The Codex

By: Justin Swapp

Narrated by: Steve Barnes

Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Welcome to The Codex - Omnibus edition.

This special edition includes the epic origin story, Failed Crusade, that inspired five volumes of demon hunting across the multiverse (and multiple genres.) This fantasy story has an amazing twist ending.

The original Codex stories appeared in The Crimson Pact anthologies as The Transition and The Merging. These stories are connected to each other, and to Failed Crusade at their roots, but occur many years later. They follow an unsuspecting foreign exchange student named Sloan Boyle. A seemingly innocent interaction with a stranger in a Spanish Cafe leads to a dangerous series of events, and a weighty discovery that threatens everything Sloan ever knew about this world and his role in it.

Club PK2 is written in the same Codex universe as the other stories but is a separate adventure with distinct characters. The voice is reminiscent of Supernatural. It follows a hardened cop named Tray sent undercover on special assignment to expose a dangerous underground fight club. The cop discovers much more than a bunch of thugs trying to make a buck, and he learns something about The Codex, and the demon's master plan in the process.

P.S.

The Codex ended up playing a pivotal role in the final story, Sealed with Fire. This epic final battle between The Crimson Pact and the demons pays tribute to the best stories and characters in the series. As you finish listening to this omnibus edition, I hope you'll be interested in learning how The Codex impacted the final fight. If that's the case, you'll want to pick up The Crimson Pact, volume five.

©2012 Justin Swapp (P)2016 Justin Swapp

A Fateful Encounter

If you could sum up The Codex in three words, what would they be?

Unexpected, other worldly, frightening

What did you like best about this story?

This story takes an average young man and thrusts him into an adventure of a life time, or should I say several life times? We all harbor a fear of the unknown, and when Sloan is approached by a Stranger who seemed to have purposely picked him out of a crowd, that fear rears it's ugly head in Sloane and he must learn the purpose for the encounter and what he is suppose to do with the knowledge he is gaining from an unknown source.

What does Steve Barnes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Steve Barnes give the story a touch of realism, as you can hear the doubt, surprise and resolve in his voice as he progresses through the stories. Hearing the words spoken instead of reading them, make very clear the intent of the author at any particular point in the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There is a moment when Sloane realizes that he has been with this same group of souls before, although he doesn't recognize the faces or names. I think it was his Ah Ha moment and the woman he had loved through all those other lives was still there and waiting for him to open his mind and rejoin them.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend The Codex to anyone who follows Justin Swapp and his amazing ability to spin a good tale. His brand of story telling brings the reader right into the middle of the action and makes you duck when fists start flying and chairs are crashing into walls.
A first rate writer, who I hope has many more stories to tell.

The Codex

Any additional comments?

It's a fantasy book that was actually several related short stories in one. The stories went along at a good pace and drew me in. Overall, a good book and will be enjoyed by fantasy fans.

Great stories!

Any additional comments?

Three great stories based on an influential novela, which is included as the first story. Dark, good stuff. Well-written and well-narrarated. I listened to it twice in a row. If you like stuff like Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, you'll really enjoy Swapp's work.

A good read for fantasy fans

This was an enjoyable fantasy book that was actually several related short stories in one. I listened to the Audible version of this story, but I had kind of a hard time with the narrator. It sounded as if he was whispering most of the story (and no, I did not have the volume turned down). Other than that, it was fine. The stories went along at a good pace and drew me in. Overall, a good book and worth the read for fantasy fans.

Confused

This is an original scary book. At first I was confused but I hung in there and got that this was a good story. Exciting stretches your mind this puts it in the Spiderman type. A good book, for young minds.

Bazinga

I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrator did a great job. I'm interested in more of The Crimson Pact anthologies based on this sampling. This was a couple short stores from a larger volume and they went well together. The pacing of the story was good and sucked me in. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy.

Disclaimer: I've been listening at 2x speed for so long anything else sounds like slow motion. My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to multiple times. I'll update my review if I listen again.

I requested this book from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Century Old Demon Hunters

Interesting group of short stories that are interconnected. They are about a group of century old demon hunters that can send his soul into other hosts.

Very unique plot. I listened to the audible version and though I like Steve Barnes as a narrator this one seemed to slow and quiet. I ran the story at 1.25 - 1.5 to keep my interest.

It was short but I enjoyed it

this was an interesting storyline. It was a little too short but I still enjoyed it. I'm interested to see other stories in the series.

Introduction to a universe

A collection of stories that help introduce you into the crimson pack universe, If you're a fan of fantasy of any kind, especially more bleak or dark, it'll be a good fit. Narration was great too.

A great listen for a long drive!

I like that this has the "Supernatural vibe" to some of it. It certainly fits my universe, being interested in both sci-fi and fantasy, but no too much of each at once.

Chillbeattie

This book is a good book and has a good story line. I had this book in audio form. And I found that the narrator didn't do the best of jobs it took me a while to form a picture of the characters but this didn't stop. Overall a good wee read

Dire

Terrible narration mashed it hard to listen long enough to form a view of the story.

great audio book

this was a great audio book written well by Justin Swapp plus Steve Barnes brought it to life
good short story

The Codex

I enjoyed most of the stories in this compilation.A great concept with interesting characters.Steve Barnes was a fine narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

A good few short stories

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I'd never heard of this series or universe but was intrigued by the blurb, the first story is dark and fleshes out some of the backstory. The tone was good and it was an interesting listen, probably more so if you know of the books its based around but still intriguing without any foreknowledge.

The next stories are more urban fantasy set in our world and are linked together, again the tales can be dark at times but its a more familiar world so is easier to get on with.

The narration was good, Steve Barnes did the voices well and portrayed the emotions of the characters in the right way, he can sound a bit whispery at times but I've heard a previous book read by him (The Magic Shop) so was used to his voice.

I might lookup the main series that spawned this now as it sounds an interesting premise, you'll probably rate this higher if you know the series already but its still good.