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.
"As soon as someone throws a punch, the book shines. 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."--New York Times
"A story filled with action, intrigue, and a heart of gold ... one
of the more unique science fiction books I've read in quite a
while."--Lightspeed
"An interesting mashup of sci-fi and fantasy that also reads like a
love letter to martial arts."--BiblioSanctum
"The Combat Codes delivers a knock-out start to Alexander Darwin's
science fantasy series... a no-brainer for fans of book series like
The Green Bone Saga or shows and movies like Cobra Kai and
Rocky."--Winter Is Coming
"The Combat Codes is a perfectly balanced cocktail of high-octane
action, enthralling mystery, and genuine heart. Fans 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. 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!"
--M. J. Kuhn, author of Among Thieves
"The Combat Codes brilliantly combines martial arts with the genres
of sci-fi AND fantasy in an explosion of action and self discovery.
Imagine if Rocky, Ender's Game, and The Karate Kid were shoved into
a mixer and shaken up. The Combat Codes would be close to what
you'd find inside."--FanFiAddict
"The Combat Codes is manna from heaven for martial arts
enthusiasts, who will enjoy the breathtakingly realistic fight
scenes and philosophical discussions on the importance of martial
arts."--Grimdark Magazine
"Excellent fight sequences. [Darwin's] evocative and visceral
descriptions not only deliver excitement and suspense in this
underdog story, they build your understanding of the characters
through how they fight -- in a very similar way to Hong Kong
movies."--Polygon
"A masterclass in action, set against a complex science fantasy
world."--Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
"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."--Booklist
"A refreshingly unique take on magic academy epic fantasy. The
action is brutal. Fast paced and compelling."--Rob J. Hayes, author
of Never Die
"A deliciously brutal, back-alley brawl of a novel. Darwin writes
his story with broken teeth and bloodied fists with an authenticity
that speaks volumes about his experience as a fighter. If you like
action, this is a must-read."--Jeremy Szal, author of
Stormblood
"Darwin skillfully deploys his expertise in this impressive debut
and series launch ... [He's] adept at making blow-by-blow
descriptions of bouts vivid and engaging. This is a perfect setup
for the next volume and will especially appeal to fans of Pierce
Brown's Red Rising series."--Publishers Weekly
"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."--Library Journal (starred
review)
"This dark tale of martial arts and ancient Codes in a fallen world
will captivate readers who crave action."--Kirkus
"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
"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 banding together to rise up. A
fantastic reading experience."
--Moses Ose Utomi, author of The Lies of Ajungo
"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 & Ex-UFC
Fighter
"If Mike Tyson wrote a scifi 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
"This book kicks ass--literally and literarily!" --Richard Swan,
author of The Justice of Kings
"The Combat Codes is a well-paced sci-fi brimming with action,
brutality, thoughtfulness and heart. 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!"--H.M. Long, author of Hall of Smoke
"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
"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
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