Ocean's Godori - by Elaine U Cho

About the Book

"Ocean Yoon has never felt very Korean, even if she is descended from a long line of haenyeo, Jeju Island's beloved female divers. She doesn't like soju, constantly misses cultural references, and despite her love of the game, people still say that she doesn't play Hwatu like a Korean. Ocean's also persona non grata at the Alliance, Korea's solar system-dominating space agency, since a mission went awry and she earned a reputation for being a little too quick with her gun. When her best friend, Teo, second son of the Anand Tech empire, is framed for murdering his family, Ocean and her misfit crewmates are pushed to the forefront of a high-stakes ideological conflict. But dodging bullets and winning space chases may be the easiest part of what comes next"--

Book Synopsis

An Indie Next Pick - An Amazon Editors' Pick - A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year

Becky Chambers meets Firefly in this big-hearted Korean space opera debut about a disgraced space pilot struggling to find her place while fighting to protect the people she loves.

"A thrilling, transportive ride from a powerful and evocative new voice." --Lena Waithe, Rishi Rajani, and Naomi Funabashi, Hillman Grad Books

Ocean Yoon has never felt very Korean, even if she is descended from a long line of haenyeo, Jeju Island's beloved female divers. She doesn't like soju, constantly misses cultural references, and despite her love of the game, people still say that she doesn't play hwatu like a Korean. Ocean's also persona non grata at the Alliance, Korea's solar system-dominating space agency, since a mission went awry and she earned a reputation for being a little too quick with her gun.

When her best friend, Teo, second son of the Anand Tech empire, is framed for murdering his family, Ocean and her misfit crewmates are pushed to the forefront of a high-stakes ideological conflict. But dodging bullets and winning space chases may be the easiest part of what comes next.

A thrilling adventure across the solar that delivers hyperkinetic action sequences and irresistible will-they-won't-they romance alongside its nuanced exploration of colonialism and capitalism, Ocean's Godori ultimately asks: What do we owe our past? How do we navigate our present while honoring the complicated facets of our identity? What can our future hold?

Review Quotes

An Indie Next Pick
An Amazon Editors' Pick
Most Anticipated by Barnes & Noble, Lit Hub, Debutiful, and Gizmodo

"Ocean's Godori navigates the space lane blazed by Becky Chambers and James S.A. Corey, but it manages to arrive at some exciting new destinations." --Charlie Jane Anders, Washington Post

"Space. Murder. Romance. Tradition and technology collide in this impressive debut, perfect for fans of Gideon the Ninth." --B&N Reads, "Our Most Anticipated Books April 2024"

"Ocean's Godori, is a cinematic and propulsive sci-fi adventure: chasing the bad guys (but what if they're the good guys?), saving lives while needing to wound and kill a few here and there, and maybe a long-shot at falling in love.... Cho showcases a narrative agility with intricately intertwined cultural, historical, and philosophical layers." --Shelf Awareness, Best Book of the Year

"Buckle up because this sci-fi will take you to places you never expected. Its plot moves with keen precision. The page-turner will bring readers to the edges of space while tackling the age-old questions of who we are and what we are here for." --Debutiful

"Ocean's Godori is dark and dreamy and thrilling in a Blade Runner kind of way, but with an expansive love that thrums underneath the surface in the tradition of Becky Chambers. More, please." --Yume Kitasei, author of The Deep Sky

"The real strength of the book, however, is in the relationships between family and friends, the living and the dead, and the ways these threads of connection motivate and inform characters. This is an entertaining debut with satisfying cultural-background details for the characters and the world and plenty of room for development." --Booklist

"Full of slow-burn romance, tense negotiation, and close shaves. Every scene builds suspense and illuminates fascinating themes of exploitation, privilege, and identity, all held together by a sweet found family narrative. Ambitious and heartwarming, this is a treat." --Publishers Weekly

"Fun, full of both heart and plot." --Kirkus

"With its quirky band of spacefarers, this will appeal to fans of high-concept, high-appeal space opera." --Library Journal

"A space frolic with a disgraced pilot, her ragtag crew, and unexpected allies. Cho's writing is tender and careful, a moving exploration of the human capacity for compassion and friendship in a brutal future. I can't wait for the next installment!" --Julia Vee, author of the critically acclaimed Ebony Gate

About the Author

Elaine U. Cho is a writer who lives in Seattle. She has an MFA in flute performance from CalArts and has worked for several arts nonprofits (including ArtsWest and Seattle Music Partners). She's also a film critic for Mediaversity and former bookseller at Elliott Bay.