Review: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Overview:
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I am so glad the internet made me read this book! While it didn’t leave me absolutely devastated like some readers, I still really enjoyed the stylistic choices and major themes that were explored. This is definitely a more character- and emotion-driven read!
Content Warning:
They Both Die at the End contains death of a parent, child death, physical violence, gun violence, fire injury, hospitalization, mental illness, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, car accidents, and grief.
Book Description:
They Both Die at the End is a young adult sci-fi/contemporary standalone.
Mateo lives largely in the seclusion of his apartment, with only the regular company of his dad and friend Lidia. Rufus, having lost his family in a tragic accident several months prior, lives in a foster home with his foster brothers. Fate or technology connects them one night when they both receive the same message from the government sponsored program called deathcast: both of them are going to die within 24 hours. Determined to live their last day to the fullest, the two connect through an app designed to provide soon-to-be-lost folks with a last friend. Together, they say their final goodbyes, explore their city, and try to determine what makes a life well-lived.
On the Structure of the Book:
They Both Die at the End is broken up into chapters that are narrated in the 1st-person by either Rufus or Mateo, with 3rd-person descriptions of minor characters’ experiences occasionally sprinkled in. The chapters are chronological and time-stamped. Very rarely have I read books narrated in multiple tenses, but Silvera accomplishes SO MUCH with this stylistic choice:
Building of Tension: There are forces working against Rufus and Mateo. They could die at literally any moment, and every other character or encounter could contribute to their untimely demise. By including the perspective of 3rd parties outside of the main characters, the reader is forced to consider the relevance of each as a potential threat. Especially when it is not clear how another person is related to either of the boys, one must ask “is this going to lead to the end?” Furthermore, the time-stamped entries of each entry act as a countdown. Rufus and Mateo have at most 24 hours left to live, and each chapter brings them closer to the end of that time, creating sense of urgency.
Development of Themes: As previously mentioned, it is not always immediately clear how some of the minor characters are connected to either Mateo or Rufus. A lot of them only have the briefest of interactions with either of the two boys — a call on the phone, a fleeting moment passing them on the train or on the street, etc. Yet each interaction has some impact on the story, whether the characters are aware of it or not. The impact of this is two-fold. First, it highlights the importance of individual lives and small decisions (something both Mateo and Rufus grapple with at the end of theirs). Second, it emphasizes that death, loss, and grief have extreme ramifications that we cannot even begin to comprehend.
Believability: If you read my reviews regularly, you know that I’m picky about romance — especially when it’s opposites attract or strangers to lovers. Considering that this book tries to accomplish both of these tropes in the span of less than 24 hours…. well, I was skeptical. There were a few moments that I thought the romance between Mateo and Rufus could be stronger, but reading both of their perspectives and the perspectives of 3rd parties who witness their interactions made it more believable. I don’t think I would have felt the same if it was just told from one point of view.
On the Emotional Impact of the Book:
For me, the ending of the book was not as emotionally devastating as I had expected. Reviewers on Goodreads, Instagram, and Tik Tok have lorded this book as having a tear-jerking, life-altering conclusion. I just didn’t have the same reaction, but not for lack of apathy. The culmination of the plot’s impact is meant to be found in all the little moments leading to, not in, the outcome. Not only does the title of the book give it away, but Silvera himself has noted that this story was always more about the journey than the destination. The throat closing, misty-eyed moments are when the characters are forced to reconcile with how they will choose to spend their time, how they will choose to (or not to) say goodbye, and how they treat each other in small ways.
On the World-Building:
The concept of a futuristic world where the the government can predict and share the day of your death is beyond interesting, no? The technology behind such knowledge, the ethics of distributing it, and the implications it has on society’s concept of death could take up pages and pages. THIS BOOK DOES NOT DO THOSE THINGS. And that’s okay. You’ll get enough context to understand the direct impact the deathcast program has upon the main characters and no more. This is a story about Mateo and Rufus, not their world. The point is to make you feel and think about the life you’re living. If you’re more interested in a comprehensive exploration of dystopian governments and history context, you’re better off sticking to books like Scythe and The Hunger Games.
On Who Might Enjoy They Both Die at the End:
I recommend you read this book if you:
Want reads that give similar wholesome vibes to Red, White, & Royal Blue, In Deeper Waters, and In Other Lands
Don’t mind a little existential crisis and contemplation of life/death
Prefer novels that prioritize character development over plot and world-building
Enjoy the bad boy/cinnamon roll trope
PLEASE NOTE: Image sources for the photo edit on this post can be found here.