THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera

“On September 5th, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some bad news: they’re going to die today. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but, for different reasons, they’re both looking to make a new friend on their End Day. The good news: there’s an app for that. It’s called the Last Friend, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great adventure – to live a lifetime in a single day.”

What is the book about?

On September 5th, Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio both receive a call from Death-Cast announcing the end of their lives – they will never live to see another day. Both are perfectly healthy and incredibly young, neither of them thought that it would end so soon, but death can strike at any person at any time or place. Mateo is a complete introvert, almost never leaving his house unless it is 100% necessary. Rufus has been through a tough few months after losing his family and feels like he is almost already dead. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but they are both looking to make a new friend to help them live their End Day to the fullest. Fate (or an app called the Last Friend) brings Rufus and Mateo together to live one last extraordinary adventure before their time on Earth ends. Together they are going to help each other create wonderful memories and live a whole lifetime in a single day. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

A few weeks ago, I asked one of my friends to lend me some books and she happily sent me home with a bag full of them. I had never actually heard about They Both Die at the End and when I found it in the bag I was curious to see what it was about. From reading the title I already knew how the book would end, but I was still intrigued to know everything about Mateo and Rufus before their lives ended. I had so many questions before I had even started to read and I was glad when the book started immediately. It was quite shocking to see how quickly everything happened, and how sudden it all was for the characters. By the time I had finished the first page I had already been completely absorbed into the story and felt I was really there with the characters. From the very start Mateo and Rufus already knew that it was the end, even though to me, as the reader, their story was only just beginning. Even though I had only just begun to read, I already felt like my time with them was ending, and it was really sad but also amazing to see how even after only reading a few chapters I was already quite attached to the characters. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Mateo and Rufus would both have to be my favourite characters and not just because they were both amazing main characters but because they were both incredible in their own unique way. At the start of the book, Mateo reminded me a lot of myself because of how introverted he was. He constantly spent his time in his room reading or playing video games, never really participating in life. Mateo was also really (and I mean really) nice. He helped anyone that came his way and sometimes was way too nice but this made him an even better person and made it clear that he did not deserve to dies. My favourite thing about Mateo was how much he changed. He started to really live when he found Rufus and began to show the bravery he never thought he had in him. Rufus was also my favourite character because he was literally the opposite of Mateo. Rufus was brave and he went out and lived a more extroverted life. He wasn’t mean, but he didn’t go showing his kindness to every person who needed help – he kept to himself. Rufus had gone through a lot in his life and sometimes thought of himself as a terrible person, and sometimes it was true, but most of the time he was really good person who just didn’t like to show it. Meeting Mateo really helped him become the best version of himself: a person he no longer disliked. The main reason I couldn’t choose between Rufus and Mateo is that without the other, neither of them would have become the person they wanted to be and they wouldn’t have live the best End Day possible.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I actually have 2 favourite parts, when they are at the World Travel Arena and when they are at Clint’s Graveyard (a dance club not an actual graveyard). This is because Mateo and Rufus each overcome one of their fears in one of these places. When they were at the World Travel Arena Rufus had the opportunity to get past every upsetting thought he had after his family died and jump into some water getting some closure after everything he went through. This helped him look past the person he always thought was real, the person who abandoned his family, and see the person he really was. Then at Clint’s Graveyard Mateo overcame his insecurities and his introverted, antisocial ways and became the brave person he wished he always was. He was able to look past all his failed time on Earth that he didn’t spend living and finally properly enjoy himself and live. I loved both of these places because I think that they are when Rufus and Mateo really feel that they would leave the world without any regrets and really made them feel alive.

What was your overall impression of the book?

