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Cover of The Darkness Outside Us

The Darkness Outside Us

by Eliot Schrefer

🌶️🌶️mild·spoiler·The Darkness Outside Us #1

Why Read This?

A mind-bending space romance that questions reality while delivering genuine emotional connection between two boys discovering love amid impossible circumstances. Perfect blend of sci-fi concepts and heartfelt YA romance.

Synopsis

Two boys, alone in space. After the first settler on Titan trips her distress signal, neither remaining country on Earth can afford to scramble a rescue of its own, and so two sworn enemies are installed in the same spaceship. 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 one another… especially once they discover what they are truly up against. Love might be the only way to survive.

At a Glance

4.31 ★ Goodreads
Spice Level🌶️🌶️mild
Endingspoiler
PairingM/M
Romance Pacingslow burn
Energymedium

Top Tropes

forced proximityonly one bedsecret relationship

Mood

mysteriousintenseromanticbittersweet

Book Details

Goodreads Rating

4.31 ★

Page Count

397 pages

Published

2021

Primary Genre

Sci-fi

Pairing

M/M

POV

Dual POV

Romance Pacing

Slow Burn

Audiobook

Format

Standard

Tropes

RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

Mood

Writing Style

conversationalearnestbanter-heavy

Story Pacing

medium

Emotional Weight

moderate

Energy Required

medium

Vibes

space operapsychological thrillerfound family

Characters

MMC Archetype

reluctant heroscholar/intellectualcinnamon roll

Relationship Dynamics

friends to loversmutual piningbanter

Spice Details 🌶️

🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

Spice Style

emotional / lovingromantic / sweet

Getting Steamy

soft dom energyaftercare on page

Bringing the Heat

None
Browse more books by spice level →
violencememory manipulationexistential themes
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

World Type

space/sci-fi

Primary Setting

ship / at sea

Representation

gayqueer

Reading Context

Emotional Payoff

Best Time of Year

anytime

When & Where to Read

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