A review by yoursupremereads
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This was something I was not expecting. Gay teens in space? Dystopia? New planet hopping? Spaceship faring? Dark science fiction with sinister AIs? This gave me a run for my money. A great addition to the YA queer canon of literature for young people to consume. A story I wish was here when I was a youngling.
Ambrose and Kodiak's light enemies to lovers journey was honestly heart warming, especially given the fact that Schrefer makes it feel like these two boys are the only people in the entire universe, so interaction was inevitable. But their budding romance was handled in the best way possible. And the looming threat of the vacuum of space outside their spaceship was ever present and tense. And the twist, made my jaw drop. Just know clones are involved and it was mind blowing. But the best thing about the story is that Ambrose and Kodiak get a happy ending that was worth the trials and tribulations of their journey.
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