The 11th Code: Part 1

by Emily Bellman

“So…” Casimir looked up, his eyes holding Martin’s with an unreadable look. “I think you should add an eleventh code to your list.”

1360s. The Black Forest, Germany.
Martin Malterer has spent his life preparing for one thing: to become a knight. A squire of unwavering loyalty and skill, he clings to the Ten Chivalric Codes as taught by his knight and mentor, Sir Otto, believing in honor, duty, and justice. But the brutal reality of medieval Germany does not reward ideals—it crushes them. And Martin finds himself caught between loyalty and betrayal, expectation and disillusionment, death and the burden of producing an heir. Struggling to carve out his place in a world that would never accept his true self, he is forced into a marriage of convenience, bound to a woman he does not love, while secretly yearning for something he cannot have.

As war with the Swiss brews and political tensions between Freiburg and Count Egino reach a boiling point, Martin’s decisions set off a chain of events that culminate in an unforeseen outcome, threatening to destroy everything the young knight has fought for.

A gripping medieval historical fiction, The 11th Code: Part 1 is a coming-of-age story about honor, sacrifice, and the painful cost of being an underdog in a world ruled by power.

The 11th Code Parts 1 & 2 is a story for fans of Song of Achilles and Solomon's Crown.

344 pages, Paperback

Published August 8, 2024

About the author

Emily Bellman is a historical fiction and fantasy writer. Her debut novel is The 11th Code, Parts 1 & 2. Although she ended up working in marketing, she has always found herself intrigued by stories that explore unconventional love, address criticism regarding those who use religion to oppress and harm people, and portray women who really don’t need saving (by men).

Emily currently lives in Germany (you can probably find her exploring various castle ruins, churches, and museums across Europe).

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Reviews

[Emily Bellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this! 😁 I think I did a good job :)

[Dahlia (ofpagesandprint)]

The 11th Code is a historical fiction with lovely writing but a long timeline.

The 11th Codes’s writing was lyrical and lovely, and I really enjoyed Casimir and Martin’s characters and interactions. The beginning of the story was strong and very fun, but the story slowed towards the middle and stayed that way. I would have loved to see the return of Casimir’s character, which I think would have livened the story.

Thank you to the author for the free ARC!

[Lyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm going to disagree with the feedback that the story drags. i just. kept. reading. and reading. i have not finished a book this fast in years.

i absolutely adore martin, all the characters are wonderful and have stunning depth to them, and all my friends are sick to death of me waving this book in their face (but i've got at least a few on track to read it, at least.)

honestly adore it. will not shut up about it.

[carlily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really impressed by the level of detail and research that went into this! I could tell the author really did her homework on castles and hierarchy and all that good stuff from back in the day.

I loved that we got to see Martin grow up from a little boy with a dream to be like his dad to an adult who realized life isn’t as black and white as he’d like it to be.

I would have liked to see more of Casimir. Those were my favorite scenes and I just wanted more!

I can’t wait to read the second book to see how Martin’s journey ends!

[K.C Wassem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read historical fiction very often, but when I do I’m picky. This book was beautifully written, the descriptions, the characters and the dialogue! I love the writing style of this book, and it fits the genre perfectly.

And furthermore this book made me CRY LIKE A BABY which is what really makes it a 5 star for me

I look forward to having this on my bookshelf 🥰

[Precociousp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Bellman’s The 11th Code: Part 1 breathes fresh life into historical fiction, transforming what might otherwise feel like dry history into an engaging and dramatic narrative. The witty banter between Casimir and Martin brings humor and energy to the story, making their dynamic one of the novel’s highlights. Set against the backdrop of14th-century Black Forest, Bellman paints a vivid picture of the time period without losing focus on her characters. However, while the story starts strong, the pacing drags in parts, which slows down the momentum. Still, the intriguing premise and well-drawn characters make it an enjoyable read, and I’m eager to see how the plot develops in part 2.