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The Alliance #2
Teo's Durumi
The dazzling sequel to
Ocean’s Godori
dives back into Elaine U. Cho’s cinematic space opera series, taking Ocean and her crew deep into the cloisters of the Moon and the conflicts of the heart.
Teo Anand, former ne’er-do-well second son of the Anand Tech empire and current solar fugitive, has just crash-landed on the Moon after escaping the latest attempt on his life. But if anyone can help exonerate him, it’s his best friend, bold Korean space pilot Ocean Yoon.
Falsely accused of murdering his family, Teo is running out of both time and options. But loyalties are uncertain in their group of steadfast comrades and tentative new allies, and it’s difficult to know who to trust in the tangled web that awaits them in Artemis, a city on the Moon rich in Korean history and haunted by ghosts from Teo’s and Ocean’s pasts. Further complicating matters are Haven—the pensive medic whose beliefs challenge Ocean’s—and the dashing Phoenix—a space raider who’s come blazing into Teo’s life in more ways than one.
All the while Corvus, the real culprit behind the slaying of the Anands, is sowing a path of destruction that threatens to swallow the solar whole. The crew will wrestle with clashing ideals, flying bullets, and undeniable feelings, as they race toward a stunning final stand.
Teo’s Durumi brings Cho’s space opera duology to an exhilarating close, one that contends with questions of identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; and loyalty and sacrifice, as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love will decide once and for all how to forge their paths into the future.
Teo Anand, former ne’er-do-well second son of the Anand Tech empire and current solar fugitive, has just crash-landed on the Moon after escaping the latest attempt on his life. But if anyone can help exonerate him, it’s his best friend, bold Korean space pilot Ocean Yoon.
Falsely accused of murdering his family, Teo is running out of both time and options. But loyalties are uncertain in their group of steadfast comrades and tentative new allies, and it’s difficult to know who to trust in the tangled web that awaits them in Artemis, a city on the Moon rich in Korean history and haunted by ghosts from Teo’s and Ocean’s pasts. Further complicating matters are Haven—the pensive medic whose beliefs challenge Ocean’s—and the dashing Phoenix—a space raider who’s come blazing into Teo’s life in more ways than one.
All the while Corvus, the real culprit behind the slaying of the Anands, is sowing a path of destruction that threatens to swallow the solar whole. The crew will wrestle with clashing ideals, flying bullets, and undeniable feelings, as they race toward a stunning final stand.
Teo’s Durumi brings Cho’s space opera duology to an exhilarating close, one that contends with questions of identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; and loyalty and sacrifice, as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love will decide once and for all how to forge their paths into the future.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2025
36 people are currently reading
4749 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 16, 2024
I reallyreallyreally want to read this, the cover looks just as gorg as the first!
August 15, 2025
I wasn't nearly as charmed with this second book in this exciting sci fi adventure duology as the first so I struggled whether to rate it 3 or 4 stars, but I love this Korean Firefly universe so much that I pushed it up to 4. I would read any books that the author decides to write in this wonderful, unique series.
Despite the recap at the beginning, I had a hard time getting into the story because the first half was mostly a large cast of characters sitting around and talking, and two romances took up a majority of the plot. I would have benefited from rereading the first book close to reading this one since it had been so long since I'd read it, and I'd forgotten a lot.
In the second book Ocean has only small parts and it focuses on Teo, the pretty boy heir to tech moguls who's on the run from being framed for murder. They join a pirate crew and Teo falls for the head pirate, a brooding man named Phoenix. And Ocean has a tender slow-burn romance with a crewmember called Sasani, whose people are reviled because they manage death rites. Both romances similarly got a bit too juvenile and angsty but both were sweet.
I just wish the story focused more on the crew and the found family than the romances. I was glad to get to know Teo better but I felt like I didn't know the crew very well.
The villain in this is an ex crewmember named Corvus who has the ability to suck memories from people, leaving them dry husks. I found him to be kind of a cartoonish, bland villain. I also wish more had been done with the deepfake suits because that was interesting sci fi. But it ended up being more of a space opera romantic adventure than a thriller.
Overall I had a lot of fun with this and I love all these characters. I love how aggressively pro-Korean this universe is; there aren't even any Americans in this, which is refreshing considering how America is such a hellhole country these days.
This is just good, old fashioned science fiction adventure like they used to make in the golden age of sci fi. I'd love to see a film adaptation of this because it's quite cinematic.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite the recap at the beginning, I had a hard time getting into the story because the first half was mostly a large cast of characters sitting around and talking, and two romances took up a majority of the plot. I would have benefited from rereading the first book close to reading this one since it had been so long since I'd read it, and I'd forgotten a lot.
In the second book Ocean has only small parts and it focuses on Teo, the pretty boy heir to tech moguls who's on the run from being framed for murder. They join a pirate crew and Teo falls for the head pirate, a brooding man named Phoenix. And Ocean has a tender slow-burn romance with a crewmember called Sasani, whose people are reviled because they manage death rites. Both romances similarly got a bit too juvenile and angsty but both were sweet.
I just wish the story focused more on the crew and the found family than the romances. I was glad to get to know Teo better but I felt like I didn't know the crew very well.
The villain in this is an ex crewmember named Corvus who has the ability to suck memories from people, leaving them dry husks. I found him to be kind of a cartoonish, bland villain. I also wish more had been done with the deepfake suits because that was interesting sci fi. But it ended up being more of a space opera romantic adventure than a thriller.
Overall I had a lot of fun with this and I love all these characters. I love how aggressively pro-Korean this universe is; there aren't even any Americans in this, which is refreshing considering how America is such a hellhole country these days.
This is just good, old fashioned science fiction adventure like they used to make in the golden age of sci fi. I'd love to see a film adaptation of this because it's quite cinematic.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 11, 2025
The thing with this one is (and ditto Ocean), there are a lot of characters to keep track of. (And the narration switched between using their first names and last names, which added extra confusion to the pile, so I could do without that, honestly). And I was feeling overwhelmed, I was. But when I finally got into the story and started to remember the characters, things really took off. And I daresay I liked this one a bit better than the first, even! The excitement is ramped up, and the characters felt even more fully developed, as did their relationships. The ending felt completely satisfying, and while it doesn't say whether the series has officially concluded, it could be and feel complete and wrapped up, so I love that for us.
Bottom Line: An exciting space adventure with some great (albeit numerous) characters makes for a very entertaining and satisfying sequel!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Bottom Line: An exciting space adventure with some great (albeit numerous) characters makes for a very entertaining and satisfying sequel!
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
August 10, 2025
This one didn’t hook me as fast as the first one did; it’s slower paced, takes its time setting everything up, and I have to admit the plot was secondary - but I like character-driven stories, so I don’t mind.
The writing threw me off a little in the beginning; it felt stiff and a little forced, but it may have settled later on or I got used to it because I stopped noticing. I also missed Ocean a bit, but there were more POVs here that allowed us to get to know some other characters better. I loved the way the relationships were built brick by brick and layered with little symbolism that makes them unique, and the ending hit me in the feels and I almost cried so I’ll round it all up to 5 stars!
All in all a fun and light space opera with big themes of found family, companionship and trust!
The writing threw me off a little in the beginning; it felt stiff and a little forced, but it may have settled later on or I got used to it because I stopped noticing. I also missed Ocean a bit, but there were more POVs here that allowed us to get to know some other characters better. I loved the way the relationships were built brick by brick and layered with little symbolism that makes them unique, and the ending hit me in the feels and I almost cried so I’ll round it all up to 5 stars!
All in all a fun and light space opera with big themes of found family, companionship and trust!
August 1, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Warning: spoilers for Teo's Durumi ahead (placed behind spoiler tags).
