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The Book Guy

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera (Simon & Schuster)

A dam Silvera has been carving out a nice little niche for himself, thanks very much. His debut release on this side of the Atlantic, History is All You Left Me, was a brilliantlook at a young man’s attempt to pull his life back together following the tragic death of his ex-boyfriend. More Happy Than Not, his second book, was a quirky slice of speculative fiction where a teenager from the Bronx tries to erase the gay by undergoing a mind-altering experience courtesy of a mysterious institute. His new book, They Both Die at the End, continues in the speculative sci-fi vein.

Everyone dreads the Death-Cast, a service that calls you on the day you’re destined to die to tell you that your time is almost up. It has its upsides – you get discounts at fancy restaurants, free rides on the subway, and the chance to properly say goodbye to those you love. It also means you have to be really careful crossing the street.

Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio get the call on the same day. Both have been surrounded by death already; Mateo’s mother died giving birth to him, while Rufus’s parents and his sister got their Death-Cast news in one very efficient group call. Looking to make the most of their final hours, they go online and meet via the Last Friend app.

A journey across New York together ensues, with Mateo travelling to visit his comatose father, while Rufus tries to outrun his ex-girlfriend’s violent new boyfriend. On their daylong trip across the city, the two boys begin to fall for each other. It’s a very sweet, subtle waltz that Silvera paces well, and that doesn’t force them together. They may be on their last day, but they’re still teenagers, still afraid of getting it wrong and embarrassing themselves.

Of course, the one question you’ll keep asking yourself throughout is how much of a spoiler is the title – my lips are sealed, but there’s plenty here to keep you wondering until the very end.

If you like this, you might also like…

The Space Between

by Meg Grehan (Little Island Books)

Meg Grehan’s The Space Between, written in free verse and published by Irish imprint, Little Island, focuses on the burgeoning relationship between two young women over the course of a year. Beth hides herself away from the world, suffering quietly and alone. Into her life one day comes the miracle of Mouse, a dog, and its owner, Alice.

One day at a time, Beth begins to emerge from herself in a beautifully realised story that not only vividly portrays the crippling effects of mental illness, but the tiny victories that are still possible from what comes your way. Pleasantly claustrophobic and deeply atmospheric, this bowled me over on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

Release

by Patrick Ness (Walker Books)

Patrick Ness has had a busy year: the film adaptation of his novel, A Monster Calls, went down a storm in January, while the oft-mooted cinematic version of his Chaos Walking trilogy finally seems to have found its legs. After the disappointing The Rest of Us Just Live Here, Ness returns with Release, a day in the life of the son of a preacher man who crosses paths with friends, family, lovers, and something altogether more unworldly, in the run-up to a party. With shades of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, I found Ness’s tale an intriguing take on the hypocrisy of the Bible belt, where unconditional love comes with small print attached.

This article appears in 333

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