Not by Sword

Codex Risani: Book 1

Advance Reader Copy

Genres

Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera, Space Fantasy, Novels, and Debut

Trigger Warnings

Violence and Suicide

Type of Ending

AI Usage^Beta

Series

Codex Risani — Book 1

Author Prefers A Review On

Goodreads, Amazon, or Kobo

Reader Spots Remaining

Number of days to read

Publication Date

Nov 12, 2026

Page Length

304 pages

Available Formats

ePub and PDF

Not by Sword

Codex Risani: Book 1

Advance Reader Copy

Blurb

Planet under siege. Family ripped apart. Can Milo be the champion his people have prayed for?

Milo thought being chosen by a prophet would make him a hero. Instead, it's curdled his older brothers' jealousy into hatred. If he can hang on for one more season, he'll leave the pasture behind to study music on Ahino Station.

But when invaders from the ice moon Ikath ravage his homeworld and his family, Milo is summoned to appear before the capricious King Gera. At Hilltop Palace, Milo finds unlikely friends, forbidden love, and dangers lurking in every shadow.

The dark forces that besiege Hilltop boast a deadly champion, and the king promises glory to anyone with enough courage and faith to face the Ikathi fleet's fiercest warrior and survive.

"Not by Sword" is a sci-fi reimagining of the David & Goliath story, perfect for fans of Star Wars, Dune, and Red Rising.

Details

Genres

Science Fiction Fantasy, Space Opera, Space Fantasy, Novels, and Debut

Trigger Warnings

Violence and Suicide

Type of Ending

AI Usage^Beta

Series

Codex Risani — Book 1

Author Prefers A Review On

Goodreads, Amazon, or Kobo

Reader Spots Remaining

Number of days to read

Publication Date

Nov 12, 2026

Page Length

304 pages

Available Formats

ePub and PDF

Author

A. E. Henry is the science fiction/fantasy pen name of Jason Henry. Jason has been a music minister, a bank teller, a blogger, and a school IT guy. He lives in the rural Midwest with his beautiful wife, their three slightly feral cats, and their adorable daughter (who is also slightly feral). Jason likes reading, writing, running, and board gaming.