Combat Codes is currently an SPFBO Finalist (one of my competitors!) and it absolutely deserves its seat at the table.

In this mashup of Ender's Game and Red Rising, Darwin gathers a few well-worn tropes and weaves them together masterfully to create a gripping, fast-paced story. As someone who wrestled for four years, every takedown released a flood of fond memories and every arm bar a memorial shudder. The fight scenes are flawless flashes of real-world brutality. Like Ender Wiggins, you read not to see IF he will win, but HOW.

I'll leave this review short and sweet. You should absolutely read this book. It's fun, brutal, and the rich world is creative and intriguing. Book two is a quick add to my TBR.