Some books wreck you gently, and this is one of them. Settle in for my take on the They Both Die at the End audiobook. I pressed play on They Both Die at the End expecting a quick, tidy listen and instead found myself sitting in a parked car with the engine off, unwilling to pause. The premise is right there in the title, yet the audio still managed to sneak up on me. If you have been circling this one, let me tell you why the audiobook is the way to meet it.
Get the They Both Die at the End Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat They Both Die at the End is about
Adam Silvera imagines a near-future world with one small, devastating twist: a service called Death-Cast calls you in the early hours of the morning you are going to die. It does not tell you how or when, only that today is your last day. On September 5th, two strangers, Mateo and Rufus, both get that call. Neither wants to spend his final hours alone.
Through an app designed to connect people living out their last day, the two boys find each other and decide to make one full day count for something. That is the whole promise the title makes you, and I will not take you a step past it. What matters is how these two very different teenagers, one cautious and inward, one guarded and grieving, slowly pull each other out of their shells while the clock keeps ticking.
| Author | Adam Silvera |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymond & Bahni Turpin |
| Length | 8h 30m |
The narration: a small cast doing heavy lifting
The audiobook runs 8 hours and 30 minutes and is voiced by a trio: Michael Crouch, Robbie Daymond, and Bahni Turpin. Crouch and Daymond carry Mateo and Rufus, and the contrast between their reads is the whole engine of this listen. Crouch gives Mateo a tentative, almost apologetic softness, while Daymond lets Rufus swagger and crack in a way that feels lived-in. Bahni Turpin steps in for the interludes, the brief glimpses of strangers whose lives brush against the boys’ final day, and she brings such distinct warmth to each that those short chapters never feel like detours. A multi-voice cast can sometimes feel gimmicky, but here it clarifies who is speaking and lets the quieter chapters breathe. By the last hour, the performances had me completely undone.
Is the They Both Die at the End audiobook worth a credit?
Yes, and I would argue it is one of the rare cases where audio is the better way in. This is an emotional, dialogue-driven story, and hearing Mateo and Rufus actually talk to each other adds an intimacy the page cannot quite match. For a single credit and eight and a half hours, you get performances that elevate an already affecting book. If you only buy one YA audiobook this season, this is a strong pick.
Who should press play
Press play if you love character-driven stories, tender friendships, and books that make you call someone you love afterward. This is for readers who do not mind a good cry and who appreciate a story that asks how you would spend your one last day. I will be honest with you: it is sad, and it earns every tear, so if you are looking for something light or escapist right now, save this for a day you can sit with your feelings. Everyone else, come on in.
If you like They Both Die at the End, listen to these next
- Looking for Alaska by John Green — another aching, funny, unforgettable YA story about young people confronting loss and meaning.
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — a tender, philosophical listen about mortality, regret, and the lives we might have lived.
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo — if you loved the ensemble intimacy, this multi-voice heist adventure is a gorgeous next stop.
How to listen to They Both Die at the End
The audiobook is available on Audible and Amazon, and if you are new to Audible you can grab it with a free trial credit or simply buy the audio outright. Prefer to read along? It is also available in Kindle and print editions, so you can switch between listening and turning pages whenever the mood strikes.
Get the They Both Die at the End Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
Who narrates the They Both Die at the End audiobook?
It features three narrators: Michael Crouch as Mateo, Robbie Daymond as Rufus, and Bahni Turpin voicing the interlude chapters.
How long is the They Both Die at the End audiobook?
The unabridged audiobook runs 8 hours and 30 minutes, which makes it an easy weekend or two-commute listen.
Is They Both Die at the End sad?
Yes. Given the title, this will not surprise you, but it is genuinely emotional and best saved for a day you are ready to feel things.
Do I need to read the book before the audiobook?
Not at all. The audiobook is the complete, unabridged story, so you can experience it start to finish without touching the print edition.