This book, which was written by Adam Silvera, was all over TikTok. Thus, this exposure caused it to become something of a social media phenomenon.
This book is primarily aimed at young adults, hence why it became so popular on social media.
The book explores the theme of death. In this fictional world, an organization called Death-Cast informs people when they are about to die.
Two very different teenagers, named Mateo and Rufus, find out that they only have a few hours to live.
Using an app known as Last Friend, Mateo and Rufus are strangers who decide to spend their last day on earth together.
Mateo and Rufus are seemingly opposites, but their End Day soon becomes an amazing adventure. These two characters soon become very close, becoming more than just friends.
They Both Die at the End is a tragic LGBT romance that asks meaningful questions about love, life, and death.
They Both Die at the End may sound like a rather somber read, but in reality, it encourages people to recognize how precious life is.
Here are some of the main themes that are found in this brilliant book:
Life And Death
Arguably, life and death are the central themes of They Both Die at the End. It’s set in a world in which people are informed by Death-Cast when they have just 24 hours to live.
This creates a world in which people are more aware of death and fear that they will receive this call.
Silvera explores the impact that this service has on society. This includes the creation of End Days, a concept in which people try to make the most of their final day.
Love
Throughout the book, Rufus and Mateo form a unique bond. They transform from strangers to lovers.
Silvera portrays the importance of human connection. Mateo starts as a character with limited connections, as he only has a few friends. But by the end of the novel he has formed another fundamental connection.
Family
This book underlines the importance of unorthodox families. For instance, Rufus was raised in a foster home.
As a result, he considers the other members of the foster home, who are known as The Plutos, to be his real family. Despite not being related by blood to these people, Rufus develops deep connections with his chosen family.
Social Media
It makes sense for a book that was a hit on social media to analyze this theme. It features Last Friend, a social media app that allows Deckers to meet up with people on their last day of life.
The book presents both the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
Like They Both Die at the End, The Song of Achilles was all over social media. Madeline Miller’s page-turning bestseller is inspired by classic Greek mythology.
This is a unique retelling of the life of Achilles. It focuses on an LGBT relationship between the heroic Achilles and Patroclus.
It’s this romantic relationship that makes The Song of Achilles a great choice to read if you enjoyed They Both Died at the End.
The book explores the triumph and tragedy that Achilles experiences. This book is perfect if you adore tear-jerking reads.
We also advise giving it a try if you have an affinity for mythology and history.
Pros
Inspired by Greek mythology, Miller captures the grandeur of this heroic age.
Miller creates a bold and new adaptation of this mythology.
The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus develops delightfully throughout the novel.
Cons
It can be a violent read, which isn’t suitable for all readers.
Themes: LGBT Romance, Pride, Legacy, War, Violence, Love, Fate, Power.
Neal Shusterman’s Game Changer is an ambitious narrative about high-school American football. Ash is a fantastic football player.
However, during a game, Ash gets pushed into a different dimension. As a result, he begins to question everything that he used to know, including his perspective.
Game Changer isn’t afraid to tackle some serious yet relevant themes, such as race and homophobia. It’s ideal for people with an open mind, who are willing to see things from new perspectives.
The high-concept elements of this book will be appreciated by fans of They Both Diet at the End.
Pros
It encourages the reader to see things from new perspectives, thus broadening their mind.
Shusterman has a thought-provoking writing style.
Like Silvera, Shusterman’s writing tends to be character-driven.
Cons
The attempts to use teenage slang can be quite cringe-worthy.
Of all the books on this list, E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars is the one that feels most different from They Both Die at the End. This book fits best into the psychological horror genre (If you like psychological horror, chech out Books Like We Were Liars and other similar titles here).
We Were Liars is a perfect book for people who enjoy mysteries. It focuses on the Sinclairs, who appear to be an idealistic family.
This wealthy family takes an annual trip to a private island. But when something happens to Cadence, the characters have to figure out what happened.
You may be wondering why we’ve recommended this book if it’s so different from They Both Die at the End.
Well, its focus on tragic consequences makes it quite comparable to this book. Not to mention, they’re both popular among young adults.
Pros
Overflowing with mystery, We Were Liars will keep you gripped.
History Is All You Left Me is another book by Adam Silvera, so it makes sense to include it on this list.
The book is a deep dive into the theme of grief that explores the impact that loss can have on a person’s life. In this sense, it’s very similar to They Both Die at the End, which likewise delves into the theme of death.
The book follows Griffin. His ex-boyfriend, Theo, recently died. Having imagined a happy future in which he lived with Theo, Griffin’s entire world is thrown into chaos.
Griffin must work to overcome this loss with the only person who can understand his grief, namely Theo’s boyfriend.
Consumed by loss, Griffin’s mental health begins to spiral. Can he escape? History Is All You Left Me is an immaculate read if you are looking for a fictional book that can help you to overcome grief.
Because Silvera is the author of both books, the writing style and tone are incredibly similar. So if you were a fan of They Both Died at the End, the chances are that you will appreciate this book.
Pros
The characters are incredibly relatable.
History Is All You Left Me is a deep introspection into grief and loss.
The presentation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is incredibly compelling.
Cons
The writing can be a little cheesy at times.
Themes: Grief, LGBT Romance, Loss, Mental Illness
Final Thoughts
Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End took the world by storm. If this heartbreaking book left you craving more, there are plenty of other books out there for you to explore.
These five fantastic books are ideal for fans of this book, so feel free to give them a try!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Main Message of They Both Die at the End?
Arguably, the main message of this book is to make the most of life. Silvera highlights that life is meaningless without love, loss, and death.
Is They Both Die at the End An LGBT Novel?
Yes, this book features an LGBT romance between its two protagonists. Specifically, it features an LGBT relationship between characters of color.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
