The Space Between Us (novel)

The Space Between Us is a 2013 science fiction young adult novel written by Beth Revis. It tells the story of Amy, a teenage girl in cryogenic sleep aboard the spaceship Godspeed on a centuries-long journey to colonize a new planet, and Elder, a young man who has lived his entire life on the Godspeed and is destined to become its next leader.

Amy wakes up fifty years early from her cryogenic sleep due to sabotage, and struggles to adapt to the closed, regimented society that has developed aboard the Godspeed. Elder, initially wary of Amy's disruptive presence, becomes increasingly fascinated by her stories of Earth and the potential future that awaits them.

The narrative alternates between Amy's and Elder's perspectives, exploring themes of isolation, societal control, the clash between tradition and progress, and the burgeoning romance between the two protagonists. The novel delves into the ethical implications of long-duration space travel and the potential consequences of manipulating a society for the sake of order. As Amy and Elder uncover secrets about the Godspeed and its mission, they must confront difficult choices that will determine the fate of the ship and its passengers. The novel is the first in a trilogy, followed by Across the Universe and A Million Suns.