For such an action packed novel, Teo's Durumi maintains the intimate nature of its predecessor, emphasising the complicated but heartwarming nature of found families comprised of those who have never fit into their pre-ordained place in society. Teo's Durumi picks up right where we left Ocean and her crew crash landing on the Moon at the end of Ocean's Godori after being chased by both the authorities of the galaxy and their enemies who want to destroy the alliance. Teo is now a fugitive who's been set up and falsely accused of murdering his family and this sequel centres around him with the aid of Ocean trying to clear his name and getting justice not only for himself and his family but also for the millions of people his family has exploited.
The first half is a introspective comedown from the ship chase we ended on and focuses on the crew recuperating on the Moon with two political players who are important figures from Ocean and Teo's past. Cho spends a lot of this time exploring the ever increasingly complicated relationships Ocean and Teo have as their past and present clash. There's a lot of angst on both sides but Teo and Phoenix's relationship gets most of the development alongside their initial attraction and it was nice to read how well they complement each other. I will get to Ocean and Haven's angst as they deserve their own paragraph... The second half focuses around their final stand . I think it was a fun and creative plan and Cho can write a good action scene and overall I was satisfied with the ending even if it was conveniently tied off.
Interspersed throughout this are scenes about Corvus, the antagonist and his followers where his tragic backstory and motivations are revealed. They aim to humanise and shed light into his actions and his past suffering due to Teo's father's mining empire but there's a lot of cognitive dissonance going on given his current actions are horrifying. It's hard to sympathise with a character who is basically a hypocrite and refuses to have any insight into the harm they are causing. I think this plot point was also abruptly introduced making it quite jarring and ultimately Corvus felt like a melodramatic villain. The ideas he represents are good and worth exploring but the execution could have been more elegant.
Now Ocean and Haven, where do I even start. I love this pair and I think Elaine Cho writes yearning so incredibly well. She's able to create fantastic romantic chemistry which is impressive for a new author. The will-they-won't-they aspect is such a key draw for me but I also think it was dragged out to ad infinitum until literally the final page. The tension is mostly on Haven's side, he is, I think, quite desperately trying to cling onto his old identity and original goal of returning back home after his adventure to avoid the inevitable hurt of rejection by society and in extension Ocean which is something he is used to but nonetheless still hurts. Ocean herself tries to push him away, emphasising her choices that she knows Haven hates in theory but they can never really stay away from each other. Haven is my favourite character, he grows a lot but never strays away from his core self and I think his acceptance of Ocean demonstrates this. Killing is bad but it's also complicated for Ocean who never regrets her actions to protect the ones she loves which is something Haven accepts is more nuanced than he previously thought. The contrast is smart given that his culture revolves around death rites. I also love the theme of people who've gone on a journey and realising that they have changed and can never really return to home or the person/life they used to be/have.
Warning: spoilers for Teo's Durumi ahead (placed behind spoiler tags).
For such an action packed novel, Teo's Durumi maintains the intimate nature of its predecessor, emphasising the complicated but heartwarming nature of found families comprised of those who have never fit into their pre-ordained place in society. Teo's Durumi picks up right where we left Ocean and her crew crash landing on the Moon at the end of Ocean's Godori after being chased by both the authorities of the galaxy and their enemies who want to destroy the alliance. Teo is now a fugitive who's been set up and falsely accused of murdering his family and this sequel centres around him with the aid of Ocean trying to clear his name and getting justice not only for himself and his family but also for the millions of people his family has exploited.
The first half is a introspective comedown from the ship chase we ended on and focuses on the crew recuperating on the Moon with two political players who are important figures from Ocean and Teo's past. Cho spends a lot of this time exploring the ever increasingly complicated relationships Ocean and Teo have as their past and present clash. There's a lot of angst on both sides but Teo and Phoenix's relationship gets most of the development alongside their initial attraction and it was nice to read how well they complement each other. I will get to Ocean and Haven's angst as they deserve their own paragraph... The second half focuses around their final stand . I think it was a fun and creative plan and Cho can write a good action scene and overall I was satisfied with the ending even if it was conveniently tied off.
Interspersed throughout this are scenes about Corvus, the antagonist and his followers where his tragic backstory and motivations are revealed. They aim to humanise and shed light into his actions and his past suffering due to Teo's father's mining empire but there's a lot of cognitive dissonance going on given his current actions are horrifying. It's hard to sympathise with a character who is basically a hypocrite and refuses to have any insight into the harm they are causing. I think this plot point was also abruptly introduced making it quite jarring and ultimately Corvus felt like a melodramatic villain. The ideas he represents are good and worth exploring but the execution could have been more elegant.
Now Ocean and Haven, where do I even start. I love this pair and I think Elaine Cho writes yearning so incredibly well. She's able to create fantastic romantic chemistry which is impressive for a new author. The will-they-won't-they aspect is such a key draw for me but I also think it was dragged out to ad infinitum until literally the final page. The tension is mostly on Haven's side, he is, I think, quite desperately trying to cling onto his old identity and original goal of returning back home after his adventure to avoid the inevitable hurt of rejection by society and in extension Ocean which is something he is used to but nonetheless still hurts. Ocean herself tries to push him away, emphasising her choices that she knows Haven hates in theory but they can never really stay away from each other. Haven is my favourite character, he grows a lot but never strays away from his core self and I think his acceptance of Ocean demonstrates this. Killing is bad but it's also complicated for Ocean who never regrets her actions to protect the ones she loves which is something Haven accepts is more nuanced than he previously thought. The contrast is smart given that his culture revolves around death rites. I also love the theme of people who've gone on a journey and realising that they have changed and can never really return to home or the person/life they used to be/have.
June 9, 2025
WOWIE KAZOWIE! This duology was so fantastic!! Not a word was wasted. I am anxiously and impatiently awaiting Elaine’s next book✨
April 11, 2025
I may have squealed wildly when I received this ebook ARC from Netgalley. Ocean's Godori was one of my favorite sci-fi reads in recent times, a rare reread even before I knew the sequel was imminent. This picks up almost immediately after where the last book left off -- shortly after the crew crash landed into the swimming pool of a Korean scholar commune on the Moon. A lot more of this story is intrigue and action than the last one, and at times seems to suffer from an overabundance of POVs, but ultimately it all serves well to make for an exceedingly vivid narrative. Even though the title indicates a Teo-centric plot, this is still a continuation of the utterly heartwarming and pure bond between Ocean and Teo, and the extremely lovable and quirky crew of misfits and rebels that coalesces around them. Their individual romance plots progress in very distinct and believable ways, with Teo and Phoenix being Shakespearean, while Haven and Ocean's KDrama levels of impossible yearning. Literally every single crew member gets to have their own little arc that intersects with everyone else's emotional arc. It is such a brilliant way to simultaneously do effective worldbuilding and also ground the narrative in the absolutely crackling chemistry in a large crew of characters. This more than covers up for the occasional clunkiness of the pacing and the villain trajectory and the improbability of certain convenient resolutions to complicated political and societal knots that the crew is stuck in. But I'm more than willing to chalk it up to a debut author quirk. While I'm glad there isn't more sequel bait, I will miss this crew and think of them for a long time. Definitely will be checking out the audiobook when it releases. Now someone PLEASE adapt this for the screen!
August 5, 2025
Teo's Durumi was a great read. It continued Ocean's Godori, an action-packed space drama with the focus on Ocean (the Crane, Humingbird, or Headshot), an ace pilot or crack shot or both at the same time, and her best friend Teo, the second son of an intergalactically wealthy family, who gives everyone the impression he's a wastrel but is much more. And we get the cornucopia of the crew and soon-to-be-found family of Phoenix, Gemini, Aries, Cass, Maggie, Lupus, Dae, and Haven. What was just hinted at in Ocean's Godori is fleshed out in Teo's Durumi. We get POVs from everyone, and it is fantastic. Throw in super bad guy Corvus, his clan of psychologically damaged crew, and others, and it makes for an, at times, heartbreaking adventure.
