A review by countmodris
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Currently one of my favorite books and I definitely will be thinking about it for a while. I originally picked it up because it sounded similar to Wolf 359 (a fiction podcast) and it exceeded all my expectations. The scifi element is great and so is the romance. It's a good balance. 

I'm going to talk spoilers for a bit but seriously do not read spoilers before hand, it's best to experience this blind.

The different aspects of the book are so fascinating, with the hints at the cultural differences between the two countries, the way all the different clones interact with each other, the slow burn of the initial romance and the way it got progressively easier every time. The mystery element definitely payed off and OS felt like a genuine threat throughout.

This book genuinely feels like believing in love again in a way, if I'm not overselling it a bit. The relationship they had was so tender and felt completely real and possible. The parts at the end with each set of clones was so interesting and the letters where they grow old together but me. I love the idea of falling in love with what you make of yourself.
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