May 17, 2021
By Adriana Rodriguez
Staff Writer
What if you got a call saying you would be dying in 24 hours?
“They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera portrays the perspectives of Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio. The sound of a phone is heard throughout an empty apartment and scarce street, both individuals predestined to die. The drop of a phone is heard from both sides when the dreadful sentence is spoken: “I regret to inform you that you will meet an untimely death in the next 24 hours, live your life to the fullest.”
Two strangers encounter death and meet each other to live one last time. Both called by Death-Cast, a company that can predict citizen’s deaths, informing them of their 24 hours left to live. “They Both Die at the End” addresses the importance of life and mortality through the perspective of numerous characters.
Mateo and Rufus live in New York City. Wanting their last day to be memorable, they download an app called Last Friend. This app links individuals also called by Death-Cast so they can enjoy their last day together.
Mateo decides to get this app because with his father in the hospital, he is left to spend his day with strangers. Mateo chooses to live his last moments for others rather than himself. Rufus, after committing an unlawful act, finds himself running from the police. Since his adoptive family resides in Pluto Orphanage, Rufus is also forced to live his last day alone.
Both characters’ lives intertwine when they unexpectedly match as last friends. Carefree Rufus and introverted Mateo complement each other, both pushing one another to become the best versions of themselves.
As their friendship grows so does their connection with one another. Sharing a similar death day has led them to experience emotions never felt before. After Mateo buries a dead bird, Rufus understands how empathetic and gentle Mateo is, completely opposite from himself. They both want to live their last days with no doubts and show how they have changed, how death has given them a new life for 24 hours.
Although this novel addresses death, it does not revolve around such a morbid topic. Instead, it shows death to be a universal experience.
The novel reveals how one’s actions can affect someone else’s life. Although this novel addresses death, it does not revolve around such a morbid topic. Instead, it shows death to be a universal experience. The day these characters have is not a reflection of how they will die but how they will live and discover more about themselves.
Silvera’s writing of the characters’ exchanges and thoughts are portrayed beautifully, especially through the minds of young adults. He describes the fear, sadness and nostalgia within Mateo and Rufus with ease. The concept of death is not foreign, but experiencing it with each other makes it more inexplicable.
Even with a seemingly self-explanatory title, this novel has a surprising ending. This book will challenge the reader’s emotions. There’s friendship, love, heartbreak and passion being portrayed within this bestseller.
Following Mateo and Rufus’s journey through their one day gives readers the impression that they are with them. Learning more about the two main characters causes readers to feel emotionally attached to them.
This young adult LGBTQ+ novel showcases diverse characters with interesting backstories. It also provides thought-provoking themes that are open to interpretation. Silvera’s style of writing and expression combined with his interesting characters and a unique conflict make “They Both Die at the End” a must-read.
