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allisoncc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
fully what i would expect in a prequel to They Both Die at the End. joy. sadness. unexpected and yet fully expected. Silvera gives us age old questions presented in a new way; how would you live if you knew today was your last day? it was different to examine this question now that i've experienced closer and unexpected deaths in the family versus when i read the first one. there were way more hospital scenes in this one and a near fatal car crash as backstory.
the tale of Valentino and Orion also reminded me how far we've come in the 13 years since 2010 when this book is set (and how far we have yet to go). the ensemble was really flushed out this time and wow as much as i loved Val & Orion, gosh i HATED some of the other characters (as i'm supposed to)
also these books are the *only* time i'm going to love instalove given the time frame and the unprecedented circumstances the characters dealing with Death Cast have in their fictional lives.
the tale of Valentino and Orion also reminded me how far we've come in the 13 years since 2010 when this book is set (and how far we have yet to go). the ensemble was really flushed out this time and wow as much as i loved Val & Orion, gosh i HATED some of the other characters (as i'm supposed to)
also these books are the *only* time i'm going to love instalove given the time frame and the unprecedented circumstances the characters dealing with Death Cast have in their fictional lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
abbyycadabbyy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
This book was extremely disappointing. I really liked "They Both Die at the End" I felt like this book didn't compare to that book in any way. Maybe this review will be a little harsh but when you have books that are a series, I can't help but compare the books.
The reason I liked the other book so much was because that book had character development and actually had a plot. I felt that this books plot was solely romance. The characters in this book were flat with no personality. I wasn't rooting for them at all. I really wasn't that interested in either of their stories. I felt like I was more interested in the other side characters than our main characters.
I was actually pretty invested in Gloria's relationship. The ending (involving Gloria) was actually my favorite part of the whole book. It not really the best sign when I say my favorite part was with people who were only talking about on like 50/550 pages.
I liked to see the interworks of death-cast. I hate the dude who owned death-cast thought, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. I think that was the only reason I didn't DNF this book. I really enjoy the concept of death-cast. And anything that is about death-cast I will continue to read.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I hated and there were parts that I loved. But if the parts that I loved were about other people who weren't the main characters, is the book really that good?
The reason I liked the other book so much was because that book had character development and actually had a plot. I felt that this books plot was solely romance. The characters in this book were flat with no personality. I wasn't rooting for them at all. I really wasn't that interested in either of their stories. I felt like I was more interested in the other side characters than our main characters.
I was actually pretty invested in Gloria's relationship. The ending (involving Gloria) was actually my favorite part of the whole book. It not really the best sign when I say my favorite part was with people who were only talking about on like 50/550 pages.
I liked to see the interworks of death-cast. I hate the dude who owned death-cast thought, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. I think that was the only reason I didn't DNF this book. I really enjoy the concept of death-cast. And anything that is about death-cast I will continue to read.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I hated and there were parts that I loved. But if the parts that I loved were about other people who weren't the main characters, is the book really that good?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Child death
Minor: Gun violence, Homophobia, and Sexual content
hzcyr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I havent read "They Both Die At The End" so this is my introduction to Adam Silvera's world. Personally, I left feeling it was the genre of dystopian tragedy masequeraded as gay love story contextualised in death.
There are points I also personally thought repetitive or would take a lot of disbelief. It definitely begins to explore some interesting questions but I don't think it goes hsrd enough. The love story itself is adequately good. I do think there are better LGBTQIA+, last-day death-love stories.
This is more a stream of consciousness for the self of issues I had:
• Supposedly, ~8,000 USA citizens die each day [lazy Googling] and yet everyone complains that Death-Cast could be a fialure on launch, despite holding a 100% correction rate of people not dying that don't die and a 0.15% error rate (12/8,000) of people supposed to die but were not contacted. Like, it seems wild that everyone just assumed this system was supposed to be perfect or a complete wreck if anything less.
