Draft:The First to Die at the End
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| Author | Adam Silvera |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young Adult ● Drama |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | October 4, 2022 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), e-book, audiobook |
| Pages | 560 |
| ISBN | 9780063240803 |
The First to Die at the End is a young adult novel written by American author Adam Silvera and published on October 4, 2022, by HarperCollins. It focuses on two young adults, Valentino and Orion, who discover that one of them has only one day left to live.
Plot summary
Orion Pagan, a young writer, attends the Times Square-based inaugural ceremony for Death-Cast, a company that claims to predict the deaths of individuals. His adopted sister Dalma, who is a programmer, joins him. Valentino Prince moves from Arizona to New York City, his twin sister Scarlett planning to join him the following day. He then goes to the ceremony in Times Square, intending not to sign up for Death-Cast, and meets Orion. Orion tells Valentino about his past; his parents died in the 9/11 attacks, after which Orion was adopted by his friend's family. After Valentino informs him of Scarlett's recent near-fatal car accident, Orion advises Valentino to sign up for Death-Cast, and Valentino does.
At midnight, Valentino receives the Death-Cast alert from founder Joaquin Rosa, informing him that he is a Decker and will die in the next twenty-four hours. A shooter barely misses Valentino when Orion pushes him out of the way, and Orion has a heart attack. Valentino and Dalma rush him to the hospital. Orion tells Valentino about how he is on a wait list for a new heart, but it could be a long time before a match for him is found. Valentino offers Orion his heart, and they discover that they are a match. Valentino calls Scarlett and tells her he was called by Death-Cast. Meanwhile, Joaquin Rosa is informed that a man who was killed by the shooter in Times Square never received his Death-Cast call, even after his death. He realizes that there are other people who don't know they're dying today, and decides to keep it a secret.
Frankie Dario, a struggling photographer and Valentino's landlord, intends to photograph Deckers dying. His wife's friend Rolando Rubio works at Death-Cast, so Frankie calls him to get the names of Deckers. Valentino and Orion go to Valentino's apartment. Valentino reveals to Orion that he moved away and isn't religious anymore because his parents rejected him when he came out as gay, and that he hasn't told his parents he's dying. Valentino, who is a model, has a photo shoot that morning. The two decide to go to it, even though Valentino will never see the results. Meanwhile, Scarlett discovers that the pilot of the plane she's about to take off on is a Decker. Scarlett and Valentino frantically text and call each other, but Scarlett doesn't have service.
Rolando Rubio isn't answering Frankie's calls. Gloria Dario, Frankie's wife, recalls the times Frankie has abused her and checks her phone, making sure she wasn't called by Death-Cast. Rolando quits Death-Cast because of the emotional toll it takes on him. Valentino and Orion leave the apartment. Rolando finally calls Frankie, and agrees to help him, hoping Frankie will die along the way and never hurt Gloria, who Rolando is in love with, ever again. He tells Frankie the name of a Decker: Valentino Prince. Frankie unsuccessfully tries to find Valentino, and waits at the apartment for Valentino to come back.
Valentino and Orion go to the photo shoot. Valentino's agent tells them that their photographer was killed in Times Square last night, and they'll do the photo shoot two days from now. Valentino tells her that he's a Decker, but she doesn't believe in the validity of Death-Cast. They leave, and at the same time, Scarlett is let off the airplane and forced to find another flight. Valentino and Orion decide to make a photo album of their last day together.
Rolando calls Gloria and asks her and Pazito "Paz" (Gloria and Frankie's son) to a fancy restaurant for lunch. Gloria agrees. Meanwhile, Orion decides to go to Ground Zero with Valentino. He recalls the pain he went through after his parents died and decides to be strong for them. Scarlett calls Valentino to tell him that she got a flight and will arrive in New York in a few hours. Orion takes Valentino to Brooklyn Bridge, where they talk about what being gay is like in the time they live in. They kiss and decide to go to Times Square for their first date.
Joaquin Rosa learns that eleven people registered for Death-Cast have died without knowing it's their End Day. He informs the public that there is still one Decker who doesn't know they'll be dying, and says that this will never happen again. Meanwhile, Orion puts on a horrible but sweet "show" on the subway, since Valentino had earlier expressed his regret that he never got to see performers on the subway. Orion insists that Valentino walk his first runway on the subway, so he does. When they get to Times Square, Dalma calls Orion to tell him what Joaquin Rosa said. Scarlett calls Valentino to tell him that the airline has grounded all their flights, and there's nothing Scarlett can do to get there on Valentino's End Day.
Rolando tells Gloria that he hopes she will divorce Frankie for her and Paz's safety. At around the same time, Valentino and Orion go to Orion's house, where Valentino decides to tell his parents it's his End Day. He calls Scarlett, who lets him speak to his parents. He tells them that he's dying and he doesn't care if he's going to hell because he's gay. They refuse to talk to him, and Valentino hangs up. Orion reads Valentino one of his stories in an attempt to cheer him up, and they have sex. Later, Valentino records a video for Scarlett to watch when she gets to New York. Valentino and Orion decide to go back to Valentino's apartment, and learn that the heart transplant has been approved.
Gloria, Rolando, and Paz all go to Frankie's apartment. Gloria tells Frankie she wants a divorce. Valentino and Orion start climbing the stairs to Valentino's apartment. Frankie is upset, and Rolando tells him to calm down. Frankie attacks Gloria, and she screams for help. Valentino rushes to Frankie's apartment and sees Frankie beating Gloria. Paz begs Valentino to help. Frankie notices Valentino and knocks him down the stairs, knocking him unconscious. Paz, telling himself he is a hero, grabs the gun his father owns and shoots his father twice. Frankie dies instantly. Dalma hears the gunshots and rushes into the building, finding Orion begging Valentino to wake up. Dalma's father examines Valentino and says that he's still alive. They bring Valentino and Orion to the hospital. Orion's doctor tells him that Valentino is showing signs of brain death, and Orion calls Scarlett to tell her. He says goodbye to Valentino and undergoes the heart transplant, which is successful.
Dalma decides to create an app to connect Deckers--the Last Friend app. When Scarlett comes to New York the next day, she watches the video Valentino made for her, and shows Orion a video Valentino filmed for him. In the video, Valentino tells Orion to live his life for both of them.
Characters
- Orion Pagan: a writer with a heart condition who is worried he will die without having been in love
- Valentino Prince: a young model who is new to New York
- Dalma Young: Orion's adopted sister and a programmer
- Scarlett Prince: Valentino's twin sister, who was in a car accident before the events of the book
- Frankie Dario: an abusive father and husband, a struggling photographer, and Valentino's landlord
- Gloria Dario: Frankie's wife who wishes she could get away from him
- Pazito "Paz" Dario: Frankie and Gloria's nine-year-old son
- Rolando Rubio: Gloria's friend
- Joaquin Rosa: the creator of Death-Cast
Sequels
The sequel, They Both Die at the End, came out prior to The First to Die at the End on September 5, 2017. A third installment is planned for publication in 2024.