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A review by minayana
Ocean's Godori by Elaine U. Cho
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
As a Korean American who was very excited to read a space opera where Korea dominates space travel, I’m very sad to say that this novel was very meh. Nothing particularly good about it, nothing particularly bad about it. Just meh.
It has a really interesting world that I don’t think was explained well, and I really couldn’t envision anything in the book. Some books can really pull off an “effortless” style where you’re just thrown into a world and you kind of just have to figure it out. I feel like the author was trying for that, but failed. I could be totally wrong though, cause to be honest I really was not able to concentrate on this book. The book synopsis doesn’t start until 50% in! And the first half you’re just following these characters that you don’t really care about in a world that you can’t really envision. And then all the buildup from that last 50% of the novel results in a super fast paced climax in like the last 5% of the book.
The author tries to bring up racial oppression towards non humans, with Haven being half Japanese and half an alien race……where on his alien planet he is discriminated against for being pale, and on earth is discriminated against for being a “vulture.” honestly don’t remember much about the alien race except that they have dark skin and Haven is seen as ugly for being pale…....very interesting choice in my opinion.
The audiobook narration was fine, nothing very impressive. I really didn’t like how the narrator voiced some of the side characters. I couldn’t tell you a thing about any of them except some of them are voiced with a really nasally voice lol. The crew is supposed to be a fun rag tag group of friends, but I really just didn’t care or feel connected to any of the characters, including the three MCs.
The actual writing style was good, and I’d be interested to read more from this author after she’s become a bit more experienced. I’d say try it and if you’re not into it 15% in, don’t bother continuing.
It has a really interesting world that I don’t think was explained well, and I really couldn’t envision anything in the book. Some books can really pull off an “effortless” style where you’re just thrown into a world and you kind of just have to figure it out. I feel like the author was trying for that, but failed. I could be totally wrong though, cause to be honest I really was not able to concentrate on this book. The book synopsis doesn’t start until 50% in! And the first half you’re just following these characters that you don’t really care about in a world that you can’t really envision. And then all the buildup from that last 50% of the novel results in a super fast paced climax in like the last 5% of the book.
The author tries to bring up racial oppression towards non humans, with Haven being half Japanese and half an alien race……where on his alien planet he is discriminated against for being pale, and on earth is discriminated against for being a “vulture.” honestly don’t remember much about the alien race except that they have dark skin and Haven is seen as ugly for being pale…....very interesting choice in my opinion.
The audiobook narration was fine, nothing very impressive. I really didn’t like how the narrator voiced some of the side characters. I couldn’t tell you a thing about any of them except some of them are voiced with a really nasally voice lol. The crew is supposed to be a fun rag tag group of friends, but I really just didn’t care or feel connected to any of the characters, including the three MCs.
The actual writing style was good, and I’d be interested to read more from this author after she’s become a bit more experienced. I’d say try it and if you’re not into it 15% in, don’t bother continuing.