Hey, guys! Again, sorry for the big gap between updates! Summer has officially started and with it, I can read again.
My first choice book for the summer was The Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. I had been putting off this book for ages because I thought it would be depressing, and I didn't really want to be sad. Though once I started reading it, I was so glad I did.
In fact, if I had to pick an adjective for this book, I would choose sweet long before depressing!
The Cover:
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.
They Both Die at the End really centered on two boys from drastically different backgrounds and lives who meet because of their imminent deaths and help shape the other into the person they wanted to be. Rufus helps Mateo get out of his comfort zone, and Mateo helps Rufus calm down and take a step back from his inner baggage.
The actual writing of this book was straightforward but engaging. Each chapter alternated first person point of view from Mateo and Rufus's perspectives. It was really easy to tell the characters apart as each had a very distinctive voice.
The characters were really what made this book incredible and such a joy to read. They both start off the book with strong characteristics but also wanting to change themselves into the person that they want to be/be remembered as. They morph throughout the book closer and closer to their ideal selves, taking sidetracks on the way to become their best selves. The character development was what made this novel so special. It was written perfectly, and it was great to see a person choosing to alter who they wanted to be and being able to accomplish that.
The plot was fairly loose, though there were certain themes that ran through. Themes like the current status of Mateo and Rufus's friends/family and the fact that the police were chasing after Rufus. These themes gave it a sense of continuity and plot, linking the overall story together into one big arch even when the actual story seemed to jump around based on the characters' moods.
Overall, I loved this book. It made me think and was deep without being hard to digest. Mostly, the story was sweet and hopeful, even in the face of catastrophe. And, just so you all know, the title is accurate. There are no last minute miracles. You think there will be something different when you read this book, but it's true. They both die at the end. And, that's okay.
I'd recommend this book to you if you like contemporary novels (or even light dystopians). It read a lot like a Neal Shusterman or a Patrick Ness book in the way that it was set up, in formatting and the mix between alternative universes and contemporary fiction. I'd definitely recommend this book if you want to read something cute, something deep, or something creative.
Phrase:
_____ wasn't called by Death Cast today because he/she is not dying today.
If You Liked This Book, You Might Also Like:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
The Rest of Us Just Live Here
More Than This
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
My first choice book for the summer was The Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera. I had been putting off this book for ages because I thought it would be depressing, and I didn't really want to be sad. Though once I started reading it, I was so glad I did.
In fact, if I had to pick an adjective for this book, I would choose sweet long before depressing!
The Cover:
The cover shows Mateo and Rufus walking down the river on their End Day together, with their shadows depicting the Grim Reaper. It's a pretty accurate still of this book. It's sweet, with the threat of death looming right behind you. A+ cover.
Official Description:
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.
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.
My Review:
This book surprised me. Instead of making me sad, this book made me want to seize life. It was actually super uplifting. The overall tone of this book was less cancer-patient (Fault in Our Stars) in terms of seizing the day and more coming-of-age novel. This book was set in an alternative universe where on the day that you are going to die, you get a phone call that informs you of your passing. You don't know what time or how it will happen and you can't avoid it, but you have to make it the best day you can with what you have left. They Both Die at the End really centered on two boys from drastically different backgrounds and lives who meet because of their imminent deaths and help shape the other into the person they wanted to be. Rufus helps Mateo get out of his comfort zone, and Mateo helps Rufus calm down and take a step back from his inner baggage.
The actual writing of this book was straightforward but engaging. Each chapter alternated first person point of view from Mateo and Rufus's perspectives. It was really easy to tell the characters apart as each had a very distinctive voice.
The characters were really what made this book incredible and such a joy to read. They both start off the book with strong characteristics but also wanting to change themselves into the person that they want to be/be remembered as. They morph throughout the book closer and closer to their ideal selves, taking sidetracks on the way to become their best selves. The character development was what made this novel so special. It was written perfectly, and it was great to see a person choosing to alter who they wanted to be and being able to accomplish that.
The plot was fairly loose, though there were certain themes that ran through. Themes like the current status of Mateo and Rufus's friends/family and the fact that the police were chasing after Rufus. These themes gave it a sense of continuity and plot, linking the overall story together into one big arch even when the actual story seemed to jump around based on the characters' moods.
Overall, I loved this book. It made me think and was deep without being hard to digest. Mostly, the story was sweet and hopeful, even in the face of catastrophe. And, just so you all know, the title is accurate. There are no last minute miracles. You think there will be something different when you read this book, but it's true. They both die at the end. And, that's okay.
I'd recommend this book to you if you like contemporary novels (or even light dystopians). It read a lot like a Neal Shusterman or a Patrick Ness book in the way that it was set up, in formatting and the mix between alternative universes and contemporary fiction. I'd definitely recommend this book if you want to read something cute, something deep, or something creative.
Phrase:
_____ wasn't called by Death Cast today because he/she is not dying today.
If You Liked This Book, You Might Also Like:
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
The Rest of Us Just Live Here
More Than This
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
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