They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
I have to say, this book really transcended the pages for me and had me gripped with emotions. Some of my friends thought this book is a mediocre take on the exhausted messages of “carpe diem”, “Yolo”, “live your to the fullest” and “seize the day”; yet, I’m perfectly satisfied with the way it is.
Books are not all written to inspire. This novel may not have revolutionary ideas that can blow our minds or change our lives, but it resonates with the fears that lie within us: the inexorable death that starts at the origin of our lives. While reading, I wasn’t just concerned about the characters or the plotline, but was forced to address my own fears regarding death. This book is meant for emotions, exploration and discovery, but do not expect to be destroyed.
This is a world where an institution has perfected the ability to predict when someone is going to die. This same world has a call center named Death-Cast, that’s responsible for phoning individuals during midnight to let them know they are dying in the next 24 hours. Furthermore, this cruel world has an app, Last Friend, much like a dating service, that allows people to find other to-be-dead people to spend their End Day together. Who the hell came up with this cockamamie system??
Imagine knowing you'll die and not being able to do anything about it, except spend the time you have left with the people you love, and doing things you would have denied yourself if it were any other ordinary day. Imagine having to inform those you love that you're dying and watching them break down in front of you, knowing the loneliness, sadness, and excruciating pain you’ll leave with them. On a side note, I wonder what the life insurance system looks like in a world like such. I would have signed up for an insurance with double indemnity, and make my death appear as an accident on my End Day. I also wonder what the financial laws will be like. Wealthy parents can make their kids the power of attorney of their accounts, and transfer the money once they confirmed their End Days to avoid hefty inheritance taxes. Madness.
Anyways, death calls just after midnight. Two teens, Mateo and Rufus, will die today. They don’t know each other yet, but their paths will cross on this very last time, on this very last day of their lives. Through the app, Mateo, a timid and perpetually anxious little bean will connect with Rufus, a tough guy with a heart of gold.
The time is ticking, they have no idea how and exactly what time they’ll die. They’ve got at most twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours to overcome all the panics about death itself and the unpredictable ways they’ll be killed. Twenty-four hours to become all the people they were supposed to be. Twenty-four hours to figure out how to break the news to their loved ones. Twenty-four hours to make the memories of a lifetime.
I had not a single complaint about this book. Spoiler alert: Some readers complained about the lack of explanation of how Death-Cast knows when people will die. Yet, I don’t think that is the point at all. Most fictions are based off at least one or two mystical premises. You’d never question the existence of magic in the world of Harry Potter. The novels greatest theme is to remind people that there’s no life without death, no love without loss, and no result without risk. So get yourself prepared to wallow in a pit of sadness and despair.
What will you do if you learn about your End Day?
