Title: They Both Die at the End
Author: Adam Silvera
Series: N/A
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK
Release Date: September 7th 2017
Rating:
When Mateo receives the dreaded call from Death-Cast, informing him that today will be his last, he doesn’t know where to begin. Quiet and shy, Mateo is devastated at the thought of leaving behind his hospitalised father, and his best friend and her baby girl. But he knows that he has to make the most of this day, it’s his last chance to get out there and make an impression.
Rufus is busy beating up his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend when he gets the call. Having lost his entire family, Rufus is no stranger to Death-Cast. Not that it makes it any easier. With bridges to mend, the police searching for him and the angry new boyfriend on his tail, it’s time to run.
Isolated and scared, the boys reach out to each other, and what follows is a day of living life to the full. Though neither of them had expected that this would involve falling in love…
Another beautiful, heartbreaking and life-affirming book from the brilliant Adam Silvera, author of More Happy Than Not and History Is All You Left Me.
– Blurb courtesy of goodreads.com
My Thoughts On…
…The Plot
“I cannot tell you how you will survive without me. I cannot tell you how to mourn me. I cannot convince you to not feel guilty if you forget the anniversary of my death, or if you realize days or weeks or months have gone by without thinking about me. I just want you to live.”
Imagine living in a world where you know what day you’ll die, where sometime between midnight and 3am you get a phone call letting you know you have less than 24 hours to live. This is the world Mateo and Rufus live in, and today both of them have received their call from Death-Cast. Mateo is at home, life he is every night, when his phone rings and Rufus in the middle of beating up his ex-girlfriends new boyfriend, but before long these two characters come together on their last day.
I loved the concept of this book. The Death-Cast doesn’t tell you anything except the day. You don’t know the time, or place, or why, just that before the day is over you’ll die. There are people who try and outsmart the Death-Cast, but once you’ve received a call your time is up, and most people just try and make the most of their last hours on earth which is where the Last Friends app comes in.
“But no matter what choices we make – solo or together – our finish line remains the same…No matter how we choose to live, we both die at the end.”
Mateo wants to make his mark on the world, to live before he dies, and after being forced to leave his friends behind fleeing from the police both boys end up on Last Friends – an app designed to give Deckers someone to spend their last hours with – and they decide to cram as much living into the one day they have as they can.
They Both Die at the End was incredible. If I only had one word to describe this book it would be that; incredible. I fell in love with both Mateo and Rufus and I wanted them to be happy, I wanted them to have a happy ending but I knew how this book would end. Like his other stories Silvera’s They Both Die at the End was a heartbreaking read, emotional and very moving. It raised some interesting questions for me as well as a strong desire for more from this world Adam Silvera created. They Both Die at the End is going to be a book that stays with me for a long time to come.
…The Characters
“I’ve spent years living safely to secure a longer life and look where that’s gotten me. I’m at the finish line but I never run the race.”
Mateo has never really lived. He spent all his time begin cautious, locked up in his room scared of new experiences and the possibility of death even when on days he hadn’t received his Death-Cast call. When he gets his call though he realises how much of his life he’s missed out on and is determined to make the most of his last day. Mateo is still scared, even more so now he knows he could die at any minute, but he still had so much he wants to do and he’s determined to do it.
With his mother long dead and his father comatose in hospital Mateo needs to say goodbye to the few people he has, even if they can’t hear him. He reaches out to his father, visits his best friend and goddaughter though he can’t bring himself to tell Lidia he received his call. The friendship between Lidia and Mateo was incredibly written, and despite the fact that his father was comatose I loved the relationship we saw between Mateo and his dad.
“You may be born into a family but you walk into friendships. Some you’ll discover you should put behind you. Others are worth every risk.”
Rufus has made many mistakes, and beating up his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend is one of them that comes back to haunt him. Rufus has already lost his parents and his elder sister, was with them when they received their Death-Cast call and when they died, so he knows the bitter reality of it all. He may not have his family but he does have his friends, the Plutos. They’ve been with him ever since he lost his parents and was placed in foster care, they’re his new family and they’re who he wants to say goodbye to.
Like Mateo Rufus changes in the day of his death. Knowing you’re going to die puts things in perspective and as Rufus pushes Mateo to try new things, to do what he wants to in his last day, Mateo helps Rufus to open up and to be a better person in the short time he has left.
“Love is a superpower we all have. But it’s not always a superpower I’d be able to control, especially as I get older. Sometimes it’ll go crazy and I shouldn’t be scared if my power hits someone I’m not expecting it to.”
Despite only knowing one another for a day, after all a day is all they have left, I really felt for the relationship the two of them have with each other. Mateo and Rufus are in the same situation and what they can’t share with the people they’ll leave behind they can share with one another. With Rufus Mateo finds the bravery to do things he never did before, was never brave enough to, and with Mateo Rufus learns to let go of the guilt and grief he’s been holding onto since his family died. The two characters are so good for one another and their relationship was both incredibly sweet and so heartbreaking at the same time.
