Since its initial publication in 2017 by HarperTeen, the young adult queer drama (and light speculative fiction) novel by author Adam Silvera both die in the end has become a highly acclaimed bestseller complete with a prequel (2022’s The first to die at the end) and a special hardcover edition. It’s especially loved on #BookTok, where you can find videos about the book’s characters and story, as well as its aesthetics, potential soundtracks, and more.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced a series adaptation of both die in the end of Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen and executive producer Bad Bunny, putting even more focus on Silvera’s book.
This is what you need to know about both die in the endincluding their LGBTQIA+ representation.
What is the plot of both die in the end?
both die in the end takes place in a world where a service called Death-Cast has the ability to predict who is going to die and on what day, though it cannot predict the exact time or cause of death. Every day from 12 am to 3 am, hundreds of Death-Cast employees known as “heralds” contact everyone who will die that day and inform them so they and their loved ones can prepare. Other services spring up around the creation of the Death-Cast, including an app called Last Friend, where “Deckers,” people who are dying today, can connect with someone to spend their final hours with.
The book alternates points of view, mainly between its teenage protagonists Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, who live in New York City. Mateo is a high-strung recluse who was raised solely by his father after his mother died in childbirth, while Rufus is a recent orphan whose ties to his friends may run even deeper than blood. . They meet through the Last Friend app and spend the day together, challenging each other in new ways as they approach the final moments of their lives.
What it’s like both die in the end LGBTQIA+?
early in both die in the end, Rufus identifies as bisexual in both his narration and his Last Friend profile. Mateo mainly talks about how sex scares him, but later in the book he starts hinting at feelings for Rufus. The characters meet towards the end of the story and share sweet and romantic moments before his untimely death.
In addition to Rufus and Mateo, the Last Friend app founder also mentions being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in her unique point of view chapter. And despite the sad premise, none of the book’s queer characters suffer from homophobia or transphobia in its pages.
(featured image: HarperTeen)
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