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The Darkness Outside Us

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The Darkness Outside Us

By: Eliot Schrefer
Narrated by: James Fouhey
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About this listen

They Both Die at the End meets The Loneliest Girl in the Universe in this mind-bending sci-fi mystery and tender love story about two boys aboard a spaceship sent on a rescue mission, from two-time National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer. Stonewall Honor Award winner!

Two boys, alone in space. Sworn enemies sent on the same rescue mission.

Ambrose wakes up on the Coordinated Endeavor with no memory of a launch. There’s more that doesn’t add up: evidence indicates strangers have been on board, the ship’s operating system is voiced by his mother, and his handsome, brooding shipmate has barricaded himself away. But nothing will stop Ambrose from making his mission succeed—not when he’s rescuing his own sister.

In order to survive the ship’s secrets, Ambrose and Kodiak will need to work together and learn to trust each other . . . especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive.

* Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of the Year * A Booklist Editor's Choice of the Year * A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book of the Year * A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults & Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Book of the Year *

©2021 Eliot Schrefer (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Romance Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Thrillers & Suspense Young Adult Fiction Mystery

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This book was so sad in places yet so uplifting in others. I cried for Ambrose and Kodiak. Their journey through space with them thinking they were doing one thing and then realisation that all was not what it seemed. Their ingenious ways of subverting the irritating OS and finding ways to pass on what knowledge they had gleaned to their future selves. Their love for each other kept them on track. A gloriously unexpected treasure of a book.

Unexpected treasure

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I’d already read the book and loved it, was recommended to listen to the audio book for the narrator. Didn’t disappoint! Love hearing the story told.

Twists and turns

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This book is so much sadder than I expected! Also it is a bit scarier than I expected.

Sadder and angstier then I expected

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An enjoyable and thrilling ride if a listen, no pun intended, and the narrator was great as well.

Great

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Keeping this brief and to the point (without spoiling)- I was 40/60 in favour of slipping away from this title after the first couple of hours, but so, so glad I didn't. Ambrose was at times an unlikeable character for reasons I can't say without spoiling (maybe that's the point...?) and I found the story plodded along for a while. Then all at once it takes off like a rocket and I inhaled the last three fifths in record time. The story suddenly becomes intriguing, at time horrifying and sob worthy, and definitely worth the listen. The format of the book is especially worth commendation - how the story unfolds is refreshingly unique and original in my own opinion - keeping the heart rate and the stakes high throughout.

The performance itself was very good and well delivered, the reader gave it his all with a plethora of intonation, believable acting and a considered delivery - only thing stopping me giving it a full 5* is that at times during the action sequences the delivery fell a bit flat while some areas that really didn't need it became slightly hammy.

In summary - most certainly worth the listen and already put a credit down for the sequel.

Up, down, and all around - but so, so worth it

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Loved every decade of this journey . A great enjoyable and captivating tale superbly narrated . Would make a fantastic mini series.

Unique

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What was a slow start at the beginning became a captivating listen with twists and turns I never predicted! Loved it.

An interesting and captivating LGBTQ+ Story

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I have a mixed feeling about this one. It has a good start and then slowly detours into something dark but quite interesting. There is definitely a kick and thrill and some sadness. However the end is absolutely soft and positive, maybe a bit too positive for my liking. I still liked the book and recommended it though.

YA story with a twist

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It's quite difficult to review this book without adding a few spoilers but I'll try anyway. It has elements of an epic story with the fight for survival at it's core and yet there also a sweet love of love quite well integrated. It's very nuanced in it's approach to humanity and artificial intelligence with the circumstances clearly the primary driver for the characters decisions. It's really quite sad and lonely at times but it really is a prerequisite for what is a great story.

An emotional and existential roller coaster

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I will firstly just say that I haven't listened to a book that's made me feel like this ever before.. (just finished it and I'm still slightly reeling).

If you are even remotely interested in the premise and enjoy sci-fi... PICK THIS UP. I was on the edge of my seat for the whole duration and had to listen in 2 sittings.. (which is unheard of for me).

So beautifully written and surprisingly thematically deep. Very well performed by the narrator too,
I won't be forgetting it for a long long time. What a ride.

Sci-fi thriller page turner

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