Elaine Cho takes the time to make her characters more than what is on the surface. Although the relationship between Ocean and Haven nearly had me pulling my hair out, it did fit perfectly in the setting and atmosphere of the book. That atmosphere where Korea is a major player in the world, and that culture colors everything. There is classicism, prejudice, and the ever-present Korean ideal of obedient children honoring the family, and what it does to the psyche of the children when they don't meet those familial expectations. There's a lot going on, interspersing into this book's main subject, stop Corvus. My angst levels were so high, I didn't want to read the final showdown out of fear that I was going to lose one of the gang. I made it through--you will have to read for yourself to know if my fears were unfounded.
This made for an excellent duology and this will be one of my favorites from 2025.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando|Hillman Grad Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
Elaine Cho takes the time to make her characters more than what is on the surface. Although the relationship between Ocean and Haven nearly had me pulling my hair out, it did fit perfectly in the setting and atmosphere of the book. That atmosphere where Korea is a major player in the world, and that culture colors everything. There is classicism, prejudice, and the ever-present Korean ideal of obedient children honoring the family, and what it does to the psyche of the children when they don't meet those familial expectations. There's a lot going on, interspersing into this book's main subject, stop Corvus. My angst levels were so high, I didn't want to read the final showdown out of fear that I was going to lose one of the gang. I made it through--you will have to read for yourself to know if my fears were unfounded.
This made for an excellent duology and this will be one of my favorites from 2025.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando|Hillman Grad Books, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.
July 29, 2025
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review
This continuation of Ocean’s Goderi wraps up the story started in book one in a satisfying way,
I enjoyed this book, but it paled a little in comparison to the first. Not in terms of the characterization or the prose, but more so because it feels like it lost momentum from the first book. It takes a great while to get this one started, as the characters spend the first third to almost one half just sort of sitting around for the most part - rather than over the plot, they react to things that happened ot them, which wasn’t as engaging as their circumstances in the previous novel. There were times when I wondered why this couldn’t have been trimmed down a little bit, as I struggled a) to remember who everyone was despite the handy re-cap at the start and b) to see where the story was going.
But once it shook this off, the novel is very compelling with interesting character arcs and interactions, and two love stories that are similar in circumstance but different in approach. The depth of feeling between the two pairs of lovers is really well developed, though some might find it overly dramatic (but I liked it). The villain, Corvus, also gets some backstory, which was helpful in understanding him, though while his invention was really fascinating, his motives were a bit suspect, given that he has the same background as Phoenix (yet Phoenix wasn’t a lunatic). If why they diverged had been approached more, it might have worked better for me.
The action scenes were great and the dialogue slaps, so if you enjoyed Ocean’s Godori, it is well worth checking out the conclusion!
This continuation of Ocean’s Goderi wraps up the story started in book one in a satisfying way,
I enjoyed this book, but it paled a little in comparison to the first. Not in terms of the characterization or the prose, but more so because it feels like it lost momentum from the first book. It takes a great while to get this one started, as the characters spend the first third to almost one half just sort of sitting around for the most part - rather than over the plot, they react to things that happened ot them, which wasn’t as engaging as their circumstances in the previous novel. There were times when I wondered why this couldn’t have been trimmed down a little bit, as I struggled a) to remember who everyone was despite the handy re-cap at the start and b) to see where the story was going.
But once it shook this off, the novel is very compelling with interesting character arcs and interactions, and two love stories that are similar in circumstance but different in approach. The depth of feeling between the two pairs of lovers is really well developed, though some might find it overly dramatic (but I liked it). The villain, Corvus, also gets some backstory, which was helpful in understanding him, though while his invention was really fascinating, his motives were a bit suspect, given that he has the same background as Phoenix (yet Phoenix wasn’t a lunatic). If why they diverged had been approached more, it might have worked better for me.
The action scenes were great and the dialogue slaps, so if you enjoyed Ocean’s Godori, it is well worth checking out the conclusion!
April 30, 2025
4.5⭐️
Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book!
SPOILERS FOR Ocean’s Godori
This book picks up exactly where Ocean’s Godori left off. The joint crew of the Pandia and Ohnuel have landed on the Moon. Narrowly avoiding an attack by the group that framed Teo for the murder of his family, they now have to figure out their next steps. Both towards clearing Teo’s name and fixing where his family went wrong all those years ago.
This book was brilliant. It was super action packed while also taking time to focus on the characters personal lives and the more severe issues regarding interplanetary trade.
This book is definitely more focused on the plot rather than the characters. By this point, a few relationships are already established and the others still have that push and pull dynamic. It was interesting to see the latter evolve as the plot forced them closer together.
I was honestly kind of worried as we encroached the halfway point that this book wouldn’t wrap up and cleanly as it needed to. I was very wrong. Despite so much of the final confrontation being packed into the last 30% of the book, it didn’t feel rushed at all. The final scenes pulled on the characters strengths and weaknesses and formed a satisfying conclusion for both the character relationships and the overarching conflict.
Thank you so much to Zando and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book!
SPOILERS FOR Ocean’s Godori
This book picks up exactly where Ocean’s Godori left off. The joint crew of the Pandia and Ohnuel have landed on the Moon. Narrowly avoiding an attack by the group that framed Teo for the murder of his family, they now have to figure out their next steps. Both towards clearing Teo’s name and fixing where his family went wrong all those years ago.
This book was brilliant. It was super action packed while also taking time to focus on the characters personal lives and the more severe issues regarding interplanetary trade.
This book is definitely more focused on the plot rather than the characters. By this point, a few relationships are already established and the others still have that push and pull dynamic. It was interesting to see the latter evolve as the plot forced them closer together.
I was honestly kind of worried as we encroached the halfway point that this book wouldn’t wrap up and cleanly as it needed to. I was very wrong. Despite so much of the final confrontation being packed into the last 30% of the book, it didn’t feel rushed at all. The final scenes pulled on the characters strengths and weaknesses and formed a satisfying conclusion for both the character relationships and the overarching conflict.
August 19, 2025
Wowowowowowow, the final saga of The Alliance book series...and it was spectacular! In book one we had a lot of set up of our amazing cast, their motivations, their hopes, and what they want out of the endeavors they are facing. And when the pressure hits, who are they really? Book two really solidifies alliances and enemies, diving deeper into the Alliance world and what our squad is going to do to clear Teo's name for the alleged murder of his whole family. Corvus's motives are better understood which humanized him to me since we got to see at the end of the day he isn't an evil genius, he's a broken human being. I really loved the deeper interplay of the characters today with some crazy action packed fight scenes and the TENSION between Haven and Ocean really had me going crazy (in the best way). I also felt like although we are in a scifi world, this novel is so much more about facing the type of person you were, who you are now, and who you want to be and we see almost all of our characters go through some form of "moving" forward, whether its in their careers or from the Alliance or from their own pasts. I loved loved loved it and this world and I really wish there was another book in the series because I could follow this cast forever.
August 26, 2025
I loved this book so much! I think that the relationships between each of the characters were so well done!
I got the oppressive to listen to the author talk about the book and she explained the POV of the duology being of a fly on the wall. I think this is the perfect explanation.
I also really appreciated the different types of romantic relationships we saw, along with the various types of platonic relationships. I think that the main gay relationship was very well written and it wasn’t like they were “others,” they were just two guys who liked each other. It also didn’t fall into a “male and female” role either. They were both allowed to be big softy manly men.
