Elaine U. Cho's debut novel, 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's brave new world is dominated by the Alliance, a united Korea that leads the solar system. Ocean Yoon is possibly the Alliance's best pilot (ever). But she's been demoted following her involvement in the Hadouken incident, relegated now to piloting the Ohneul, a Class 4 vehicle way below her capabilities. When Ocean's close friend Teo arrives on the Ohneul in an escape pod, he's the solar system's most wanted criminal, accused of murdering his entire family. Ocean and the motley crew will need to figure out how to keep Teo--and themselves--alive long enough to prove his innocence.
Cho showcases a narrative agility with intricately intertwined cultural, historical, and philosophical layers. In a breathtaking finale, Cho leaves Ocean ample opportunity to continue that galactic chase for truth and understanding. --Terry Hong