I would be lying if I told you Adam Silvera did not make cry whilst I read and once I finished They Both Die in the End. I loved it! Absolutely loved it! I wish I could leave it there and that would be enough to convince you, but if that wasn't enough, let me tell you more.
We meet Rufus and Mateo who lead seemingly opposite lives, introverted vs extraverted, one has lost his family and one is still holding on to what he is has left however they both have something in common, they will both be dead at the end. Their death is what brings them together and makes them live.
A midnight call on September 5th filled with empty sympathy and hopeless support from Death-Cast tells these two that the next 24 hours will be their last.
Can you imagine what you would do if you knew the next 24 hours would be your last? Would you rewrite history or make new memories? Would you love harder and forgive quicker? Would you make new friends or say good-bye to old friends?
"Maybe it's better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs."
As heartbreakingly fantastic this book was, there was the added bonus of great diversity. Mateo is Puerto-Rican and queer, and Rufus is Cuban-American and bisexual. Everything about this book feels purposeful, powerful and natural.
Silvera structured the book in an alternating POV style mainly between the two characters, detailing the adventures of their final day, their feelings and fears. I loved reading about how each character developed care and affection for the other one through their inner thoughts. A depth to the plot is added by being inside the mind of both protagonists as the reader is able to experience the same plotline through differing personalities and voices.
The dialogue and interactions between the protagonists and other characters such their friends, people they meet and people they run past allows the reader to be a part of the story. Silvera highlighted them with their own short POV chapter in the book which created another layer to the plot. It was exciting as a reader to experience the story from different people at different times of the day.
The romance. Ah, the romance. It was subtle and surprising. But totally worth slow burn of the will they or won't they? There wasn't sexual tension or lust between, rather it was a growing love of two friends, who took their last chance to love and be loved on each other.
When I first picked up this book, everyone around me said the ending is ruined. Why would you keep reading or even start reading? But let me say, that the title did not spoil anything. I truly feel that the ending was not the point of this book but it was the journey to get to the end of the book. It served as an inspiration, to live each day bravely, with love and heart. Even though the title may prepare you for the end, it did not soften the blow of pain.
I'll say it again. I loved They Both Die in the End! Adam Silvera gave me hope and took it all away and I'm not mad about it. I highly recommend this book to everyone for a cosy, warming but heartbreaking read.
Completed on: 11th January 2022
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