Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END

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THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END

Adam Silvera

In this prequel to "They Both Die at the End," Orion and Valentino attend the premiere of Death-Cast in Times Square. (Ages 13 and up)

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? The novel combines accessible YA prose with sustained grief, death prediction, parental rejection, a fatal attack, gun violence, medical crisis, and emotionally intense romance. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character5/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5
  • LGBTQIA characters4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

Mentions of real-world locations like Times Square, but no overt product placement.

Death of a character5/5
Why this rating?

The core premise centers on characters receiving notification of their impending death.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Mentions medical procedures, heart transplants, and injury, but details are not gratuitously graphic.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Contains some moderate profanity consistent with contemporary young adult fiction.

LGBTQIA characters4/5
Why this rating?

Features a gay romance between the two protagonists and deals with the impact of parental rejection due to orientation.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

The central relationship between Valentino and Orion is a romantic one featuring kissing and emotional intimacy.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Imminent death, attacks, a shooting, and threats to loved ones create sustained, intense tension. The story is frightening without relying on monsters or jump scares.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains romantic kissing and references to dating, but no explicit sexual activity.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal or incidental references to substance use; not a focus of the story.

Violence4/5
Why this rating?

A shooter targets Valentino; a character is attacked, pushed down stairs, and killed with a gun. Threat and assault are significant plot elements.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters face imminent death, family rejection, medical uncertainty, violence, and grief while making loving and difficult choices.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The Death-Cast premise, alternate social consequences of predicted death, and characters' farewell choices invite imaginative thought about mortality and technology.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The cast includes a gay protagonist, an adopted character, varied families, and multiple cultural backgrounds, with identity meaningfully developed.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental exploration of grief and medical ethics surrounding organ donation.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Characters provide care, hospital support, emotional reassurance, family concern, and meaningful goodbyes despite conflict and loss.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes living meaningfully, love, honesty, family bonds, grief, consent, and protecting others amid mortality.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters show loyalty, honesty, caregiving, and courage, though adults and institutions also make harmful or exploitative choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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