Teo’s Durumi

by Elaine U. Cho

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Teo’s Durumi is the much-anticipated second half of Elaine U. Cho’s stellar sci-fi Alliance Duology. It brings the series to an exhilarating close as Teo, Ocean, and the people they love decide how to forge new paths into the future. The book begins with a recap of the characters and what happened in the first book, told from one character’s perspective. Two crews from two very different ships have been thrown together by circumstances, and they’re all struggling with the events that brought them together. Teo is also coping with the death of his entire family while trying to find a way to clear his name for their murders. He feels guilty for dragging everyone else into danger, but he needs help hunting down those responsible and stopping further carnage.

Teo’s Durumi is more gruesome than Ocean’s Godori as we delve into the mind of the villain and follow his tracks and the bodies he’s left behind. The book also explores the interpersonal relationships between the main characters, bringing their emotions closer to the surface as they interact along the way. It’s skillfully done, and balances out the horror with touches of hope.

Cho has a way with words – not just descriptions, but also a mastery of setting a scene so that readers can feel the tension. Her books explore identity and acceptance; grief and redemption; loyalty and sacrifice. It’s very impressive.

I made so many notes while reading, but they mostly come down to my adoration of the author’s ability to make a single moment tangible, to bring her characters – their emotions and motivations – so brilliantly to life that readers feel their pain, understand their grief, and hold their breath while hoping for a happy ending. I have read and reread this series so many times and each time I am drawn in, captivated and never wanting it to end. I want more – more of Ocean and Teo, and more of Cho’s beautiful words. I bought the ebook and the hardcover version, as well as the audiobook (which is phenomenal!) and highly recommend them all. This series is easily my favorite, and I can’t praise it enough. I’ll absolutely read anything she writes.

Cho’s next book, a standalone contemporary fantasy, is already on my TBR. The Final Death of Namjoo Han is slated for publication April 27, 2027. I am lucky enough to have an Advance Reader Copy so look for that review in the future.

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Visit the author’s website.

Design by Neuwirth & Associates, Inc.
Cover illustrations by Jee-ook Choi

Audiobook Advance Reader Copy provided by Zando via NetGalley per my request. I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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