BOOK REVIEW: They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera

I have recently been a bit lazy (slight understatement) when it comes to reading (and blogging), but when I saw this novel amongst the blackhole that is my Amazon recommend- it caught my eye instantly. The title says it all, enough to hook anyone in. I was incredibly intrigued as we already know both the protagonists meet a tragic fate at the end. I knew I had to buy it, knowing full well I would probably read the entire thing in a day.

My predictions were right, I finished the book in just over a day- which should say a lot about the quality of the story and Silvera's flare for telling it. Let's just say...'They Both Die At The End' skyrocketed me out of my six month reading slump.

(disclaimer- there will be spoilers throughout this review, so if you don't want to know anything specific about the plot, do not read on)

They Both Die At The End may initially seem nothing but dark and harrowing- given the title. However, Silvera has crafted it in a way that is somehow hopeful and vibrant while laced with tragedy when faced with the inevitability of death, especially when that death is premature.

The novel is set in New York, in a world where an organisation called 'Death Cast' alerts unfortunate souls known as 'deckers' via a telephone call, that their lives will end at some point in the next 24 hours. The story follows how two teenagers meet on both their last day's via an app called 'Last Friend' and discover what the meaning of love, hope, grief and 'living' really is.

Instantly, the reader is prepared for the heartbreaking deaths of 18-year-old Mateo and 17-year-old Rufus. In some ways this is difficult to accept because at various moments, you find yourself forgetting that the adventure they are both on will be their last. Do not fret though, as the book is littered with haunting reminders that this is the teenagers' last 24 hours alive.

As the plot progresses, Silvera introduces Make-A-Moment, an organisation that provides deckers with a final thrill, such as skydiving, without the danger element of it- created via virtual reality. Later, we are also introduced to the Travel Arena where deckers can embark on an 80 minute virtual tour of the world. Cleverly, Silvera plays on the 'Make-a-wish' concept and bucket list notion, in that we need to complete all the crazy things we've ever wanted to do in order to feel fulfilled and to accept our deaths. Throughout the book, it is clear that this idea is not the case.

Death aside, the teenagers' developing romance is a key subplot within the book. As their relationship flourishes and they fall further for one another as the hours tick by- you know they are catapulting towards their passing. But it doesn't matter anymore. Towards the end, they both appear to have made peace with death- after all, it cannot be altered or escaped from as Silvera reminds us. Both Mateo and Rufus don't care about their fate as long as they have each other. However, although I knew there would be no miracle for Mateo and Rufus, I still found myself praying for a magic spell making them immune from death to allow them to have more precious time together.

The novel sends out a clear message to its readers-no matter how many things you have desperately ticked off your bucket list, places you've seen or material pleasures you have- it doesn't make death any less scary or comforting. It's the people around you, friendships and relationships you have, that really matter the most.

Silvera cleverly plays on the cliché of living each day like it's your last, with the stinging irony that this actually is both Mateo and Rufus's final day on earth.