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azileotulp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Of course I choose to finish this book on the first day of Pride Month. What a way to celebrate.
Anyway... wow. This book wrecked me. I knew it would, just like the first one did, but my goodness. I'll just start off with the things I liked... which was basically everything? I think the biggest criticisms I've seen for this book and the first one are that there's no plot to them, which has never bothered me. I love a character-driven book, especially when the characters are as great as these. Valentino and Orion are adorable and work great together. I loved their dynamic.
I loved all the connections to the previous book too. I tried to find a list of all of them, but sadly haven't been able to. I did keep the first book near me at all times while reading this one just so I could try to find them.The Rufus and Mateo bits DESTROYED me. I had to set the book down every time I saw one of their names show up. When Mateo almost talked to Rufus at the park but then didn't get to? Yeah, that killed me.
I liked a lot of the side stories too.I didn't initially like how much time was spent on the Frankie, Gloria, and Rolando storyline at first, but after seeing that it's actually what led to Valentino's death, it all makes sense. I can't wait for Frankie to rot <3. I also enjoyed Joaquin's story for the most part, but I'm so frustrated that we didn't really figure out any secrets about how Death Cast works??? I didn't mind it at all in the first book because I didn't think it would make sense for us to know with the point of views we were given. In this book, however, it kept feeling like Joaquin, as the literal creator of Death Cast, was about to talk about some of the secrets, but then just doesn't. I hope that if we get his perspective in the next book, that's where we'll finally discover some things.
Even though that was an issue for me, it didn't really take away from my enjoyment too much. There were, however, two things that prevented this book from being perfect. One, the slang. Oh my goodness, I had the same problem in the first book too. I don't know if it's just really bad at first and gradually gets better throughout the book, or if I just got so used to it from how often it was used in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate slang in books, but I do hate it in this book. At times, it feels like it was written by a 60-year-old trying to be hip and trendy, even though the actual author is pretty young. Really, that's my biggest problem with the book. I cringed far too often reading some of this. The only other thing I didn't enjoy was the slow start. When I read the first book, I was instantly attached to Mateo, seeing a lot of myself in him, and Rufus grew on me fairly quickly. While reading this book, I don't think I truly cared for Valentino or Orion that much until I was almost halfway through the book. I can't really explain why didn't work for me at first, but they just didn't.
Even though I have my issues, I still can't say how much I enjoyed this book. I don't think I'll ever be okay again, but I said the same thing after I read the first book. (Yes, I keep bringing up the first book, but cut me some slack. I'm still mourning.) If you're looking for a book with a grand plot and adventure, this isn't for you. But if you want to see some gays fall in love before tragedy strikes (not a spoiler, you read the title), then you've come to the right place.
Anyway... wow. This book wrecked me. I knew it would, just like the first one did, but my goodness. I'll just start off with the things I liked... which was basically everything? I think the biggest criticisms I've seen for this book and the first one are that there's no plot to them, which has never bothered me. I love a character-driven book, especially when the characters are as great as these. Valentino and Orion are adorable and work great together. I loved their dynamic.
I loved all the connections to the previous book too. I tried to find a list of all of them, but sadly haven't been able to. I did keep the first book near me at all times while reading this one just so I could try to find them.
I liked a lot of the side stories too.
Even though that was an issue for me, it didn't really take away from my enjoyment too much. There were, however, two things that prevented this book from being perfect. One, the slang. Oh my goodness, I had the same problem in the first book too. I don't know if it's just really bad at first and gradually gets better throughout the book, or if I just got so used to it from how often it was used in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate slang in books, but I do hate it in this book. At times, it feels like it was written by a 60-year-old trying to be hip and trendy, even though the actual author is pretty young. Really, that's my biggest problem with the book. I cringed far too often reading some of this. The only other thing I didn't enjoy was the slow start. When I read the first book, I was instantly attached to Mateo, seeing a lot of myself in him, and Rufus grew on me fairly quickly. While reading this book, I don't think I truly cared for Valentino or Orion that much until I was almost halfway through the book. I can't really explain why didn't work for me at first, but they just didn't.
Even though I have my issues, I still can't say how much I enjoyed this book. I don't think I'll ever be okay again, but I said the same thing after I read the first book. (Yes, I keep bringing up the first book, but cut me some slack. I'm still mourning.) If you're looking for a book with a grand plot and adventure, this isn't for you. But if you want to see some gays fall in love before tragedy strikes (not a spoiler, you read the title), then you've come to the right place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Death of parent, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, Child abuse, Suicide, and Infidelity
- Both of Orion's parents died in the 9/11 attacks. This is mentioned frequently.idk_whatimevendoing's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Grief, Medical content, Domestic abuse, and Blood
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Suicide
dirtyseagull's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
So here's the thing about this book, its a great follow up to the first in the "Series" as it were, because even though its a prequel its main focus for most the story is the world building and establishing what kind of New York these characters are living in and subsequently, dying in.
