Published: 4 Oct 2022 (print)/4 Oct 2022 (audio) 
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/Simon & Schuster Audio UK
Pages: 560/10 hrs and 24 mins
Narrator: Jason Genao, Anthony Keyvan, Kyla Garcia
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Contemporary Young Adult
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
It’s the night before Death-Cast goes live, and there’s one question on everyone’s mind: Can Death-Cast actually predict death, or is it an elaborate hoax? Orion Pagan has waited years for someone to tell him that he’s going to die, given his serious heart condition. Valentino Prince has a long and promising future ahead of him and 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 End Day calls go out, their lives are changed for ever – one of them receives a call . . . the other doesn’t.
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.
I loved They Both Die at the End, I loved how Silvera originally brings us into this world and getting to see the prequel of how it began was amazing. The multiple characters give a great cross section of the city and those who will be affected by the first Death Day.
The way Silvera connects all the stories is clever and I loved seeing each storyline weave together and cross by one another. It was realistic and natural and even in a large city situation never felt unbelievable.
The twists about who was going to be first and how it was going to play out was amazing. The misdirection and the surprises were incredible and you are easily caught up in these beautiful boys and their budding relationship you easily forget someone is going to die. It happened with They Both Die at the End and Silvera once again breaks your heart by bringing these people together only to tear them apart.
As a huge fan of stories that take place in 24 hours this is a perfect use of the timeframe. With the Death Cast timeline and the deadline Silvera once again makes use of the entire 24 hours making you realise how much can happen to a person in the space of a day and how one person can change your life.
If you’ve read They Both Die at the End you can see where services and systems mentioned there come to light. I’m glad we get to see this in a prequel because as impactful as this is, the set up isn’t where the magic is unless you know how it’s implicated later on.
I loved the change in perspectives, and I loved how they are introduced by whether Death Cast called them or not. It is a brilliant teaser, and given we know some people are definitely dying, it is a great way to show how others are reacting to the first day of Death Cast and how it will impact their lives. These side plots are a great expansion on the world beyond Valentino and Orion and having them interwoven through was divine.
Once again you will be devastated even when you go in know how it will end and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
You can purchase The First to Die at the End via the following
Wordery | Blackwell’s | Angus & Robertson
Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust | Audible
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