looks like, but the images your imagination conjures from the description is what’s disturbing – it’s brilliant! This would be a great book for YA male readers! The press release advertising the book says, "Written with a teen readership in mind, Horton set out to write a book that would steal young people’s imaginations from Xbox, MSN and i-phones," and I think it’ll do just that. This is an amazing book for those who spend their time sitting in front of a TV screen playing computer games and turn their noses up at books. My brother is one of them, he hates reading and gets really annoyed when I talk books with my parents, yet when I got this book, he saw it, read the blurb and said, "I might have to read this myself." Points for Mr Horton! My brother never reads!
This book would also make an awesome movie! It would look amazing on the big screen, I seriously wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up being optioned. And what’s more, I don’t think there would need to be anything cut from the book – it’s a pretty quick read, and the plot is very tight, I could literally see the whole book on the screen.
To sum up, Monster Republic: The Divinity Project is an awesome book, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
December 24, 2022
3.5-4 stars 🌟
I saw this book at the op shop for only $2 and I was hesitiating to buy it, but when I did pick it up and read it I was hooked. Cameron is a 14 year old who likes athletics, and is a typically student. But when a explosion happened in a nuclear power plant killing innocent people, Cameron was re-built as a human cyborg by Dr Lazzarus Fry. The whole action packed book about Cameron accepting who he is, the Monster Republic that was built by Rora and the other "Rejects" that have ran away from Larrazzus and his experiments. There were parts that were predictable and I wish they put more effort into explaining about the Monster Republic, Lazzaus creatures, and the secret government trying to shut the experimentation down.
It was a quick, easy and interesting read for me and I'll look forward reading the second book.
I saw this book at the op shop for only $2 and I was hesitiating to buy it, but when I did pick it up and read it I was hooked. Cameron is a 14 year old who likes athletics, and is a typically student. But when a explosion happened in a nuclear power plant killing innocent people, Cameron was re-built as a human cyborg by Dr Lazzarus Fry. The whole action packed book about Cameron accepting who he is, the Monster Republic that was built by Rora and the other "Rejects" that have ran away from Larrazzus and his experiments. There were parts that were predictable and I wish they put more effort into explaining about the Monster Republic, Lazzaus creatures, and the secret government trying to shut the experimentation down.
It was a quick, easy and interesting read for me and I'll look forward reading the second book.
September 21, 2018
I got this book at a school event, back before it had been officially released, and I wish I had read it sooner. I'm sure my 12 year old self would have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of it. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it now. It was an interesting and action packed read. Though I would have liked it to be longer and for their to be a bit more time on developing certain characters. That being said it is only the first in a trilogy and it makes for a nice quick read.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
January 7, 2022
Best book ever
June 14, 2015
Monster Republic is the first book in a new series by Ben Horton. It's told in the third person narrative and although there are several interesting characters, it focuses mainly on the character of Cameron.
Cameron is popular, sporty and good looking. He has everything going for him, including the prettiest girl at school as his girlfriend. But there is one thorn in his side and that's Carl, the school bully. While visiting a nuclear power plant there is a huge explosion after which Cameron wakes up to find his life has changed forever and he's not sure who to trust. Then he realises he's not the only one who's changed when he comes face to face with his girlfriend, who sure sounds a lot like Carl!
A young girl brakes him out of hospital and takes him back to a group who call themselves Monster Republic. They have formed the group so all unsuccessful experiments, like Cameron, have a safe haven. But Cameron doesn't want to just hide away and so sets out to bring down the man who made him into a monster.
This is a really fast-paced, gripping novel. It may be aimed at the young adult reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and in fact couldn't put it down. Although there were times, as an adult reader, I felt a little more detail was needed, this didn't deter me from this very well written action packed story. The writer is successful in making the characters believable and well rounded and gives them enough emotional depth to enable you to either love them or loath them, depending on if they are the good guy or the bad guy.
Favourite Passages:
"The eye that gazed out from the metal plating looked more like a camera. It's cold, glassy lens stared back at him from alongside a living, human eye, daring Cameron to keep looking. Sending him the clear and brutal truth: This is you."
