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  • The Darkness Outside Us

  • By: Eliot Schrefer
  • Narrated by: James Fouhey
  • Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (58 ratings)
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The Darkness Outside Us cover art

The Darkness Outside Us

By: Eliot Schrefer
Narrated by: James Fouhey
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Summary

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

What listeners say about The Darkness Outside Us

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Could have been good

The protagonist killed it for me. I understand that the intention was to make him seem roughish and spoilt, but it was done in an over-the-top manner that was hard to believe, and even harder to listen to. Maybe it would have been better if the story was told from the 3rd perspective. The way it is now, this youngling has too much insight into his own (horny) feelings.
Despite being on a rescue mission for a relative he supposedly truly loves, a mission that had barely started, he jumps on the new acquaintance before he even sees him, like a dying man in a desert finding a drop of water. I found it bisarr.
The story itself is not original in any way. It didn't hook me up. Too bad, because the voice acting is incredible.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

brilliant story, a few small issues

OS says.. OS says.... OS says... the author could have used a few more similies when depicting speach... thats about it withnout spoilers

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sci-fi thriller page turner

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.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

An emotional and existential roller coaster

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.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unique

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unexpected treasure

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.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sadder and angstier then I expected

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

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

YA story with a twist

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.

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