Untaken Too is the sequel to Untaken, which I reviewed here at the start of last yar. This instalment now follows the next 12 days after the Rapture. It will help to read the first book, as well as it being a good read, although if you want to dive straight in to this one then there are in enough clues in the first couple of chapters to bring you quickly up to speed.
This whole concept just makes you think very profoundly. It is somewhat disturbing, theologically challenging and can lead your thoughts down some large rabbit holes, plus lead you to consider all sorts of conspiracy theories!
It expresses the true horror of what life might be like after the Rapture, for those left behind. People are lost and bewildered. It describes a world that quickly disintegrates into lawlessness, societal breakdown, authorities trying to cope and resorting to draconian measures as systems collapse. Self-sufficiency seems to be the only solution, but with it comes self-interest.
As all the children have been taken, it seems to trigger a world without hope, and a hopeless world is not a pleasant place to be. As all the Christians are take too, it would seem to have left behind a world with less kindness too, but this is perhaps an unfair conclusion to make.
While reading, I did find it difficult to understand how few people realised what had happened. That it was the Rapture. It may simply be that for believers it is obvious, but if they all disappeared then who would know? Those left behind are left searching for an answer without any Christian frame of reference, leaving them to clutch at even more unbelievable explanations as to what has happened.
The story has an interesting angle with the introduction of AI implants. Not only are they introduced to show how control may be achieved, but they seem to have the ulterior motive to rid the world of believers completely, not allowing anyone to find a Christian faith. Faith is rejected, mocked, even sought out for ridicule and destruction.
The author does subtly fold in Biblical references throughout the story, and it has a lasting echo of the text from Matthew 24 and 25, as well as other passages.
Clearly there is more to come in this story, with a promised 3rd or even 4th book.
Untaken Too, by C O Wyler, is available here.
Thanks to the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
