The Darkness Outside Us
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4.7 • 23 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
They Both Die at the End meets Gravity 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 *
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this sexy space odyssey by Schrefer (The Popper Penguin Rescue) set in 2472, Earth's two remaining—and warring—countries, Dimokratía and Fédération, mount a mission to rescue Fédération's Minerva Cusk, who sends a distress signal after being sent to colonize one of Saturn's moons. The progeny of a corporate figurehead mother and Alexander the Great's "reconstructed sperm," 17-year-old Ambrose, who has "molten bronze" skin, is dedicated to rescuing his sister. Upon awakening in the Coordinated Endeavor's infirmary, however, he learns that he's been in a coma following a launch accident—and that he's sharing the ship with a Dimokrat-ían spacefarer named Kodiak Celius, an orphan with olive skin. Wary of each other at first, the two slowly join forces as they complete the surveillance-obsessed Operating System's log of tasks, notice strange things about the ship's cargo, and together enjoy manicotti en route to falling in love. Against a backdrop of speculative fiction tropes and Cold War–like identity politics, Schrefer's immersive novel combines the build of mysteries and the tension of romance, slowly unfurling an iterative story about love and attraction, destiny, and connection. Ages 13–up.
Customer Reviews
My favourite book of 2024
I’d been waiting so long for a sci-fi thriller with a gay protagonist and this hit the mark. A thrilling, surprising, and fun read where the romance elements are exciting but not too over the top. Highly recommend!
Okay wow…
Not what I expected at all! If you’re looking for a light & breezy romcom - this isn’t it.
Full of meaningful messages and difficult thoughts to ponder, this has been one of the best reads for me this year.
100% recommend!
One for the ages
One of the most mind blowing, creative, and thrilling books I’ve ever had the privilege to read. Has really made me reevaluate everything in my life. Can’t wait for more! This is a must must must read!