"'No,' he whispered to the monster in the glass. And he watched it shaking its hideous head. 'That's not me. You're not me.'"
Verdict:
I wish the story continued for longer than its 275 pages, as it ended way too soon for me, which only makes me that much more impatient for the next installment in this brilliant new series. I have a feeling that this book is going to be hugely popular in 2010! I highly recommend it, so when it's released, go guy it, you won't be disappointed!
Cameron is popular, sporty and good looking. He has everything going for him, including the prettiest girl at school as his girlfriend. But there is one thorn in his side and that's Carl, the school bully. While visiting a nuclear power plant there is a huge explosion after which Cameron wakes up to find his life has changed forever and he's not sure who to trust. Then he realises he's not the only one who's changed when he comes face to face with his girlfriend, who sure sounds a lot like Carl!
A young girl brakes him out of hospital and takes him back to a group who call themselves Monster Republic. They have formed the group so all unsuccessful experiments, like Cameron, have a safe haven. But Cameron doesn't want to just hide away and so sets out to bring down the man who made him into a monster.
This is a really fast-paced, gripping novel. It may be aimed at the young adult reader, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book and in fact couldn't put it down. Although there were times, as an adult reader, I felt a little more detail was needed, this didn't deter me from this very well written action packed story. The writer is successful in making the characters believable and well rounded and gives them enough emotional depth to enable you to either love them or loath them, depending on if they are the good guy or the bad guy.
Favourite Passages:
"The eye that gazed out from the metal plating looked more like a camera. It's cold, glassy lens stared back at him from alongside a living, human eye, daring Cameron to keep looking. Sending him the clear and brutal truth: This is you."
"'No,' he whispered to the monster in the glass. And he watched it shaking its hideous head. 'That's not me. You're not me.'"
Verdict:
I wish the story continued for longer than its 275 pages, as it ended way too soon for me, which only makes me that much more impatient for the next installment in this brilliant new series. I have a feeling that this book is going to be hugely popular in 2010! I highly recommend it, so when it's released, go guy it, you won't be disappointed!
March 19, 2010
Synopsis (From back cover): An explosion in a nuclear power plant. Kids patched up with scavenged body parts and bionic implants. A growing army of superhuman soldiers programmed for destruction. Cameron Riley is about to discover that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Monster Republic is the first book in a new series by debut author Ben Horton. When I first picked up the novel I thought it was a Young Adult, but quickly discovered it was a Middle Grade, even so, it was an exhilarating from the first page. From the moment the main character, Cameron is introduced Horton does an excellent job at setting up his character.
Cameron has everything. He's popular, captain of the football team and has the prettiest girl in school as his girlfriend, nothing can go wrong. That's until he goes on a field trip to the nuclear power plant with his class. He doesn't even hear the explosion.
It's not until after he wakes up in a laboratory and is rescued by a girl that he learns that his previous life is over (seriously, everyone thinks he is dead). Where his once perfect face had been now exists a disheveled mess of machinery and bits of different flesh that wasn't his own. He was a monster.
Horton introduces the reader to a world where mad scientists create insane plans of creating superhuman armies, where half-animal mutants exist and bionic soldiers to take over the world. Monster Republic was a fun little read even though the character relationships don't develop much throughout it. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Cover: I have to admit that I'm a bit shallow and always judge books by their cover and this cover was the first thing to draw me to pick up the novel. The dark and almost macabre setting and mysterious character grabbed my attention and I had to find out what it was all about.
Plot: 4/5 stars
Ending: 4/5 stars
Cover: 5/5 stars
Overall: 4/5 stars
Monster Republic is the first book in a new series by debut author Ben Horton. When I first picked up the novel I thought it was a Young Adult, but quickly discovered it was a Middle Grade, even so, it was an exhilarating from the first page. From the moment the main character, Cameron is introduced Horton does an excellent job at setting up his character.
Cameron has everything. He's popular, captain of the football team and has the prettiest girl in school as his girlfriend, nothing can go wrong. That's until he goes on a field trip to the nuclear power plant with his class. He doesn't even hear the explosion.
It's not until after he wakes up in a laboratory and is rescued by a girl that he learns that his previous life is over (seriously, everyone thinks he is dead). Where his once perfect face had been now exists a disheveled mess of machinery and bits of different flesh that wasn't his own. He was a monster.
