Book Review: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
They Both Die at the End
Series: Death-Cast #1
Author: Adam Silvera
Published: September 5, 2017
Paperback: 389 pages
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 21-30, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
On September 5, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: They’re going to die today.
Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: There’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure—to live a lifetime in a single day.
Adam Silvera reminds us that there’s no life without death and no love without loss in this devastating yet uplifting story about two people whose lives change over the course of one unforgettable day.
Jessica’s Review:
What else can I say about They Both Die at the End that I haven’t already said? Let’s find out:
Here are links to my double review with Kim and then when I listened to it a second time before the prequel came out.
My Double Review with Kim
My Second Listen/Read
Now, in 2025 a third in the series recently came out (with a fourth releasing next year!) So of course I have to re-read Silvera’s series! And this time I actually read it! Some friends of mine all switched books last year and we annotated them, so reading the book with their comments added to my enjoyment seeing what they thought!
Here is a picture with their commentary added in:
I just love this book. It is the journey that Mateo and Rufus go on for their last day. Knowing the ending from the title, you just can’t help but find yourself getting attached to these two teens and hoping against hope that Death-Cast is wrong. This book is not about dying, but learning just how to live.
Just a couple of quotes from the book this time:
“And you wouldn’t have waited for me to be brave. Maybe it’s better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs”.
“Two dudes met. They fell in love. They lived. That’s our story.”
Again, I did not cry reading it, but got emotional. And I know those ugly tears will reappear for my re-read of The First to Die at the End.
Throughout their end date Rufus takes pictures and posts them on Instagram. At the end of the book his username is mentioned. Be sure to note that once you have finished this book look him up. It is an actual Instagram account!
I just noticed that this book was released on September 5, 2017, which was Mateo and Rufus’ end date. I’m feeling so many emotions now!
Adam Silvera, you are brilliant with your writing in this world of Death-Cast. Keep bringing this world to us with more people meeting!