Hello Blogging World!

Jonny

Hi there! I’m Jonny, and I’m definitely not signing up for Death-Cast. Ignorance is bliss!

Misty

Hey everyone!! I’m with Jonny on this one. I don’t think anything good can come out of knowing when you’re going to die so I’m happy to stay in the dark.

This buddy read and rant is for The First to Die at the End (Death-Cast #0) by Adam Silvera. 

Blurb:

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.

GoodReads

Amazon

***Brief disclosure***

Jonny is an Amazon affiliate and earn a tiny commission for purchases made through the Amazon links in this post. It’s a great way to help him keep things running on his blog if you’re already intrigued enough to make a purchase. 

Buddy Read Book Rant:

Jonny

Hey Misty, thanks for doing another buddy read with me! I have to say, I was curious to try this book out after liking the first one with you. Were you excited too?

Misty

Hi Jonny, you know I am always up for doing buddy reads. I was both curious but also skeptical because I was afraid it would end up being unnecessary.

Jonny

Me too, especially now that my grad school semester is over. I’m free!

Yeah, I was kind of worried too that everything would feel redundant or unnecessary. Did you end up liking it?

Misty

I’m glad you have some free time now.

I was afraid it would feel redundant as well. I liked the romance but unfortunately everything else just felt redundant. I was hoping to get an answer to a question I had after finishing the first book and that didn’t happen so I was left thinking there was literally no point to this book. We didn’t get anything that we didn’t already get from the first book.

I know you ended up DNFing it. What made you give up on it?

Jonny

Thank you! It’ll be nice to just let my hair down and relax.

Oh my gosh, I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one who felt that way! Alright, so I had two main issues.

They made it pretty clear in the beginning that there wouldn’t be an explanation for the details behind Death-Cast. That really irked me. I mean, that’s a part of why I was reading, to find out! Kinda felt cheated there.

I did like the romance too, but it was way too easy and Val was so agreeable that it didn’t feel believable after a while, especially given the fact that he’s a model. I mean, come on!

Misty

The main reason I wanted to read it was to find out how death-cast knew when they were going to die. I know it said no one was ready to know the truth about that at the beginning but I was really hoping that by the end we would have some answer.

I get where you’re coming from. To me it felt realistic. The romance was the best part to me. I did not like how Orions family was toward Valentino after his announcement.

Jonny

Exactly! I think it was a cop out. If this was just going to be a duology then why not give us what we want? Really disappointing.

I get that they’re both nice guys, but I kind of wanted there to be more resistance to each other before they let their guard down. I know that some individuals go through life with open hearts, but I think that’s more of a rarity these days.

Since we’re talking about it, what do you think the secret behind Death-Cast is?

Misty

Is it just going to be a duology? I was wondering if there were plans for more books. If it is just a duology that makes this even more unnecessary in my opinion.

I understand wanting resistance but after the first book the fact that they both were instantly attracted to each other and trusted each other so much made total sense to me. That’s what happened in the first book as well. Considering everything happens in 24 hours it fits to me but I get what you are saying.

Honestly I have no clue. I’m not good at guessing which is why I want the book to tell me. Do you have any guesses?

Jonny

Good question! I just looked it up and there’s actually going to be a 3rd novel set 10 years after the prequel. I wonder what all the author has planned, but whatever it is I don’t think I’m gonna give it a go based on this one.

Yeah, I think the romance setup with the first book made more sense to me. I was hoping the setup would be much more different than it was, outside factors aside.

I’m thinking either something buried deep under the earth, some long kept secret hidden over the ages. That or aliens!

Okay, I’ve got another one. If Death-Cast was a thing in our world and they called you, what would you spend your last day doing?

Misty

While this book felt very unnecessary I think I will read the 3rd book because I feel like that will be the book that will give me the answers to my questions. At least I hope it will.

I really hope it’s not aliens. I’m so tired of aliens being the cause of everything in books lol.

I don’t actually know what I would do. Most likely I would just spend the day doing what I usually do just sitting at home being bored but I would also try to call and talk to as much of my family as I could. That’s a very boring end day. What would you do?

Jonny

I think that’s fair. You’ll have to spill the beans once you find out! I think it’s supposed to come out sometime in 2024.

Lol! Okay, let’s hope it’s not aliens then or something that’s been done a million times. It’d be nice to see a thoughtful creative way to explain Death-Cast’s beginning.

Nah, I think it’s all in the eyes of the person whose last day it is. And to be honest, only having a day is super limiting. Talking to family seems like a great idea! For me, travelling far is definitely out of the question given the time constraint, so I think I would do a last day bash, a huge party with my besties and family to celebrate my last day and go out with a bang. Maybe some fireworks at night or something.

Misty

I’ll probably completely forget about it between now and then but hopefully it will be brought to my attention again.

I really hope it’s new and creative and something that hasn’t been done hundreds of times already.

Oh that sounds fun. Although I don’t have enough people in my life to have a party lol fireworks could be fun though.

Jonny

Right, it always sucks waiting on the next book, but I’m sure you’ll have many great reads before then. I’m in something of a reading rut myself, so I’m hoping to shake it off soon.

There would definitely be lots of tequila at my party, I can tell you that! That and outdoor party games. Oh I’m such a wimp around fireworks. I’m always afraid I’m going to burn myself. Wait, maybe that’s how I die via Death-Cast! It all makes sense now haha.

Misty

Yes it does suck having to wait for the next book especially when you have to wait for a year or more. Oh no I’m sorry you’re in a reading rut. I hope you find your way out of it soon.

I’ve always loved fireworks but I probably wouldn’t be the one lighting them because knowing my luck I would seriously injure myself lol.

Jonny

Yeah, that’s such a long time! Me too. I think I’ll have to read some graphic novels or a MG novel to bring me out of it. That tends to work.

Oh no! I’m mostly just okay with Roman Candles and the little sparklers, that’s about it. Otherwise I’m kind of a nervous wreck.

Well thanks for giving this novel a go. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the next one is better and gives some of those answers we were looking for!

Misty

Graphic novels are always fun and they are quick as well.

I’m not really nervous about anything I’m just accident prone lol.

Thank you for reading this one with me. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Hopefully the next one will be a hit.

Jonny

Right, I could blast through several in just a short time. Hopefully I’ll find a real knockout series. Fingers crossed!

Oh no! Well I’m giving you some of my good luck digitally! It doesn’t get me casino money, but I rarely have any accidents.

Of course! I can’t wait to see what great reads the summer brings us. 😀

Misty

Same here and my fingers are crossed for you as well.

Thank you I appreciate all the extra luck I can get.

I can’t wait for our next buddy read. Just message me whenever you are up for another one.

Jonny

Anytime! Happy to share the fortune.

Okay dok, I’ll be in touch!

That’s A Wrap!

Thanks for joining us on our buddy read and rant of The First to Die at the End! We had a lot of fun, and hope you did too! We will definitely be doing some more buddy reads in the future, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, why not check out Misty and Jonny’s other fun buddy reads?

Buddy Read: They Both Die at the End

Buddy Read: Under the Whispering Door

Buddy Read: The Burning World

Buddy Read: Warm Bodies

Buddy Read: The Wicked Deep

Buddy Read: The Locke & Key Series

Buddy Read: Dark Lover

Buddy Read: Please Don’t Tell My Parents I’m a Supervillain

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