They Both Die at the End (They Both Die at the End Series, 1)

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.

#1 New York Times bestseller * four starred reviews * A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year * A Kirkus Best Book of the Year * A Booklist Editors' Choice * A Bustle Best YA Novel * A Paste Magazine Best YA Book * A Book Riot Best Queer Book * A BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the Year * A BookPage Best YA Book of the Year

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.

In the tradition of Before I Fall and If I Stay, They Both Die at the End is a tour de force from acclaimed author Adam Silvera, whose debut, More Happy Than Not, the New York Times called “profound.”

Featuring a map of the novel’s characters and their connections, an exclusive essay by the author, and a behind-the-scenes look at the early outlines for this critically acclaimed bestseller.

Plus don't miss The First to Die at the End: #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Silvera returns to the universe of international phenomenon They Both Die at the End in this prequel. New star-crossed lovers are put to the test on the first day of Death-Cast’s fateful calls. 

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Published Dec 18, 2018

416 pages

Average rating: 7.26

895 RATINGS

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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *They Both Die at the End* offers a powerful, emotional exploration of mortality that prompts deep reflection on life. Many praise its bel...

Across the Globe Book Buddies
Oct 19, 2025
6/10 stars
This was just not my favorite book. While there were some parts I “mad enjoyed”, I overall just kept waiting for something less monotonous to occur. I chalk it up to having high expectations based on others’ reviews/recommendations.
Caroline D'cruz
Dec 29, 2025
10/10 stars
“Two dudes meet. They fall for each other. They die.”

WOW! Yes you heard me right, some book just do not need long reviews to describe how you feel about it, just a simple WOW says it all. As the title suggest, you know that 2 people are going to die in the end but still you are hoping, praying and convincing yourself for a happy or different ending as you go deeper not just into the book but also deeper in the lives of the 2 characters Mateo and Rufus.

For me personally the end was something I totally did not see coming though I knew it was going to be sad but I still did not expect it to hit me right in the face when I wishing for something happy to happen. Author Adam Silvera sure is a clever writer. The end was there right through in front of my very eyes but yet so difficult to spot.

The book was also very thought provoking, it made me think of how I would love to spend my last day if I received such an alert?

Everyone should atleast read this book once.
Amelia Enslow
Dec 14, 2025
10/10 stars
okay i got into a reading slump halfway through so that’s why it took a month.
anyways review:
ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch.
adam silvera you just made me depressed.
Havilaaaa
Nov 13, 2025
10/10 stars
I cried and cried and cried
Waynez_World_
Sep 27, 2025
7/10 stars
An amazing story of love and living in the moment

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