The Combat Codes

Starred review from April 1, 2023

DEBUT As a Scout, Murray Pearson hunts for new talent to serve as Grievars--knights who determine the fate of nations with their fists. He grapples with disillusionment until he discovers Cego, a young boy off the streets with a hazy past. Their feudal society is morphing into a high-tech dystopian world that Murray no longer recognizes, but in Cego he finds a boy who still embodies the Combat Codes, the spirit and honor of their people. As Murray risks himself to investigate the conspiracies of the Citadel and Cego's mysterious origins, Cego endures the ruthlessly captivating combat academy. As the underdog and the washed-up, Cego and Murray are remarkable characters who stay true to the codes despite others' perversion of them, and it's impossible not to root for the pair. This is a perfect blend of fantasy, cyberpunk, and mixed martial arts that is enhanced by flawless action sequences and ideals that are still worth fighting for. VERDICT With surprising depth and touching relationships, this debut packs a punch and sets up a fascinating foundation for the rest of the series. Great for fans of Will Wight.--Andrea Dyba

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2023
A gritty tale set in a world where fighting well is the highest honor. "We fight so the rest shall not have to." For Murray, an aging former fighter with a strong sense of honor, these words are his way of life: The strongest and best Grievars fight in single combat to settle national disputes. No longer able to fight himself, he's forced to scout the dangerous Deep for kids with potential--even though most of his "discoveries" never stand a real chance. But when he watches an apparently blind boy dominate a much larger Grievar in a fight, he sees his chance to restore honor to his profession through a new fighter who lives by the ancient Codes. That boy, Cego, has memories of another life--training with a master alongside his brothers, studying fighting and meditation techniques on a black-sand beach. What he doesn't know is how he ended up in the sordid Underground, blinded by light he wasn't used to, easy prey for slavers looking for fresh fighting meat. For Cego, Murray's offer to take him to the Surface and give him a chance to train at the prestigious Lyceum is at first a chance to find his brothers and his old master. But as Murray teaches him the ancient Codes, Cego realizes how similar they are to the teachings of his old master and gets swept up in the drive to do well at the Lyceum Trials. Cego and Murray are both compelling characters. The novel takes a while to clearly establish a goal for each of them, but the world and characters are strong enough to carry the reader through to the point where Cego's quest to prove himself at the Lyceum takes over as the engine of the plot. Clearly drawn martial arts bouts add action and drama to the narrative. This dark tale of martial arts and ancient Codes in a fallen world will captivate readers who crave action.

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April 10, 2023
Martial arts trainer Darwin skillfully deploys his expertise in this impressive debut and series launch to conjure a world where individual hand-to-hand fighting matches have replaced full-scale wars. The Grievar Knights subscribe to the eponymous fighting codes and were founded on the precept, “we fight so the rest shall not have to.” Acclaimed former Grievar Knight Murray Pearson now serves as a talent scout for the nation of Ezo, charged with finding young fighters worthy of admission to the Lyceum, an elite combat school. Murray believes he’s spotted a generational talent when he sees Cego, a 13-year-old slave, defeat a Grievar Knight in a match, and works to get Cego into the Lyceum. Darwin rounds out Murray and Cego into much more than just skilled combatants, and their developing relationship forms the heart of the story. Darwin’s also adept at making blow-by-blow descriptions of bouts vivid and engaging, even for readers with little interest in the martial arts. This is a perfect setup for the next volume and will especially appeal to fans of Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series.

May 15, 2023
"We fight so the rest shall not have to." In a world with strict castes and not enough resources for its people, those in power have created a system where savage, hand-to-hand combat has replaced warfare. Those who fight in the public arena are called Grievar Knights and they uphold the Combat Codes--at least, they're supposed to. Following a disastrous end to his Knighthood, Murray has been reduced to scouting for talent. He has spent the better part of a decade without much luck, until he stumbles upon Cego in one of the slave Circles that populate the Underground City. One look at the unassuming child and Murray is determined to do whatever it takes to get Cego into the Grievar Knighthood. Brimming with equal parts brutality and heart, Darwin's novel presents a world where the fate of society rests in the hands of a chosen few. This fast-paced, action-packed novel is the first of a promising trilogy that will be a big hit with fans of martial art movies and MMA fights.

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