They Both Die at the End was an amazing book – both devastating and wonderful at the same time. One thing I liked about the book was how it was split into parts and there was a beautiful quote on each one that was relevant to that part of the story. Another thing that I loved about the book was how it really got you thinking about death and how it can happen at any given time with no warning whatsoever. It really started to make your brain work thinking of all the thing people miss out on when they die so young. However, the book showed how even though you could get hurt or even die doing crazy but magnificent things, it is important to live your life taking risks and not worrying about the possibility of death. Mateo and Rufus really showed me that it is important to experience everything you can in life and not miss out on any opportunities because one day you will regret it. One last thing that really made They Both Die at the End stand out to me was how even though I already knew they were going to die from page 1, I was still crushed and utterly devastated when it happened. That really made me think about how remarkably the book was written and how every word made you even more attached to the characters, preparing you for having your heart destroyed. The book was absolutely perfect and there is nothing I would change about it, I cannot wait to read it again and revisit Mateo and Rufus in their last adventure.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book particularly to anyone over 13 who enjoys adventure, friendship and some romance. It is definitely an incredible boom to try out if you are interesting in reading something new.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A bold, heart-breaking and devastating novel I won’t ever forget.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

RETURN TO ZERO by Pittacus Lore

“Ten years. Ten extraordinary books. And this is where it ends… The FINAL chapter. The LAST battle. Questions will be answered. All Lorien Legacies will be revealed! But with the UN decreeing all humans with Legacies must wear inhibitors to take away their powers, the Earth is set for a violent showdown between ordinary humans and their Garde defenders. Will it end with the Garde versus humanity? Or can we find a way to work together?

What is the book about?

After the battle in Switzerland, the world is a mess. No one feels safe with the Garde around and many just want control. The Academy is nothing but problems, with the Earth Garde trying to get a different person in charge to be able to get rid of Nine. The UN has decreed that all humans with Legacies must wear inhibitors that can take away their power, in order to keep humanity safe. Now the Fugitive Six has been split in half, but they are still looking out for each other. With the world ordering Garde around and trying to get control, people are only causing more issues and setting up for a violent war between ordinary humans and the Garde that were meant to defend them. Will they be able to settle things in a peaceful way and look past their differences? Will the Fugitive Six be able to stop people from trying to destroy or control the Garde, before it’s too late? Or will it end with a major battle with the Garde versus humanity? Is all hope lost, or can they find a way to work together?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending of Fugitive had left me with only one thought: WHAT IS GOING ON?! I had been left so shocked and as soon as I recovered, I was anxious to know what would happen next. The blurb of Return to Zero was actually very good, even though some parts weren’t very descriptive, I still like every part of it. It was sad to see that this would be the end of Lorien Legacies, especially having it written so clearly on the back of the final book. I loved getting reassurance that all questions would be answered and I couldn’t wait to begin reading. The first few chapters were amazing, even though they weren’t that exciting. I found the book really easy to get into and I was soon lost in the world of the Garde. I loved having the Fugitive Six leading two different adventures because it kept me on edge but I also disliked how they were separate as I think they are better together. From the very start, I was already excited for the anticipated final battle, or to finally see the Human Garde treated properly and equally, not like aliens that should be excluded from humanity. Once I started to read, I was impatient for it to end and to finally have a perfect ending (because United as One had ended terribly), but I also desperately wanted for the book to never end, because that would mean that I would never be able to go on any more adventures with the incredible characters that I have grown attached to. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in this book and most likely in the whole Lorien Legacies Reborn series was Ran. I really liked her in the first and second book but she really stood out to me in Return to Zero and at the end she proved she definitely was my favourite character. Ran was selfless and brave and always looked for what was right. Her Legacy was being able to charge things and make them explode, and she saw this as destruction. She vowed to never use her powers again unless it was truly necessary. She didn’t like that she had the ability to hurt and kill people and didn’t think it was right for any Human Garde to kill any innocent person, or any person really, unless it was truly the only way to survive. Even when everyone hated the Garde and thought they were monsters, Ran still thought that they shouldn’t hurt anyone because that would just make them as bad as their enemies. Even though she sometimes saw her Legacy as a terrible power with no other use than murder, she was able to see that it could also be used to help people, if she used it correctly. When everyone thought that all was lost and it was the end Ran was able to see that it was her chance to show people what her Legacy really meant and she did the unexpected and saved them all. She was a truly amazing, kind, selfless and brave person willing to risk everything for her friends.  She cared about everyone and didn’t think anyone deserved death, even those who hurt her. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

