They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera: Not That Good

They Both Die at the End is about two guys who, well, dies at the end. We are first introduced to Mateo Torrez: a hispanic (I think) 18 year old dude who never got out of his apartment and is a virgin. He gets a call from Death-Cast (an organization who notifies people when they're about to die) at midnight, telling him his precious, little life will end that day. Then we're introduced to Rufus Emeterio: 17 year old orphan who's currently beating up Peck, his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend, at one in the morning. He gets the call from Death-Cast amidst rearranging Peck's face, telling him that his life will also end soon. Not Peck's.

Stuff happen; Mateo tries to convince his loser self to get out of the apartment, while Rufus returns to his orphanage (named Pluto) and gets chased down by the police. Rufus hides at a gas station and sees an advertisement for an app called 'Last Friend', an app that matches you with friends who won't die that day or other Deckers (people who got called by Death-Cast) alike. He downloads it, and coincidentally, Mateo downloads the app too. And as if the stars aligned, they both match. Then the rest of book is just them hanging out before they die. And also tell their backstories or whatever.

The concept and premise and format actually blew my angsty little teenage head off. I loved flipping through the pages and watch as the clock slowly progresses from day to night, and I loved reading the side character POVs and see how they connect with Rufus and Mateo's. This book is also quite of a page turner, since it hooks you right on the collar and reels you into its world.

Though the book didn't really do a good job reeling you into its characters. At all. I really, REALLY, tried hard to cry when the characters share a sad memory or when Mateo and Rufus gets [REDACTED], but I just couldn't. I thought I was an emotionless and cruel human being since I couldn't shed a tear reading how someone dies, but after seeing other people's reviews, I think it's not my fault. Also the romance sucks. There was no buildup from them being friends to lovers, and the kissing scene didn't evoke a smile from me because it felt rushed (yes, I know they only had a day but wrdgaf). And Rufus' way of talking was unnatural, with the overused 'yo' and 'mad'. 

Overall, I don't think the book lives up to its hype. But if you like it, good for you. (please just read Aristotle and Dante)

2.5/5