They Both Die at the End By Adam Silvera

Description

Imagine getting a call at midnight telling you that this is your last day. Journalists have called this event the “Death-Cast,” and it doesn’t spare anyone in Silvera’s prophetic book. Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio each get a call on September 5th in New York City. They each reply in their own way: Mateo goes behind closed doors, where he feels safe and at home. Rufus, on the other hand, is haunted by the death of his best friend and the yearning to experience life on his own terms, so he runs into the night.

But fate steps in, as the two lonely people meet through Last Friend, an app that helps Enders find someone to be with in their last hours. At first, Mateo and Rufus are afraid to shake hands online, but soon they form a strong bond. Mateo’s quiet hopefulness makes Rufus less guarded, and Rufus’s strong will draws Mateo out of his shell. They go on a dangerous adventure across a city that never sleeps, traveling the subway to hidden speakeasies, taking selfies on deserted roofs, and rediscovering the hidden gems of their concrete maze.

Silvera’s story switches between Mateo’s pensive compassion and Rufus’s impulsive drive, creating a dual perspective that shows the difference between staying away from life and charging toward it. There are little miracles in every chapter, like the excitement of new love sparking under flickering street lamps, the happiness of giving without thinking at a midnight farmers’ market, and the comfort of sharing forgotten aspirations. But the clock keeps ticking down, casting a shadow over every laugh and promise made in secret.

Mateo has to deal with his dread of being left behind and his guilt about losses he never talked about while they are on their adventure. Rufus has survivor’s guilt and the weight of living longer than he thought he would. Along the journey, they meet outstanding supporting characters like the End of the Day Ambulance Crew’s determined paramedics, Delilah Gray, an Ender who is grieving her partner, and the kind volunteers who provide Enders their last comforts. Each meeting brings out the book’s main ideas: how important it is to connect with other people, how valuable it is to be open, and how brave it is to make a difference in the world.

As midnight gets closer, the need becomes more urgent. Mateo and Rufus had to choose between holding on to the temporary comfort of habit or welcoming the unexpected with open hearts. Their last hours show how strong it is to choose to live, even when you know you’re about to die. In a moving climax set against the first light of morning, they face the most important question: how can you quantify a life lived in 24 hours?

They Both Die at the End goes above its speculative concept by being so real. Silvera’s writing depicts the pain of regret, the excitement of new love, and the bittersweet beauty of endings that lead to new beginnings. This book reminds us that death is not a barrier, but the very thing that makes life shine.

About the Author

Adam Silvera is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for his emotionally resonant young adult novels. With a background in poetry and immersive world‑building, he explores themes of grief, identity, and the transformative power of human connection. Silvera lives in New York City, where he continues to write stories that challenge and inspire.

Product Details

• Title: They Both Die at the End
• Author: Adam Silvera
• ISBN‑13: 9780062688514
• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Published: September 5, 2017
• Pages: 384
• Binding: Paperpack