The Combat Codes

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).​

"A book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts, and the mastery shows." - Evan Winter, author of The Rage of Dragons

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.

"Darwin writes violence with the rhythm and surprise of a well-executed sonnet, wedding the smooth grace of choreography with the unflinching brutality of fists breaking bone. The fights are mesmerizing, layered like fascia, twitching and flexing and propelling the story toward a conclusion that both satisfies and opens the door to the next volume." - The New York Times

"Bare-knuckle brilliance." - Jackson Ford, author of The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t with Her Mind


Author: Alexander Darwin
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 06/13/2023
Pages: 464
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 8.25h x 5.40w x 1.25d
ISBN13: 9780316493000
ISBN10: 0316493007
BISAC Categories:
- Fiction | Dystopian
- Fiction | Science Fiction | Cyberpunk
- Fiction | Science Fiction | Action & Adventure

About the Author
Alexander Darwin is a second generation Vietnamese-Jewish-American author living in Boston with his wife and three daughters. Outside of writing, he teaches and trains martial arts (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). He's inspired by old-school Hong Kong action flicks, jRPGs, underdog stories and bibimbap bowls.