Title: The Golden Codex
Author: William Sandberg
Publisher: Explora Books
ISBN: 978-1-83430-147-1
Pages: 314
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Reviewer: Jack Chambers
Hollywood Book Reviews
Freedom is one of the most noble things a person can fight for in this life, and yet it is one of the hardest things a person can fight for as well. Freedom is never guaranteed, and even when a person has it, the idea that it can be taken away or whittled away little by little exists in their minds constantly, making each day they have unrestricted freedom count.
An idea of freedom and what it takes to earn it in a harsh world is what drives author William Sandberg’s The Golden Codex, the first book in the Jaadentrirl series. The novel follows a teenage boy who studies arcane skills and knowledge with the owner of the antique store where he works. After accidentally creating a golden codex of knowledge that is sought after by a ruthless magus, the boy is taken once the magus realizes the boy holds the golden codex in his mind. Now enslaved in a dangerous world and facing the challenge of an all-powerful force, the boy must enter a deadly contest to earn his freedom, even if at the cost of those he vanquishes.
The level of world-building the author pours into this narrative is astounding. The detail and mythology the author has brought to life came forth in every chapter, even in the first pages of the book as a father must contend with his son being targeted for his father’s “sins.” The cruel and gritty world which the protagonist is thrust into is rich with unique titles, names, and organizations that make the world feel alive and able to be walked in the second you open the book, as if the author’s use of imagery in their writing style bring readers into a cinematic experience in its own right.
Readers who enjoy fictional work, especially fantasy and sci-fi narratives with a metaphysical and paranormal twist will absolutely love the first book in what promises to be a powerful series. The emotional core of the story is in the bonds the protagonist forms with those he meets in his journey and the struggle for survival that comes with that journey. The introspective and metaphysical nature of the fantasy elements brought that otherworldly tone to the book while also giving readers a sense of mystery and intrigue that is impossible to ignore.