I liked the slow burn aspect too and the confession of feeling as she was in a verrrry stressful relationship.
I think that the difference between found and forced family was also a nice highlight, there was also great examples of the contrast of friends and obsession.
Honestly recommend this duology to anyone who like cyper punk, space, space ships, romance, comedy, or anything influenced by asian culture!
I got the oppressive to listen to the author talk about the book and she explained the POV of the duology being of a fly on the wall. I think this is the perfect explanation.
I also really appreciated the different types of romantic relationships we saw, along with the various types of platonic relationships. I think that the main gay relationship was very well written and it wasn’t like they were “others,” they were just two guys who liked each other. It also didn’t fall into a “male and female” role either. They were both allowed to be big softy manly men.
I liked the slow burn aspect too and the confession of feeling as she was in a verrrry stressful relationship.
I think that the difference between found and forced family was also a nice highlight, there was also great examples of the contrast of friends and obsession.
Honestly recommend this duology to anyone who like cyper punk, space, space ships, romance, comedy, or anything influenced by asian culture!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
Advanced reader's copy review
This book y’all! I was absolutely blown away! I could fill an entire paragraph with my thoughts on the first six pages alone. It was one of the best openings to a sequel I have ever read, reintroducing the characters and summarizing the major plot points of the last book in such a clever way. And from then on the book was full speed ahead, with a fast pace and lots of action. I was one the edge of my seat the whole time, even in seemingly quiet moments that were secretly politically maneuvering and scheming. But no matter the plot I would have read every word, as I love the characters that much. They are such an amazing found family with so much love. Ocean and Teo are truly platonic soulmates, and they both grew so much over the course of this book. Teo in particular really came into his own and showed his true genius and heart. Ocean was able to process so much of her lingering grief and come out stronger and ready to build a happier future for herself. Sasani had similar development as he wrestled with his place in the world. The last character that had truly phenomenal development was the villain, Corvus. He had an incredibly well written descent into madness that culminated in a dramatic finale for everyone. The ending was absolutely action packed and a thrilling conclusion to the events of the duology. The epilogue was a sweet add on that wrapped up the characters and gave them all beautiful, hopeful futures. All this is to say that I love this book and duology with all my heart and cannot recommend it enough!
Thank you Zando/Hillman Grad Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book y’all! I was absolutely blown away! I could fill an entire paragraph with my thoughts on the first six pages alone. It was one of the best openings to a sequel I have ever read, reintroducing the characters and summarizing the major plot points of the last book in such a clever way. And from then on the book was full speed ahead, with a fast pace and lots of action. I was one the edge of my seat the whole time, even in seemingly quiet moments that were secretly politically maneuvering and scheming. But no matter the plot I would have read every word, as I love the characters that much. They are such an amazing found family with so much love. Ocean and Teo are truly platonic soulmates, and they both grew so much over the course of this book. Teo in particular really came into his own and showed his true genius and heart. Ocean was able to process so much of her lingering grief and come out stronger and ready to build a happier future for herself. Sasani had similar development as he wrestled with his place in the world. The last character that had truly phenomenal development was the villain, Corvus. He had an incredibly well written descent into madness that culminated in a dramatic finale for everyone. The ending was absolutely action packed and a thrilling conclusion to the events of the duology. The epilogue was a sweet add on that wrapped up the characters and gave them all beautiful, hopeful futures. All this is to say that I love this book and duology with all my heart and cannot recommend it enough!
Thank you Zando/Hillman Grad Books and Netgalley for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 5, 2025
✨ ARC Book Review ✨
Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for the eARC of this novel!
Teo’s Durumi picks up almost exactly where Ocean’s Godori ends. To understand this novel, you need to have read Ocean’s Godori as this novel does not work as a standalone. Truthfully, my recommendation would be to read these books back to back because they almost read as one long novel instead of two separate ones.
I enjoyed this novel, but I think I liked Ocean’s Godori more. For me, there were a few too many points of view in this book, and I definitely cared about some of the characters more than others. Additionally, I felt like this book slowed down a bit in the middle before its action-packed ending, which I really enjoyed!
If you are looking for a fun space duology, or are looking for a series based on Korean culture, I would definitely check both of these books out.
Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for the eARC of this novel!
Teo’s Durumi picks up almost exactly where Ocean’s Godori ends. To understand this novel, you need to have read Ocean’s Godori as this novel does not work as a standalone. Truthfully, my recommendation would be to read these books back to back because they almost read as one long novel instead of two separate ones.
I enjoyed this novel, but I think I liked Ocean’s Godori more. For me, there were a few too many points of view in this book, and I definitely cared about some of the characters more than others. Additionally, I felt like this book slowed down a bit in the middle before its action-packed ending, which I really enjoyed!
If you are looking for a fun space duology, or are looking for a series based on Korean culture, I would definitely check both of these books out.
August 5, 2025
I liked the first book a lot and was really looking forward to this sequel, but I honestly didn't expect to LOVE this book as much as I did.
Teo's Durumi made me feel so many feelings, but mostly it made me feel happy. In this story full of heartbreak, grief, fighting and self-doubts... there was so much warmth. People talking to each other. People misunderstanding each other. People trying *again*. Not giving up on someone.
It was so nice to see a group of people I actually believed was learning to genuinely LIKE each other.
Also. Teo and Phoenix. Chef's kiss!
My other little ship that could didn't sail, but I totally understood. (Still think there should be at least one more book and then we can have an OT3. I think it could totally work. I WILL die on this hill.)
I really want to read more stories about these characters and their adventures together.
Teo's Durumi made me feel so many feelings, but mostly it made me feel happy. In this story full of heartbreak, grief, fighting and self-doubts... there was so much warmth. People talking to each other. People misunderstanding each other. People trying *again*. Not giving up on someone.
It was so nice to see a group of people I actually believed was learning to genuinely LIKE each other.
Also. Teo and Phoenix. Chef's kiss!
My other little ship that could didn't sail, but I totally understood. (Still think there should be at least one more book and then we can have an OT3. I think it could totally work. I WILL die on this hill.)
I really want to read more stories about these characters and their adventures together.
March 5, 2025
A really great sequel to Ocean’s Godori that completes each main characters arc in a satisfying way.
This book picks up right where the first one left off, after a very helpful recap on the characters from the last book. It continues the main conflict and introduces a few more characters. I really appreciated that the main antagonist of the story was fleshed out. It really helped pull things together. The main romance is also continued and I thought the way it wrapped up was nice, but the love triangle bit went on for just a bit too long. I really enjoyed how to the conflict wrapped up and how the stakes were raised more from the last book.
It was really great to dive back into this story and serves as a great conclusion.
This book picks up right where the first one left off, after a very helpful recap on the characters from the last book. It continues the main conflict and introduces a few more characters. I really appreciated that the main antagonist of the story was fleshed out. It really helped pull things together. The main romance is also continued and I thought the way it wrapped up was nice, but the love triangle bit went on for just a bit too long. I really enjoyed how to the conflict wrapped up and how the stakes were raised more from the last book.
It was really great to dive back into this story and serves as a great conclusion.
dnf
August 3, 2025This is a character driven space adventure, with romance, politics, and action. It's the kind of book i will occasionally love beyond reason. But so many times they just fall short. Not even for any specific reason. With this book I was intrigued by the excellent world building and diverse characters with interesting back stories. But I found myself never really engaging with the plot or feeling a connection with the characters. I felt the same with oceans godori but thought I liked it enough to try this second in the series. At the halfway point I felt like I was forcing myself to read it and gave up.
