Summary
The First to Die at the End is Adam Silvera's highly anticipated prequel to his bestselling novel They Both Die at the End. Released in October 2022, this young adult book explores the origins of Death-Cast, a service that predicts people's deaths, and follows two new protagonists on the night before the system goes live.
Set in the same universe as its predecessor, the novel introduces readers to Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince, two strangers whose lives intersect in New York City. As with Silvera's previous work, The First to Die at the End grapples with themes of mortality, love, and living life to the fullest, all while maintaining the author's signature bittersweet touch.
The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller and was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Its success has further cemented Silvera's place as a prominent voice in young adult literature, particularly in the realm of LGBTQ+ representation. While no adaptations have been announced for this prequel, Netflix is currently developing a series based on They Both Die at the End.
Plot
Set on the night before Death-Cast goes live, “The First to Die at the End” introduces readers to Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince. Orion, who has a serious heart condition, has long awaited Death-Cast's launch to know when his time will come. Valentino, on the other hand, is starting fresh in New York and only signed up for Death-Cast after his twin sister's near-fatal accident.
As fate would have it, Orion and Valentino cross paths in Times Square, forming an instant connection. However, their budding relationship is put to the test when Death-Cast makes its first round of calls. One of the boys receives the fateful notification, while the other doesn't, leaving them both uncertain about how their day will unfold.
Despite the looming shadow of death, Orion and Valentino decide to spend their remaining time together. They embark on a journey through New York City, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and creating lasting memories. The boys grapple with the reality of their situation, knowing that their time together is limited and that their goodbye will be heartbreaking.
As the day progresses, Orion and Valentino's bond deepens, and they face the challenge of making the most of their fleeting moments. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the importance of living life to the fullest, all against the backdrop of Death-Cast's inaugural day and the uncertainty it brings to everyone's lives.
Themes
Mortality and living life to the fullest
Connection and relationships in the face of death
Coming to terms with one's identity
The impact of technology on society
Fate versus free will
The value of human connection
Overcoming fear and embracing new experiences
Setting
The First to Die at the End is set in a near-future version of New York City, on the eve of the launch of Death-Cast, a revolutionary service that predicts when people will die. The story takes place over the course of a single day and night, primarily in the bustling heart of Manhattan.
Key locations within the city play important roles in the narrative. Times Square serves as the initial meeting point for the main characters, Orion and Valentino, symbolizing the intersection of their lives. Other significant settings include hospitals, where Orion's heart condition is a constant concern, and various iconic New York landmarks that the protagonists visit during their time together.
Characters
Orion Pagan: A teenage boy with a serious heart condition who has been waiting for Death-Cast to go live. Orion signed up for the service hoping to finally know when his time will come. He is introspective and cautious due to his health issues but yearns to truly live. Orion forms an instant connection with Valentino on what may be his last day alive.
Valentino Prince: A young man starting a new life in New York City with dreams of becoming a model. Valentino only signed up for Death-Cast after his twin sister's near-death experience. He is outgoing and ambitious, seeing a bright future ahead. Valentino's path unexpectedly crosses with Orion's, leading to a profound day together.
Scarlett Prince: Valentino's twin sister who nearly died in a car accident. Her experience prompted Valentino to register for Death-Cast. Scarlett likely plays a supporting role in Valentino's backstory and motivations.
Death-Cast Representatives: The employees of Death-Cast who make the fateful calls informing people of their imminent deaths. They serve as catalysts for the main plot but are not main characters themselves.
Quick facts
The First to Die at the End is a prequel to Adam Silvera's bestselling novel They Both Die at the End.
The book was published on October 4, 2022, five years after its predecessor.
It introduces readers to the Death-Cast system, which predicts when people will die.
The story follows two new characters, Orion Pagan and Valentino Prince, on the day Death-Cast goes live.
Orion has a serious heart condition and signed up for Death-Cast to know when he'll die.
Valentino only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident.
The novel is set in New York City, with Times Square playing a significant role in the plot.
Like its predecessor, the book explores themes of mortality, friendship, and living life to the fullest.
The novel became a New York Times bestseller upon its release.
It was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year for 2022.
About the Author
Adam Silvera is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for his young adult fiction novels. Born and raised in the Bronx, Silvera now resides in Los Angeles where he writes full-time. His works often explore themes of love, loss, and LGBTQ+ experiences, resonating with readers across the globe.
Silvera's breakout novel, They Both Die at the End, catapulted him to literary stardom. He has since authored several critically acclaimed books, including More Happy Than Not, History Is All You Left Me, and the Infinity Cycle series. Silvera has also co-authored What If It's Us and Here's To Us with fellow writer Becky Albertalli.
Before becoming a published author, Silvera worked various jobs in the literary world, including as a barista, bookseller, and reviewer for Shelf Awareness. He is open about his struggles with mental health, having been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and uses his platform to raise awareness about these issues.
Silvera's work has garnered significant attention from the entertainment industry. Several of his novels have been optioned for television adaptations, with Silvera himself taking on roles as creator, screenwriter, and executive producer for some projects. In 2020, Queerty named him among fifty heroes leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people.
