ashsparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
i didn’t cry over this like i did over they both die at the end but it still hurt me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Cursing, Death, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Death of parent, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Sexual content
mmm_reads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don’t know how to express my love for this book. I already loved the first book. The writing style is amazing and while the two main characters fell in love I also fell for them. "They both die at the end" made me cry so damn much, it was in comparison a rather mild cry at the end of this book but it still ripped my heart out (👀)
mild character spoiler:
mild character spoiler:
Spoiler
I love it so much that child Rufus and child Matheo were included in the story😩
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Homophobia, Violence, and Death
Minor: Toxic relationship and Injury/Injury detail
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Uuuh, this is a hard one. Because I adored half of the book but was bored by the other, unfortunately.
I really loved the second half of the book when you start to realize how the different POVs are connected or how things are connected to the previous book. In fact, every time details from book one were mentioned, I had tears in my eyes because I am still so emotionally invested in that story and the characters.
And here is the problem: I did not feel much for the 2 protagonists in this book. I liked Valentino a lot at the beginning. How innocent and naive he was and his relationship with his twin sister. But this all mostly disappeared the moment he met Orion. And I didn't feel it, I didn't feel any chemistry between them. While I fell in love with Rufus and Mateo in book one, I was not invested in Orion and Valentino. Sadly. Because in these kinds of books, the chemistry between the two main characters is kind of the point.
However, I was there for all the side characters. They managed to stand out, even if we got little time with them. I was rooting for them, feeling for then, was heartbroken for them.
But I also think there were 1–2 choices where it felt like the only reason they were there was for the shock factor/forced emotional reaction. They definitely accomplished it, but it felt cheap to me in retrospect.
I really loved the second half of the book when you start to realize how the different POVs are connected or how things are connected to the previous book. In fact, every time details from book one were mentioned, I had tears in my eyes because I am still so emotionally invested in that story and the characters.
And here is the problem: I did not feel much for the 2 protagonists in this book. I liked Valentino a lot at the beginning. How innocent and naive he was and his relationship with his twin sister. But this all mostly disappeared the moment he met Orion. And I didn't feel it, I didn't feel any chemistry between them. While I fell in love with Rufus and Mateo in book one, I was not invested in Orion and Valentino. Sadly. Because in these kinds of books, the chemistry between the two main characters is kind of the point.
However, I was there for all the side characters. They managed to stand out, even if we got little time with them. I was rooting for them, feeling for then, was heartbroken for them.
But I also think there were 1–2 choices where it felt like the only reason they were there was for the shock factor/forced emotional reaction. They definitely accomplished it, but it felt cheap to me in retrospect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical content, Death of parent, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
emburke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Mass/school shootings, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia
rachelizx's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Physical abuse, Medical content, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
erebus53's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Adam Silvera's work is always an easy read for me. His niche is typically youth fiction telling the story of gay kids trying to find their way. He has a real fan following with his creativity and modern real-talk for teens. It's not going to be everyone's flavour, but it never feels forced. This is the second of his Die at the End books, and serves as a prequel for the first book. The story holds tension by being delivered in the first person in a chronological order, from different people's points of view. This is the second book I have read this week that introduces random characters with us not knowing at first that we are being woven into a tangled web of inter-related characters.
The tension in this book is interesting because, unlike the characters, we know that the DeathCast system (that warns people on their last day, that they are about to die), is real and works. Nobody can predict that there will be a hiccup on its first day of use and that some of the people who are going to die that day have not been told, and even that is only revealed to the populace half way through the day.
For those who have read the other book first, there are revelations that are very obvious (we know what the creative app programming endeavours of one character are likely to culminate in), and some things that are much less obvious, such as a character making a phonecall from a pay phone, which are going to be phased out and trashed shortly.
My absolute favourite thing about Silvera's imagined world is that he has replaced a leading popular fantasy franchise with something I can really totally get behind. The major popular magical fiction series in his world is called Scorpius Hawthorn; and it's a magical story with prophecies and wizards and things. There are major movie spinoffs and the child actors are treated wonderfully, getting to play and have fun around film-shooting in Brazil, while their special dietary needs and health are supported by caring handlers. The author of the original book series is Poppy Iglesias and she's a lovely caring person who is also a Queer Latina Trans-woman. I would love to live in this fantasy where the most popular magic franchise is also ethical.
This book is a serious tear jerker. It has homophobia in it. It has sex in it; there are condoms, explicit consent, and not a lot of other detail. It's there as a celebration of love rather than to be titillating. There is also domestic violence, and gun violence, grief about losing parents in the 9/11 destruction, and apocalypse cults, and scary dudes in skull masks. The intended audience is probably 14+ but mature readers younger or older than that will probably enjoy it. Some of the coincidences seem ridiculously contrived and unlikely, but that's just the style of story, and is similar to the other book as well. I was caught in frisson several times when reminded of things like 9/11 or when I realised that throw away details experienced by one character were more relevant to the story of another character.