September 9, 2025
Man. Oh man. Elaine U. Cho has written an absolutely killer sequel, and now I think I would follow this woman's words to the edge of the earth. Her characters are some of the most compelling I've ever read, and her ability to create a strong emotional atmosphere, to play with tension, is at its peak here.
March 19, 2025
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*
If you enjoyed Ocean's Godori, you will also enjoy Theo's Durumi. I just love the crew, the story is somewhat secondary for me and not all of it made sense. The slow burn romance bits were tragic and hilarious at the same time, I especially love Haven. I'm glad the story has been somewhat concluded though I would love to read more stories set in this universe and with the dramatic personnel from this series.
4 stars because the story is a bit much & I got confused by some of the characters
If you enjoyed Ocean's Godori, you will also enjoy Theo's Durumi. I just love the crew, the story is somewhat secondary for me and not all of it made sense. The slow burn romance bits were tragic and hilarious at the same time, I especially love Haven. I'm glad the story has been somewhat concluded though I would love to read more stories set in this universe and with the dramatic personnel from this series.
4 stars because the story is a bit much & I got confused by some of the characters
August 9, 2025
I really love this duology. This was a great conclusion to the story. It was exciting and touching and I love the character growth from the last book. I’m also a sucker for found family. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc but it came on publication day so I had already preordered the audiobook so that’s how I read this one. I had a blast with this series and I kind hope we get to do more space robin hooding with this crew.
August 21, 2025
I love ‘Ocean’s Godori’ with every fibre of my being and found ‘Teo’s Durumi’ to be a very worthwhile continuation. The story brought the characters to an excellent pause point in what I sincerely hope will be just the first of many more stories in this fictional universe.
This duology is an absolute must-read for fans of space opera who appreciate character depth and complicated relationships, and I will be eagerly anticipating more stories from this author in the future.
This duology is an absolute must-read for fans of space opera who appreciate character depth and complicated relationships, and I will be eagerly anticipating more stories from this author in the future.
February 20, 2025
EArc provided by NetGalley
Von's little recap at the start is something which should be present in more books
Once this is published I will be acquiring a copy
I can't heap enough praise upon this series, it scratches the itch in my gay lil heart. The queer rep combined with said queer people not all being white, interracial relationships not being white/other. This is a book that makes me feel seen, despite the utter idiocy of some characters. I'm looking at you Ocean/Sasani angst.
The ending was A** and I felt fulfilled by it, if we are blessed by a sequel I'll be reading if not I'll be rereading.
Von's little recap at the start is something which should be present in more books
Once this is published I will be acquiring a copy
I can't heap enough praise upon this series, it scratches the itch in my gay lil heart. The queer rep combined with said queer people not all being white, interracial relationships not being white/other. This is a book that makes me feel seen, despite the utter idiocy of some characters. I'm looking at you Ocean/Sasani angst.
The ending was A** and I felt fulfilled by it, if we are blessed by a sequel I'll be reading if not I'll be rereading.
July 29, 2025
4.25⭐️ friend groups where they’re all constantly flirting with each other >>
elaine cho if you wanted to write more in this series I would be at the bookstore on release day....
elaine cho if you wanted to write more in this series I would be at the bookstore on release day....
June 29, 2025
When a pilot crash lands and loses her ship, she must think of who she is without it. Such is the beginning of the second installment of The Alliance series by Elaine Cho. Ocean is the pilot who is the central character in the first novel, but she is just one of many personalities here. This novel titled Teo’s Durumi, seems to be so different from the last. I did not get the excitement that I found in the last novel, as this one was mostly conversations between many characters. The author seemed to be wanting to reveal these characters’ pasts and utilized small scenes between them to do so. I missed the science fiction that was in the first one, which is minimized while putting dialogue in. Despite the added information of the characters, there was no real drive for me to push forward in this novel. I enjoyed more of the Korean food and culture, but the ending was predictable and could have been revealed much sooner. However I appreciate the chance to read it, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Zando.
August 5, 2025
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: The dazzling sequel to Ocean’s Godori dives back into Elaine U. Cho’s cinematic space opera series, taking Ocean and her crew deep into the cloisters of the Moon and the conflicts of the heart.
Teo Anand, former ne’er-do-well second son of the Anand Tech empire and current solar fugitive, has just crash-landed on the Moon after escaping the latest attempt on his life. But if anyone can help exonerate him, it’s his best friend, bold Korean space pilot Ocean Yoon.
Falsely accused of murdering his family, Teo is running out of both time and options. But loyalties are uncertain in their group of steadfast comrades and tentative new allies, and it’s difficult to know who to trust in the tangled web that awaits them in Artemis, a city on the Moon rich in Korean history and haunted by ghosts from Teo’s and Ocean’s pasts. Further complicating matters are Haven—the pensive medic whose beliefs challenge Ocean’s—and the dashing Phoenix—a space raider who’s come blazing into Teo’s life in more ways than one.
All the while Corvus, the real culprit behind the slaying of the Anands, is sowing a path of destruction that threatens to swallow the solar whole. The crew will wrestle with clashing ideals, flying bullets, and undeniable feelings, as they race toward a stunning final stand.
Teo’s Durumi brings Cho’s space opera duology to an exhilarating close, one that contends with questions of identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; and loyalty and sacrifice, as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love will decide once and for all how to forge their paths into the future.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The ending of Ocean’s Godori, both exciting and amusing, gets one's attention for sure and certain. I enjoyed it enough that I immediately upon receiving this DRC opened it and dove in.
Some of y'all are chuckling....
Literally minutes after the end of the previous book, we're into a new narrative regime. Teo's troubles are now preoccupying Ocean and Teo (and Haven, remember them?) with their awesome scoobygroup of really good people. Permaybehaps it's because I never had a family that included me that I've spent my life making family where I was and the stories I gravitate toward are those of made/found family.
Here's a very good example to follow...people who give their all to a goal they share, negotiate within the framework of making "it" work for all...and pulling for things in their orbit to end up better than they start. It doesn't hurt that their Big Bad, Corvus (really authors let the crow/raven clan alone now!), practically twirls mustachios like a silent-film caricature. Really, my one big eyerolly quibble in the books is Corvus' supervillainy being So Very Overplayed. (Well, that and the KDrama yearning between Ocean and Haven being protracted beyond slow-burn, though that does finally end.) I'm sure some of y'all will find the first third of the book being mostly sitting and talking, plotting and planning, kind of...overlong...but stick with it, or better yet read the books back-to-back with no interruption. That is my best suggestion to avoid any hint of a sense of sag in the story.
Phoenix (who, curiously, comes from a background like Corvus' but is somehow not a lunatic murderous sleaze, and I'm left to wonder why) and Teo are very effectively counterpointing our swoony-yearny-KDrama pair. I'm pleased that they have more than what Joseph Campbell called (in that memorable Bill Moyers series) "the zeal of the organs for each other," but equally pleased they're not shilly-shallying around. Lest I leave someone with the wrong impression, this story is not steamy. It's passionate, just not graphic, more the "fire flickered and died" way.
Multiple PoV storylines are often fraught with pacing issues and there's no exception here; I was expecting it so came into the read prepared. As a result the issues I outlined above emerge from this central one. Polyphonic novels do best when everyone in them heads for different places, where in this novel we are going to crash into the same place as is evident from the get-go. S why not use an omniscient narrator, or close third-person narration? I didn't *get* this choice.
Considered on a craft level, I'm at three stars; considered on an emotional satisfaction level, four-plus; considered on a delivery of what was promised from page one of book one level, four.
Elaine U. Cho can write well and frequently does. I hope she has many more opportunities to do it.
