{"title":"Books by Alexander Darwin","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9780356521497","title":"The Combat Codes","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes \u003c\/i\u003eis set in a far future world where the fate of nations is determined by single combat at the hands of famed warriors.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for fans of action-driven science fiction, martial arts stories and LitRPG novels, this debut novel, the first in a trilogy, has fans ranging from award-winning fantasy authors to trophy-winning UFC fighters! \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHundreds of years ago on a planet once ravaged by war, the nations swore an armistice never to use weapons of mass destruction again. Today, battle-hardened warriors known as Grievar Knights train to represent their nations' interests in brutal hand-to-hand combat. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMurray Pearson was once a famed Knight until he suffered a loss that crippled his nation - but now he's on the hunt to find and train the next champion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBelow, in the Underground's brutal combat rings, an orphaned boy called Cego is making a name for himself. Murray believes he has what it takes to make it in the planet's most prestigious combat school - but he has to fight his way out of the Underground first.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'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. \u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ethat rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan'\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  Fonda Lee, author of \u003ci\u003eJade City\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e by Alexander Darwin is a chimera blending Science Fiction and Fantasy to tell a vividly-realized tale both focused and sprawling. It's \u003cb\u003ea book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts\u003c\/b\u003e, and the mastery shows. In its pages, expect to explore power, politics, and brutal violence, but I repeat myself'  \u003cbr\u003e  Evan Winter, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Rage of Dragons\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003cb\u003eThis book kicks ass--literally and literarily\u003c\/b\u003e!' \u003cbr\u003e  Richard Swan, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Justice of Kings\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  'If Mike Tyson wrote a sci-fi novel (and could write like he threw a right hook) it would read a little like \u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cb\u003eBare-knuckle brilliance'\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e  Jackson Ford, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Girl Who Could Move Sh*t with Her Mind\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e was a fantastic read that takes you along the martial arts path of self-discovery. The storyline, training, fights and philosophy in the book made it highly enjoyable. \u003cb\u003eWhether you are a martial artist, fan, or just an SFF reader, this book will be a lot of fun'\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e  Kenny Florian, MMA Commentator and Ex-UFC Fighter\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003ecombat as it was meant to be written\u003c\/b\u003e: raw but elegant, a blend of the poet's wordsmithing and the martial art master's technical expertise. Better yet, it's a fun, heartfelt story about the underprivileged banding together to rise up. A fantastic reading experience' \u003cbr\u003e  Moses Ose Utomi, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Lies of Ajungo\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e is a well-paced sci-fi \u003cb\u003ebrimming with action, brutality, thoughtfulness and heart.\u003c\/b\u003e From ruthless underworld to storm-harried, glistening academy, every fight is clear and visceral, and I couldn't help but be ensnared by the mystery and tension woven throughout. I can't wait for the next chapter in Cego's journey!' \u003cbr\u003e  H. M. Long, author of \u003ci\u003eHall of Smoke\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes is\u003c\/i\u003e a perfectly balanced cocktail of high-octane action, enthralling mystery, and genuine heart. \u003cb\u003eFans of Geralt and Ciri or the Hound and Arya will adore the dynamic between Murray and Cego, and fans of badass fight scenes will find plenty to love in these pages.\u003c\/b\u003e A gritty, fully-realized world sets the stage for lovable (and hateable) characters, heart-pounding action, and twists that literally had my jaw dropping. Readers won't want to miss this one!' \u003cbr\u003e  M. J. Kuhn, author of \u003ci\u003eAmong Thieves\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '\u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e is a great read for any fan of realistic martial arts fiction. \u003cb\u003eThe integration of a compelling sci-fi \/ fantasy plot and true-to-life martial arts action make for a unique story\u003c\/b\u003e that any student of warfare is sure to enjoy'  \u003cbr\u003e  Ryan Hall, UFC Fighter\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43128911298738,"sku":"9780356521497","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780356521497.jpg?v=1786014150"},{"product_id":"9780356521503","title":"Grievar's Blood","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn a world where single combat determines the fate of nations, the Grievar fight in the Circles so that the rest can remain at peace. But given the stakes, things are never so simple. The Daimyo govern from the shadows and plot to gain an edge by unnaturally enhancing their Grievar Knights.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCego and his team enter year two at the world's most prestigious combat school, the Lyceum. Though he'd like to focus on his martial studies, Cego feels the pull of his mysterious past and two missing brothers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSolara Halberd, daughter of the fighting legend, embarks on her own quest to bury the past. She must utilize every lesson her father taught her to explore unknown lands where evil lurks in the shadows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 'That rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan' Fonda Lee, author of \u003ci\u003eJade City\u003c\/i\u003e, on \u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  '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' \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times \u003c\/i\u003eon \u003ci\u003eThe Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e'The Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e  is a great read for any  fan of realistic martial arts fiction. The  integration of a compelling  sci-fi \/ fantasy plot and true-to-life  martial arts action make for a  unique story that any student of warfare  is sure to enjoy' Ryan Hall,  UFC Fighter\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e'The Combat Codes\u003c\/i\u003e  by Alexander Darwin is a  chimera blending  Science Fiction and Fantasy  to tell a vividly-realized  tale both focused  and sprawling. It's a book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts,  and the mastery shows. In its pages, expect to explore power,  politics,  and brutal violence, but I repeat myself' Evan Winter,  author of \u003ci\u003eThe  Rage of Dragons\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43230234673330,"sku":"9780356521503","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780356521503_654d8ad2-172b-4e5d-b695-0e427e55c981.jpg?v=1786014152"},{"product_id":"9780356521527","title":"Blacklight Born","description":"The Grievar War has engulfed the Empire of Kiroth. Silas the Slayer has given voice and violence to his warrior kin, providing them a reason to rise up after a thousand years of servitude.   Cego is released into a war-torn world where the lines between shadow and light are blurred. He must decide which side to fight for: with his brother's righteous rebellion or beside the family he has finally found.   Murray Pearson leads a group of Lyceum students on an adventure across Kiroth to follow the path of combat mastery. But Murray seeks something more on this long road. Redemption.   Blacklight Born is the explosive conclusion to the Combat Codes Saga, a story where all must seek a final truth as they step back into the Circle. Why do we fight?'That rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan' Fonda Lee, author of Jade City, on The Combat Codes'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 on The Combat Codes'The Combat Codes   is a great read for any  fan of realistic martial arts fiction. The   integration of a compelling  sci-fi \/ fantasy plot and true-to-life   martial arts action make for a  unique story that any student of warfare   is sure to enjoy' Ryan Hall,  UFC Fighter'The Combat Codes   by Alexander Darwin is a  chimera blending  Science Fiction and  Fantasy  to tell a vividly-realized  tale both focused  and sprawling.  It's a book about warriors written by a master of the martial arts,    and the mastery shows. In its pages, expect to explore power,  politics,   and brutal violence, but I repeat myself' Evan Winter,  author of The   Rage of Dragons","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56286895767925,"sku":"9780356521527","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9780356521527_a92deb80-bae5-434a-9815-f2799eea20e2.jpg?v=1786014152"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-alexander-darwin.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}