This title caught my eye immediately, as it probably did yours. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find out if it’s true just yet – this will be a spoiler-free review!

This story follows two teens from New York City – Mateo, aged 18, and Rufus, aged 17. Their world is set in 2017 and is mostly similar to ours….except for the organization of Death-Cast, which can predict deaths. They call people to inform them that they’ll die in the next twenty-four hours. These doomed people are called Deckers. Death-Cast is meant to help people live their last days to the fullest, and another person even invented her own app called Last Friend to match the service – it pairs Deckers with each other so they can spend their last day in someone else’s company. Mateo and Rufus meet on this app for their last day.

This book brings up a lot of different perspectives and thoughts on mortality. Is it better to know when you’ll die? Some think it is, and some think it isn’t. Additionally, Adam Silvera switches between different character perspectives to give fresh takes on the story.

I do love how interconnected the book feels. It cuts away to another character occasionally, shares a sliver of their story, and always gets it back to the main course. It’s just the right amount not to be distracting to the main course, and it really helps to both broaden the story and give me a little breathing time from the main pair.

Out of the pair, I enjoy Mateo more. Rufus felt a little too much sometimes, and I couldn’t always take him seriously. Overall, I was still invested in their romance and relationship. The dynamic between a softer and a tougher character is always very endearing.

Mateo and Lydia, his best friend, were actually amazing. My favorite relationship in the book (sorry Rufus). Imagine your best friend dying within 24 hours, the person you’ve relied on your whole life…and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. 

There are some other things I would love to expand on but alas, no spoilers. Overall, this book was a solid read! Do check it out.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.