Reviews tagging 'Mass/school shootings'

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

55 reviews

karina19_'s review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Violence

Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry

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.

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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.

- A child is forced to shoot his father in order to protect his mother.

kaseygaston's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

This book WRECKED me. It’s a very emotional book it will have you falling in love with the characters, laughing and crying all within a few pages. Definitely a whirlwind of emotions but it is worth the read 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Death

Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Chronic illness, and Medical content

chloebo's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book destroyed me. I absolutely sobbed at the end. But it was an amazing book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Medical content and Blood

fpcat99's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, and Murder

lugotthecinema's review against another edition

adventurous 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

5.0

a painfully beautiful story. absolutely ripped my heart out i havent stopped crying

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Blood, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Car accident

Minor: Cursing, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, and Medical content

airsosweet's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

that was really fucking good.
i think i liked it more than “they both die at the end”

i looove when a story weaves together the lives of characters that seemingly have no connections. it’s so satisfying and adam executed it brilliantly 

my only critique is it can be kinda cringey at times. its the usual, stupid nicknames (O-bro??) and siblings calling each other “bro” and “sis”, but tbh you can just look past it it’s not too much

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Mass/school shootings, Death, and Religious bigotry

kates_cupcakes's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring reflective slow-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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Death

churoe's review against another edition

dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

Half way through this book I knew it was going to be a 5 star book. After reading "they both die at the end" I was a complete wreck - but this story broke me even more.

I absolutely loved watching the characters stories intertwine & even the sneak peak of Mateo and Rufus from the sequel and how Dalma is the one who invented the app that allowed them to meet in the future. 

I am really hoping there is another book which explores *how* death cast actually predicts the deaths of people & more on the different side stories of Rolando/gloria & Paz as well as naya & joaquin.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders

teawitchontravel's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

5.0

This book is one of the saddest and at the same time most hopeful books I have ever read. It tackles the issue of dealing with knowing the death of a close person or even yourself will occur and how to live your life to the fullest, not only when you know it's about the end. It shows in a heartbreaking and beautiful way how important it is to take control of your own life, be the captain of your own ship if you will. For that it not only uses the two main characters but also the people surrounding them and learning the same lesson. They are included in the story with an amazing  thoughtfulness and their lifes are tied into each other which shows how close and similar we can be to someone without realizing. This book will forever remain in my heart and I am so thankful the author wrote this prequel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Death, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Medical content, Outing, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infidelity and Alcohol