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kmsander4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
As difficult as much of this story was to read, it's truly a beautiful and inspiring love story at its core. It features found family and grief and love and life. It's a reminder on how we should be living, because we never know when it could all come crashing down around us.
After reading They Both Die at the End, I kept expecting the same story to unfold which probably took away from my experience reading this one a little bit, but it's still worth the heartbreak!
After reading They Both Die at the End, I kept expecting the same story to unfold which probably took away from my experience reading this one a little bit, but it's still worth the heartbreak!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
voldycat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual content
ann_s's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Medical content
justmehayleyb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Sexual content, Medical content, and Grief
earth_to_mars's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
I read They Both Die at the End years ago. And I honestly thought it was a one off. I loved the book, and I would have loved to see more of this world and it's characters, so imagine my shock when I scrolled through Instagram and came across it's prequel — The First to Die at the End. I immediately went out to find and purchase this book because I wanted to know more. And I was not disappointed at all.
I loved it. And frankly, consider it stronger than the first book. Silvera has made a very compelling alternate world in which capitalism has taken over your life — and subsequently your death by subscribing (for a hefty price too) to Death-Cast, in which they will call when you have twenty-four hours left to live, and you will die before the day is done. How? The Decker (person called) doesn't know. You can only hope it's a painless and quick one.
So, to start off, this is a hefty book, 550 pages. And all of it takes place in less than twenty-four hours. Which makes it sound like a drag, but honestly it wasn't. With charming characters and various different POVs, it's actually a very compelling read and the world feels full and lived in. Each POV is uniquely different. From Valentino and Orion, the main protagonists, to Scarlett and Dalma, friends and siblings to the main boys, to Gloria — a mother who wants the best for her child, to Rolando, a former herald of Death-Cast, to Joaquin, the Death-Cast CEO, to even Mateo and Rufus from They Both Die at the End. We get various different POVs and while it can be distracting to some, I think this style works really well for the books.
Each character has such a unique voice and you find yourself caring for them, even if you spend a brief moment of time with them. The dialogue is — while cringy at times (which makes sense, they're teenagers) — is well done and realistic. I teared up when I saw Rufus and Mateo again, only as small children, knowing what would happen to them seven years after the book takes place.
I also really love that Orion isn't just his tragedies. While yes, Silvera does focus on his viral cardiomyopathy or that his parents died on 9/11, he is first and foremost, an eighteen/nineteen year old, an aspiring writer and a hopeless romantic begging to come out of his shell. Valentino is the opposite, a healthy boy, on his way to becoming a model, extroverted and put together, with a twin sister he loves and cares for. My heart shattered whenit was Valentino who was called. Though Orion would have been too obvious, honestly and cruel.
Both boys learn to live in different ways through spending the day with each other, and despite the Instalove, it feels gradual and well done.
There is so much heart (pun intended, for Orion) in this book, and it will definitely pull at the heartstrings (another one!). I cried at the end of this book aslosing Valentino via him being kicked down the stairs and experience brain death was heartbreaking, too quick, unfair and brutal. I cried even harder when it was his heart that saved Orion. That his death gave Orion his life is a cruel irony. (When I catch you Adam...) It was a beautiful addition to the Death-Cast series. And I can't wait to see where Adam continues to take it.
I loved it. And frankly, consider it stronger than the first book. Silvera has made a very compelling alternate world in which capitalism has taken over your life — and subsequently your death by subscribing (for a hefty price too) to Death-Cast, in which they will call when you have twenty-four hours left to live, and you will die before the day is done. How? The Decker (person called) doesn't know. You can only hope it's a painless and quick one.
So, to start off, this is a hefty book, 550 pages. And all of it takes place in less than twenty-four hours. Which makes it sound like a drag, but honestly it wasn't. With charming characters and various different POVs, it's actually a very compelling read and the world feels full and lived in. Each POV is uniquely different. From Valentino and Orion, the main protagonists, to Scarlett and Dalma, friends and siblings to the main boys, to Gloria — a mother who wants the best for her child, to Rolando, a former herald of Death-Cast, to Joaquin, the Death-Cast CEO, to even Mateo and Rufus from They Both Die at the End. We get various different POVs and while it can be distracting to some, I think this style works really well for the books.
