The Survivor Wants to Die at the End

April 15, 2025
When Death-Cast doesn't call, fate intertwines the lives of two boys, both haunted by their pasts and with futures they can't escape. In this third installment of the series that opened with 2017'sThey Both Die at the End, Paz Dario waits every night for Death-Cast to call--as it should have for his father nearly 10 years ago, when Paz shot him to save his mother's life. But the call never comes. Death-Cast killed Paz's dreams of an acting career: No one will hire him now because the world sees him as a villain. When Paz tries (not for the first time) to put an end to his suffering, an unexpected encounter with Alano Rosa, the heir of Death-Cast, stops him. Both in a place of desperation, Alano and Paz sign a contract to live for Begin Days instead of waiting for their End Days. As suspenseful and emotionally wrenching as the previous titles in the series, this new installment explores heavy themes of abuse, mental health, self-harm, and suicide. Paz grapples with a recent diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Silvera surrounds Alano and Paz with a web of complex relationships. Although the protagonists fall fast for one another and form a deep connection over Alano's desire to support Paz, Silvera emphasizes the importance of professional help. Both Alano and Paz have Puerto Rican heritage. The cliffhanger ending promises more to come. Raw, delicate, and deeply caring. (content warning, resources)(Speculative fiction. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2025) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from May 1, 2025
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* One week. That's how long Paz Dario and Alano Rosa have to confront their pasts, live their present, and rescue their future together. But seven days feels like an eternity for Paz, whose traumatic childhood has him hoping for a call from Death-Cast. But for Alano, the heir to the Death-Cast empire, it's just not enough time, especially since he's recovering from an assassination attempt, dealing with an unexpected betrayal, and trying to keep Paz from following through on his own self-destructive goal. His father's death overshadows Paz at every turn, haunting him and driving him to sabotage his relationships with his family--and now Alano. At the same time, the future of Death-Cast hangs in the balance, with an election on the horizon; Alano's part in the company is also in question as his father's hopes start to feel more demanding and oppressive. Paz and Alano's relationship is rendered with great care and sensitivity, but readers should still be prepared for frank discussions of self-harm and suicidal ideation throughout, as well as revelations of physical and psychological abuse. A visceral, heartbreaking-yet-hopeful emotional roller coaster, The Survivor Wants to Die at the End delivers an unforgettable narrative that is as beautiful as it is audacious. Silvera's latest novel is a remarkable achievement that begs to be embraced and savored. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: They Both Die at the End (2017) and The First to Die at the End (2022) were both highly acclaimed best-sellers, so expect readers to turn out in droves for a new addition to this universe.

COPYRIGHT(2025) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 4, 2025

Gr 9 Up-Silvera's latest novel is proof that he is one of the best storytellers of the modern era. This third installment to the Death-Cast series brings Alano Rosa and Paz Dario together at the top of the Hollywood Sign. Alano is famous for being the heir to Death-Cast, the company that knows the day each person is going to die, and Paz Dario is famous for being the boy who killed his dad on the day that Death-Cast began. Alano climbs up to save Paz, who is trying to die by suicide because of the trauma he suffers from that fateful day. Alano is there to escape the control his father has over him and the public's constant intrusion into his life. As they spend the week together, each must learn to combat their own demons, both internal and external, and realize that even if fate played a big part in their meeting, love is going to be the force that helps them survive. This trilogy as a whole taps into the meaning of life as few books do. The narrative is intense and heavy but also powerful. For readers, knowing Silvera lives with mental health issues, including some he explores in the book, will help them see they are not alone. This novel contains suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and discussions of mental and physical abuse. VERDICT Every teen library must have Silvera's books on the shelves, especially this series. This book is epic in size and heart and still readers won't think it's long enough.-Maria Ramusevic

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.