Kristy Cooper gives us, what many in our current societal situation might call, a controversial look at Christianity in her YA fiction book, The Departed – which is the first installment in The Departed Series. In our society’s present political state where concerns of religious rights, gun rights, and the lot are being contested in the upcoming election arena of debate, Cooper’s The Departed may ruffle a few feathers for certain. But, despite the ideological, political, or other possible areas Cooper may draw stares from, I enjoyed the book AND the possibilities it offered.
Gwen, Mindy, and Lana are best friends in high school; all three different – the brain, the jock, the actress. Life appears to be going as usual until, one day, 300, 000 people across the world vanish, Lana being one of them. Although not immediately apparent, those missing all seem to be a part of a particular denomination of Christianity, Lana’s father even a preacher of his congregation. While some believe that the Rapture has taken place and that the missing were taken to heaven so that the Tribulation could take place, still others refuse to believe.
The climate around the world begins to change with new believers becoming the majority; the skeptics in the minority. This same climate is taking place at the high school the girls attend. Our narrator, Gwen, believes something is amiss; whereas, Mindy is among the majority who begin attending church and rapidly changing their ways.
Memorials are held for Lana and the couple of other students who are among the missing. Discussions are held in classes about how prayer should be returned to school; abortion outlawed; Christianity made the main religion in the Bill of Rights. Houses are divided; Gwen’s parents, one constantly tuned in to the televangelist or at church, whereas her mother is drinking and sleeping on the couch. Times are a changin’. But throughout it all, Gwen and her close friend, Isiah, are convinced that something is amiss. Until one day, Gwen receives an email from Lana claiming that it all may be a hoax.
For a YA book, the characters seemed below average – not extremely developed. As a matter of fact, the story is so plot-centric, there’s hardly any character development at all. Obviously, so long as the story is being carried without super in-depth characters, it isn’t such a major deal; however, I just wanted a little more from the characters than I got.
The setting wasn’t as neglected as I felt the characters were because I feel it played more of a role in the plot development. As a matter of fact, when I think back there were aspects of the setting that still linger in my mind. Gwen was walking down the street and passed Lana’s house. She spoke of the tulips in the yard and mentioned that if the disappearances were a hoax, and Lana’s mom had known she’d be leaving things behind, why would she have tended to the tulips the way they’d obviously been tended to.
I really liked the storyline. Although not a new subject matter – of course, which book has a never before subject – the spin that Cooper took on it was really intriguing to me…at least once it really got going. Yes, I did find the beginning (probably the first 30%) a bit slow. I almost wanted to quit reading, but I held out hope and Cooper pulled me through.
Although I’m sure our current political climate wasn’t the reason Cooper wrote this book, I don’t think her book could have come at a better time. Christianity and the ideologies that go along with it are on center stage of the Republican versus Democratic politics; so the idea that perhaps someone could have put the Rapture into action as a hoax in an effort to bring more people to the light, so to speak, seems quite plausible. With no intention of causing an argument of sides or choice of political candidates, Trump definitely seems the type that could pull something off like Cooper details possibly happening. And as someone who almost finds this whole political season comical, I thought it was a great time for Cooper’s book, The Departed.
I will say I detest the fact that this is the first in a series!!! Ugh, I can’t stand waiting for another book to be released. It’s one thing to read a book that the series is already established; however, to come in on the front-end makes me super crazy to have to wait for the next book to come out. Honestly, when you read as many books as I do as part of reviewing, I will often forget to go back and read the second one unless I receive another author request. That makes me sad, but I’ll be putting a note on my “must read” list to catch the next book! Great book!
About Kristy Cooper
Kristy Cooper found herself often contemplating unusual what-if scenarios and knew it was time to start writing them down. She worked as a librarian for years and is now busy raising small children and writing YA novels. Stay up to date with her books at kristycooper.com.
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful review! It’s funny that you mention Trump, because he has officially made me change some of my plans for the second book. I realized some of the things I was planning for my villains to do were just not as evil by comparison, so I felt like I needed to up the ante by comparison!
Aww Ms. Cooper, thank you so much for replying. I truly loved this book and will anxiously be awaiting the next.
Yep, I imagine the elections this year are fodder for quite a few villains! Hee hee!