The Combat Codes, Alexander Darwin
The Combat Codes, Alexander Darwin
List: $31.99 | Sale: $22.40
Club: $15.99

The Combat Codes

Author: Alexander Darwin

Narrator: Donald Chang

Unabridged: 15 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Orbit

Published: 06/13/2023


Synopsis

In a world where battle-hardened warriors determine the fate of empires, war-ravaged nations seek out a new champion in the first book of a thrilling science fantasy trilogy: "that rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan" (Fonda Lee, author of Jade City).​

In a world long ago ravaged by war, the nations have sworn an armistice never to use weapons of mass destruction again. Instead, highly-skilled warriors known as Grievar Knights represent their nations’ interests in brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Murray Pearson was once a famed Knight until he suffered a loss that crippled his homeland — but now he’s on the hunt to discover the next champion.

In underground and ruthless combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes Cego has what it takes to thrive in the world's most prestigious combat academy – but first, Cego must prove himself in the vicious arenas of the underworld. And survival isn’t guaranteed.  

“A brutal and relentless science fantasy martial arts extravaganza, set in a world where the fate of nations rests on the perfect counterpunch or rear naked choke. The Combat Codes is that rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan.” -- Fonda Lee, author of Jade City

Reviews

Goodreads review by Petrik

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: [URL not allowed] Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Fun, tense, and entertaining; The Combat Codes is an MMA-inspired sci-fi debut with heart and well-written combat scenes. “A perceived weakness is streng......more

Goodreads review by John

My complete review of The Combat Codes is published at Grimdark Magazine. The Combat Codes is the debut martial arts science fiction by Alexander Darwin in which war has been replaced by hand-to-hand combat. Originally self-published in 2015, The Combat Codes earned a finalist slot in Mark Lawrence’s......more

Goodreads review by William

Another great 2023 release! Heavy martial arts focus that brings a very unique type of immersive action to the table for this fantasy tale that has compelling characters, mysteries you are invested in solving, and smooth prose. A really great read that has left me wanting to immediately dive into th......more

Goodreads review by Jonah

This has probably the best writing of martial arts combat I’ve ever read! The characters are immediately likeable, the world is interesting, and the fights are electric. It’s tropey, but it executes the tropes it’s doing well. I wish the book had been longer, actually, to flesh out relationships bet......more

4.0 Stars Video Review: [URL not allowed] I'm pleased to say that this debut fantasy lived up to the hype. I don't always connect well with combat based stories but this one worked because the fighting was so intimate and clearly described. I found it so easy to picture what I was reading.......more