Review: They Both Die at the End

AKA I cry at the end

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 and to live a lifetime in a single day.

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Before I go into the specifics of this book, there is just one thing that I want to say: If you don’t mind SEVERE heartbreak, then you’re fine. It is a beautiful piece of work, but it can break you down just as quickly as it builds you up.

Here lies Mateo, he lived for everyone

There’s one song that I kept hearing in my head as I read certain parts of this book: Heaven by Beyonce. That is one of the most heartwrenching songs that she’s ever sung and it’s bittersweet tone works so well with Rufus and Mateo’s stories.

We laughed at the darkness,

so scared that we lost it,

we stood on the ceilings,

you showed me love was all you needed

HOOK

But heaven couldn’t wait for you

No heaven couldn’t wait for you

Heaven couldn’t wait for you 

No heaven couldn’t wait for you

So go on, go home

The Characters

Rufus is a wonderful person which is clearly seen by the way he instills loyalty and love from his friends without even asking. His loss resonates with those he will leave behind, as is to be expected. However, that doesn’t mean that he is without flaws, he’s human after all, so he makes mistakes. He is REAL.

It’s possible Mateo not being a daredevil will keep us alive longer, but I’m not banking on it being a memorable End Day.

Mateo is thoughtful, almost to a crippling level. He is always in his head, questioning and examining and second-guessing everything. Even so, I get that. In so many ways I am Mateo. Rufus’ assessment that Mateo is pure is entirely accurate. His innocence is blinding.

Minor Characters of note:

Malcolm and Tagoe are quality friends and the true definition of RIDE OR DIE. Rufus couldn’t do any better where friends are concerned (and it wouldn’t take you long to agree with me either).

Peck is disgusting human scum and I wish it was his End Day instead. As far as I’m concerned he has ZERO redeeming qualities. NONE!

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No matter how we choose to live, we both die at the end.

Moments that resonated with me:

I don’t know what’s sadder between the Last Friend App (and the need for such an app) or the existence of Death-Cast (and having to make those phone calls.) It says a lot about the tragic state of human nature and its deterioration. Human connection has been so automated that an app needed to be created to force us into making connections before we die. The worst part is, I can see something like this become necessary in the near future if we continue along the path that we are currently on.

The Veil and Make-a-Moment would be excellent real life creations and Bangers, without a doubt, needs to be buried in the deepest parts of No-Ville.

Rufus’ funeral…I had to grit my teeth to get through this one. It was SO SAAAAAD and then that thing happened and ugh! It would be the hardest thing you’ll ever have to go through, sitting through your own funeral, but it also shows you exactly what people really think of you. Refreshing honesty.

Mateo’s goodbye to his dad was something that I was NOT prepared for. Good Lord Mateo, you have some BIG feelings, my man. And I just wished that it didn’t have to turn out the way that it did for you. In fact, I wish that for both MCs.

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Maybe it’s better to have gotten it right and been happy for one day instead of living a lifetime of wrongs.

Final Thoughts:

Adam keeps stealing my words and it’s not fair. I’ve tried at least five times to explain how these deaths made me feel. All throughout the book, I was dreading the moment that they would die, and I kept wondering if they would die at the same time, or in separate incidents. Above all I wanted their deaths to be pain-free.

When the time came for our boys to die, I was left stunned. Was it tragic? Was it beautiful? Bittersweet? Fair? All of the above? I’m still so unsure. They were both so happy or basking in a happy moment, that you don’t feel sorry for them, but you also really do.

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TL;DR

How does something you know is coming destroy you as much as I was destroyed by the time I was finished reading? If you don’t mind moments of ugly crying, then this one is for you.

Amazon: 4.5

Goodreads: 4.21

B&N: 4.7

My rating: 5

Until next time, keep reading

Dee ^_^