Review by thelooneylibrarian - They Both Die at the End

thelooneylibrarian 's review for:

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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: Complicated

Title: They Both Die at the End
Author: Adam Silvera
Genre: YA Fiction
Rating: 5/5

Synopsis: Early in the morning on September 5, Death-Cast calls Mateo, an introvert who is afraid to leave his apartment, and Rufus, a lost foster kid who has a passion for photography, to let them know they are going to die today. For different circumstances, they are both alone today, but decide to sign up for the Last Friend app, and spend their final day, their End Day, having one last adventure, together.

“Life isn't meant to be lived alone. Neither are End Days.”

Review: I’ve been seeing this book all over bookstagram recently, and on a whim for a 3 hour road trip, decided to start listening to the audiobook. I didn’t really know that much about it, but had heard mixed reviews from people, so didn’t go in with too many expectations. All I can say is wow, I loved this book.

As we know from my last review, I was in a reading slump from HOSAB. Hooked didn’t do it for me, but this was the book to pull me out. I think listening to it on audiobook helped me so much too. I felt very immersed in the story with the different voice actors adding to the element of the multiple POV.

I found Rufus and Mateo, our two mains, unbelievably charming, even with all of their quirks and faults. Even though we know that they both die at the end (hello title), I found myself hoping the entire time that somehow the title would be wrong and they wouldn’t both die. We only spend one day we these two characters, but with the way Silvera writes, I didn’t even need that much time to fall in love with them. I loved that this story also had elements of coming of age for these two teen boys. They learned things about themselves and brought the best out in each other. It was such a great character arc for a YA novel.

There are extra chapters that are told from other people’s perspectives who aren’t directly related to the mains, but have an impact on the main story. I’ve heard mixed reviews on whether or not people feel those were necessary. I found them important, and felt they did a good job of reminding us that we aren’t the only people in this world. There are others who are going about living their lives (and deaths) and they might not knowingly be part of your life, but they intertwine and have an impact on your story.

I found myself really enjoying the writing style and prose of this book, and definitely cried in it. I’m excited to read more from Silvera in the future!

Borrow/Buy: Buy
Would I reread: Yes
Would I recommend: Yes!

Content Warnings