Not really a spoiler, its in the title.
But here are some very minor spoilers if you wanna keep reading. You are getting a lot of the same here as you did in the first novel, just longer. There's backstory, more world-building, and a shit ton of callbacks to the first novel (and little easter eggs) which give context for who these characters were that were either mentioned or featured in the first story.
These mostly work in service of the novel but sometimes feel like they are just kinda cameos for the sake of cameos and they could have been cut down or cut out. The only other thing that really makes me think that this could have been better is that the story itself, while different and heart wrenching feels far less emotionally powerful to me.
Not really a spoiler, its in the title.
But here are some very minor spoilers if you wanna keep reading. You are getting a lot of the same here as you did in the first novel, just longer. There's backstory, more world-building, and a shit ton of callbacks to the first novel (and little easter eggs) which give context for who these characters were that were either mentioned or featured in the first story.
These mostly work in service of the novel but sometimes feel like they are just kinda cameos for the sake of cameos and they could have been cut down or cut out. The only other thing that really makes me think that this could have been better is that the story itself, while different and heart wrenching feels far less emotionally powerful to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug use, Suicide, Death, Death of parent, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Child death, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
itsbumley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
team_mosaic's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A brilliant prequel and return to the Death Cast universe! It was so amazing seeing more pieces and depth coming together, connecting this story to They Both Die At The End. Such a beautifully rich exploration of life, death, and love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Infidelity, and Suicide
ree_the_owlgirl's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Suicide
Minor: Car accident
lexi17d's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Bittersweet. So heartwarming and heartbreaking and just ughhh!! ❤️💔❤️💔 I feel like I need to take a break from reading queer romances that I know will inevitably end but even though I know what’s coming, my heart still breaks when it comes to reading it. Why do bad things have to happen to lovely people?!? Why?!? Excuse me while I go and have a little cry 😭😭
This is the prequel to a book I did really enjoy and took a lot of takeaways from: They Both Die at the End and I feel like it was a slightly better instalment. Because I enjoyed They Both I decided to preorder this (my first ever time getting a book on publication day - I was so excited!!) and thankfully I did because it was so good. I don’t want to explain the plot that much because you need to experience it first hand to have the intended impact but we follow two main characters (in first person interchanging chapters): Orion who has a heart illness, lost his parents in 9/11 and lives with his best friend Dalma and her family AND Valentino (that name… oof) who has just moved to NYC ‘with’ his twin sister Scarlett (she’s still in Arizona but planning on coming) to peruse their dreams and distance themselves from their homophobic catholic parents. They meet in Times Sq on Death-Cast Eve at a celebration and one gets the call that they will die that day. So instead of accepting death, both young men decide to live. Like They Both there are also third person chapters from peripheral.
The writing was very good, it’s addictively readable where you just want to read on and on, the plot flows well and things all fit together well. Like They Both I did find some of the side character’s stories were a bit unnecessary and not fully realised but was done better in The First. These chapters did take me out of the central storyline in some parts but everything does come together… a bit too well with some things leading me to think ‘ummm okay, kinda put that in to complete the jigsaw’ where maybe some more messiness would have been appreciated but overall I did enjoy it. We also meet little Mateo and Rufus which was nice. A main storyline in these side characters deals with a domestic abuse issue which was handled quite well and I was very much invested in it - less can be said for the side narratives in They Both.
Writing = good. Characters = perfection. I loved them so much. And from the start aswell, they were such lovable, kind, sweet, relatable and real people. ValentinOrion you have my whole heart (this relates to the book btw) and just their relationship was so beautiful. The events in their lives were so hard and really affected them both so much so they didn’t need what happened but like also they wouldn’t have had what they did have so Yhh… bittersweet. There’s no other word for it and even that don’t cut it. Also many of the other characters were really nice all except Frankie I’d say. I just wanted good things to come their way.
Like They Both, there is definitely a lot of focus on death and grief but once again Silvera threads this beautifully told notion of life throughout the book. How we only have one life and it’s there to be lived. There were lots of takeaways from this book (less so quotes but I feel like most YA books I’ve read aren’t the best at meaningful and amazingly penned quotes) which gripped me and I think were protracted very well.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book and totally recommend it. There sore some triggers but I think they were handed rather well and there’s important ideas and notions to take away. And come on, the love story is just everything. So damn cute but sad but lovely but shattering but ughh just everything. No more from me now, I’m such a rambler.
I did film a reading vlog if anyone wanted to see: https://youtu.be/Qnsnwt5yPmk
I did film a reading vlog if anyone wanted to see: https://youtu.be/Qnsnwt5yPmk
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide, Gun violence, Cancer, Homophobia, Murder, and Religious bigotry
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