Each character has such a unique voice and you find yourself caring for them, even if you spend a brief moment of time with them. The dialogue is — while cringy at times (which makes sense, they're teenagers) — is well done and realistic. I teared up when I saw Rufus and Mateo again, only as small children, knowing what would happen to them seven years after the book takes place.
I also really love that Orion isn't just his tragedies. While yes, Silvera does focus on his viral cardiomyopathy or that his parents died on 9/11, he is first and foremost, an eighteen/nineteen year old, an aspiring writer and a hopeless romantic begging to come out of his shell. Valentino is the opposite, a healthy boy, on his way to becoming a model, extroverted and put together, with a twin sister he loves and cares for. My heart shattered when
Both boys learn to live in different ways through spending the day with each other, and despite the Instalove, it feels gradual and well done.
There is so much heart (pun intended, for Orion) in this book, and it will definitely pull at the heartstrings (another one!). I cried at the end of this book as
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Car accident
kiwichill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Outing
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Sexual content, and Medical content
forestfloor's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Really enjoyable read - much like They Both Die at the End. I would recommend reading the two as a pair though, since it's been so long since I read the original that I'm sure I missed some of the references in this prequel. On the references, I do think they were appropriately devastating and the POV switching with references to the different characters was consistent between the books, but the cameos from Mateo and Rufus did feel a little forced.
I really loved the way The First to Die at the End works with your expectations from the original to work in some tension and subversion - I won't say any of it it quite a plot twist because it's all built up in a fairly linear way but it made a good use of tension.
Similarly I enjoy the questions around the implications Death-Cast has for society. Is an End Day call causal? How does knowing you have less than 24hrs to live affect how you spend your time? How you fall in love?
I also found the characters voices were very distinct and they were all very separate people, which is nice. I do think that this is very much furthered by each character having one or two distinct traits - Valentino is a model who has just moved to NYC to start his life, Orion has heart problems, 9/11 trauma and swears too much, Dalma is a programming whizz who is very protective of Orion etc. It does make them feel a little less complex but overall I think the benefit of having unique personalities wins out. Any simplicity in that characterisation fits well with the YA tone of the book.
Finally, I really liked that this book has a bit more exploration of grief, since that's such an important part of death.
I really loved the way The First to Die at the End works with your expectations from the original to work in some tension and subversion - I won't say any of it it quite a plot twist because it's all built up in a fairly linear way but it made a good use of tension.
Similarly I enjoy the questions around the implications Death-Cast has for society. Is an End Day call causal? How does knowing you have less than 24hrs to live affect how you spend your time? How you fall in love?
I also found the characters voices were very distinct and they were all very separate people, which is nice. I do think that this is very much furthered by each character having one or two distinct traits - Valentino is a model who has just moved to NYC to start his life, Orion has heart problems, 9/11 trauma and swears too much, Dalma is a programming whizz who is very protective of Orion etc. It does make them feel a little less complex but overall I think the benefit of having unique personalities wins out. Any simplicity in that characterisation fits well with the YA tone of the book.
Finally, I really liked that this book has a bit more exploration of grief, since that's such an important part of death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence and Infidelity
Minor: Homophobia
azileotulp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Of course I choose to finish this book on the first day of Pride Month. What a way to celebrate.
Anyway... wow. This book wrecked me. I knew it would, just like the first one did, but my goodness. I'll just start off with the things I liked... which was basically everything? I think the biggest criticisms I've seen for this book and the first one are that there's no plot to them, which has never bothered me. I love a character-driven book, especially when the characters are as great as these. Valentino and Orion are adorable and work great together. I loved their dynamic.
I loved all the connections to the previous book too. I tried to find a list of all of them, but sadly haven't been able to. I did keep the first book near me at all times while reading this one just so I could try to find them.The Rufus and Mateo bits DESTROYED me. I had to set the book down every time I saw one of their names show up. When Mateo almost talked to Rufus at the park but then didn't get to? Yeah, that killed me.
