We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

August 11, 2026

We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune

Don and Rodney have been together for 40 years, living in Maine. Now both retired, they have traveled all over the United States in their rusty old RV. Don and Rodney have one last quest to fulfill, but a black hole is gradually swallowing the galaxy. They realize that they may have left it too late, and they may be out of time.

Whether he is writing about dogs or robots or children with unusual abilities or the end of the world, TJ Klune is always able to yank at your heartstrings. The story in in this short novel follows a gay couple who have been through the ups and downs of a long life together, and realize that they are almost out of time to fulfill one last promise. Reminded me of The Measure by Nikki Erlick, in that it looks at the different responses that people have to a catastrophic event. The world may be ending but you're left with the feeling that it may just be okay. Not my favorite Klune novel but definitely worth reading.

A black hole, a region of space where gravity is so dense it sucks in everything and doesn't even allow light to escape