If I really had to choose my favourite part it would probably be the ending. It would start at the Human Garde Academy when they started to put their plan in motion and everything was looking good. Then things began to change but I still liked it because I knew that there was a backup plan – an incredible one. The end few chapters were really incredible, apart from the very end, but it was also a bit sad. I disliked how the more emotional part was written as it seemed a bit cruel but I did think that it was a sweet ending and gave certain characters the chance to do good for others and prove themselves, not just to everyone else but also to themselves. The end was full of action and I loved how it got me really attached to the story. Even though it’s upsetting, it’s also wonderful when a book makes you feel emotions because it means that you were really there and that the story will always be inside you. I also love it because then I know that it was worth the read, as I loved the story and the characters and become heartbroken when their story ends. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall the book was really, really good and enjoyed almost everything about it. One of the few things that I disliked about Return to Zero was the ending. The book goes forward in time a few months or so and ends almost exactly like United as One. I was hoping to get a proper ending and be able to ignore the first terrible ending to the series and focus on the new one, but that certainly didn’t happen. I seriously doubt the author’s ability to end series and I think that it kind of ruined the book. The book also skipped to a few months later risk after a very shocking and heart-breaking moment and it really ruined it. Sad moment are meant to fully destroy a reader and make them feel incredibly attached to a character but Pittacus Lore just skips it all and doesn’t properly emotionally destroy the readers, I am beginning to think he just cannot properly process emotions into his writing because this has happened a lot and I really despise it. However, despite the ending, I really enjoyed the book. There were a lot more of the original Garde in the book and I got to see a lot of my favourite characters even if it was just for a little bit. One thing that really stood out was Five. He was one of my least favourite characters for a long time because of what he did and how he betrayed everyone, but he really made it up to everyone at the end of Return to Zero and I think that it was the best ending for him. Another thing I liked was New Lorien and how beautiful and amazing it was. It was a safe haven for all Garde and let them do what they were always meant to do – help people. The worst thing about Return to Zero is that it is the last book of the series. It really shocked me when I finished because now I know that it is truly finished. I will never learn more about the amazing characters that I learnt to love and no matter how many times I choose to reread the series there will never be new information or new adventures to go on; it really is THE END.

Which was your favourite book in the Lorien Legacies Reborn series? (1, 2, or 3)

I think that, although Generation One and Return to Zero were good books, Fugitive Six was the best book in the series. I think that the ending was what ruined Return to Zero for me and Generation One was way too introductory and didn’t have any action until the end (and that part went by quite quick). However, Fugitive Six was almost perfect and had the characters leading separate adventures which meant that you were always on edge impatient for the next part of one of the adventures. There was also a lot of dramatic irony in the series as the character were going on separate adventures that sometimes had moment where the characters were puzzled or thought they recognised something or a had some questions, and usually one of the other characters had the answer. It was really quite funny that they all thought they were on own but really they were just playing a small part, however it also showed teamwork and how the Fugitive Six weren’t just connected when they were together, but also when they were apart. Fugitive Six had a bit of everything and apart from a small part at the end, I loved everything about it. I just loved almost everything about Lorien Legacies and I can’t believe it’s actually finished. 

Would you recommend this book?  

This book was amazing and I believe that all readers will enjoy it. I particularly recommend it to reader over 13 who enjoy action, adventure or science fiction, but if you don’t typically read these genres I suggest you give the Lorien Legacies series a try, starting with I am Number Four – I am confident you will not regret it. If you read them, try out the Legacy Chronicles, stories with Sam and Six happening at the same time as the events in the Reborn series.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An unbelievable and heart-breaking ending to one of the most extraordinary and out of this world book series that I have ever read, certainly an adventure which I will never forget.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FUGITIVE SIX by Pittacus Lore

“The Garde Academy nurtures. The Foundation destroys. Who will win? Taylor Cook and the ‘Fugitive Six’ guard their Legacies against the murderous Foundation. They know trouble is coming. A mole inside the Academy is stealing secrets. They must be found and stopped, because gifted teens are still disappearing. Between the trials of training and the tensions among Earth’s defenders, Taylor and friends know they must work together to bring about the Foundation’s fall. But the Foundation has its own plans. And the Fugitive Six are in their sights…”

What is the book about?

