Review: They Both Die at the End

Image Source: Yuki Klotz-Burwell

Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End is a heartbreaking novel that recognizes the importance of both life and loss. The story takes place in a reality where an organization knows the date, but not the time or method, of people’s deaths, and notifies the person between midnight and 3 a.m. When someone is called by Death-Cast, their goal is to live out their End Day to the fullest, and not waste a single second.

The novel’s main characters, Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, are both called by Death-Cast on September 5th. They meet through an app called Last Friend, and although the two teenagers are wary of each other, their adventures on their End Days ultimately spark a friendship that should’ve lasted a lifetime.

They Both Die at the End is a poignant novel that epitomizes the meaning behind “carpe diem.”  It’s told from alternating viewpoints, and filled with a comfortable sense of suspense throughout the entire story.

The novel is successfully unique, but needs to answer a few more questions to reach a five-star status. Certain aspects, including the origin of Death-Cast and its advancements, remain unexplained and leave the reader feeling unsatisfied. Overall, They Both Die at the End is a story unlike any other, and a story to be read.