Grievar's Blood
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4.0 • 1 Rating
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- £2.99
Publisher Description
In 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.
Cego 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.
Solara 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.
'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
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Returning to a world where political power is directly connected to martial arts prowess and war has been replaced by hand-to-hand combat between individual fighters trained to represent their kingdoms, Darwin effectively builds upon the first volume of his imaginative Combat Codes trilogy (2023's The Combat Codes). Cego has become a legend at the Lyceum, the kingdom of Ezo's elite fighting academy. After being knocked out during a bout with a newcomer from another kingdom, however, Cego's surprised to be placed in a mysterious elective class called Core Enhancements that's usually reserved for more senior students. As he continues his education—now learning from a botanist professor who's also the first member of the ruling class to teach at the school—Cego also continues his search for his missing brothers, one of whom may have killed the legendary knight Artemis Halberd. Meanwhile, Solara Halberd, Artemis's daughter, must both come to terms with his death and find a path forward for herself. Both protagonists are well realized, and Darwin masterfully balances vivid fight scenes with Cego and Solara's character growth, all while neatly setting things up for the trilogy's conclusion. It's a knockout.