They Both Die at the End isn’t just a story told from Mateo’s and Rufus’s perspectives. Everyone’s lives are affected by the Death-Cast calls and we see glimpses of those lives throughout this book. From the people who are losing ones they love, to other people who received the call that morning, and even to the people who make the calls and make business off the soon-to-be-dead Deckers.
This is probably my favourite Adam Silvera book. I loved every single page of it, and even though I knew how the story would end for both Mateo and Rufus I couldn’t help fall in love with both characters as they tried to squeeze all their living into one last day.
What did you think of They Both Die at the End? Was it a favourite of yours or could you just not get into the story? Let me know.
Beautiful review
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Thanks! 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Biblioanthropologist.
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I have yet to read this one, so I had to skim, but I’m so glad that you connected so well with this one. There’s nothing better than great character development and evocative storytelling. I’m sure this book is terribly sad but also very sweet and insightful. I have a feeling it’s the type of book that urges you to reflect after finishing up the last page. I can’t wait to dive into this one. I have so many books on my TBR, but I hope to get around to it before the month ends!
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Oh in that case you need to read this book ASAP Azia. It’s amazing! 😀
That is exactly what this book is (are you sure you haven’t read it?). They Both Die at the End has a great story and even better character development, it’s a bittersweet read because it’s almost happy and sad at the same time, and after I’d finished it it really did make me think. 🙂
I’ll keep my fingers crossed you manage to get around to this before the months end, but once you have read it you need to let me know what you thought of it! 🙂
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LOL, I’m sure. Haven’t even cracked it open since receiving it last month, but it’s got that aura about it 😅
And of course! I’m ready to have my heart broken. *Grabs a box of tissues* I am prepared 😉
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Once you read it I’m sure you’ll wonder why you waited so long to start it. 🙂
Oh you can never be fully prepared for an Adam Silvera book Azia, but you can try your best! 😀
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Wonderful review Beth! I am so happy to see you also enjoyed and connected with this story. I also walked away with a ton of reflection and questions for myself & whether I am living my best life. The message of live life to your fullest each day came hidden in this YA sci-fi catches you unawares. I for one felt so much compassion for these characters especially Matteo who pretty much took zero risks ever. I still think back to these characters & would love more from this world. I really can’t wait for Adam’s next book whatever it is I’m in! lol 🙂
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Thanks so much Lilly. 🙂 Oh this was an amazing book, and part of the reason I loved it so much was that it did make me think even while I was reading it because it wasn’t just Mateo and Rufus’s story but the story of all the other people whose lives were changed on that one day. I honestly don’t think I could choose my favourite character between Mateo and Rufus, they were both amazing and yes. Adam Silvera could publish his shopping list and I’d rush out to buy a copy! 😀 ❤
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Haha! I laugh at the end cuz YES I can see me buying whatever he writes! lol. & I couldn’t agree with you more. Having a Gay male bestfriend for the past 18 years who also happens to be the Godfather to my 2 tiny humans, I REALLY connected with Matteo & his best friend. This book is SO near & dear to my heart, I have it on my extremely short list of books I’d re-read since I don’t tend to re-read books ever really 🙂
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Oh I love it when you have those books where you can connect to the characters so much. 🙂 I know this is going to be a book I re-read, and probably one I’ll cry over just as much the hundredth time I read it as I did the first! 😀
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This is probably one of the best ways to know how amazing a book is. The author literally tells you how it ends, yet succeeds in making you feel all sorts of thing throughout this story. Great review, Beth! Glad to see that Adam Silvera really can’t disappoint you. I heard this one was a tear-jerker… then again… all his books seem to do that! 😛
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Ha! Yeah I never really had any doubt when I was starting this how it would end, but also no doubt that the story would break my heart in the process. 🙂 Thanks so much Lashaan. I don’t think any Adam Silvera book could disappoint me, and so far They Both Die at the End is my favourite, even though they destroy me emotionally.
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I want to read this book so badly–but I’m giving myself some distance from History is All You Left Me first. Silvera’s writing is so good–but I now know to be emotionally prepared before reading his books. 🙂
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That’s definitely a good idea. I read More Happy Than Not and History is All You Left Me back to back and it nearly destroyed me. Silvera’s writing is definitely incredible, but I agree you need to be in the right mood to read his books. 🙂
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Exactly. You need to be prepared to cry. A lot. 🙂
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Yep, have a lot of tissues on hand for when you start an Adam Silvera book!
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Ahh great review!! I’ve been thinking about reading this for a while so might get my hands on it soon x
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Thanks so much Izzi. 🙂 Oh I hope you manage to get around to it soon, it’s a brilliant book and my favourite by Adam Silvera so far.
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I hope so too xx
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I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book, so I am so glad you enjoyed it so much as well! It sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ❤
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Based on what I read in this book all the great things you’ve heard about it are true. It’s amazing, honestly there aren’t enough words to express how much I loved this one.
