They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera -> Restarting January 3rd, 2023

[Alaina]

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.

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.

[Jennifer]

Rufus (18%) - (view spoiler)[ Oh man, that sucks that Peck called the cops and interrupted his funeral. I hope Aimme sees what a dick he is and breaks up with him.

This whole set up with Death Cast is really something. I wonder if we will find out how they know when these people are going to die. Would you want to know? I'm not sure I would. (hide spoiler)]
Mateo (42%) - (view spoiler)[ Aw, I get why Mateo didn't want to tell her and she probably would have monopolized his last day and all, but I feel really bad that neither Mateo or Rufus get to spend their End Day with their closest friends. (hide spoiler)]
Diedre (67%) - (view spoiler)[ Ooo, I like these little snippets from people who are affected by the boys. I wonder if she will play a role in the confrontation we know is coming. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[ Oh man!! One would think that given the title, I should have known what to expect, but I just kept hoping that there would be a twist somehow and they would survive. When Mateo died, I was so upset and then I knew that Rufus wouldn't make it either.

I'm sure I am supposed to be thinking about what I would do if I only had 24 hours left to live, but all can think about is how much it sucked that these two boys found each other and really made a connection only to die minutes later. So freaking sad!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

27%: (view spoiler)[hmm interesting so far but I'm feeling kind of meh to these two - hopefully that will change real soon. (hide spoiler)]
42%: (view spoiler)[okay I was definitely freaking out about this because I didn't know if I wanted her to know or not but I'm honestly glad that he didn't do it. (hide spoiler)]
61%: (view spoiler)[oh my lord, that was so freaking weird. future grave and shit was just weird. (hide spoiler)]
100%: (view spoiler)[what the heck. I definitely became invested rather quickly in these two - thank god! but hot damn man - mateo dying broke my heart but then knowing/not knowing what was coming Rufus's way. ugh, fml. (hide spoiler)]

[Amanda]

25% (view spoiler)[I'm really intrigued by Death Cast. I enjoyed when he was finding his last friend, it was like the adventures of online dating (hide spoiler)]
45% (view spoiler)[I'm kind of glad Mateo didn't say anything. Rufus and Mateo are definitely growing on me. (hide spoiler)]
70% (view spoiler)[I feel like there's a few too many other POVs that's taking me out of the story a bit. I get a little confused too. (hide spoiler)]
100% (view spoiler)[The title says what's coming but it's still so sad. I kept holding out hope that there was a mistake and they'd both live. TBH the way Mateo died didn't fit him, it seemed off. I loved the rest of Rufus'.
I love the friendships in this book. It's sad that they didn't spend the day with their long time friends/family but i'm so glad they met each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JANUARY 3RD, 2023

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[Haley]

Starting now!

[Haley]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[ taking me a bit to grow on the characters but so far I like Mateo a little bit more even though he hasn’t left his house. I’m horrified at the people on the last friend app like what... asking if someone has a couch when they’re dying I can’t...

Also how did that lady mix up Mateo‘s name for Timothy what in the world (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

20% : (view spoiler)[I am feeling bad for both Mateo and Rufus because they clearly do not want to die and the Death Cast Call has terrified them. Peck is being such a dick calling the cops on Rufus on his own funeral. The people Mateo is meeting on the Last Friend App is making me want to commit a murder ngl, people can be so insensitive really. I definitely won't have wanted to know if I were about to die honestly, don't know how these people are handling it (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

42% : (view spoiler)[I really wish Mateo would have told Lidia about the call, she will be devastated when she finds out. Mateo and Rufus spending their last day together is nice and all but I think it would have been better if they got to spend it with their own friends. Malcolm and Tagoe are such great friends for letting themselves go to jail in order to let Rufus be out (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[The cemetery scene with Mateo's own grave being dug in front of him creeped me out so much. I do feel like more of the book's focus is on Mateo and his last moments and Rufus is kind of just accompanying him but we shouldn't forget that he is dying as well and deserves equal attention (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[UGH I wish Peck got his call already, he is such a dickhead towards Rufus and I also hate Aimee for not breaking up with him already. Lidia is an amazing friend for supporting Mateo through everything and I really liked their whole adventure together. I am happy they got to spend some time with each other (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Well, that sucked. Knowing what was coming for them in the future, I stlll held out hope that by some twist or miracle both of them would survive somehow. My next best guess was they'd get to die together but none of those things happened and now I just feel empty. Also not knowing what happened with Rufus was cruel. (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Haley wrote: "Part 1 taking me a bit to grow on the characters but so far I like Mateo a little bit more even though he hasn’t left his house. I’m horrified at the people on the last friend app like what... ask..."

I agree, it definitely took me some time to warm up to the characters and I still didn't feel completely connected to them at this point.

[Haley]

Kira wrote: "42% : [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ It really would have been nice of Mateo to let Lidia know! I'm sure it would be difficult to tell your best friend it's your last day alive, but they would want to know nonetheless.

shoutout to Malcom and Tagoe for being incredible friends!! I hope their decision doesn't bite them in the butt. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Kira wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ YES YES!! The book is mostly capturing Mateo's last moments which makes me think he will be the one to pass first?? just a guess. also the graveyard scene gave me goosebumps. that's something no one should ever witness!! (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ it really did suck... I was hoping somehow it was a false alarm and when Mateo got the call they confused him for someone else. I thought I was going to feel more sad when this book ended, but really I wasn't that connected with the characters as I thought I was going to be. I think Rufus was hit by a car?? the last scene he stepped into the road without Mateo there to tell him to look both ways.

What did you think about the other POVs throughout the book? personally, they were nice, but I think I could have gone without them. (hide spoiler)]

will you be continuing with the next book?

[Kira]

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

it really did suck... I was hoping somehow it was a false alarm and when Mateo got the call they confused him for someone else. I thought I was going to..."

I KNOW RIGHTT? I thought only I was being heartless!! I don't know how the connection just didn't built enough for me to be shattered by the ending. I also thought he was hit by a car but then he could also have been not considering the other POC character was able to beat her death so it got really confusing!

I honestly liked the ones with Lidia, Tagoe and Malcolm but all the rest were kinda unnecessary to the plot and just took away from the actual main characters I think.

[Kira]

I will like to continue the series if you want to BR?? I can get it changed to series thread!

[Haley]

Kira wrote: "Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

it really did suck... I was hoping somehow it was a false alarm and when Mateo got the call they confused him for someone else. I thought ..."

yea I didn't get the other character and how she avoided death??

I agree on Lidia, Tagoe, and Malcolm because they were friends of the MC. I kind of wish Mateo's father (view spoiler)[ woke up at the end?? or something happened with his father in a coma. They felt a bit unfinished to me but maybe it was supposed to be that way? (hide spoiler)]

I'm interested in continuing! It's currently an 8 week wait at my library. however, it usually comes quicker so I'm sure I'll have it by the beginning of next month.

[Kira]

Awesome! Is 5th Feb okay with you? I can go request the thread!

[Kira]

Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Haley wrote: "Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

it really did suck... I was hoping somehow it was a false alarm and when Mateo got the call they confused him for someone els..."

It all was a very rushed ending i think, the author just killed off Mateo and left us hanging