They Both Die at the End: Book Review

They Both Die at the End is a masterpiece written by Adam Silvera. It was published in 2017 as a YA novel.

• First Line: The first line does justice to the title and the novel. It is unique and intriguing.

"Death-Cast is calling with the warning of a lifetime-I'm going to die today."

• Book Title: The title is obviously forged by a genius mind. It's unique, contains the mood of the book, and prepares the audience for the end.

• Best Aspect:

1. The uniqueness of the plot

2. Well-written characters

3. Title

• Theme:

1. Death

2. Life's Purpose

3. Power of Relationships

4. Carpe diem

• Not-so-Great Aspect:

Because everything has to happen in less than 24 hours, the pace feels rushed sometimes.

• Most Relatable Character:

1. Mateo when it comes to his fears.

2. Rufus with his struggles.

• Most Likeable Character:

1. Mateo because of his sensitive nature and caring attitude.

2. Rufus because of his resilience and his hidden sweet side.

• Main character's Purpose:

1. Mateo wants to take risks and let go of fears that hold him down.

2. Rufus wants to add some color to his life and his photography.

• Best Character Growth:

1. Mateo learned to be proactive and take initiatives

2. Rufus learned to see the bright side when experiencing hardships.

• Cliché: None.

At first, it seems like the standard friends-to-lovers trope. However, the twist is that the main characters are each other's last friend and have to deepen their bond in less than 24 hours.

• Most Painful Scene: Rufus waking up in an empty bed. Both Rufus and the reader expect the worst. And the worst happened.

• WOW moment: The moment they shared in Mateo's room before they both died. Although the apprehension of death is building up, the two shared an intense yet serene moment as they express their feelings

• Ending: Heartbreaking, but it ties to the overall tone of the book.

• Playlist:

1. Dancing after Death by Matt Maeson.

2. Like I'm gonna lose you by Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend.

3. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

4. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi.

• Favorite Quote: -

1. "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."

2. -"You don't need matching DNA for someone to be your brother. And you definitely don't need the same blood to lose a part of yourself when someone dies."

3. -"Stories can make someone immortal as long as someone else is willing to listen."

• Lesson: It's never too late to start living.

• Question for Author: Will Mateo and Rufus find each other in the afterlife?

• General Rating: Underrated. The novel has an overall rating of 4 over 5. I think that it deserves more.

• My rating: 5 out of 4. It exceeded my expectations.