Warning: This review talks about themes of suicide.
Paz Dario wants Death-cast to call. He is done with living. It's not fair that everyone hates him for killing his father in order to save his mother's life. Unable to make friends, fall in love, or even follow his dreams towards becoming an actor, what's the point in living? He will end his life, no matter what Death-cast has to say.
Alano Rosa, heir to the Death-cast empire, wants everyone to live the best life that they can, but how can he advocate for this when his own life is so out of his own control? Between an overbearing father, an over nurturing mother, and dozens of threats upon his life, Alano must discover what it means to live for himself before he can even begin to accept the life that his father has set out for him.
Following a chance meeting, upon the Hollywood sign, like it's written in the stars, can they both learn to live for themselves? Or will everything crash and burn? What will it take to keep each other alive?
The Survivor Wants to Die at the End is, foremost, a story about mental health. Death-cast, for the most part, unlike previous books, is almost like a backdrop to this narrative instead of the inciting incident. Instead of starting with learning someone is due to die, we explore the ramifications that a company like this can have on people and how it can change lives, whether that be Paz's BPD or Alano's guilt and nervous breakdown.
Adam Silvera gives a well researched and balanced take on these issues, leaving us with flawed character who feel very very real.
Beyond this, The Survivor Wants to Die at the End is also about relationship, whether that be platonic or romantic, and the importance that it has when dealing with mental health struggles; that to have someone on your side when your struggling is so so important. We see this through Paz's relationship with his mother, as strained as it might get, through Naya's worry for her son's stability, and of course through the blossoming relationship of Alano's and Paz's. Paz and Alano offer each other a push and pull, a give and take, which you see in so many real life couples who struggle. Are they perfect? No. But that only strengthens their relatability. All they really need is someone that they can finally be honest with, someone to balance themselves out.
What this book is brilliant at, being the third in the series, is pulling us into a world that feels so massive, letting us look at the mediocre in a world so incredible. Although it is cool to have books where we knew exactly where the plot was going to go, where we knew we were heading towards a death, this book really brings us into the gritty of this world, into a story that isn't self-contained between two people.
We weren't worrying about Death-cast calling, at least I never expected them to call, instead we are focused on the politics, the stability/instability of the world, and the emotion in relation to Death-cast as a company rather than an purely a resource.
Matteo and Rufus (Book One) were about over-coming fears, living life to the fullest, thanks to Death-cast.
Orion and Valentino (Book Two) were about legacy, love, and living in the moment. Death-cast gave Valentino the opportunity to save Orion.
Alano and Paz are just trying to live through this messed up world, in spite of Death-cast.
This book left me with so many question which I can't wait to be answered in the next. I have do doubt that Adam with deliver, and bring Alano's and Paz's story to a wonderful conclusion. Will I-Love-You's be enough? Or will Paz and Alano struggle to overcome?
Although I am happy there was no death in this book, some of the tension was taken from the pages by it being announced on the first page, before the book even started, that no one was going to commit suicide. Although I understand trigger warnings, I do wonder if maybe a more subtle approach might have made for a tenser read. This is only my personal opinion though, others might disagree.
All together, this was a lovely medium paced read. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys flawed characters, deep storytelling, and characters who feel so close to reality you'll see yourself reflected in them.
Writings Of A Queer Mind 