Title: They Both Die at the End
Author: Adam Silvera
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Pages: 368
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2017
First Line: "Death-Cast is calling with the warning of a lifetime- I'm going to die today."
"Adam Silvera reminds us that there's no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day.
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Matea Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They're going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they're both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There's an app for that. It's called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure- to live a lifetime in a single day.|
My Rating: 3/5
I have heard so much hype surrounding Adam Silvera and I've read one of his book for myself. Honestly, I just expect more sometimes, I really enjoyed the storyline and the idea of a different present where we are able to predict the day we die and connect those who are on the same path. I do wonder what would really cause half of the deaths, the idea of knowing that you are on the way out of the world that really triggers the rest of the events. I am just hitting a point where I think I might better enjoy these books as audiobooks, or just reading them very rarely.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So I've read a few of Adam Silvera's books now and I'm not sure if his books are for me. I was interested in his writing after hearing so much hype about his ideas, and I think that his ideas are very deep and creative, but they lack something for me. It's just the follow through that isn't quite what I imagine. I think the idea of Death-Cast would really mess with the world. The more that I read, the more I realized knowing you were going to die often drove characters to their death. Doing things that they often would not do in life.
Characters:
Mateo: I think his fear of leaving his home was dangerous on itself, but he was able to keep himself safe there. But he wasn't really living his life to the fullest through his life at home. That being said, he likely wouldn't have died if he hadn't been given the alert. Although he did find someone to love and spend his final day with. I was impressed with his growth over one day.
Rufus: I think that his growth was also amazing but it was more in a social and emotional way than the way that Mateo grew. He was able to cope better with his past and what he assumed were his mistakes. He was able to deal with his past issues and move on in peace throughout the day (other than the very end).
Tagoe and Malcom: Not ratting out on a friend and living life as a chosen family is so amazing to me. Being there to chose your family and staying loyal even though it's not through blood makes me so happy.
Lidia: Her character was impressive to me. To be able to deal with the death of her child's father, and then her best friend within a year is powerful. She's raising her daughter amazingly and with confidence.
Aimee: I wonder about what she will do in the future. Who will she be able to get along with after everything she's seen? Certainly not Peck!
Peck: Possibly one of my least favourite characters in any contemporary I've read.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "I cross the street without an arm to hold me back."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