Fans of the original book will likely enjoy this one as much.
The tension in this book is interesting because, unlike the characters, we know that the DeathCast system (that warns people on their last day, that they are about to die), is real and works. Nobody can predict that there will be a hiccup on its first day of use and that some of the people who are going to die that day have not been told, and even that is only revealed to the populace half way through the day.
For those who have read the other book first, there are revelations that are very obvious (we know what the creative app programming endeavours of one character are likely to culminate in), and some things that are much less obvious, such as a character making a phonecall from a pay phone, which are going to be phased out and trashed shortly.
My absolute favourite thing about Silvera's imagined world is that he has replaced a leading popular fantasy franchise with something I can really totally get behind. The major popular magical fiction series in his world is called Scorpius Hawthorn; and it's a magical story with prophecies and wizards and things. There are major movie spinoffs and the child actors are treated wonderfully, getting to play and have fun around film-shooting in Brazil, while their special dietary needs and health are supported by caring handlers. The author of the original book series is Poppy Iglesias and she's a lovely caring person who is also a Queer Latina Trans-woman. I would love to live in this fantasy where the most popular magic franchise is also ethical.
This book is a serious tear jerker. It has homophobia in it. It has sex in it; there are condoms, explicit consent, and not a lot of other detail. It's there as a celebration of love rather than to be titillating. There is also domestic violence, and gun violence, grief about losing parents in the 9/11 destruction, and apocalypse cults, and scary dudes in skull masks. The intended audience is probably 14+ but mature readers younger or older than that will probably enjoy it. Some of the coincidences seem ridiculously contrived and unlikely, but that's just the style of story, and is similar to the other book as well. I was caught in frisson several times when reminded of things like 9/11 or when I realised that throw away details experienced by one character were more relevant to the story of another character.
Fans of the original book will likely enjoy this one as much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Grief, Murder, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Blood
allisoncc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
fully what i would expect in a prequel to They Both Die at the End. joy. sadness. unexpected and yet fully expected. Silvera gives us age old questions presented in a new way; how would you live if you knew today was your last day? it was different to examine this question now that i've experienced closer and unexpected deaths in the family versus when i read the first one. there were way more hospital scenes in this one and a near fatal car crash as backstory.
the tale of Valentino and Orion also reminded me how far we've come in the 13 years since 2010 when this book is set (and how far we have yet to go). the ensemble was really flushed out this time and wow as much as i loved Val & Orion, gosh i HATED some of the other characters (as i'm supposed to)
also these books are the *only* time i'm going to love instalove given the time frame and the unprecedented circumstances the characters dealing with Death Cast have in their fictional lives.
the tale of Valentino and Orion also reminded me how far we've come in the 13 years since 2010 when this book is set (and how far we have yet to go). the ensemble was really flushed out this time and wow as much as i loved Val & Orion, gosh i HATED some of the other characters (as i'm supposed to)
also these books are the *only* time i'm going to love instalove given the time frame and the unprecedented circumstances the characters dealing with Death Cast have in their fictional lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Chronic illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
abbyycadabbyy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
MY Rating criteria
- 5 stars: The book must be absolutely amazing and leave me thinking about the book. I also have to love the book start to finish. Loveable characters. 1,000,000% Recommend!
- 4.5 stars: The book was amazing. Left me thinking about it. Loved characters. But it fell short in some ways. 100% Recommend.
- 4 stars: Really good. An overall well-rounded book. Just wasn’t amazing. Likeable characters. Strong/good plot. 75% Recommend.
- 3.5 stars: Fell a little short of being a really good book. Still good. Maybe a character really got on my nerves. Or there was something in the story line I just didn’t like. 65% Recommend.
- 3 stars: Fell a little short of being a really good book. An alright book. Maybe a few characters really got on my nerves. Or there was stuff in the story line I just didn’t like. 50% Recommend.
- 2.5 stars: The book is bad… not horrible but still bad. There was something about the book I did like something that saved it. But overall, I didn’t like the book. 25% Recommend.
- 2 stars: Bad. Something big that had to do with the story I didn’t like. Something about the book I couldn’t get over. But stuff I did like. 15% Recommend.
- 1.5 stars: extremely disliked the book. Didn’t like the plot. Didn’t like the characters. There was something about the book I did like. 10% Recommend.
- 1 star: Absolutely hated the book. Didn’t like any characters. Hated the story. Hated everything about the book. 100% would never Recommend. STAY AWAY!
