They Both Die at the End

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera is probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. Huge spoiler in the title, I know, and I didn’t think there was any point in reading the book, after all I know what happens at the end, but there are still plenty of twists and turns the story takes.

The book follows Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio for their final 24 hours, according to the “Death Cast,” a global service created to deliver the heartbreaking news that they’re going to die that day. Motivated by the thought of no tomorrow, they download an app called Last Friend, an opportunity for friendships that can last forever, even if your forever is only for three more hours. Together, the two of them go on an adventure that explores the beauty and pain of life. Adam Silvera is famous for writing books with queer characters of color that are realistic and relatable. They Both Die at the End received the Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award for Older Readers in 2021 and was nominated for the American Library Association Rainbow List, Capitol Choices for Fourteen and Up, and Young Adults’ Choices Reading List in 2018.

I absolutely loved reading this book; the characters all felt so real, like people you could see walking down the street. I truly think that this book has something for everyone, with romance, friendships, and action. It also offers great representation of queer Hispanic people. This book shows the importance of friendships and family, of trying new things, and of the beauty of life itself. I think everyone should read this book at least once because it delivers the admittedly corny lesson to live your life to the fullest.