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A review by n_asyikin_
The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ambrose woke up in a spaceship on a mission to rescue his sister; Kodiak, a fellow spacefarer from an enemy state went along for the collaborative rescue effort. The discovery of dried blood stains & damages to the ship's interior indicated that violence had occurred, but both Ambrose & Kodiak suffered memory loss that limited their knowledge. With an uncooperative AI system that seemed intent on not providing them with answers, they must solve a mystery that upended everything they thought they knew. All the while, facing possible threats from their robotic companions.
Leisurely in its pace at the start, the hypotheticals regarding the mystery was rooted initially in the evidential violence at the start, which honestly, left me rather complacent about the story at the start. But what was thought to be a "criminal" whodunnit situation took a massive turn; the unravelling was more expansive & became an unexpected contemplation on existentialist conundrums; that steady pace became a thrill of discoveries & survivalibility.
The progress of solving the mystery in itself is fascinating, primarily involving a psychological game between men & machines. But it was the tenderness that derived from the raw emotions evoked by Ambrose & Kodiak's "mission" that truly moved me: the immortality & heritability of fears, hopes, dreams - and how, having someone there with you through it all, just might be the very reason that makes life worth living & fighting for.
The Darkness Outside Us was intriguing in its mystery, but what would last with me was how beautiful the way we were allowed to embrace Ambrose & Kodiak's vulnerability. It was rather simplistic in the story-telling. But for me, it was a modest powerhouse!
Leisurely in its pace at the start, the hypotheticals regarding the mystery was rooted initially in the evidential violence at the start, which honestly, left me rather complacent about the story at the start. But what was thought to be a "criminal" whodunnit situation took a massive turn; the unravelling was more expansive & became an unexpected contemplation on existentialist conundrums; that steady pace became a thrill of discoveries & survivalibility.
The progress of solving the mystery in itself is fascinating, primarily involving a psychological game between men & machines. But it was the tenderness that derived from the raw emotions evoked by Ambrose & Kodiak's "mission" that truly moved me: the immortality & heritability of fears, hopes, dreams - and how, having someone there with you through it all, just might be the very reason that makes life worth living & fighting for.
The Darkness Outside Us was intriguing in its mystery, but what would last with me was how beautiful the way we were allowed to embrace Ambrose & Kodiak's vulnerability. It was rather simplistic in the story-telling. But for me, it was a modest powerhouse!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Minor: Sexual content