Horton introduces the reader to a world where mad scientists create insane plans of creating superhuman armies, where half-animal mutants exist and bionic soldiers to take over the world. Monster Republic was a fun little read even though the character relationships don't develop much throughout it. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Cover: I have to admit that I'm a bit shallow and always judge books by their cover and this cover was the first thing to draw me to pick up the novel. The dark and almost macabre setting and mysterious character grabbed my attention and I had to find out what it was all about.
Plot: 4/5 stars
Ending: 4/5 stars
Cover: 5/5 stars
Overall: 4/5 stars
July 30, 2012
MONSTER REPUBLIC is a good beginning to a series. We’re introduced right away to Dr. Fry, and find out that not all is well with his Divinity Project (the Prime Minister himself is unhappy). We next meet our protagonist, Cameron, on the day he dies in an explosion at a nuclear power plant. What follows is a fast paced ride as Cameron wakes up a monster, is broken out of Doctor Fry’s laboratory and joins the Monster Republic – a gathering of all Doctor Fry’s rejects. Cameron is immediately caught up in trying to thwart Doctor Fry’s plans, find out what happened to his girlfriend Marie and learn to get along within the Republic.
The plot is incredibly intriguing and well thought out. Ben Horton has kept in mind the little details and still manages to make the storyline flow well and keep an interesting and attention-catching pace. The action sequences were really well done and well-planned. While a beginning to a planned series, the book still had a problem that had to be solved, creating harmony in some things and yet more problems for the Monster Republic in others.
I wasn’t a crazy fan of Horton’s writing style – I found it a little simplistic (even keeping in mind the book’s targeted age group). As for characters, I grew completely attached to Cameron and felt that I knew his motives and personality pretty well. On the other hand, I didn’t really get a good sense of the others (except maybe Rora, whom we do learn a little backstory for), but I’m assuming we’ll see more character development as the series progresses.
Overall, MONSTER REPUBLIC was an interesting and well-done introduction to a promising new series, and a great debut novel.
The plot is incredibly intriguing and well thought out. Ben Horton has kept in mind the little details and still manages to make the storyline flow well and keep an interesting and attention-catching pace. The action sequences were really well done and well-planned. While a beginning to a planned series, the book still had a problem that had to be solved, creating harmony in some things and yet more problems for the Monster Republic in others.
I wasn’t a crazy fan of Horton’s writing style – I found it a little simplistic (even keeping in mind the book’s targeted age group). As for characters, I grew completely attached to Cameron and felt that I knew his motives and personality pretty well. On the other hand, I didn’t really get a good sense of the others (except maybe Rora, whom we do learn a little backstory for), but I’m assuming we’ll see more character development as the series progresses.
Overall, MONSTER REPUBLIC was an interesting and well-done introduction to a promising new series, and a great debut novel.
January 16, 2010
I was pretty excited when I heard that this book was like Terminator meets X-Men. What a premise! Luckily, Monster Republic delivered the non-stop action promised, and moved along at a very quick speed. As a bonus, Random House have included a few pages of art at the back, which made imagining the characters and settings that much easier.
Cameron is a normal teenage boy, with the usual mix of secondary school friends, and the hots for a girl in his year. He's not a character that stood out to me at first, but all that changed when he woke up after surviving an explosion at a power plant. He became a leader, a warrior, and someone to be feared. Cameron's new life as part-machine, part-boy struck me as a metaphor for growing up, with his new responsibilities and decision making teaching him some valuable life lessons.
Rora, a fellow member of the Monster Republic for rejects, is a good match for Cameron, and takes him under her wing. She comes across as the leader of the group, and risks a lot when she decides to trust Cameron. Carla, a mish-mash of machine parts and students, plays the main villain well, even though she coincidentally always turns up at the right place at the right time.
Monster Republic didn't hook me immediately, and it took me quite a while to warm to it. I felt detached from most of the characters, which I think is down to me not being able to easily empathise with their situation. I did enjoy all the action scenes, and the story itself was fantastic, but for me it just had that special ingredient missing.