The Publisher Says: The dazzling sequel to Ocean’s Godori dives back into Elaine U. Cho’s cinematic space opera series, taking Ocean and her crew deep into the cloisters of the Moon and the conflicts of the heart.
Teo Anand, former ne’er-do-well second son of the Anand Tech empire and current solar fugitive, has just crash-landed on the Moon after escaping the latest attempt on his life. But if anyone can help exonerate him, it’s his best friend, bold Korean space pilot Ocean Yoon.
Falsely accused of murdering his family, Teo is running out of both time and options. But loyalties are uncertain in their group of steadfast comrades and tentative new allies, and it’s difficult to know who to trust in the tangled web that awaits them in Artemis, a city on the Moon rich in Korean history and haunted by ghosts from Teo’s and Ocean’s pasts. Further complicating matters are Haven—the pensive medic whose beliefs challenge Ocean’s—and the dashing Phoenix—a space raider who’s come blazing into Teo’s life in more ways than one.
All the while Corvus, the real culprit behind the slaying of the Anands, is sowing a path of destruction that threatens to swallow the solar whole. The crew will wrestle with clashing ideals, flying bullets, and undeniable feelings, as they race toward a stunning final stand.
Teo’s Durumi brings Cho’s space opera duology to an exhilarating close, one that contends with questions of identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; and loyalty and sacrifice, as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love will decide once and for all how to forge their paths into the future.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: The ending of Ocean’s Godori, both exciting and amusing, gets one's attention for sure and certain. I enjoyed it enough that I immediately upon receiving this DRC opened it and dove in.
Some of y'all are chuckling....
Literally minutes after the end of the previous book, we're into a new narrative regime. Teo's troubles are now preoccupying Ocean and Teo (and Haven, remember them?) with their awesome scoobygroup of really good people. Permaybehaps it's because I never had a family that included me that I've spent my life making family where I was and the stories I gravitate toward are those of made/found family.
Here's a very good example to follow...people who give their all to a goal they share, negotiate within the framework of making "it" work for all...and pulling for things in their orbit to end up better than they start. It doesn't hurt that their Big Bad, Corvus (really authors let the crow/raven clan alone now!), practically twirls mustachios like a silent-film caricature. Really, my one big eyerolly quibble in the books is Corvus' supervillainy being So Very Overplayed. (Well, that and the KDrama yearning between Ocean and Haven being protracted beyond slow-burn, though that does finally end.) I'm sure some of y'all will find the first third of the book being mostly sitting and talking, plotting and planning, kind of...overlong...but stick with it, or better yet read the books back-to-back with no interruption. That is my best suggestion to avoid any hint of a sense of sag in the story.
Phoenix (who, curiously, comes from a background like Corvus' but is somehow not a lunatic murderous sleaze, and I'm left to wonder why) and Teo are very effectively counterpointing our swoony-yearny-KDrama pair. I'm pleased that they have more than what Joseph Campbell called (in that memorable Bill Moyers series) "the zeal of the organs for each other," but equally pleased they're not shilly-shallying around. Lest I leave someone with the wrong impression, this story is not steamy. It's passionate, just not graphic, more the "fire flickered and died" way.
Multiple PoV storylines are often fraught with pacing issues and there's no exception here; I was expecting it so came into the read prepared. As a result the issues I outlined above emerge from this central one. Polyphonic novels do best when everyone in them heads for different places, where in this novel we are going to crash into the same place as is evident from the get-go. S why not use an omniscient narrator, or close third-person narration? I didn't *get* this choice.
Considered on a craft level, I'm at three stars; considered on an emotional satisfaction level, four-plus; considered on a delivery of what was promised from page one of book one level, four.
Elaine U. Cho can write well and frequently does. I hope she has many more opportunities to do it.
April 19, 2025
I was so enrapt by the time we got to the ending of Ocean's Godori, and then I was enraged when it ended right after the action sequence ended (what! I want more!) Now I'm so excited that I finally have my hands on the ARC of book 2, Teo's Durumi to find out how the conflict of being framed for several murders of the Anand Tech family plays out. Finishing the book, I can say I was thoroughly entertained the whole way with our original Ohneul crew teaming up with Phoenix's space raiders to illuminate and unravel Corvus's plot to take down the tech giant and those of the solar who he feels had been exploited and wronged Mercurians.
While book 1 felt more like the setup of being put into a trap (murder! deepfake suits! spaceship battles!), book 2 felt more like the story of unmasking the evil mastermind behind the conspiracy and fighting back. The gang has to try to navigate executing a plan while trying to figure out who they could actually trust, considering that Teo's wrongfully wanted by the whole solar system. It explores themes of grief and metamorphosing identity in the face of finding out maybe your family wasn't exactly who the presented themselves as.
Also, I loved Haven Sasani, I wish we had more of him in this book. His interactions with Ocean were so tense this whole time, I wanted to scream.
👀🙊
That being said, I think what detracted from my enjoyment of this book is essentially the type of villain that Cho constructed as our big baddie. Yes, he had a backstory and motive to hate the Anands, but his personality and sci-fi device that he used felt so cartoonish to me. It felt like it could be summarized as, "And now with this powerful soul-sucking device, I will take over theworld solar! Bwahaha!"
Cartoonish villain asides, I really enjoyed this series so far. It's ended in a way where you could see this being the final conclusion for the team, but also it's open-ended enough to continue on with a new plot line, should Cho decide to--I for one am rooting for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Zando for giving me an ARC in an exchange for an honest review.
While book 1 felt more like the setup of being put into a trap (murder! deepfake suits! spaceship battles!), book 2 felt more like the story of unmasking the evil mastermind behind the conspiracy and fighting back. The gang has to try to navigate executing a plan while trying to figure out who they could actually trust, considering that Teo's wrongfully wanted by the whole solar system. It explores themes of grief and metamorphosing identity in the face of finding out maybe your family wasn't exactly who the presented themselves as.
Also, I loved Haven Sasani, I wish we had more of him in this book. His interactions with Ocean were so tense this whole time, I wanted to scream.
"You should stay hydrated. You're not used to how hot it gets in the summer here [on Artemis]. It's just like Korea."
This does bring Ocean's attention back to Joonho [the diplomat]; he's studying her. She shakes her head. "I don't share a drink with just anyone."
👀🙊
That being said, I think what detracted from my enjoyment of this book is essentially the type of villain that Cho constructed as our big baddie. Yes, he had a backstory and motive to hate the Anands, but his personality and sci-fi device that he used felt so cartoonish to me. It felt like it could be summarized as, "And now with this powerful soul-sucking device, I will take over the
Cartoonish villain asides, I really enjoyed this series so far. It's ended in a way where you could see this being the final conclusion for the team, but also it's open-ended enough to continue on with a new plot line, should Cho decide to--I for one am rooting for more.
Thank you NetGalley and Zando for giving me an ARC in an exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and to Zando for the ARC of Teo's Durumi by Elaine U. Cho.
For new readers: You definitely need to read Ocean's Godori before reading this one to understand any part of the story.
I absolutely loved the first book in this duology, Ocean's Godori, and after the whopper of a cliffhanger it ended on, it was great to dive right back in with Teo's Durumi, which picks up immediately where the first book left off. Teo is intent upon unmasking the man posing as his brother and revealing his family's killers, but first he, Ocean, Phoenix and the rest of the crew need to make a plan to set things right while Corvus continues his plan for universal chaos and revenge.
Cho's setting is so unique and Teo's Durumi sparkles with the same dazzling effects of her created space opera universe from Ocean's Godori. The way Cho writes the culture of the world is so accessible, and she gives enough context when writing about Korea or about religion or other aspects of her universe that readers can infer and learn from each sentence (and then want to find a Korean restaurant, ASAP).
