The Combat Codes

The Combat Codes is set in a far future world where the fate of nations is determined by single combat at the hands of famed warriors.

Perfect 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!

Hundreds 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.

Murray 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.

Below, 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.

'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

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

'This book kicks ass--literally and literarily!'

- Richard Swan, author of The Justice of Kings

'If Mike Tyson wrote a sci-fi novel (and could write like he threw a right hook) it would read a little like The Combat Codes. Bare-knuckle brilliance'

- Jackson Ford, author of The Girl Who Could Move Sh*t with Her Mind

The Combat Codes 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. Whether you are a martial artist, fan, or just an SFF reader, this book will be a lot of fun'

- Kenny Florian, MMA Commentator and Ex-UFC Fighter

The Combat Codes is combat as it was meant to be written: 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, offering a unique blend of action and emotion.