After escaping the Human Garde Academy and experiencing a life threatening adventure, the ‘Fugitive Six’ (a nickname now all of the students at the Academy know) find themselves in even more problems. Their little adventure has caused a lot of trouble and the consequences aren’t just a few weeks of extra early training. Now the murderous Foundation has a mole inside the Academy and the Fugitive Six don’t just want to find and stop them from stealing secrets but also get an inside agent of their own. If the Foundation has a mole, why can’t the Garde? Between training and schoolwork, the Fugitive Six have barely enough time to come up with a plan, but they must try by working together. There is a lot at risk and the Fugitive Six must try to keep everyone safe, including themselves. But while they have their own plan in motion, the Foundation has its own ideas. The Foundation has eyes on the Fugitive Six and won’t be stopped from achieving their own plans…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Generation One was incredible and I finished it in less than a day, enjoying every word. The book had ended in a very interesting cliff-hanger, an idea that could turn into a whole new dangerous adventure. As soon as I finished reading it I was desperate to get my hands on the next book in the series – Fugitive Six. The first thing that I did when I picked up Fugitive Six was read the blurb, as I always do, and finally I got what I was looking for. Pittacus Lore finally had the genius idea of writing a proper blurb, one that inspires a reader to pick up a book, one that gives a brief and mysterious summary of what will happen in the story, rather than the war propaganda messages that have been written on the back of all the other Lorien Legacies books. The blurb made me even more curious at what would happen and gave me more questions to consider, making me leap towards the book with even more ambition. The first chapter was quite interesting, with a new character that I had never even heard of introduced to the story. The next few chapters had the characters I already knew and was very anxious to learn more about – the Fugitive Six. The chapters at the start got me straight back into the story as though I had never left, every single chapter form the very start making me ask more questions and making me very curious at what would happen next. The start was very interesting and I soon found myself near the end of the book, hanging on to every word.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In Fugitive Six, my favourite character was probably Isabela. I had also liked her in the first book but she seemed a little too wild and another character stood out to me more. However in this book I saw a change in Isabela and her personality and I liked her a lot more. At times I find Isabela very annoying as her constant rude comments and her not taking things seriously really got on my nerves. But, at times, I like how she always says the first thing that comes to mind because it means she sometimes says what I really want to say to an annoying character, and when she says something that is actually right it is good to see a character get knocked down a bit. The first thing that made me think of her as my favourite character was when, in Fugitive Six, she mentioned that she did not think of herself as a hero. She said that she knew that her friends thought of themselves as heroes and thought that their little group as the next generation of the original Loric Garde. I liked how she didn’t care about that and didn’t think of herself like that because of how it contradicted the personality that she seems to have – confident, self-centred, etc. I liked this about her because it showed that she didn’t help her friends to get the attention of doing something heroic but because she was loyal to them. Then, the ending really stood out to me and showed me how Isabela’s personality had developed. She was always hiding her true self because she didn’t want to look like that and even if she claimed she did it for herself it still showed that she was sort of pretending to be someone else. At the end of the book, she lets go of her Legacy and shows the scars that she was always hiding. I liked this because it showed she was beginning to accept herself and that she wasn’t ashamed of herself. Isabela is a great example of proper character development.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part is probably the majority of the book because I like everything that happens after the Fugitive Six set their plan in motion. I like everything after that, except the end of the fight in Switzerland, because everything is really interesting and exciting. During those chapters we get to learn a lot of new information, especially seeing as most of the Fugitive Six are separate so they are all leading their own part of the adventure. I love how they all play a part in the plan and all have something to contribute even if some of them don’t know it. It’s funny how in the end their own little plans lead them together and that they all end up in the same place at the same time, not expecting the others to be there – it almost looks planned (though it obviously was planned by the author). They all feel alone but really they are just playing a small part in a big story and they are never actually alone. I didn’t like the very end because of how the fight was resolved and where they all chose to go, but I have a feeling that Return to Zero will bring them all together again.

