A review by telamcgrupp
The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin

4.0

I read this in two nights during downtime at work. That is how good it was for me, I couldn't stop picking this back up between doing my job and not even after getting home at 6am from my 12 hour shift - I had to know more, delve deeper into this world.

Who knew reading such detailed descriptions of Ju-Jitsu moves would be so incredibly thoughtful, immersive, and leave you wanting more fights? Not me, that's for sure. This Sci-Fi with touches of the fantastical and a whole lot of...dare I say...heart, pulled me in and didn't let go until the final pages. Set in a world with no more wars where those below you fight for you. "We fight so they don't have to" is a reoccurring theme and mantra of those they call the Grievars. Who is They? Why do the Grievars really fight? What is happening? Who is Cego, really? Why is Murray so invested? You find out, sort of. It leaves you wanting more, it makes you want to take a deep dive and find the truths beneath it all, into the psyche of those who built this world to be the way it is. The Combat Codes was an interesting experience, and that is all I can really call it - an experience. Different. Imaginative. Brutal. Progressive. Thoughtful. Exciting.

A wonderful 3.5 stars, rounded to 4 because I want to keep reading more from this author and keep learning about the other characters, their motivations, and the rest of the world.