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A review by thattheatrekid
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
All I can say is, wow.
The good:
This book is extremely thought provoking on the matter of fate and death. I loved the questions it very subtly raised. The characters were both relatable and showed two different ways you might react emotionally and physically if you knew you would die in the next 24 hours. There was a tension throughout the book that was very unique because you already know the way it will end, but as the pages go by you’re more and more tensed for the inevitable ending.
The bad:
I thought the switching between all kinds of characters and past and present tense and 1st and 3rd point of view was confusing and distracting. I would have much preferred if it had stayed between Mateo and Rufus; I feel like the author got sidetracked and tried to make everything intertwined and it really just lost me. The way Matias died was kind of rushed and lame in my opinion because so much time was spent building up to it. Rufus’ death was genius though and took me a second to register.
The other thing I thought was kind of rushed and hard to believe was Rufus and Matias’ romance. It kind of came out of nowhere mid book and felt like a romance for the sake of a romance. I think it would have hit harder if it was obvious they liked each other but they never got to the point of kissing or saying it. It would really have captured regrets and how we don’t always finish business before death.
But! Overall really loved it and if you’re an insane literature analyzer like me it’s a good read.
The good:
This book is extremely thought provoking on the matter of fate and death. I loved the questions it very subtly raised. The characters were both relatable and showed two different ways you might react emotionally and physically if you knew you would die in the next 24 hours. There was a tension throughout the book that was very unique because you already know the way it will end, but as the pages go by you’re more and more tensed for the inevitable ending.
The bad:
I thought the switching between all kinds of characters and past and present tense and 1st and 3rd point of view was confusing and distracting. I would have much preferred if it had stayed between Mateo and Rufus; I feel like the author got sidetracked and tried to make everything intertwined and it really just lost me. The way Matias died was kind of rushed and lame in my opinion because so much time was spent building up to it. Rufus’ death was genius though and took me a second to register.
But! Overall really loved it and if you’re an insane literature analyzer like me it’s a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident and Abortion