I would pair this as a more inventive and mature colleague to L.M. Sagas's Ambit's Run duology, given how both have such a strong focus on relationship building within the story itself, while still being such entertaining space operas. I feel like it ends in a really solid place, and readers will be very pleased with how full circle the story comes.
I removed a star for two reasons, but I still have the highest enjoyment rating of the duology and the highest respect for Cho. The first reason was that the pacing is a lot slower in this book. It isn't until after the halfway mark that the team begins to make their moves, so a lot of the action feels packed into the final 25%. I wish the story were more balanced. I think the high, high focus on relationship building / romance in the first half, while very cute and fun for the characters, didn't lend itself to carrying the story's action forward in an even way. The second is because I wasn't quite sure how to understand Corvus's aims with the technology he has created. It seemed disjointed to connect his actions to how they would actually support his worldview - unless that worldview now is just mass death? It felt a bit out of order with what Teo, Ocean, and the rest of the crew believe they are fighting for - he seems to have completely switched gears.
Also, to whomever is designing the colors for this series --- these are so stunningly beautiful. I hope they drive so many readers to pick up the books because the story is even better.
For new readers: You definitely need to read Ocean's Godori before reading this one to understand any part of the story.
I absolutely loved the first book in this duology, Ocean's Godori, and after the whopper of a cliffhanger it ended on, it was great to dive right back in with Teo's Durumi, which picks up immediately where the first book left off. Teo is intent upon unmasking the man posing as his brother and revealing his family's killers, but first he, Ocean, Phoenix and the rest of the crew need to make a plan to set things right while Corvus continues his plan for universal chaos and revenge.
Cho's setting is so unique and Teo's Durumi sparkles with the same dazzling effects of her created space opera universe from Ocean's Godori. The way Cho writes the culture of the world is so accessible, and she gives enough context when writing about Korea or about religion or other aspects of her universe that readers can infer and learn from each sentence (and then want to find a Korean restaurant, ASAP).
I would pair this as a more inventive and mature colleague to L.M. Sagas's Ambit's Run duology, given how both have such a strong focus on relationship building within the story itself, while still being such entertaining space operas. I feel like it ends in a really solid place, and readers will be very pleased with how full circle the story comes.
I removed a star for two reasons, but I still have the highest enjoyment rating of the duology and the highest respect for Cho. The first reason was that the pacing is a lot slower in this book. It isn't until after the halfway mark that the team begins to make their moves, so a lot of the action feels packed into the final 25%. I wish the story were more balanced. I think the high, high focus on relationship building / romance in the first half, while very cute and fun for the characters, didn't lend itself to carrying the story's action forward in an even way. The second is because I wasn't quite sure how to understand Corvus's aims with the technology he has created. It seemed disjointed to connect his actions to how they would actually support his worldview - unless that worldview now is just mass death? It felt a bit out of order with what Teo, Ocean, and the rest of the crew believe they are fighting for - he seems to have completely switched gears.
Also, to whomever is designing the colors for this series --- these are so stunningly beautiful. I hope they drive so many readers to pick up the books because the story is even better.
July 30, 2025
6.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Teo Anand, only living scion of the Anand Tech Empire, should’ve been swaddled in opulence and surrounded by lovers, drink, and coin. Instead, he was stranded on the Moon, following what was only the latest in a series of attempts on his life, which had all started when he’d been framed for his family’s murder and marked for death. Such a week has the means to ruin any would-be vacation.
Given that Ocean Yoon just crashed a ship on the Moon, she’s in high spirits. Her best friend remains free, and she is sure that she can clear his name, though the details of how elude her at the moment. Enter Artemis—Lunar city seeped in Korean history and influence, haunted by ghosts both she and Teo share—and the continuation of their tale.
Corvus nears the completion of his goal, but one hurdle remains: Teo Anand. As another of the assassins allies join him in the place between worlds, Corvus is both beset by doubts and bolstered by confidence. Yet with but one more death, everything will be fine.
Teo knows that if anyone can clear him, it’s Ocean. Though he’d much rather disappear into the aether (with a certain dashing pirate captain) than try.
—
I adored Ocean’s Godori (up until the end, at least), for it was a rollicking space adventure with good world-building, deep and human characters, a thrilling plot, space pirates, and an emphasis on space and science fiction above all else. Then came the end, which was too abrupt, and didn’t resolve anything. Well, I’m happy to report that Teo’s Durumi has a definitive and satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of, well, anything resembling a plot, and really any science.
So, Teo’s Durumi is a romance set in space, centered heavily around its characters and their relationships and growth. There’s very little science to this fiction, and a story that I would describe as “wandering”, when it’s present at all. Basically, the book swaps one problem for another. While I legitimately enjoyed one of the two romances—and largely tolerated the second—I’m not sure it made up for the loss of a discernible plot.
There are very real, human characters, for the most part (there’s also a pirate captain with soulful eyes, a tender spirit, and a heart of gold; pretty much a walking cliché). How they live and grow reminded me very much of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers, but with a more determined romance. Even Corvus, assassin and series’ antagonist, is relatable, and shows depth. Their story is nearly worth the price of admission on its own.
And yet, Teo’s Durumi once again failed to live up to expectation. After all, I expected another rollicking space thriller, heavy with character development. What I got was a romance, set in space, heavy with character development, growth, and evolving relationships. There’s some small science fiction at the edges, but that fades over the course of the text. By the end, I could barely remember the plot past “a man out to clear his name, and save the world”—even though the last 10-15% is just one extended action-sequence. But, to a certain extent, I didn’t really care. The plot may have let me down, but the characters kept me reading. I really CARED what happened to them, and wanted to see how everyone fared in the end.
TL;DR
Ocean’s Godori was an excellent sci-fi/space-opera thriller, let down by a sudden ending that failed to resolve anything. Teo’s Durumi is much more of a mixed bag, ditching the rollicking space adventure with a character-driven romance, set in space, overarching plot optional. There’s a thriller within, but it’s got far more holes than the original. While surprising, it wasn’t altogether disappointing. While I lamented the lack of really any science amidst this fiction, and the loss of a motivating plot, I quite enjoyed the character relationships, and at least one of the two main romances. That said, I can’t really say that Teo’s Durumi is really any better than its predecessor. There’s an ending this time, which was nice, but there’s no real lasting satisfaction from it. The conclusion does its best to claw some of the action and thrill back, but (on the whole) it’s Swiss cheese at best.
While this completes the Alliance duology, hopefully the author continues to improve moving forward. There’s more than enough to love here—just with some caveats. But certainly potential.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com...
Teo Anand, only living scion of the Anand Tech Empire, should’ve been swaddled in opulence and surrounded by lovers, drink, and coin. Instead, he was stranded on the Moon, following what was only the latest in a series of attempts on his life, which had all started when he’d been framed for his family’s murder and marked for death. Such a week has the means to ruin any would-be vacation.
Given that Ocean Yoon just crashed a ship on the Moon, she’s in high spirits. Her best friend remains free, and she is sure that she can clear his name, though the details of how elude her at the moment. Enter Artemis—Lunar city seeped in Korean history and influence, haunted by ghosts both she and Teo share—and the continuation of their tale.
Corvus nears the completion of his goal, but one hurdle remains: Teo Anand. As another of the assassins allies join him in the place between worlds, Corvus is both beset by doubts and bolstered by confidence. Yet with but one more death, everything will be fine.
Teo knows that if anyone can clear him, it’s Ocean. Though he’d much rather disappear into the aether (with a certain dashing pirate captain) than try.
