They Both Die at the End is a young adult novel by Adam Silvera about two teenage boys who meet on a dark street and become friends. The book is a New York Times bestseller and is a YA fantasy. The story centers around the characters’ relationship, which goes from friendship to love to tragedy. The author has a diverse background and he incorporates many themes related to LGBTQ+ people into the story.
The YA fantasy novel They Both Die at the End is a powerful read about friendship, mortality, and living in the present. There are several hooks, including family, love, and friendship, but none is more satisfying than the final climax: a death-crash. In this book, two boys, Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, learn that they have only one day to live. As their time runs out, they have to work to make things right, while also trying to live a happy life.
Although the novel is full of tragedy, it is still a touching read about the inevitability of death and the value of relationships. The two main characters, Mateo and Rufus, are likable and develop as characters. As the story unfolds, we learn that both are struggling with unresolved guilt and debilitating anxiety, while Mateo is determined to make the most of his time.