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A review by selbs2004
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
emotional
sad
slow-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
2.75
"Two dudes met. They fell in love. They lived. That's our story" - Rufus - They both die at the end
The concept of this book truly ly intrigued me and read like a book that I would truly be into, but unfortunately, the best way to describe the execution of the novel is a missed opportunity.
So let's start with my biggest grievance with this novel. The chemistry and emotional connection between Rufus and Mateo. Now do not get me wrong I think the character development of Mateo and Rufus and their journey, where they learn from each other and become better people was written well. You see the progression of the two characters and how their perspectives of life change as they continue on their End Day, but what got me was the romantic tension in this novel. There were so many moments (and I mean so many) where I felt like there could've been more connection and tension between the characters, subtle of course but there. And I was often left disappointed by the lack of growth in their romantic relationship. We only truly got to the romantic part at 80% of the novel and when we got there it was so hard to believe that they truly were in love or attracted to each other based on their past interactions and dialogue.
There was truly no build-up to it or suspense so that final moment where they kiss, you feel absolutely nothing but disbelief.
Then there were the multiple perspectives that absolutely can work, but just not in this novel.
A lot of the perspectives in the novel felt like filler and shallow in its messaging. It took a lot of room away from building the relationship between Mateo and Rufus and left me as the reader feeling quite empty. I was searching for a purpose for all these perspectives, but truly couldn't find any for most of them. Again I just felt like I was being ripped away from a story that only had so long to grow. They were some I will say that felt needed and that felt like the missing piece of the puzzle of Rufus and Mateo's life, but most were screws that just didn't fit in this novel.
Many parts of this book simply dragged on, and as I said above, felt like a missed opportunity. With the lackluster humor and dialogue that felt often unnatural and uninspired. It often left a bad taste in my mouth that created a rift between my ability to connect with our main characters.
The ending still definitely felt like a shin against bricks, but the pathway to get there wasn't as well structured and profound as I expected from a novel with this premise. And no matter how good the ending is and how deeply I felt those emotions of grief. The story still feels like a disappointment in a lot of factors.
The concept of this book truly ly intrigued me and read like a book that I would truly be into, but unfortunately, the best way to describe the execution of the novel is a missed opportunity.
So let's start with my biggest grievance with this novel. The chemistry and emotional connection between Rufus and Mateo. Now do not get me wrong I think the character development of Mateo and Rufus and their journey, where they learn from each other and become better people was written well. You see the progression of the two characters and how their perspectives of life change as they continue on their End Day, but what got me was the romantic tension in this novel. There were so many moments (and I mean so many) where I felt like there could've been more connection and tension between the characters, subtle of course but there. And I was often left disappointed by the lack of growth in their romantic relationship. We only truly got to the romantic part at 80% of the novel and when we got there it was so hard to believe that they truly were in love or attracted to each other based on their past interactions and dialogue.
There was truly no build-up to it or suspense so that final moment where they kiss, you feel absolutely nothing but disbelief.
Then there were the multiple perspectives that absolutely can work, but just not in this novel.
A lot of the perspectives in the novel felt like filler and shallow in its messaging. It took a lot of room away from building the relationship between Mateo and Rufus and left me as the reader feeling quite empty. I was searching for a purpose for all these perspectives, but truly couldn't find any for most of them. Again I just felt like I was being ripped away from a story that only had so long to grow. They were some I will say that felt needed and that felt like the missing piece of the puzzle of Rufus and Mateo's life, but most were screws that just didn't fit in this novel.
Many parts of this book simply dragged on, and as I said above, felt like a missed opportunity. With the lackluster humor and dialogue that felt often unnatural and uninspired. It often left a bad taste in my mouth that created a rift between my ability to connect with our main characters.
The ending still definitely felt like a shin against bricks, but the pathway to get there wasn't as well structured and profound as I expected from a novel with this premise. And no matter how good the ending is and how deeply I felt those emotions of grief. The story still feels like a disappointment in a lot of factors.