—
I adored Ocean’s Godori (up until the end, at least), for it was a rollicking space adventure with good world-building, deep and human characters, a thrilling plot, space pirates, and an emphasis on space and science fiction above all else. Then came the end, which was too abrupt, and didn’t resolve anything. Well, I’m happy to report that Teo’s Durumi has a definitive and satisfying conclusion. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of, well, anything resembling a plot, and really any science.
So, Teo’s Durumi is a romance set in space, centered heavily around its characters and their relationships and growth. There’s very little science to this fiction, and a story that I would describe as “wandering”, when it’s present at all. Basically, the book swaps one problem for another. While I legitimately enjoyed one of the two romances—and largely tolerated the second—I’m not sure it made up for the loss of a discernible plot.
There are very real, human characters, for the most part (there’s also a pirate captain with soulful eyes, a tender spirit, and a heart of gold; pretty much a walking cliché). How they live and grow reminded me very much of Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers, but with a more determined romance. Even Corvus, assassin and series’ antagonist, is relatable, and shows depth. Their story is nearly worth the price of admission on its own.
And yet, Teo’s Durumi once again failed to live up to expectation. After all, I expected another rollicking space thriller, heavy with character development. What I got was a romance, set in space, heavy with character development, growth, and evolving relationships. There’s some small science fiction at the edges, but that fades over the course of the text. By the end, I could barely remember the plot past “a man out to clear his name, and save the world”—even though the last 10-15% is just one extended action-sequence. But, to a certain extent, I didn’t really care. The plot may have let me down, but the characters kept me reading. I really CARED what happened to them, and wanted to see how everyone fared in the end.
TL;DR
Ocean’s Godori was an excellent sci-fi/space-opera thriller, let down by a sudden ending that failed to resolve anything. Teo’s Durumi is much more of a mixed bag, ditching the rollicking space adventure with a character-driven romance, set in space, overarching plot optional. There’s a thriller within, but it’s got far more holes than the original. While surprising, it wasn’t altogether disappointing. While I lamented the lack of really any science amidst this fiction, and the loss of a motivating plot, I quite enjoyed the character relationships, and at least one of the two main romances. That said, I can’t really say that Teo’s Durumi is really any better than its predecessor. There’s an ending this time, which was nice, but there’s no real lasting satisfaction from it. The conclusion does its best to claw some of the action and thrill back, but (on the whole) it’s Swiss cheese at best.
While this completes the Alliance duology, hopefully the author continues to improve moving forward. There’s more than enough to love here—just with some caveats. But certainly potential.
May 19, 2025
Thank you to Zando and NetGalley for the ARC.
Does it stick the landing? Yes. Does it stumble on the way there? Also yes.
Those coming into this straight from Ocean's Godori know that there was a LOT of momentum going from that book into this one. That momentum stutters to pretty much a complete stop at the beginning of this book, and the characters spend about the first 50-60% mostly hanging out in a mansion on the moon. Occasionally one or the other of them will emerge from the mansion to be shot at, kidnapped, stabbed, etc. and then they will go back to the mansion and hang out some more. One would think that Cho was using this time to further develop the relationships the characters started in the first book, and there is a BIT of that, but not enough for this to be most of the first 50% of the book.
The non-hanging-out-in-the-mansion chapters of the first half are Corvus-centered. These are pretty much a transparent attempt to make him more sympathetic as a villain, but they don't really work because he keeps doing worse and worse things, and the background we're given on him doesn't outweigh that because Cho has already given us the character of Garrett/Phoenix, who has a background almost identical to Corvus' and DIDN'T turn into a supervillain.
Once we hit 80%, the rest of the book is pretty much one long action sequence. There is good emotional payoff in the end, but overall the pacing and balance of this felt so off in comparison to the first book. The side characters weren't developed as much as I wanted to them to be for a found family narrative and we basically had no Teo-and-Ocean-besties-forever moments, which was sad. I did still like the book as a whole, but the first one was AWESOME and I don't think this one held up to its predecessor.
Does it stick the landing? Yes. Does it stumble on the way there? Also yes.
Those coming into this straight from Ocean's Godori know that there was a LOT of momentum going from that book into this one. That momentum stutters to pretty much a complete stop at the beginning of this book, and the characters spend about the first 50-60% mostly hanging out in a mansion on the moon. Occasionally one or the other of them will emerge from the mansion to be shot at, kidnapped, stabbed, etc. and then they will go back to the mansion and hang out some more. One would think that Cho was using this time to further develop the relationships the characters started in the first book, and there is a BIT of that, but not enough for this to be most of the first 50% of the book.
The non-hanging-out-in-the-mansion chapters of the first half are Corvus-centered. These are pretty much a transparent attempt to make him more sympathetic as a villain, but they don't really work because he keeps doing worse and worse things, and the background we're given on him doesn't outweigh that because Cho has already given us the character of Garrett/Phoenix, who has a background almost identical to Corvus' and DIDN'T turn into a supervillain.
Once we hit 80%, the rest of the book is pretty much one long action sequence. There is good emotional payoff in the end, but overall the pacing and balance of this felt so off in comparison to the first book. The side characters weren't developed as much as I wanted to them to be for a found family narrative and we basically had no Teo-and-Ocean-besties-forever moments, which was sad. I did still like the book as a whole, but the first one was AWESOME and I don't think this one held up to its predecessor.
July 17, 2025
This work begins with a character’s ship log that provides a brief rundown of the characters and the major events that happened in book one. I liked how this was done, as it melded smoothly with the story and means you don’t have to reread the first book to remember what happened (though it’s certainly worth the reread).
The pacing of this work is very uneven. There’s more intrigue in this one. Almost the entire first half of the book focuses more on the intrigue, characters planning, and a quick attack anytime someone leaves the safe house. This was disappointing, going from the momentum of book one into this somewhat standstill. This work also includes chapters from the main antagonist’s POVs. I really didn’t prefer these chapters. I couldn’t tell if they were meant to humanize Corvus and make him more sympathetic, but since he kept doing increasingly awful things, it didn’t work for me. And then the last fifth of the book was nonstop action until the very end. The first two-thirds of this book suffered from middle-book-syndrome to the point where I was a little scared the author was trying to turn this into a trilogy. I also felt that this one was missing much of the sci-fi of the first one, leaning more into conversations and planning.
There were still some strong aspects in this one, especially relating to the culture and food, some worldbuilding, and continuing the relationships that were started in book one. I really appreciate the slow burn romance in these and that the author didn’t try to rush any of the relationships.
This was still an enjoyable read, but the reasons I loved book one weren’t as present in this one, which led to a little disappointment for me. I would still love to read more from this author, especially in this world. My thanks to NetGalley and Zando Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The pacing of this work is very uneven. There’s more intrigue in this one. Almost the entire first half of the book focuses more on the intrigue, characters planning, and a quick attack anytime someone leaves the safe house. This was disappointing, going from the momentum of book one into this somewhat standstill. This work also includes chapters from the main antagonist’s POVs. I really didn’t prefer these chapters. I couldn’t tell if they were meant to humanize Corvus and make him more sympathetic, but since he kept doing increasingly awful things, it didn’t work for me. And then the last fifth of the book was nonstop action until the very end. The first two-thirds of this book suffered from middle-book-syndrome to the point where I was a little scared the author was trying to turn this into a trilogy. I also felt that this one was missing much of the sci-fi of the first one, leaning more into conversations and planning.
There were still some strong aspects in this one, especially relating to the culture and food, some worldbuilding, and continuing the relationships that were started in book one. I really appreciate the slow burn romance in these and that the author didn’t try to rush any of the relationships.
This was still an enjoyable read, but the reasons I loved book one weren’t as present in this one, which led to a little disappointment for me. I would still love to read more from this author, especially in this world. My thanks to NetGalley and Zando Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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