Words on Monkey Wars by Richard Kurti

Feb 20, 2015
3 min read

The city was once overrun, and still is, with monkeys. Back in the day, the monkeys were causing trouble. To try and fight the monkey problem, the city brought in more monkeys that were stronger and more violent than the previous bunch. These monkeys got rid of the problem and now live a life of luxury, given food and shelter by the humans they helped.

These privileged langur monkeys have made a home for their troop in a graveyard. Here they can live unbothered and raise their families. However, peace isn't exactly on the top of the monkeys' lists. The young langurs are trained from a very young age that they deserve everything they have - and that the other monkeys, the rhesus monkeys most of all, deserve to suffer. The young monkeys are taught to hate and look down upon their "enemies" and the males are trained to fight as soon as they are able. Rebbion is not possible with the strict rules of the troop, and the troop's leader has absolute power. The young langurs are seen in the eyes of other troops as the next generation of killers. In all fairness, the langurs don't know any better.

On the other side of the spectrum is Papina, a young rhesus female who was cast out of her home the night of the langurs' attack. She doesn't understand why her troop was hurt, and in her eyes, they did nothing wrong. She is sad and afraid, a refugee of a brutal war. Growing up on the fringe of the city, she has learned to fear the violent langurs.

Mico is a young, curious langur. Growing up, he heard of the victory over the rhesus monkeys that allowed him to live his charmed life. His brother is on the fact track to greatness, a impressive soldier that will no doubt go on the become an elite guard. Mico wants to make a name for himself, but he's smaller than most of his peers in a troop where physical ability is everything. Mico uses his brains rather than his brawn, and he soon learns that not everything is what it seems in his home. He begins to ask questions, catching the eye of Tyrell, a power-hungry langur. Tyrell recognizes Mico's intelligence and offers him power and belonging.

Papina and Mico meet and start up a friendship. Mico wants to help the rhesus troop get justice and keep the langurs from doing any further damage. Papina realizes that not all langurs are evil. When Tyrell gains power and becomes troop leader, begining a deadly rule, Mico becomes one of the most respected monkeys in the troop. He uses his power to help the rhesus, but as Mico sees just how corrupt his troop really is, he must take action and stop Tyrell before it is too late.

This was a first. I've read books about horses, cats, dogs, dolphins, elephants, leopards, mice, rats, and the odd giraffe. But I've never read a book about monkeys, let alone one told only from the monkeys' POVs. There are some humans and a python in the story, but they're kind of off to the side.

Mico and Papina were cute as little kids, and they develop quite well as they get older and learn more about their world throughout the story. Papina is fierce and thorny, always ready to take charge or put up a fight. Mico is clever and curious, but also knows when to keep his head down. Together they're a formidable couple. The world of the langurs is frightning with it's ruthless social structure and brutal leaders. I love how the world of the monkeys was built so much like our own.

The plot was fast-paced with a large dose of action and fighting scenes. The characters felt very real and I loved the setting. Sadly, I don't think this is a series, so if you want a good stand-alone, this would be a good choice. Overall, this was an exciting, fun read. 4/5.