Blacklight Born

De: Alexander Darwin

Narrado por: Donald Chang

The final book in an action-packed science fiction trilogy set on a far-future world where the fate of nations is determined by single combat: "that rare book that fully satisfies me as an action fan." (Fonda Lee, author of Jade City)

The Grievar War has engulfed the Empire of Kiroth and Silas the Slayer has given voice to his warrior kin, igniting a revolution within a people once bound by a thousand years of servitude.

Cego is released into a war-torn world where the lines between shadow and light are blurred. He must decide which path to follow: one of his brother's righteous rebellion or the one that leads to the family he's finally found.

Once famed knight, Murray Pearson, leads a group of Lyceum students on an adventure across Kiroth to follow the path of combat mastery. But Murray seeks something more on this long road. Redemption.

In this explosive conclusion to the Combat Codes Saga, the truth will be revealed and one final question must be answered as they step back into the Circle:
What is the cost of losing the fight?

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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."—The New York Times on The Combat Codes

“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) on The Combat Codes

“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 on The Combat Codes

"This dark tale of martial arts and ancient Codes in a fallen world will captivate readers who crave action."—Kirkus on The Combat Codes

“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 on The Combat Codes

"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 on The Combat Codes

A satisfying ending to The Combat Codes

While the second book felt a bit slow, this finale was more engaging to read. I loved the increased interactions between the core characters, and Cego's development was particularly strong—he felt more like his own person, driving the action rather than just reacting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. Darwin has a talent for writing action sequences that are both technically grounded and just not boring. Although some questions about the scifi world remain, the setting feels believable. I'd love to read more stories set in this world.

If you like sci-fi/fantasy and martial arts

I loved the realistic fight sequences and the storyline was great! It is a fun series with legit mma style fighting.

A Thrilling Conclusion to the Combat Codes Trilogy

In "Blacklight Born," Alexander Darwin masterfully concludes the Combat Codes trilogy with a now familiar blend of intense action, intricate world-building, and continued deep character development. This third installment significantly elevates the story, providing a fitting end to a series that has truly captivated me from its inception.

The story picks up where its predecessor left off, plunging me back into a world where the marriage of martial arts prowess and ancient combat codes define an ultimate conflict between good and evil. The stakes have never been higher as the main character, Cego, faces the ultimate test of his skills and convictions. The story is tightly woven, with each chapter propelling the story forward at a relentless pace. In the end, I simply didn't want it to end!

The book is a testament to Darwin's skill as a storyteller, blending action, emotions, and even philosophy into a tightly woven story. I truly can't wait to read what is next!