What was your overall impression of the book?

As a whole, Fugitive Six was just unbelievable. Ever chapter left me stunned and on the edge of my seat waiting to learn what would happen next. The ending to the six main characters adventure wasn’t exactly the best, but the epilogue really made up for it, ending with the most shocking and crazy thing you could possibly imagine. The first chapter was rather strange but fascinating as it had a new character that I knew nothing about and didn’t really expect. The next few chapters had the characters I had really grown to like after reading Generation One, but something was being planned and I had many questions that were not being answered. Then, finally, the book got to the really good parts when the huge plan the Fugitive Six had prepared was finally in motion and I couldn’t wait to see the outcome of all the preparation. The book was written from many different sides and every character was in their own little world so there was lot going on at the same time, and I didn’t want to miss any of it. It was frustrating to have so many different people to follow but also gave me a lot to look forward to as a lot of the characters were discovering new things. Other than the end of the battle, everything in the book was wonderful and I cannot wait to read the last book of the Lorien Legacies Reborn series. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

I am 100% sure that Fugitive Six was better than Generation One. Although I enjoyed reading both of the books, I think that Fugitive Six is definitely my favourite. Generation One was pretty good, but I think it was too slow to start and a large part of the book was more introductory and, though I enjoyed the easy switch to the Human Garde Academy and the new characters, it wasn’t as interesting and thrilling as Fugitive Six. The whole book was an incredible adventure and plan. It started with setting the plan in motion and ended with a major battle. Fugitive Six kind of reminded me of all the books in the first series because of how the start was calm, mainly just setting up for a fight, and then at the end there would be a huge fight and something bad or sad would happen, and this pretty much sums up the whole of Fugitive Six. One other reason why Fugitive Six is the better book is how in Generation One most of the characters are together so there isn’t much new information or much use of Pittacus Lore’s cliff-hangers. But, in Fugitive Six, literally all of the main characters are leading their own side of the story so every chapter ended in an annoying cliff-hanger, leaving you anxious to know more. 

Would you recommend this book?  

There is no doubt in my mind that anyone could not love this book and I absolutely recommend it for any reader, particularly action lovers over 13. I think that its best to read the other books in both the Lorien Legacies series and the Reborn series before Fugitive Six because everything will make a lot more sense. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A mysterious and thrilling book with the ‘Fugitive Six’.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

GENERATION ONE by Pittacus Lore

“They used to be like us.

They used to be like us. 

Then everything changed. 

Then everything changed.

They were afflicted with powers. 

They were given powers. 

Powers that can kill. 

Powers that can save.

Some want the locked up. 

Some want to use them.

Some just want them gone. 

Some are just afraid. 

The Garde can’t control them. 

The Garde will train them.

They will destroy the world.

They will save the world.”

What is the book about?

