They Both Die at the End is a realistic fiction novel by Adam Silvera following two young teen boys trying to fit the rest of their lives into one last day before their death. Mateo, the protagonist, is a submissive, introverted, and intellectual young man who approaches life fearfully and would stay home with a good book every day if he could. Mateo has had few genuine relationships in his life; his father, his best friend Lidia, and Lidia’s daughter are all he has after his mother died when he was very young. Rufus, the antagonist, has a loud and bold personality. Six months prior to the reader's introduction to Rufus, he watched his family die in a car wreck. He is currently living in the foster care system where he has become a part of a new family: The Plutos. The Plutos revolve around each other and come together because of the trauma that has placed them in the foster care system. These two main character’s opposite worlds collide at 12 am on September fifth, when they get a call from Death-Cast telling them this will be their last day alive. Through an app called Last-Friend, Mateo and Rufus find each other. The two opposite personalities force one another to come out of their comfort zone and live their lives to the fullest in one last day.

In each chapter, Silvera focuses on a different character. I enjoyed how the switching in narration helped me to see how Mateo and Rufus view and understand each other. Though we mainly hear from Mateo and Rufus, multiple characters are tossed into the novel who unknowingly play a major role in eachothers lives.

Although I enjoyed the setting and theme of the story, certain parts of the plot left me feeling bored and did not have as much of an emotional impact on me as I felt it should have. Death Cast is an organization that informs you when you have at most twenty-four hours to live. I did not love the sci-fi incorporation of Death Cast because it seemed too unrealistic and I thought it added a corny theme to the book; although, it did challenge me to think about what I would do if I was informed I have twenty four hours to live and the mental state that I would be in. In addition, I expected to be inspired by Mateo and Rufus’ relationship. The two were spending their last day on earth together with no care in the world but what they themselves wanted to do. Instead, I found the story line progressing too slowly and at many times their adventures were dull and bland. I felt their relationship did not truly flourish until the end of the novel, which made me feel like the book was missing that special bond between the two of them all the way through.

I personally would only recommend this book to people who are looking for a light and easy read, with a little bit of romance, and a fun adventure. If you're looking for a deep, intellectual, and thought provoking novel, this is not the book for you. I would recommend this book for ages twelve to fifteen but no older than that.