What do you think?
Rate this book
The Codex
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 an 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 reading 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 5.
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 an 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 reading 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 5.
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2012
1 person is currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Justin Swapp
13 books133 followersJustin was born with an active imagination on a U.S. naval base in Spain, but has spent most of his life in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains of Utah. He is bilingual, and has lived all over the world. He has four children; two boys, and two girls, and one wife. He doesn't have any pets that he's aware of, but his children have been known to hide things under his bed.
In his free time Justin loves to read, write, and play games. He enjoys his close friends, and loves to make people laugh. To learn more about Justin, or his work, you can visit him at www.justinswapp.com
Justin is the author of The Magic Shop. He has also been published in several anthologies, including The Crimson Pact (Volumes 1, 2, and 5), The Memory Eater, and Short Sips: Coffee House Flash Fiction Collection 2.
In his free time Justin loves to read, write, and play games. He enjoys his close friends, and loves to make people laugh. To learn more about Justin, or his work, you can visit him at www.justinswapp.com
Justin is the author of The Magic Shop. He has also been published in several anthologies, including The Crimson Pact (Volumes 1, 2, and 5), The Memory Eater, and Short Sips: Coffee House Flash Fiction Collection 2.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 28, 2016
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.
July 18, 2020
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.
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.
August 28, 2019
Demon-hunting isn't my particular jam, but I've got a soft spot for short story collections with strong thematic ties between them, and a really soft spot for mixing genres while doing it. As such, these few short stories and the seed story preceding them were pretty enjoyable, to the point where I kind of want to check out the whole collection. So... is demon-hunting my jam now? Might be.
Note: I received a free copy of the audio book with encouragement for an honest review.
Note: I received a free copy of the audio book with encouragement for an honest review.
January 18, 2020
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.
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.
May 22, 2014
I was hoping for something longer but realized as soon as I got it that this was three short stories rolled into one. The first short is by another author contributing to the Crimson Pact series, the other two, which are linked, are by Justin.
The first story has all the makings and language of something that's dangerously walking a pretentious tightrope, but it isn't pretentious (at least, I don't think so). It's a confident piece packed with a raw and emotional content that reminds me of the 'Slaine' graphic novels. Justin's follow up had a lot to live up to, but he was up to the task. It's a different setting with different style, but I really enjoyed it.
(Minor spoiler) An interesting concept, and I especially liked the play on the fact that the heroes of the story were effectively doing the same thing as the demons they were warring against - possessing them. They had been fighting the battle for so long that they didn't seem concerned that, to continue waging it, they were effectively stealing other people's lives to get the job done. Would very much like to see where Justin would take this if he continued the story.
The first story has all the makings and language of something that's dangerously walking a pretentious tightrope, but it isn't pretentious (at least, I don't think so). It's a confident piece packed with a raw and emotional content that reminds me of the 'Slaine' graphic novels. Justin's follow up had a lot to live up to, but he was up to the task. It's a different setting with different style, but I really enjoyed it.
(Minor spoiler) An interesting concept, and I especially liked the play on the fact that the heroes of the story were effectively doing the same thing as the demons they were warring against - possessing them. They had been fighting the battle for so long that they didn't seem concerned that, to continue waging it, they were effectively stealing other people's lives to get the job done. Would very much like to see where Justin would take this if he continued the story.
September 19, 2018
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. There's nothing massively original here but it's done in a good way that keeps a good pace going.
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.
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. There's nothing massively original here but it's done in a good way that keeps a good pace going.
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.
May 18, 2013
Prior to getting this book I was not aware of the Author Justin Swapp or his work. I picked it up for a quick read to fill some time. I figured that the only think I would waste was a couple hours. Boy how wrong I was. The Book as it turns out is part of the Crimson Pact collection of stories. Which I didn't find out about till I finished the book. When I first started reading the book I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story and things were hard to piece together I almost put the book down right there and walked away. I'm glad I didn't, the story follows along at a good pace and flows smoothly. By the end of the book I was wanting to know what happened. I was presently surprised how I got drawn into this story. I will definitely be picking up the other stories in this collection.
May 5, 2016
Great stories, based on an awesome novela called "Failed Crusade." The tone of the whole thing reminds me of the world Dan Simmons created with Hyperion. Good, tight writing, enjoyable stories. Hope he writes more stories in the world of the Codex
September 13, 2016
I enjoyed the stories in this book.I found Steve Barnes to be a good narrator. I especially liked the Codex itself.I was given this book free for an honest review.
June 22, 2016
A book based on another book by another author is always fraught with danger but Codex has managed to avoid the pitfalls. This is a collection of stories that fit into the world of Crimson Pact. The stories do well to keep the thread of the original narrative running through them. A very interesting peak into a fascinating world.
April 23, 2013
The Codex covers part of an on going battle between demons and demon-slayers. It has has some potential, but feels more like a couple chapters from a book rather then a complete story.
May 2, 2017
I originally heard about this book from Justin Swapp, himself. He's a great guy who, in my opinion, deserves a little recognition. I think Justin is incredible with tone and subtleties. He has beautiful descriptions, and really makes his characters feel alive. His short stories are dramatic. I only recommend his work if you have the stomach for SciFi and high fantasy stories though. The codex is violent, but it has its moments.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews