The Survivor Wants to Die at the End

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Which aspects of The Survivor Wants to Die at the End—characterization, narrative structure, themes—did you find most compelling? Why?

2. How does the book compare to other dystopian YA novels you’ve read? How does it move this genre in a new direction?

3. If you’ve read any of Silvera’s other books in the same series, how does The Survivor Wants to Die at the End compare? If not, consider other books in the same genre and compare those.

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. If Death-Cast were real, would you sign up for it? Do you think knowing the exact date of your death in advance would be a net benefit or a net harm? Why?

2. The book explores The Tension Between Free Will and Determinism. In your life, do you feel that your choices are your own, or that they are shaped by forces beyond your control?  

3. Both Paz and Alano face intense pressure from their protective families. Have you ever felt like loved ones’ efforts to keep you safe were interfering with your autonomy? How did you address this conflict?

4. Paz often struggles to distinguish his self-image from the public’s inaccurate image of him. Do you ever feel that your opinion of yourself is influenced by other people’s opinions about you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does The Survivor Wants to Die at the End and the series as a whole mirror or reflect current social norms or values about life and death?

2. Discuss the differences between Death-Cast subscribers and pro-naturalists. What issues about personal freedom and the need for certainty do they raise?

3. Consider the cultural climate in which the characters exist. How does the book’s dystopian world reflect real-world concerns, especially around the mental health effects of social media for young people?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Analyze the book’s narrative structure. Why do you think the author chose to use first-person narration for Paz and Alano while switching to third person for the other characters?

2. Do Paz and Alano change over the course of the story? How do their character arcs mirror or inform each other?

3. How does the novel use its Los Angeles setting to convey its themes? What is the symbolism of the Hollywood sign, for example?

4. How are Paz and Alano’s narrative voices differentiated? How does each voice convey character?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If The Survivor Wants to Die at the End were made into a movie, who would you cast in the roles of Paz, Alano, and Joaquin? Why?

2. A sequel has been planned to The Survivor Wants to Die at the End. What do you think the story will be about? What narrative threads remain to be resolved? Where would you like to see the characters go next on their journey?