Early Reader Review: The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera 
Series: Death Cast #0
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date:  October 4, 2022

 

Format: Hardback


Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

In this prequel to #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon They Both Die at the End, two new strangers spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast first makes their fateful calls.

It’s the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict when someone will die, or is it just an elaborate hoax?

Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he’s going to die. He has a serious heart condition, and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what’s coming.

Valentino Prince is restarting his life in New York. He has a long and promising future ahead and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident.

Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, their lives are changed forever—one of them receives a call, and the other doesn’t. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together…even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking.

Told with acclaimed author Adam Silvera’s signature bittersweet touch, this story celebrates the lasting impact that people have on each other and proves that life is always worth living to the fullest.

Review: 

Trigger warnings: gun violence, domestic abuse, assault, grief, 9-11 deaths, profanity, and homophobia.

I should have known what I was getting into with the title of this one, but I don't think that even prepared me for the devastation this one had on my heart. This book is the prequel to They Both Die at the End, which I still haven’t read because I know it will make me cry. In this prequel, we learn about the creation of Death-cast, the revolutionary subscription that will notify you on the day you are going to die. We follow Orion and Valentino as they cross paths and then help each other through a final day for one of them.

 

This book wrecked me repeatedly…and yet I was able to finish it. I found myself crying a lot but the touching interactions of these two made it worth it. This is a lovely book showcasing gay main characters, which are wonderful. Orion has a heart condition and is always trying to stay optimistic while Valentino is starting anew after being disowned by his parents for being gay. They come together at the release party for Death-Cast and find that they are the perfect match. It is a love written in the stars but not to last.

I am really trying not to spoil anything here at all, but the plot is about one of these boys dying at the end, even knowing that I was not prepared for the amount I loved them through their entire journey. The book also has a number of other point of views on this opening day of Death-Cast including the owner, a worker for the company, a pawn-shop owner, a landlord and his wife. The mix of all of these characters was well done and added interesting elements into the story, but at times I found it hard to believe that there was this much overlap in a city as large as New York. 

Overall, this was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed the characters and the story, even though I cried through a lot of it. I think that you really have to be in the right mindset to read this one if you are going to tackle it though – so just be prepared. Some of it seemed over the top but it was a cute story about friendship and love and the best in people.