Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of They Both Die at the End. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, strangers who receive calls from Death-Cast telling them they will die that day, spend their last day together and fall in love. Mateo dies in a kitchen fire caused by a faulty stove, and Rufus, grieving, is heading home when the book ends with the sound of a gunshot, implying his death.
Quick facts
– Book: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
– First published: 2017
– Type: A young adult novel
– Tone of the ending: Heartbreaking
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In this world, Death-Cast calls people on the day they will die. Mateo, a shy teen, and Rufus, who just beat up his ex's new boyfriend, connect through the Last Friend app. They decide to live fully.
What Happens at the End of They Both Die at the End
Mateo, who has always been afraid of life, and Rufus, who is angry and grieving his family, push each other to do brave things. They visit Mateo's father, who is in a coma, and his best friend Lidia and her baby. They go to a travel arena that simulates adventures, a club where Mateo sings, and a dance floor where they kiss. Rufus's friends, the Plutos, join them. Late at night, they go back to Mateo's apartment and fall asleep. Mateo gets up to make food, and the old stove, which has been faulty, catches fire. Rufus wakes and escapes, but Mateo is killed. Heartbroken, Rufus sets off to see the people he loves, determined to keep living for whatever time he has left. The final line is the sound of a gunshot.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Mateo dies first.
- Rufus dies at the end.
- Their love was real.
- The title is literal.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Mateo Torrez | Dies in a fire |
| Rufus Emeterio | Implied to die |
| Lidia | Mateo's best friend |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the value of living fully.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate how Rufus dies, since the book ends on the sound rather than an explanation. Some connect it to Peck, the ex's new boyfriend who was angry with Rufus. The prequel, The First to Die at the End, explores the start of Death-Cast.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Mortality. Death is certain.
Love. Mateo and Rufus.
Living. Living fully.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of They Both Die at the End as heartbreaking. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Adam Silvera to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are heartbreaking will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Adam Silvera closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading They Both Die at the End with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about mortality, and do you agree with Adam Silvera's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as heartbreaking, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces mortality and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Adam Silvera leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in They Both Die at the End often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of They Both Die at the End earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of They Both Die at the End on Amazon
Books to Read After They Both Die at the End
- The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Related: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is They Both Die at the End Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of They Both Die at the End?
Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, strangers who receive calls from Death-Cast telling them they will die that day, spend their last day together and fall in love. Mateo dies in a kitchen fire caused by a faulty stove, and Rufus, grieving, is heading home when the book ends with the sound of a gunshot, implying his death.
Is the ending of They Both Die at the End happy or sad?
Most readers call it heartbreaking.
What does the ending of They Both Die at the End mean?
The ending shows the value of living fully.
Who wrote They Both Die at the End and when was it published?
They Both Die at the End was written by Adam Silvera and first published in 2017.
Is They Both Die at the End worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Adam Silvera prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read They Both Die at the End before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.