Written review
This book was extremely disappointing. I really liked "They Both Die at the End" I felt like this book didn't compare to that book in any way. Maybe this review will be a little harsh but when you have books that are a series, I can't help but compare the books.
The reason I liked the other book so much was because that book had character development and actually had a plot. I felt that this books plot was solely romance. The characters in this book were flat with no personality. I wasn't rooting for them at all. I really wasn't that interested in either of their stories. I felt like I was more interested in the other side characters than our main characters.
I was actually pretty invested in Gloria's relationship. The ending (involving Gloria) was actually my favorite part of the whole book. It not really the best sign when I say my favorite part was with people who were only talking about on like 50/550 pages.
I liked to see the interworks of death-cast. I hate the dude who owned death-cast thought, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. I think that was the only reason I didn't DNF this book. I really enjoy the concept of death-cast. And anything that is about death-cast I will continue to read.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I hated and there were parts that I loved. But if the parts that I loved were about other people who weren't the main characters, is the book really that good?
Written review
This book was extremely disappointing. I really liked "They Both Die at the End" I felt like this book didn't compare to that book in any way. Maybe this review will be a little harsh but when you have books that are a series, I can't help but compare the books.
The reason I liked the other book so much was because that book had character development and actually had a plot. I felt that this books plot was solely romance. The characters in this book were flat with no personality. I wasn't rooting for them at all. I really wasn't that interested in either of their stories. I felt like I was more interested in the other side characters than our main characters.
I was actually pretty invested in Gloria's relationship. The ending (involving Gloria) was actually my favorite part of the whole book. It not really the best sign when I say my favorite part was with people who were only talking about on like 50/550 pages.
I liked to see the interworks of death-cast. I hate the dude who owned death-cast thought, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way. I think that was the only reason I didn't DNF this book. I really enjoy the concept of death-cast. And anything that is about death-cast I will continue to read.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that I hated and there were parts that I loved. But if the parts that I loved were about other people who weren't the main characters, is the book really that good?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Gun violence
hzcyr's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I havent read "They Both Die At The End" so this is my introduction to Adam Silvera's world. Personally, I left feeling it was the genre of dystopian tragedy masequeraded as gay love story contextualised in death.
There are points I also personally thought repetitive or would take a lot of disbelief. It definitely begins to explore some interesting questions but I don't think it goes hsrd enough. The love story itself is adequately good. I do think there are better LGBTQIA+, last-day death-love stories.
• Supposedly, ~8,000 USA citizens die each day [lazy Googling] and yet everyone complains that Death-Cast could be a fialure on launch, despite holding a 100% correction rate of people not dying that don't die and a 0.15% error rate (12/8,000) of people supposed to die but were not contacted. Like, it seems wild that everyone just assumed this system was supposed to be perfect or a complete wreck if anything less.
• On the topic of numbers, Death-Cast is staffed by (I believe) 20 therapists to make calls and an 'optimal' call should last 5 minutes. Assuming a 7.5hr work shift, that's only 90 calls at most or 1,800 if the entire staff worked all shift.
• Adding on that, it feels really cult-like that everyone just welcomes Death-Cast so openly. Some minor characters do question it and there appear to be some terrorist rebels but, even if people don't know how it's so accurate, they all just assume day 1 that one is a doomed individual.
• The CEO, Joaquin, and his wife, Naya, are just so...ignorant and apathetic to this very revolutionary technology. They keep saying it'll help improve lives and it spins as this technology being for the positive but, after the Valentino's call, Joaquin is more worried about press and how his technology looks. Meanwhile Naya is offering water fountains to therapists telling in 5 minute intervals to 90 people that they'll die in 24hrs and if they're not keeping to this optimum, they'll be at risk of poor job performance because 'it'll save many lives'. I would've been more interested if Joaquin, Naya, or their son was one of the people to get the call for launch day.
• Valentino and Orion's meeting, love, and death (for one of them) is all within 21hrs. It's very Romeo & Juliet energy. Like, in suspension of disbeleif, sure, they're in love. And they do have some cute moments. But there's also bits that just do not feel they match for the time they have.
• In a book of very many ethical questions, it feels very unfulfilling because it generally just assumes DeathCast to be good for all. At the end, Joaquin wants to expand and "make sure the military don't weaponise it etc." but it feels very "...and they all lived happily ever after" saccharine for DeathCast. It somewhat explores this, e.g., Doctors won't treat Deckers, flights won't take off if they contain a Decker, they'll be looters and rebellions in response to predictive death technology. But, I think it just misses a lot of nuance. Will the medical industry start an organ harvest system for deckers? Can I prove this system isn't perfect? For the 21hrs of expected death, Valentino is really restrcited and ostracised in many ways for being forced to be a decker and we just accept that as okay because "it'd save more lives if...".
