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tobebookish's review against another edition
4.0
The first 100ish pages were slow, but it really picked up about a third of the way through. We already know the ending by the title, but it was still a whirlwind of a conclusion. I love that it’s full of demographics that are sorely underrepresented in literature, or ones that usually only have supporting roles in the narrative. Would definitely recommend!
captainsnowball's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bevelynhugo's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't hit as deeply by this book as other people, but damn, it was still sad. It was so bittersweet to root for Mateo and Rufus to get together and at the same time, know what's coming to both of them. Besides the death part, it was your typical fun fluffy YA book – two strangers meet, have the most thrilling 24 hours in their life with each other, and fall in love. It's not a brand new concept but it makes you feel good.
Most of us can relate to Mateo to various extents, and for me it was by a LOT. He's the introverted character who's too shy to get out there and he's sooo cute. Rufus is that hustla bad boy type. Literally beating up a guy the first time we meet him. Rufus has this voice that sounds super unnatural at times, like Adam Silvera is trying hard to write how a teenager would write. Notable examples are when he says "mad *adjective/noun*," "straight *verb*," or ending sentences with yo. It honestly took away from the enjoyment because it was distracting. He even slipped in a "mad" when he wrote a note to Mateo's dad. And I adore the Plutos but his friends Malcolm and Tagoe are such typical Magical Negro tropes.
Let's talk about the death aspect. They slipped in a few false alarms to keep the readers on their toes, like the explosion at the bookstore and Peck ("the gang with no name") coming after them. Mateo ultimately dies because of the broken stove while making the love of his life some tea. It's unclear how Rufus died but he may have been hit when he crosses the road. I believe the broken stove was hinted at in the beginning. I looove the many callbacks to things you think are unimportant in the beginning of the story. Like Zoe, who Mateo ignored but found Gabriella, her last friend. And Scorpius Hawthorne. And the elements of the Death-Cast driven world they live in, such as Make-A-Moment, the World Travel Arena, Countdowners, the Necro app (lol). I didn't really see why the Delilah side plot was necessary. I think it was an attempt at juxtaposing what Mateo and Rufus got, but it's not really Delilah's fault she was cheated out of enjoying her End Day. And I find it hard to believe she had the same End Day as the guy who played Scorpius Hawthorne.
Lastly... THE INSTA-LOVE. Honestly this book is a special situation where I'd let insta-love slide because as a self-proclaimed Mateo I would literally do the same thing if I had someone cute as my Last Friend and if we had as much chemistry as Mateo and Rufus. I mean, wouldn't everybody?
3/5 book but 10/10 would draw fanart of Mateo and Rufus.
Most of us can relate to Mateo to various extents, and for me it was by a LOT. He's the introverted character who's too shy to get out there and he's sooo cute. Rufus is that hustla bad boy type. Literally beating up a guy the first time we meet him. Rufus has this voice that sounds super unnatural at times, like Adam Silvera is trying hard to write how a teenager would write. Notable examples are when he says "mad *adjective/noun*," "straight *verb*," or ending sentences with yo. It honestly took away from the enjoyment because it was distracting. He even slipped in a "mad" when he wrote a note to Mateo's dad. And I adore the Plutos but his friends Malcolm and Tagoe are such typical Magical Negro tropes.
Let's talk about the death aspect. They slipped in a few false alarms to keep the readers on their toes, like the explosion at the bookstore and Peck ("the gang with no name") coming after them. Mateo ultimately dies because of the broken stove while making the love of his life some tea. It's unclear how Rufus died but he may have been hit when he crosses the road. I believe the broken stove was hinted at in the beginning. I looove the many callbacks to things you think are unimportant in the beginning of the story. Like Zoe, who Mateo ignored but found Gabriella, her last friend. And Scorpius Hawthorne. And the elements of the Death-Cast driven world they live in, such as Make-A-Moment, the World Travel Arena, Countdowners, the Necro app (lol). I didn't really see why the Delilah side plot was necessary. I think it was an attempt at juxtaposing what Mateo and Rufus got, but it's not really Delilah's fault she was cheated out of enjoying her End Day. And I find it hard to believe she had the same End Day as the guy who played Scorpius Hawthorne.
Lastly... THE INSTA-LOVE. Honestly this book is a special situation where I'd let insta-love slide because as a self-proclaimed Mateo I would literally do the same thing if I had someone cute as my Last Friend and if we had as much chemistry as Mateo and Rufus. I mean, wouldn't everybody?
3/5 book but 10/10 would draw fanart of Mateo and Rufus.
leooo_333's review against another edition
3.0
cute & sad. i liked it a lot, but nothing life changing. i like the fact there was no messing about, they do both in fact die at the end - although i do hope in some alternate universe they got to spend more time together.
lydslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Sooooo good! Aside from being the most heartbreaking love story, it really makes you stop and question if you’re living life to the fullest. I loved it, and will definitely be reading everything by Adam Silvera in the future!
oat01_meal02_hamsters034's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lovesreading26's review against another edition
2.0
it was ok, overrated in my opinion and sometimes wierd written. sad ending but i did not cry
lauraffc's review against another edition
2.0
esse livro é o significado da palavra mediano. é claro que você está ciente de que eles morrem no final e o livro conta a história das últimas vinte e quatro horas dos dois mas a única coisa legal do livro foi as histórias intercalando-se. não gostaria de julgar o mateo e vou manter isso pra mim mas eu realmente amei o rufus e não vou mentir que chorei no final!