theguywhoreads

It's my first time reading Adam Silvera's book. When I picked up this book, it was the title, not the synopsis that drew my attention - They Both Die At The End. That's a title that I felt so bold and daring that gave me a reason to picked it up. I managed to finished it after my book discussion. To my relief, its a good book. Nothing glorifying and nothing horribly written.

In the near future, Mateo receives a call from Death-Cast (a company that predicts death) that he is going to die today. On the same morning itself, Rufus receives a call as well that he is going to die today too. Both are total strangers in their own way. Both have no idea how they would die but only they know, that they want to reach out to someone... and they found each other through an app. As they start their journey together in one day before their demise, they do what they can to start living and make the best of it.

Yes, there is no doubt as the title says, they really did die at the end. There is no twist, there is no sneaky trick that will make you believe one of them will survive but indeed, they both die at the end. But why read a book when I know the ending? For one, its the writing. Its good and nicely done and although the execution is similar to Nicola Yoon's The Sun is Also a Star, its the characters that work. Sadly, the world building background is rather vague that we need to accept that this is how it is in our alternate reality of our future. Much like a Twilight Zone episode for me. Still, with short chapters, easy to read and yes, it can be a sad ending... I did not feel emotionally attached to the book. In other words, I did not shed a tear. Don't get me wrong - I do enjoy reading it. Its just not enough to pull me under the covers and think about what would I do if someone I loved knows I am going to die today and what will be my parting words? I felt it was not that strong enough to pull me there at the end but overall, its just good writing that I enjoy. One thing I know, there are some aspects that Adam Silvera explore about death but since this is a YA book, its theme is light and good enough to accept in any other way. Although I did not read his two previous books, I would say They Both Die At The End is a good book to read in one sitting.