• I don't like that, halfway through, the story decides to adjunct on this plot of "who ELSE will die?". Much as the side characters help add nuance or alternate perspective, it just felt that this added mystery of who else will die took away from the already mystery of when and how Valentino would die, or if he even would at all. I honestly think this story would've just been fine or better focusing in on Valentino & Orion without this B-plot.
I have more issues but on the positives:
• The potrayal of domestic abuse was well done. This was terrifyingly written that I was quite uncomfortable.
• The relationships between characters was generally well done. I like that Scarlett & Orion's sister and their relationships with Valentino & Orion aren't cast aside. The minor characters had some fun dynamics too. Rolando was a bae throughout.
• The potrayal of the message it presents at the end regarding embracing every moment pre-death is decent.
• About 55% way through, I felt like their was genuine connection between Valentino & Orion that felt reasonably believable.
There are points I also personally thought repetitive or would take a lot of disbelief. It definitely begins to explore some interesting questions but I don't think it goes hsrd enough. The love story itself is adequately good. I do think there are better LGBTQIA+, last-day death-love stories.
Spoiler
This is more a stream of consciousness for the self of issues I had:• Supposedly, ~8,000 USA citizens die each day [lazy Googling] and yet everyone complains that Death-Cast could be a fialure on launch, despite holding a 100% correction rate of people not dying that don't die and a 0.15% error rate (12/8,000) of people supposed to die but were not contacted. Like, it seems wild that everyone just assumed this system was supposed to be perfect or a complete wreck if anything less.
• On the topic of numbers, Death-Cast is staffed by (I believe) 20 therapists to make calls and an 'optimal' call should last 5 minutes. Assuming a 7.5hr work shift, that's only 90 calls at most or 1,800 if the entire staff worked all shift.
• Adding on that, it feels really cult-like that everyone just welcomes Death-Cast so openly. Some minor characters do question it and there appear to be some terrorist rebels but, even if people don't know how it's so accurate, they all just assume day 1 that one is a doomed individual.
• The CEO, Joaquin, and his wife, Naya, are just so...ignorant and apathetic to this very revolutionary technology. They keep saying it'll help improve lives and it spins as this technology being for the positive but, after the Valentino's call, Joaquin is more worried about press and how his technology looks. Meanwhile Naya is offering water fountains to therapists telling in 5 minute intervals to 90 people that they'll die in 24hrs and if they're not keeping to this optimum, they'll be at risk of poor job performance because 'it'll save many lives'. I would've been more interested if Joaquin, Naya, or their son was one of the people to get the call for launch day.
• Valentino and Orion's meeting, love, and death (for one of them) is all within 21hrs. It's very Romeo & Juliet energy. Like, in suspension of disbeleif, sure, they're in love. And they do have some cute moments. But there's also bits that just do not feel they match for the time they have.
• In a book of very many ethical questions, it feels very unfulfilling because it generally just assumes DeathCast to be good for all. At the end, Joaquin wants to expand and "make sure the military don't weaponise it etc." but it feels very "...and they all lived happily ever after" saccharine for DeathCast. It somewhat explores this, e.g., Doctors won't treat Deckers, flights won't take off if they contain a Decker, they'll be looters and rebellions in response to predictive death technology. But, I think it just misses a lot of nuance. Will the medical industry start an organ harvest system for deckers? Can I prove this system isn't perfect? For the 21hrs of expected death, Valentino is really restrcited and ostracised in many ways for being forced to be a decker and we just accept that as okay because "it'd save more lives if...".
• I don't like that, halfway through, the story decides to adjunct on this plot of "who ELSE will die?". Much as the side characters help add nuance or alternate perspective, it just felt that this added mystery of who else will die took away from the already mystery of when and how Valentino would die, or if he even would at all. I honestly think this story would've just been fine or better focusing in on Valentino & Orion without this B-plot.
I have more issues but on the positives:
• The potrayal of domestic abuse was well done. This was terrifyingly written that I was quite uncomfortable.
• The relationships between characters was generally well done. I like that Scarlett & Orion's sister and their relationships with Valentino & Orion aren't cast aside. The minor characters had some fun dynamics too. Rolando was a bae throughout.
• The potrayal of the message it presents at the end regarding embracing every moment pre-death is decent.
• About 55% way through, I felt like their was genuine connection between Valentino & Orion that felt reasonably believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Homophobia, and Violence
Minor: Cursing and Religious bigotry
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I loved They Both Die At The End. One of my top reads ever and was definitely one of the books that got thinking about getting back into reading. So when I found out there was gonna be a prequel I got excited. And while I didn't like this better than the "first" book I still liked it nonetheless. It was a good book and had many heartfelt moments full of friendship, love, and family. It was what I expected and I wasn't disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, Cursing, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Violence