They Both Die at the End is a deeply emotional, yet inspiring fictional novel by Adam Silvera, published by HarperCollins Publishers in 2017. In the futuristic world this book is set in, people are able to be warned via phone call up to twenty-four hours before their death to have time to prepare and spend their ‘End Day’ living life to its fullest, as well as to have time to say goodbye. Other companies have sprung up from this program, such as the mobile app Last Friend where users who create an account on their Last Day are able to make friends who are in their same predicament. The two main characters, Mateo and Rufus, meet through this app and connect to adventure around before they (inevitably) pass away. Unsurprisingly, my reaction to this book was one of sadness, which can be expected by the title. An eye-opening experience, this book had me emotionally attached to the young boys and my heart wrenching at every single twist and turn. The added suspense comes from the knowledge that the characters face an inescapable death, making sure this would be a memorable read. The author reminds the reader that death is unavoidable no matter what, so might as well live while you can, and spend every moment doing something you enjoy. Silvera reminds us life is short, so don’t lay around being sorry for yourself or being scared to take risks. I completely agree, as sometimes when I lie in bed on my phone I wonder what I could be doing with my life and where I could be if I worked a little harder in my free time. The book raises the question of “If I had to die today, would I be happy with my life?” To be honest, I personally have no idea. In other books, death is a surprise element that many authors use as a shock, but this author centers the whole book around the idea of death, which is not something I have read about before. The messages this book has affects me, as they lie in the back of my mind as I live life. Contemplating this book, I have had not what I would call a realization, but more of a past amendment that I would like to place back into my life. Live every day to its fullest, you never know when your last day will be.
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