Cameron is a normal teenage boy, with the usual mix of secondary school friends, and the hots for a girl in his year. He's not a character that stood out to me at first, but all that changed when he woke up after surviving an explosion at a power plant. He became a leader, a warrior, and someone to be feared. Cameron's new life as part-machine, part-boy struck me as a metaphor for growing up, with his new responsibilities and decision making teaching him some valuable life lessons.
Rora, a fellow member of the Monster Republic for rejects, is a good match for Cameron, and takes him under her wing. She comes across as the leader of the group, and risks a lot when she decides to trust Cameron. Carla, a mish-mash of machine parts and students, plays the main villain well, even though she coincidentally always turns up at the right place at the right time.
Monster Republic didn't hook me immediately, and it took me quite a while to warm to it. I felt detached from most of the characters, which I think is down to me not being able to easily empathise with their situation. I did enjoy all the action scenes, and the story itself was fantastic, but for me it just had that special ingredient missing.
September 20, 2011
I was eager to read Monster Republic, and slightly disappointed if I'm honest.
The storyline is pretty basic, though not hugely overdone to my knowledge so I was interested how it was going to pan out.
I felt that the book was written a little too simply for my taste, not to say that it was written badly, just that I'm used to books that are a little more wordy. The characters were well thought through, but I think they could have been developed a bit more, I didn't feel an attachment to any of them, and I didn't feel a huge emotional bond between any of the characters either.
The action in Monster Republic, however, is very well done, fast paced and detailed imagery bring you in on the scene and make you feel a part of it.
Monster Republic was a good, quick read ( I read it in one sitting ) and as a result I think the story and the characters could have benefited a lot from another 80 pages or so.
The storyline is pretty basic, though not hugely overdone to my knowledge so I was interested how it was going to pan out.
I felt that the book was written a little too simply for my taste, not to say that it was written badly, just that I'm used to books that are a little more wordy. The characters were well thought through, but I think they could have been developed a bit more, I didn't feel an attachment to any of them, and I didn't feel a huge emotional bond between any of the characters either.
The action in Monster Republic, however, is very well done, fast paced and detailed imagery bring you in on the scene and make you feel a part of it.
Monster Republic was a good, quick read ( I read it in one sitting ) and as a result I think the story and the characters could have benefited a lot from another 80 pages or so.
March 25, 2013
Two words: Loved it. The book had me sucked in from the start, the book was instantly submerged into action and you had no choice but to keep turning the pages. Usually books like these deteriorate as you progress through the series, but I can honestly say this one did not, and in fact got better. The ending of the series was definitely one of the best I have ever read. At one part I was so overwhelmed with emotion I got teary eyed. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves dystopian young adult novels like 'Hunger Games', 'Slated', 'Forsaken', 'The Hunt', etc. 5/5.
November 4, 2012
i loved this book yes it was written vary simple. but i have never really read many books. im 17 years old and i seen this book as a vary good easy read with easy to love characters. funny thing is that it was made for ages 11 and up and i felt that this book was realistically in my eyes for ages 14 and up which is a good thing. some parts where a little short but luckily there is more books and i have not read them yet but i will.
the best character is Rora
the best character is Rora
October 29, 2015
Look, it's not a bad book... If you like anti-heroes in a classic comic book setting... But it's just not my kind of book.. I prefer a meatier plot than a crazy scientist who patches together robot humanoid hybrid creatures as an experiment to take over the world and one such creature eventually leads to the downfall of the "great plan"... It's been done.. Redone and overdone... Next plot please
November 7, 2010
I really enjoyed this... it was different to anything I'd read before, very easy to read and really exciting. I could easily see this turned into a movie and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Read
June 11, 2010alright
February 9, 2011
Pretty Good
October 30, 2013
Great little trilogy, fast paced story with not a dull moment in it.. Especially liked the biomechanical aspects of it. Scary at times and funny at others...exciting all the way
December 29, 2013
dk it was a good book not that much
Read
July 12, 2016This book was so unusually brilliant! So different from anything I have read! Absolutely loved it!
March 18, 2020
A middle-grade horror/ adventure book I think. interesting plot mixed with a clique plot. Good start to a series though.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews