Review: Perfect ending to this amazing series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 10, 2012
While part of me is so sad to see this series end, it was honestly past time for Riley and Kade to have their happily ever after!! I absolutely love this series, Templeton created this unbelievably eerie and frightening world for Riley's unforgettable journey, and I was captivated from start to finish. The Departed was the final leg of this journey, and it was filled to the brim with spine-tingling creepiness, heartwarming devotion, and pulse-racing excitement!!The Departed starts out literally right where Haunted left off, with Riley having a sleepover with Cait and their friends. When evil spirit Laria makes a terrifying appearance, Riley is forced to admit everything to her friends and eventually Kade, and it becomes clear that their situation is more dire than they ever realized. While Riley has agree to put the past behind them and get back together with Kade, there's no peace for her thanks to the unending torment from Laria and her band of malevolent spirits. Riley and her friends face constant terror, forcing them to take matters into their own hands. With the help of some friendly haunts, they hope to finally send Laria's spirit away for good. If only they can stay alive long enough to succeed...The Departed was by far the most frightening book of this series. Laria and her cohorts are more bold and malicious, taking their hauntings to the point of The Exorcist on steroids!! Honestly, Riley just could NOT catch a break in this book, it was beyond the scope of what any normal human could ever endure! She's grown so much in this series, and the strength she has this time around was incredible. She finally has the support of her friends, and it gives her new purpose and bravery to endure the barrage of attacks. I felt so awful for her by the time things came to a final boiling point, Riley had been put through absolute hell on earth. And Kade, that boy that we all love to swoon over, was so absolutely devoted to Riley and I loved that after everything they went through she could always know he's there for her. He finished the battle with her, along with her friends and family, and it was a beautiful way to come full circle. The huge reveal about Riley and all of the MacKinnons was a really neat twist, the whole idea of fate having a way of working things out. It made everything seem destined and at the same time that much more eerie!! I'm so sad to see this series end, but I was very pleased with the way Templeton wraps things up with Departed. Riley and Kade's story was a thrill ride of romance and danger, and I loved every minute!!