After Setrákus Ra was defeated and the warships were taken down, the war was over, but everything had changed. Whole cities were destroyed and thousands of people were killed. The cities could be rebuilt and the families would soon recover from the pain, their relatives a loving memory of the alien free past. But those were effects of the war that will soon be fixed and forgotten. There were also permanent affects after the battle; the humans who received Legacies cannot be tossed aside. These Human Garde can save or kill, depending on the training they get. To try and keep the world safe from the Garde and the Garde safe from the world, the government built a training school for all Human Garde – the Human Garde Academy. There everyone is safe and trained to later join the Earth Garde to help the world get back on its feet and try and keep the peace. But the Garde aren’t completely protected, there are still people who think they can’t be controlled, who think that they will destroy the world, who think they are better off dead, and those people will do anything to keep their world safe from the devil creatures they believe now roam freely…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I hated how United as One – the last book in the Lorien Legacies series – had ended. There was not a single doubt in my mind that it was the worst ending ever and that I needed more. When I discovered that there was a Lorien Legacies Reborn series I could barely hide my excitement. Desperate to recover from the shocking and terrible ending, I started reading Generation One as soon as I could get my hands on it. The blurb still wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but it did tell me something, the book was going to be about the Human Garde, the next generation of Earth protectors. I was really intrigued to read and really anxious to see what character would be in the books, new or old. Once I started reading I was a bit confused and rather disappointed. The start was kind of weird and it took much longer for me to get used to it than I thought. The book was from the third person perspective instead of the first person view that I was used to from the previous series, however after a while I got used to it and actually started to enjoy it. The start was a bit slow and I was just impatient for when they would arrive to the Human Garde Academy, anxious for the adventure to begin.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This was a very difficult question to answer because all 6 main characters were really amazing and I liked every single one of them. However, I think that if I had to choose I think that Taylor was probably my favourite character in Generation One. One of the reasons for this is most likely because she reminds a bit of Marina (one of the original Garde who wasn’t in Generation One which really upset me) because Taylor is also a healer. But, Taylor was also a really great character who was brave, kind and smart. I really liked how she got the chance to visit a hospital and heal some of the patients there to train her healing Legacy because she wasn’t just developing one of her powers but also getting to help out in the real world and make a difference. When Taylor first got her Legacies, she wanted nothing to do with them and hated the idea of having to stay at the Academy but, after a while, she warmed up to the people around her and started to like it there, and I think that getting to help people and save lives really helped her. She was really kind-hearted and brave; standing up for what was right and helping her friends. When in a life threatening situation, she made sure her friends were healed before her and only used on herself the amount of power that was necessary to keep her on her feet so that she could use her energy on her friends, showing true selflessness. All the other 5 main characters were wonderful, but I think that Taylor stood out a bit more. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Usually choosing my favourite part is almost impossible when I read a book because I love every single part of it, however Generation One was different. I found it so easy to choose which part of the book was my favourite, not because the rest of the book was bad but because this part really stood out to me. My favourite part was definitely the end two chapters, because of how completely amazing they were. They were so full of action, but not just like the other battles in the book but on a whole other level. During those two short chapters I was always on edge, every single word making me even more interested and kore anxious at the turn out of the story. In the second to last chapter I was literally about to fall off my seat from the excitement. I had really grown to like the 6 main characters and the end few chapters showed how attached I had gotten because of how anxious I was or all of them to get back to the Human Garde Academy safely. I really loved this part of the book a lot and it made me so curious at what would come next in Fugitive Six.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall the book was just as amazing and shocking as I had expected making me love the Lorien Legacies books, both the first one and the Reborn one, even more. I didn’t feel like this at the start though and certainly doubted the remarkable story I would find within the pages of the harmless paperback I was holding. The first few chapters were actually rather boring and confusing. It was really weird at first to be following a bunch of different characters and not have them narrating their own story, but after a while I got used to it. I actually began to really enjoy the story when all of the 6 main characters were finally together at the Human Garde Academy, and I could sense that they would all be connected in the adventure that was coming. One thing that still confused me was the strange chapters that had something to go with people hunting down some Garde. At first I didn’t really understand it and found the chapters quite weird, but once I understood what they meant, and the weird people met up with the other characters, everything got even crazier and I just fell deeper into the story. Another reason I really loved Generation One was because of the connections the characters made. As soon as they all started to truly open up to the others I started to see how the 6 Garde would become good friends and probably cause even more action-packed adventures. The start had made me doubt that the whole experience wouldn’t be worth it but the ending was the complete opposite and made me incredibly curious at what the next book would bring. The ending also had a reference about the ‘Fugitive Six’ and that made me desperate to read the next book. The end chapters really triggered my emotions and I soon realised after reading the book that this series would consume my soul and I would become even more obsessed then after reading the first Lorien Legacies series.

Would you recommend this book?  

This is definitely the perfect book to read if you have read the Lorien Legacies series, particularly or readers over 13. I definitely recommend it for any thriller or science fiction lovers but it’s probably most suitable to read the Lorien Legacies series first, starting with I am Number Four, which you can also find on my blog.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A crazy and incredible continuation of a thrilling, out of this world adventure.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego