Book Review: Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds

What would you do if you could have one more chance to reconcile? Jamal and Q were best friends until a tragic event tears them apart. When Q dies saving another, Jamal is left with a lot of unanswered questions and feelings. When there is a possibility for Q to be brought back for a few days, what will Jamal do with the short time he has been granted with his friend?

Reynolds paints a story of loss, forgiveness, and love in a way that feels absolutely genuine. The characters feel real and relatable even though the premise is not. The chapters pack emotion into every line whether they are three pages or one text long. The variations of the format give the book a fresh feel and really engage the reader in the lives of Q, Jamal, and Autumn. The relationship between Jamal and Autumn is beautiful and supportive in a way that is not always shown between young black/poc couples. The tension between Q and Jamal is powerful without being violent or being driven by it, rather the conflict is truly an emotional one. This story is gripping and will leave any reader asking what they would do if given a little more time with those who are gone.

Book Information:

Reynolds, A. J. (2020). EARLY DEPARTURES. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN 9870062748416

What Next?

Read The Opposite of Always also by Justin A. Reynolds!