Release Date - September 5, 2017
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**
Here is the Goodreads synopsis
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure and to live a lifetime in a single day.
I knew what I was getting into when I picked up They Both Die At The End. Not only is Adam Silvera known for writing heart crushing novels, but the title was offering up its own warning in flashing lights. It's a book that prepares you for the heartbreak it is about to cause, but it doesn't prepare you for the lightness it also lets in. Adam Silvera as crafted a rather beautiful book about living that is disguised as a book about dying.
The relationship between life and death is one that has always fascinated people. The sheer fact that we are going to die at some point should make living all the more vital and meaningful. There are those that live to the fullest, and those who allow life to slip by with a bunch of 'I'll do it laters'. This novel is telling people to live in large, bold flashing lights. It is reminding you that our time is finite. It reminds us in the most uplifting way possible to live.
Death-Cast and the other components of this world that Mateo and Rufus inhabit are so unique and well developed. There are so many minor details that flesh out the world that added extra depth to the story. It tackled the commercialization that would happen if Death-Cast were to exist. It acknowledges the darker, seedier elements that would also come to exist. It even takes the time to look at the type of people who would work for Death-Cast and the cold detached way they could come to view death. It made the world very immersive, and one that could easily be expanded on if the author choose to return. It's the sort of setting that stands out, and even provides many discussion points.
Mateo and Rufus are two very different people. They are entirely mismatched, and that is why I think they work so well. They compliment each other. They are exactly what each other needs at this point in time. It starts out as something each of them do on a whim, and turns into a life changing decision for each of them. It allows both of them to step outside their comfort zone and live their last day to the fullest. They are cute together, and my only complaint is that we didn't get more time with them. You'll feel cheated out of seeing them and their relationship progress, but that is exactly what this story wants you to feel.
Part of what makes both Mateo and Rufus such well defined characters are the secondary characters that orbit around them. We get to glimpse both of their lives before the Death-Cast call. They have friends and family that matter to them, and things happening in their life outside of this one day. It enlarges the scope of the story being told, and benefits the characterization. There are also glimpses of other people that come into contact with Mateo and Rufus on their last day. This expansion of the world is brilliantly done, and pieces the story together in a rather brilliant way.
It goes without saying that tissues are a must when reading this one. It's very premise should indicate that tears are a strong possibility. I wasn't prepared, however, for how quickly I would start crying. I was barely into the story before the first threat of tears happened. This, to me, was a testament to how quickly the story pulled me in. I immediately started to connect with the characters, and the way this world was presented. There is a sense of anger that these two boys will not grow up and experience life. The unfairness of this truth is something that is always weighing on you as your reading. This only increases as the two connect on a deeper level and you end up wishing they had more time together.
This book is one that will leave you with a broken heart, but it also instills a desire to live. I think that Adam would be thrilled if this novel inspired people to take risks, go out of their comfort zone, say yes to experiences a little more often, and not put off things they truly want to do. It's certainly inspired me to not put things off until later, and take a few more chances. It is a thought provoking read that also happens to just be a beautiful, if tragic, story and one I predict many will fall in love with.
The relationship between life and death is one that has always fascinated people. The sheer fact that we are going to die at some point should make living all the more vital and meaningful. There are those that live to the fullest, and those who allow life to slip by with a bunch of 'I'll do it laters'. This novel is telling people to live in large, bold flashing lights. It is reminding you that our time is finite. It reminds us in the most uplifting way possible to live.
Death-Cast and the other components of this world that Mateo and Rufus inhabit are so unique and well developed. There are so many minor details that flesh out the world that added extra depth to the story. It tackled the commercialization that would happen if Death-Cast were to exist. It acknowledges the darker, seedier elements that would also come to exist. It even takes the time to look at the type of people who would work for Death-Cast and the cold detached way they could come to view death. It made the world very immersive, and one that could easily be expanded on if the author choose to return. It's the sort of setting that stands out, and even provides many discussion points.
Mateo and Rufus are two very different people. They are entirely mismatched, and that is why I think they work so well. They compliment each other. They are exactly what each other needs at this point in time. It starts out as something each of them do on a whim, and turns into a life changing decision for each of them. It allows both of them to step outside their comfort zone and live their last day to the fullest. They are cute together, and my only complaint is that we didn't get more time with them. You'll feel cheated out of seeing them and their relationship progress, but that is exactly what this story wants you to feel.
Part of what makes both Mateo and Rufus such well defined characters are the secondary characters that orbit around them. We get to glimpse both of their lives before the Death-Cast call. They have friends and family that matter to them, and things happening in their life outside of this one day. It enlarges the scope of the story being told, and benefits the characterization. There are also glimpses of other people that come into contact with Mateo and Rufus on their last day. This expansion of the world is brilliantly done, and pieces the story together in a rather brilliant way.
It goes without saying that tissues are a must when reading this one. It's very premise should indicate that tears are a strong possibility. I wasn't prepared, however, for how quickly I would start crying. I was barely into the story before the first threat of tears happened. This, to me, was a testament to how quickly the story pulled me in. I immediately started to connect with the characters, and the way this world was presented. There is a sense of anger that these two boys will not grow up and experience life. The unfairness of this truth is something that is always weighing on you as your reading. This only increases as the two connect on a deeper level and you end up wishing they had more time together.
This book is one that will leave you with a broken heart, but it also instills a desire to live. I think that Adam would be thrilled if this novel inspired people to take risks, go out of their comfort zone, say yes to experiences a little more often, and not put off things they truly want to do. It's certainly inspired me to not put things off until later, and take a few more chances. It is a thought provoking read that also happens to just be a beautiful, if tragic, story and one I predict many will fall in love with.
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