The First to Die at the End

The First to Die at the End is a "prequel" to They Both Die at the End. It's a prequel in the sense that it is the first time Death-Cast is officially launched, but it isn't the story that explains how it was created. Overall, this story – like the first – also made me cry. Even though I know what's going to happen in the end. In this case, one of the characters dies. It still makes me cry because of how the character died. Overall, it is a fantastic read, and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in the series. And honestly, I might recommend TFTDATE rather than TBDATE. I think chronological is a better read for these.

Me when he dies at the end in the book The First to Die at the End.

Also, I was wrong about my prediction, but it's okay; I'm not mad at it, I'm happier at who actually died, like bitch deserved it

I hope Gloria lives a long, happy life, marries Rolando, and lives peacefully. 

This was a good prequel. I'm heartbroken once again.

The dynamic of a prequel, rather than sequel, for the second book plays really well as this part of the ‘origin story' builds a significant amount of suspense and anticipation since the reader probably already knows how the system works from the first novel.  It also sets up a structure significantly different than that of the first story, but yet feels easily in the same world and with a wider array of layers in place.  The foreshadowing to things that happen in the second book/first story and the cleverness in the moment you realize the meaning of the title make for a fun ride, but there are moments where it dives heavily into romance novel-level poetics after a clear mutual obsession is laid out between two of the main characters. This relationship is also written in more detail, and potentially as also more elementary, than that of the prior book and has a familiarity of beats to the love story in the first one.  The third act finds a cool way to weave in some younger versions of characters from the original story, especially as they randomly crossover (or almost do) with the main protagonists here. All of it builds towards a very satisfying ending that distinctly connects the two stories and not only leaves one feeling that this piece was part of the puzzle the whole time, but it makes you wonder how exciting other pieces might be around these two stories.

Adam Silvera me ha roto en mil pedazos, otra vez. Al final muere el primero es una hermosa precuela que nos presenta como fue el lanzamiento de muerte súbita y el último dia del primer fiambre. Aunque lo acabo de terminar siento que conecte mas con este libro que con el anterior; en pocas palabras, llore mucho más con este.
Debo admitir que hubo algunas cositas que no me convencieron del todo, como el hecho de que en la historia habia aspectos ya eran implícitos, y no era necesario denotarlos. También, más por curiosidad personal, me hubira gustado que nos contaran un poco más acerca del secreto de muerte subita.
De todas maneras, puedo decir que disfrute mucho este libro y que estare al pendiente de nuevos proyectos que tenga Adam Silvera.

“I???m always telling stories before I even know what they???re about, getting carried away and turning words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into chapters, chapters into love stories.”

You'd have thought I'd learn my lesson after last time? Spoiler: I didn't.

This book shattered my heart into a million pieces. I'm struggling to find the words to describe this experience because it was so surreal. The two main characters are wonderfully complicated with fleshed out backstories that made them feel like real people. I was a bit worried going into it that it wouldn't be as good as They Both Die at the End but I think I actually prefer this

The story is full of so many magical moments both sad, funny and tender. There were so many moments that made me almost tear up but the ending broke me. I highly recommend xD

Earlier this year Jonny and I read They Both Die at the End and we both really enjoyed it. We were both really excited to read this prequel book. We had high hopes going into it and in the end we were both a bit disappointed. Jonny more so than me because he ended up DNFing it and I finished it. You can read Jonny's review here.

Warning spoilers ahead!! Ok so this book mainly follows Orion and Valentino but we do get other POVs throughout which while they all end up connecting in some way in the end just like with the first book I would have preferred that we only follow Orion and Valentino because the romance was the only thing that kept me reading this book.

Because this story takes place over a 24 hour period it is obviously instalove but for this premise that makes total sense to me and it works. I loved Orion and Valentino's romance. It was cute and heartbreaking. Here's where things get spoilery so last warning spoilers ahead. I did not like how Orion's family treated Valentino after he made the decision to donate his heart to Orion. Also how they acted like being close to him would get them all killed. They bugged me so much.

After finishing the first book I was left with some questions. Mainly how does Death-Cast know you are going to die? I was expecting to get the answer to that question in this book but that didn't happen. All it said about how they know who's going to die is that no one is ready for that truth yet. So essentially to me because of that this book became pointless. It followed the same premise as the first book except this was when it first began and all of the mayhem that ensues because of the unknown.

I liked that we learned how the last friend app came to be and I liked how characters from the first book made appearances in this book just when they were kids. So overall this to me was unnecessary but I enjoyed the romance. I think there is supposed to be a 3rd book and if there is I will read it because hopefully that one will give me the answers I want.

3,5

I listened to this book and was crying by the end. Beautifully written and some wonderful Easter Eggs.

Rating 2.5

was worried that i would hate this book. however it turned out better than the “they both die at the end” it still had a bit of cringe ‘everything is connected vibes', however, the story was more exciting, emotional and very coming of age. a decent read

Ngl I did cry at the end.

The characters were so lovable and had me rooting for them from the beginning. I loved the pacing of the story and how storylines intertwined. My only draw back is the way some of the dialogue is written. It was distracting at times and wasn't consistent. Easily overlooked though with the quality of the story!

Once again I cried.

In such a short time even knowing the ending I always fall for these characters and sob when the book is done.

I love these books. How the characters grow so close in such a small amount of time. The bond between each of them always tears me apart.

Holy shit.
Adam, (I like to think I'm on a first name basis at this point) how dare you break my heart every single time.
This book is beautiful and while it sometimes repeats itself too much it didn't take away from my enjoyment. I was filled with emotions, ranging from bliss to shock to sadness.
I am sooo happy this book didn't disappoint and I would like to buy the next heartbreaking book Adam will write for us.

Now excuse me while I go sit in a corner and process this book for the next three days, please and thank you.

I'm sorry but nothing interesting happened. Valentino's voice actor choosing to read every single chapter in this heartfelt, almost-about-to-cry voice really irked me on a whole new level. If I never have to hear someone say “everything is mad hazy” like it's the most poetic thing and like they're moving themselves to tears ever again I'm good. Also the clownery of saying that and hating on the word selfie literally in the next sentence ... 🤡 I cannot 
No thanks to this one

It is pretty much the same as the first book. There are numerous outright impossible coincidences where the main characters meet the protagonists of They Both Die at the End. Honestly in some places it takes away from the story as a huge WINK WINK from Silvera to remind us that They Both Die at the End exists.

The story is okay but it's genuinely just the same as the first book. It's all about accepting death in a book twice as long (for some reason) with a predictable twist and ending. The story is essentially this:


See I thought, given that Valentino gets the call really early in the book, there is going to be some fun twist. Maybe he won't be the one to die as it's established Death-Cast is not perfect missing 12 people who ended up dying.

Nope. He dies and gives Orion, a stranger, his heart. I am all for romance and finding love on one's last day like in They Both Die at the End but this was a little silly.

The biggest missed opportunity is Dalma. She is upset that Valentino leaves the hospital and that Orion essentially tells her to F-off so the two boys can hang out (which is a hugely a-hole thing to do to your best friend/sister who has always been there for you). I thought that it would be Dalma causing Valentino's death in some malicious way to ensure that Orion gets his heart.

Then there is Scarlett who is a nothing character. When it was revealed that Death-Cast can make mistakes I thought “AHA! Maybe the ‘first to die at the end' is not going to be either of the boys but her, or Silvera will switch it up!” - NOPE. What you think is going to happen on PAGE 1 is going to happen in the end.

The abusive landlord being the cause of Valentino's death is beyond lame. That was supposed to be a red herring, Adam! COME ON