Departure - by S K Oshi (Paperback)

About the Book

Science fiction adventure about a young woman's journey to take to the stars. Themes of mysticism, martial arts, romance, spirituality, and identity.

Book Synopsis

On a distant planet, Amina Hayal is a daughter of a farmer with a dream larger than life. A self-taught martial arts phenom, she dreams of competing in the most prestigious contest to earn the right to take the next journey to the stars. She only has one chance to succeed, because the flight to build the next human civilization is a one-way trip. But her quest takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers a deep conspiracy, stretching back thousands of years. She finds herself in the middle of a political and spiritual struggle among mysterious and powerful forces. They will challenge not only her combat skills and her wits, but also her most closely-held beliefs.

Departure is a unique blend of martial arts action, mysticism, and political intrigue. With its intricate worldbuilding and a diverse cast of characters, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, spirituality, and love through a fresh take on a familiar science fiction setting.

Review Quotes

"Departure pulls you in with its inventive world-building and a storyline that feels both expansive yet familiar. By weaving everyday experiences into a "strangely familiar" structure, it highlights what makes science fiction so compelling: in this case, the genre's ability to balance adventure with deeper explorations of faith, relationships, and purpose."

"The world of haunting beauty - black stones and black grass shivering under the gaze of two moons. A city build around a promise - a spaceship that offers a "new world" at a terrible price. To survive the journey, one must sacrifice memories of past lives and loved ones to make it through the journey."

"If you like questions about the nature of humanity and what it means to make meaning and commit to others, community, and what one considers the highest truth-let's not forget high action and futuristic sword-play-all in a highly original future world, Departure is for you."