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The Bookwyrm's Review of The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin
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RATING: 9.5/10 STARS
I've always been a fan of martial arts, whether it be watching them on film, reading about them, or learning about them in a dojang. Bruce Lee wasn't my first martial arts hero, though, it was Tom Laughlin, who used Hapkido to take down the bad guys. This later led to Hong Kong Kung Fu films, and led me to the present day as a fan of MMA. That definitely helped me to really appreciate just how special The Combat Codes is. The author's expertise in martial arts just shines through though out, which really sets this book apart.
PLOT SUMMARY
We fight, so the rest shall not have to.
This is the first verse of the Combat Codes, the mantra of Grievar-kin. They are the reason the world is at peace, the reason the Endless Wars have finally ceased.
Disputes between nations are now resolved solely within the steel circumference of the Circle, where Grievars square off in hand-to-hand combat, to the death. The surviving nation takes the dispute bounty: lands, resources, slaves, and pride.
But given the stakes, things are never so simple. Nations have developed Grievar Scout programs to produce the best fighters. Some round up prospective kids and pit them against each other in slave Circles to discover the strongest. And certain nations provide illicit "enhancements" to their Grievars to give them an edge - an act explicitly forbidden by the Combat Codes.
Murray is a washed up Grievar Scout who is sick of buying broken kids from the slave Circles. He’s sick of training them to become skilled combatants, only to watch them break again. He’s sick of reporting his failures as a Scout to men who don’t have the guts to stand in the Circles themselves.
Cego is a boy who doesn’t understand why he’s fighting. He doesn't understand the grueling training sessions he's forced to endure every day. He doesn’t understand why they scream for blood when he steps into the Circle. The one thing Cego does understand is hand-to-hand combat. He was born to fight.
Cego is sent down an unlikely path at Murray’s side, paved with fierce competition at the world’s most prestigious combat school along with the answers to his own mysterious past.
MY THOUGHTS
I wondered going in if this would be plot or character driven, and its a bit of both, honestly. There is definitely a lot of character development throughout the book, especially with Cego and Murray, and it is a natural growth, based on their society and places in it. As more revelations are made about the characters themselves, the reader gets to see how their personalities and decision making are driven by the past actions of others, and the changing standards of the society.
The plot is fast paced and very heavy on action, and the author certainly wasn't shy about going in some dark directions. With a story based on a class of people who are bred for single combat, its not surprising that a lot of the plot involves that very combat. The fight scenes are some of the best you're ever likely to read, with focus on real deadly and disabling martial arts techniques that are actually useful, not just flashy overblown techniques that have proven ineffective in real fights with trained opponents. This plays into the world building, which is build around a system of elites who use the lower classes in strict roles in life. This stratified society is very much reminiscent of ancient societies, with a modern flair with technology. Its an interesting bit of world building, especially if you recognize the references.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was amazed that this was a debut novel. It was so polished, and really drags the reader in to the story. The characters are so well rounded, and the plotting is taut without being sparse. The narration is a definite plus, and as a whole, I think any fan of science fiction or even just people interested in a good martial arts story should be able to find something to enjoy in this. The only series I could even compare it to would be Rutland Etheridge's Duelist series, but that's long out of print, sadly, so maybe this will be the start of a new trend. I certainly hope so, and I recommend this series heartily.
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RATING: 9/10 Stars
The Bookwyrm's Review of War God Rising by Tim Marquitz
Author: Tim Marquitz
Publisher: Self Published, Available through Amazon
Release Date: January 24, 2016
Length : 191 pages
I actually got to beta read for this book, so I saw it before anyone else. I am so glad, because it was so good! Kaede and Bess, a retired pit fighter and a witch, convince Sand, a farm boy with an unhealthy fascination with sheep, that he is prophesied to win the War God Tournament, a contest to determine the best gladiator in the world. The problem is, Sand is dumb as a box of really dumb rocks, and he's going to need a lot of help.
The story continues on with lots of combat, a stuck up magical sword named Clarence, and the final climactic battle with the current War God. There was no way to see the ending coming, and it is perfect! This is the funniest book I ever read, so the tag line of Monte Python meets Gladiator is apt. The humor of this book is very adult, so keep that in mind before buying it for a kid with a Kindle.
Like all Tim Marquitz books, the characters are a real strength. Kaede and Bess are great characters, funny and snarky and conniving. When I see them in my minds eye, I think of Peter Mensa from Gladiator and Lena Headey from Game of Thrones. Sand is just a big doofus. Think a blond Channing Tatum. The rest of the characters, like Clarence the magic sword, AKA Whineblade, are a lot of fun too. I could hear the voice of the Great Kazoo from the Flintstones as Clarance's mental voice.
The setting is well drawn out, and the plot never slackens, keeping the reader turning pages to see what happens next, but not wanting the book to end. The combat, as with any Tim Marquitz book, is outstanding, bloody and realistic and makes you feel as if your on the arena floor, sword in hand, waiting for the killing strike. Its that good.
The narration by R.K. Walrath is very well done. She gets the snark that the author intended throughout, and does a great job balancing that snark with the emotional resonance of the story. She does an excellent job bringing the characters to life, and her narrative pacing is excellent. It's great seeing this version made.
Any fan of Rob Kroese's Land of Dis books or Scott Meier's Magic 2.0 series should love this series, as should anyone who likes adult slapstick humor.
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Author: Rune S. Nielsen Length: 774 Pages Publisher: Self Published Release Date: July 7, 2020 Series: The Artifact War, Book 1 Genre: Epic ...
