Silvera, A: First to Die at the End TikTok made me buy it! The prequel to THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END

Adam Silvera loves to break your heart. This book will wreck you and you will love it. Knowing the concept of death cast, you will probably not be in as much denial as in the first one but oh boy you will hope. And yet he found a way to make this story not repetitive at all. I cannot say much except Silvera had me ugly crying on the train and I was helpless and yet enjoyed it so very much. Thank you.

Good God, this book left me sobbing more than once. While I enjoyed the first book, “They Both Die at the End”, I didn't feel quite as emotional about it as I do about this book. This book is a prequel and takes place during the first day after 'Death-Cast' went live, and it somehow has a different feel to it. A much more gut punching feel. We do know how the story ends, but due to the fact that in this book 'Death-Cast' isn't established to be actually legit, the main characters hold this fragile and sad kind of hope. The whole time they're wondering if it's truly real or if this whole 'Death-Cast' thing is just a huge prank, and it hurts when the slow resignation to their fate sets in. I was devastated by end, because Orion and Valentino just click so well together, but also their relationships with the side characters were well done. The ending is so bitter-sweet, and I think that's what did me in, one of the couple survives and is left to deal with the loss, but still has this part of the other with him. Argh, I just adore doomed romances sometimes. I enjoyed this book a lot and this will forever be one of my top recommendations for heartbreaking stories. It's a worthwhile read, but oh so devastating as well.

The First To Die At The End is the perfect continuation for the "They Both Die At The End" universe. Following the Death-Cast concept, the story introduces Orion and Valentino who receive notice that they will die within 24 hours shortly after Death-Cast goes live. The novel continues to follow them as they spend their last day together and as expected fall in love. Another heart wrenching book - big recommendation if you want to cry about two queer boys.