Definitely an interesting book. I think something that kept me from really liking it is that it never feels like its own story. It feels more like an extended prologue for the rest of the series and that's really not how you should begin. Give readers a taste of what the story will be like, not slowly dragging through the plot that could easily be summarized in five sentences.

There were also too many characters, to the point where I felt I was memorizing names more than meeting and reading about actual people. 

The Wiccan aspect of the book is pretty cool. I wonder if that will be enough for me to continue with the series. For now, though, I think I'm going to look into other books and decide later if I want to go on. 

 I like books about death.

Is that weird? Probably, but it’s not like it comes as a surprise to me. I love it when people either personify death or tackle the theme as its main focus. Even though it makes me worry about my own mortality, it oddly makes me feel better. Maybe because books like this treat it as something not to be feared, but inevitable. Why constantly be terrified of something when you know it’s going to hit you sooner or later?

But I’m blathering, so onto to the book. On a scale of one to ten om how I felt when I finished, I was about a twelve. They Both Die at the End doesn’t pull any punches. Hell, just look at its title. It was an emotional roller coaster, though it isn’t a book that makes you sob on every page. While it does touch on the fear of imminent demise, it’s also a compilation of moments that make life worth living: taking risks, opening yourself up to new experiences, finding love. While the message of carpe diem isn’t exactly an uncommon one, the way it is treated here definitely makes this a feel fest worth having. 

 I wonder if this is one of those books that is ruined by their ending. I mean, there was great build up, suspense, and mystery. I was truly wondering where it was all going to end up. Unfortunately it wasn't anywhere special. In the end, Scarlet truly sacrificed nothing to get what she wanted. Everything just ended in her favor because she's stock heroine number 55 or something. There's no loss, therefore the stakes, in retrospect, seem worthless.

Other problems include a lack of characterization. I always wondered why the father was so horrible and never really received an answer. He's just cruel because the story needs him to be. We already have a mustache twirling villain in Legend, did we truly need another?

I think I can forgive the lack of word-building seeing at it takes place in a setting that is separated form the actual world. Perhaps there will be more in the sequel.

I didn't really hate the book. I was just expecting too much and was disappointed. The ending was too clean, even with it being open ended. I may read the sequel only to see where it goes. 

 I don't think this book was really meant for me in the first place. I am growing tired of the dystopian phase that YA is going through and I've never been that interested in cyborg/Android/robot stories. Not to mention Cinderella isn't exactly one of my favorite fairy tales. I went into this book, hearing of how it's loved by so many, but I just don't get it.

I found it readable, but so predictable and doesn't answer many questions.

Why is there so much hate for cyborgs? Just because.

Why is Levana evil? Just because.

Out of all the places on Earth, why does Levana seem so interested in the Commonwealth? Just because.

Even when things are explained, it isn't given that much detail. We aren't told much about Lunar society, just how corrupt it is. I know it's supposed to be built on for later installments, but still. Layer your foundation well, instead of with just one brick.

Also, I wonder how much research the author did on Chinese society and culture. it seems the only things that make it up are food, names, and clothes. I mean, seriously? China has such interesting history, customs, and beliefs, and you're just going to ignore all of that just to give me a romance I've seen in fifty other YA books? Nah.

Even the final revelation was so predictable I knew it before I was even close to the halfway mark. Ugh.

I will not be reading the rest of the series. Not worth my time. But at least I got it off my TBR list.