I liked a lot of the side stories too.I didn't initially like how much time was spent on the Frankie, Gloria, and Rolando storyline at first, but after seeing that it's actually what led to Valentino's death, it all makes sense. I can't wait for Frankie to rot <3. I also enjoyed Joaquin's story for the most part, but I'm so frustrated that we didn't really figure out any secrets about how Death Cast works??? I didn't mind it at all in the first book because I didn't think it would make sense for us to know with the point of views we were given. In this book, however, it kept feeling like Joaquin, as the literal creator of Death Cast, was about to talk about some of the secrets, but then just doesn't. I hope that if we get his perspective in the next book, that's where we'll finally discover some things.
Even though that was an issue for me, it didn't really take away from my enjoyment too much. There were, however, two things that prevented this book from being perfect. One, the slang. Oh my goodness, I had the same problem in the first book too. I don't know if it's just really bad at first and gradually gets better throughout the book, or if I just got so used to it from how often it was used in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate slang in books, but I do hate it in this book. At times, it feels like it was written by a 60-year-old trying to be hip and trendy, even though the actual author is pretty young. Really, that's my biggest problem with the book. I cringed far too often reading some of this. The only other thing I didn't enjoy was the slow start. When I read the first book, I was instantly attached to Mateo, seeing a lot of myself in him, and Rufus grew on me fairly quickly. While reading this book, I don't think I truly cared for Valentino or Orion that much until I was almost halfway through the book. I can't really explain why didn't work for me at first, but they just didn't.
Even though I have my issues, I still can't say how much I enjoyed this book. I don't think I'll ever be okay again, but I said the same thing after I read the first book. (Yes, I keep bringing up the first book, but cut me some slack. I'm still mourning.) If you're looking for a book with a grand plot and adventure, this isn't for you. But if you want to see some gays fall in love before tragedy strikes (not a spoiler, you read the title), then you've come to the right place.
Anyway... wow. This book wrecked me. I knew it would, just like the first one did, but my goodness. I'll just start off with the things I liked... which was basically everything? I think the biggest criticisms I've seen for this book and the first one are that there's no plot to them, which has never bothered me. I love a character-driven book, especially when the characters are as great as these. Valentino and Orion are adorable and work great together. I loved their dynamic.
I loved all the connections to the previous book too. I tried to find a list of all of them, but sadly haven't been able to. I did keep the first book near me at all times while reading this one just so I could try to find them.
I liked a lot of the side stories too.
Even though that was an issue for me, it didn't really take away from my enjoyment too much. There were, however, two things that prevented this book from being perfect. One, the slang. Oh my goodness, I had the same problem in the first book too. I don't know if it's just really bad at first and gradually gets better throughout the book, or if I just got so used to it from how often it was used in the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate slang in books, but I do hate it in this book. At times, it feels like it was written by a 60-year-old trying to be hip and trendy, even though the actual author is pretty young. Really, that's my biggest problem with the book. I cringed far too often reading some of this. The only other thing I didn't enjoy was the slow start. When I read the first book, I was instantly attached to Mateo, seeing a lot of myself in him, and Rufus grew on me fairly quickly. While reading this book, I don't think I truly cared for Valentino or Orion that much until I was almost halfway through the book. I can't really explain why didn't work for me at first, but they just didn't.
Even though I have my issues, I still can't say how much I enjoyed this book. I don't think I'll ever be okay again, but I said the same thing after I read the first book. (Yes, I keep bringing up the first book, but cut me some slack. I'm still mourning.) If you're looking for a book with a grand plot and adventure, this isn't for you. But if you want to see some gays fall in love before tragedy strikes (not a spoiler, you read the title), then you've come to the right place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Alcohol
- Both of Orion's parents died in the 9/11 attacks. This is mentioned frequently.kaseygaston's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This book WRECKED me. It’s a very emotional book it will have you falling in love with the characters, laughing and crying all within a few pages. Definitely a whirlwind of emotions but it is worth the read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Gun violence, Medical content, and Mass/school shootings
chloebo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book destroyed me. I absolutely sobbed at the end. But it was an amazing book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Blood and Medical content