The Outside

By: Ada Hoffmann

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Humanity's super-intelligent AI gods brutally punish breaches in reality, as one young scientist discovers, in this intense and brilliant space opera.

Autistic scientist Yasira Shien has developed a radical new energy drive that could change the future of humanity. But when she activates it, reality warps, destroying the space station and everyone aboard. The AI gods who rule the galaxy declare her work heretical, and Yasira is abducted by their agents. Instead of simply executing her, they offer mercy - if she'll help them hunt down a bigger target: her own mysterious, vanished mentor.

With her homeworld's fate in the balance, Yasira must choose who to trust: the gods and their ruthless post-human angels, or the rebel scientist whose unorthodox mathematics could turn her world inside out.

©2019 Ada Hoffmann (P)2019 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Hoffmann confidently layers morality and disability rights into a breezily told adventure that bursts with sheer fun.... This beautifully smart, uncynical space opera will charm fans of Charles Stross and Lois McMaster Bujold." (Publishers Weekly)

Wow!

I put this down for months; just couldn't get into it. But I'm so glad I picked it up again, because it really drew me in and held me fascinated throughout. Also, great narration.

Another toothless take on cosmic horror.

I have no idea if this was the author's intention or not, but the Eldredge means from outside the universe have about as much overall impact on me as a reader as hearing that a character passed gas.

I get the idea is that the protagonist actually works with them, so they can't be some sort of inherently evil thing, but even so there's just no personality to them.

the overall depictions of Madness in this book seem more like minor mental health issues in the grand scheme of things, spoken as a person with several of them chronically.

if you're expecting any sort of cosmic horror out of this book, don't pick it up. if you want a slightly different science fiction take on creepy monsters from outside our dimension, maybe this will work for you.

Im glad I gave it a second chance

The 1st time I tried to listen to this book I gave up and started a new one. But I gave it a second chance and it was an interesting story about an autistic young adult engineer. Her life takes a turn away from her “faith” and her limits are tested.

pretty good

The series was pretty good and it's definitely different not sure what else to say about it

Time is a lie

There's an A.I. god named Nemesis that trades human souls in and out of the void to torture them. Basically irl. Loved that it had an autistic protagonist 🖤✨

Exhausting main character paralyzed by self doubt

The main character in this story is the most self-deprecating, fearful, unhappy creature I've ever encountered in fiction. At first this is likable, but the character keeps on passing up opportunities for self-growth or for questioning the "way things are" this combined with the worried narration makes it exhausting to listen to.

Satisfied All My Cravings For a Sci-Fi Book

Hoffmann’s world is populated by a variety of post op angels, vague gods who rule over them, good, bad and so-so aliens, and an intrepid and brilliant young autistic scientist who embarks on the journey of her life. Without getting into the story line, let me just say, it was interesting, clever and refreshingly original; beautifully written and spot on narration. It kept my full attention front to back.
I just read there is a sequel tentatively set. I hope it’s with the same narrator, Nancy Wu.

Anyway, 5 stars, 2 thumbs’ up and a resounding Yes!

PS It's months later and I've re-read The Outside only to love it even more than the first time. I thought Nancy Wu's narration was perfect. Her voice captured the inner musings of young Yasira, the hesitant, lost and confused and yet oh-so determined genius scientist we follow on her path of discoveries. Please Ada Hoffmann, hurry with the next one!

Unflinchingly honest

One of the best books for characterization I've ever read - especially the villains. Everything in the story is driven by motive, and all actions (or intended actions) make sense from each character's vantage point, poured through the lens of their prior experience with other people.

There's also a keen sense for how one's frame of reference affects both one's own understanding and how others perceive one. The way that the Outside is experienced reminded me - as if through a twisted, dark glass - how all the many possibilities of time were experienced by Muad'dib in Herbert's Dune. How transformative such a loss of self can be, how dangerous it can be, to everyone connected to the one transforming, losing themselves.

But Hoffmann's rendering of that consciousness is more exacting and feels more real, rather than imagined, more drawn from the terror, ecstasy and horror of perception altered - not by psychoactive substance, but by extreme experience and ordeal.

And, gods, that last conversation is so on point for lived experience.

Gods, souls, religion

Did a double take on this, thought it was scify
-turned out medieval fantasy
Was closer

An engaging new take on lovecraftian horrors!

The Outside is an engaging new take on lovecraftian horrors in a scifi setting!

The world building is detailed but it never feels like you're getting bogged down in trivia.

The main character and main antagonist being on the autistic spectrum adds a delightful layer to the story, as from their perspective humans are themselves arbitrary alien messes with incomprehensible rules.

The book works well enough as a stand alone story, but I hope there is a sequel!