That’s all right, and thanks so much. I’m really glad you enjoyed my review Zoe. 🙂
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I’m so glad you loved this book so much, Beth! I really like the concept of this story, I’m impatient to read it someday, but I also know that it’s going to break me.. and I don’t know when I’ll be ready for that. I’m even more impatient though, knowing it is your favorite Silvera book 🙂 Great review, Beth!
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Oh it was incredible, but actually I think it will be a book that breaks you. It definitely broke me, then again all of Adam Silvera’s books have broken me so I don’t know why I thought this one would be any different, especially given what the title of it is you know?
Definitely my favourite of his so far, and you’ll have to let me know what you think when you’ve read it, if it ends up being your favourite as well. 🙂
Thanks Marie! 😀 ❤
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Great review. This book sounds amazing. I’ve been really hesitant to pick it up because I’m SO SCARED OF JUST CRYING FOR DAYS but I really want to because it sounds BRILLIANT and also MALE POVSSSSSS. Can we just APPRECIATE!!!!!!!!!!
So glad to hear that you loved it, can’t wait to pick it up!!
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Thanks so much Lu! This book is as amazing as it sounds, and actually a lot better than I thought it would be too. Ha, this is likely a book that will have you crying for days, it did me, but yes the male POVs in They Both Die at the End is definitely something I appreciate. Adam Silvera is actually one of the best authors I know of for writing male protagonists.
Thanks, I really hope you love this book as well. Also I hope it doesn’t break your heart too badly! 😀
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Aw you’re welcome!!
sdlhbdffbgkjgndfgndkg Im so glad that you loved it!! ngl the Male PoVs are really getting my attention!! I can just tell that this book would make me into a blubbering MESS. Aww thank you!!
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It will do that, I was in tears by the ending and I was reading this one on the train so I probably got some weird looks from the other passengers! 😀
That’s all right. 🙂
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OMG I had that with a book on the train too!!
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It’s kind of awkward right?
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yes ahah!! also. . .laughing on a really quiet train. . . REALLY AWKWARD
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Oh god yes! There have been so many books I’ve read that have made me laugh out loud and I think that’s even more awkward right? 😀
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I think that crying is more awkward because people dont know whether to comfort this sobbing stranger, while anyone can laugh at something on a train, like a funny text or something XD
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Oh I work in London, and no matter what you do on the London public transport system no one pays you any attention. But I can cry silently so that just seems less awkward for me because I can ever laugh silently, especially if it’s a really funny book I’m reading! 😀
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OMG I CANT LAUGH QUIETLY EITHER!! OMG yes the tubeeeeee EVERYONE JUST PRETENDS THEY’RE THE ONLY ONE NEEDING TO GET ON THE TRAIN SOMETIMES!!
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Oh that always drives me insane. Like especially when the train is busy and people are pushing to get on without letting people get off first. I’ve had to elbow a few people I’ll admit to make it out before the doors close on me.
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omg yes!! JUST WAIT FOR PPL to get off the train!!! its so logical yet so few do it?? I don’t blame you, I GET RILED TOO!!
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I feel like people are worried the train will leave without them, or they see a rare empty seat and want to get it before anyone else does. Either way really rude.
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OMG YES. THE RARE CHAIR BATTLE
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I’ve literally seen people run for empty chairs on crowded tube trains. 🙂
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omg that happened yesterday when I was in London with another blogger and IT WAS SO CROWDED because of some football match and omg ive never been more stressed!!
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Football matches and concerts always make the tubes a huge crush. I swear it’s worse than rush hour when there are delays (and that’s something I have to deal with at least once a week!)
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OMG IT WAS SO MUCH WORSE!! there was a huge swarm at the entrance to the tube and it was just awful!!
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Ohh, it sounds it. As long as you managed to make it on a train in the end though that’s what matters. Most days I find it’s actually getting on one of the tube trains that’s the hardest part.
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OMG yes sometimes the GAP is so large and im really short so it just doesnt!!! work!!!
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You have to jump to get on the tubes right? I’ve had that so many times and I’m not short so I can’t imagine it for you. 🙂
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OMG YES!!!!
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This book sounds amazing and your review has definitely convinced me to add it to my tbr😄
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It really was amazing, one of my favourite books of 2017 so far! 😀
That’s great to hear, and in that case I hope you love this one as much as I did. 🙂
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This sounds amazing!! I’ve not read a Silvera book yet, but you’ve made me super keen to check this out 😀 Sounds amazing!
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Oh this was definitely incredible, and at the moment my favourite of Adam Silvera’s books. 🙂 I’d highly recommend checking out his books if you’re already interested, and I’d recommend starting with this one too! 😀
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Oh brilliant 🙂 Awesome- thank you for the recommendation 😀
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That’s all right! 😀
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What an awesome review!! I don’t read a lot of YA novels but this one sounds interesting!
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Thanks so much. 🙂
In that case I hope you decide to pick this one up one day, hopefully it’ll be a book you love even if YA isn’t normally your thing. 😀
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I saw this book AGAIN today. One of my students was reading it. I think it is a sign!
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Ha, yep I’d say that’s definitely a sign! 😀
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