• On the topic of numbers, Death-Cast is staffed by (I believe) 20 therapists to make calls and an 'optimal' call should last 5 minutes. Assuming a 7.5hr work shift, that's only 90 calls at most or 1,800 if the entire staff worked all shift.
• Adding on that, it feels really cult-like that everyone just welcomes Death-Cast so openly. Some minor characters do question it and there appear to be some terrorist rebels but, even if people don't know how it's so accurate, they all just assume day 1 that one is a doomed individual.
• The CEO, Joaquin, and his wife, Naya, are just so...ignorant and apathetic to this very revolutionary technology. They keep saying it'll help improve lives and it spins as this technology being for the positive but, after the Valentino's call, Joaquin is more worried about press and how his technology looks. Meanwhile Naya is offering water fountains to therapists telling in 5 minute intervals to 90 people that they'll die in 24hrs and if they're not keeping to this optimum, they'll be at risk of poor job performance because 'it'll save many lives'. I would've been more interested if Joaquin, Naya, or their son was one of the people to get the call for launch day.
• Valentino and Orion's meeting, love, and death (for one of them) is all within 21hrs. It's very Romeo & Juliet energy. Like, in suspension of disbeleif, sure, they're in love. And they do have some cute moments. But there's also bits that just do not feel they match for the time they have.
• In a book of very many ethical questions, it feels very unfulfilling because it generally just assumes DeathCast to be good for all. At the end, Joaquin wants to expand and "make sure the military don't weaponise it etc." but it feels very "...and they all lived happily ever after" saccharine for DeathCast. It somewhat explores this, e.g., Doctors won't treat Deckers, flights won't take off if they contain a Decker, they'll be looters and rebellions in response to predictive death technology. But, I think it just misses a lot of nuance. Will the medical industry start an organ harvest system for deckers? Can I prove this system isn't perfect? For the 21hrs of expected death, Valentino is really restrcited and ostracised in many ways for being forced to be a decker and we just accept that as okay because "it'd save more lives if...".
• I don't like that, halfway through, the story decides to adjunct on this plot of "who ELSE will die?". Much as the side characters help add nuance or alternate perspective, it just felt that this added mystery of who else will die took away from the already mystery of when and how Valentino would die, or if he even would at all. I honestly think this story would've just been fine or better focusing in on Valentino & Orion without this B-plot.
I have more issues but on the positives:
• The potrayal of domestic abuse was well done. This was terrifyingly written that I was quite uncomfortable.
• The relationships between characters was generally well done. I like that Scarlett & Orion's sister and their relationships with Valentino & Orion aren't cast aside. The minor characters had some fun dynamics too. Rolando was a bae throughout.
• The potrayal of the message it presents at the end regarding embracing every moment pre-death is decent.
• About 55% way through, I felt like their was genuine connection between Valentino & Orion that felt reasonably believable.
There are points I also personally thought repetitive or would take a lot of disbelief. It definitely begins to explore some interesting questions but I don't think it goes hsrd enough. The love story itself is adequately good. I do think there are better LGBTQIA+, last-day death-love stories.
• Supposedly, ~8,000 USA citizens die each day [lazy Googling] and yet everyone complains that Death-Cast could be a fialure on launch, despite holding a 100% correction rate of people not dying that don't die and a 0.15% error rate (12/8,000) of people supposed to die but were not contacted. Like, it seems wild that everyone just assumed this system was supposed to be perfect or a complete wreck if anything less.
• On the topic of numbers, Death-Cast is staffed by (I believe) 20 therapists to make calls and an 'optimal' call should last 5 minutes. Assuming a 7.5hr work shift, that's only 90 calls at most or 1,800 if the entire staff worked all shift.
• Adding on that, it feels really cult-like that everyone just welcomes Death-Cast so openly. Some minor characters do question it and there appear to be some terrorist rebels but, even if people don't know how it's so accurate, they all just assume day 1 that one is a doomed individual.
