A review by tsar
They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera

challenging dark emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

 “...stories can make someone immortal as long as someone else is willing to listen.” 

What do we do if we know when we would die despite not knowing how we would go? For the novel They Both Die at the End, the answer lies one phone call away from each other.

A slow-burn story that aims to navigate the regrets and happiness before our dying days, Silvera brings the readers to a contemplative mood through the short journey between Mateo and Rufus. Each of them learns to accept their weaknesses and keep each other's spirits up, prompting them to tie many loose ends that have been left unattended for quite some time. For readers who have been introduced to such a heart-breaking summary, seeing how much the two boys gradually impacting one another is a riveting moment to savor, in which we can't help but wish that they could survive another day without a Final Destination implication that demands them to repay the extra life given to their living.

Representation is not a gratuitous token for Silvera as his identity as a queer Latinx is visibly drawn to portray a nuanced illustration of queer Latinos in their late young adults, albeit the impending doom upon their faces. Silvera gradually discusses the diaspora of their cultural identity within the expectation and the hope beyond what is perceived. At some point, it might sound a bit pretentious to read as this gradual reveal seems to age up the characters more than their age.

I don't mind multiple point-of-views as long as they tightly intertwine to the main characters as well as the story, but to see this book spouting numerous people with their thoughts written despite not connected to the story, it feels too sporadic and unfocused. I would've preferred to see Mateo and Rufus as the only narrators of the novel, or they could add one or two biggest supporting characters to add another angle.

Nonetheless, I still enjoy what Silvera has to offer. I love the premise and the cliff-hanger ending written that promises peace and hope to the characters. It could be said as something that we need as a reader and a person. 
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