• The CEO, Joaquin, and his wife, Naya, are just so...ignorant and apathetic to this very revolutionary technology. They keep saying it'll help improve lives and it spins as this technology being for the positive but, after the Valentino's call, Joaquin is more worried about press and how his technology looks. Meanwhile Naya is offering water fountains to therapists telling in 5 minute intervals to 90 people that they'll die in 24hrs and if they're not keeping to this optimum, they'll be at risk of poor job performance because 'it'll save many lives'. I would've been more interested if Joaquin, Naya, or their son was one of the people to get the call for launch day.
• Valentino and Orion's meeting, love, and death (for one of them) is all within 21hrs. It's very Romeo & Juliet energy. Like, in suspension of disbeleif, sure, they're in love. And they do have some cute moments. But there's also bits that just do not feel they match for the time they have.
• In a book of very many ethical questions, it feels very unfulfilling because it generally just assumes DeathCast to be good for all. At the end, Joaquin wants to expand and "make sure the military don't weaponise it etc." but it feels very "...and they all lived happily ever after" saccharine for DeathCast. It somewhat explores this, e.g., Doctors won't treat Deckers, flights won't take off if they contain a Decker, they'll be looters and rebellions in response to predictive death technology. But, I think it just misses a lot of nuance. Will the medical industry start an organ harvest system for deckers? Can I prove this system isn't perfect? For the 21hrs of expected death, Valentino is really restrcited and ostracised in many ways for being forced to be a decker and we just accept that as okay because "it'd save more lives if...".
• I don't like that, halfway through, the story decides to adjunct on this plot of "who ELSE will die?". Much as the side characters help add nuance or alternate perspective, it just felt that this added mystery of who else will die took away from the already mystery of when and how Valentino would die, or if he even would at all. I honestly think this story would've just been fine or better focusing in on Valentino & Orion without this B-plot.
I have more issues but on the positives:
• The potrayal of domestic abuse was well done. This was terrifyingly written that I was quite uncomfortable.
• The relationships between characters was generally well done. I like that Scarlett & Orion's sister and their relationships with Valentino & Orion aren't cast aside. The minor characters had some fun dynamics too. Rolando was a bae throughout.
• The potrayal of the message it presents at the end regarding embracing every moment pre-death is decent.
• About 55% way through, I felt like their was genuine connection between Valentino & Orion that felt reasonably believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Cursing and Religious bigotry
meeklovestoread's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I loved They Both Die At The End. One of my top reads ever and was definitely one of the books that got thinking about getting back into reading. So when I found out there was gonna be a prequel I got excited. And while I didn't like this better than the "first" book I still liked it nonetheless. It was a good book and had many heartfelt moments full of friendship, love, and family. It was what I expected and I wasn't disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, Cursing, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence
consucks's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Enjoyed They Both Die At The End when I was a bit younger - this prequel did the job. Enjoyable enough plot, not great writing. I liked all the fun tie-ins between characters though that always makes me go hehehe
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Death, Terminal illness, Cursing, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Violence and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content
graciffer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
haileydawn's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
heatherwilla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
I enjoyed this book much better than “they both die at the end”. This book was loving and emotional and sad. It flowed perfectly and didn’t feel forced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Car accident, Gun violence, Grief, and Homophobia
mauvesoul's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Medical content, Death, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, and Car accident
shellyyy_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
in realtà mi è più piaciuto il primo: ‘l’ultima notte della nostra vita’, però anche questa mi ha fatto piangere, diciamo più alla fine perchè all’inizio e durante era un po’ slow ma è riuscito a tenermi incollata tra le pagine, quindi ottimo. tutto sommato mi sono piaciuti i personaggi, un po’ meno frankie (e chi dice il contrario, deve farsi fare una visita). lo consiglio a tutti, un po’ meno a chi si emoziona facilmente lol ;)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Death, Violence, and Terminal illness