miracchin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alienor's review against another edition
4.0
❤ Buddy read with the wonderful Chelsea❤
" What if I mess up? "
" Oh, you will. You’ll mess up, you’ll make mistakes, you’ll break things. Some you’ll be able to piece together, and others you’ll lose. That’s all a given. But there’s only one thing you have to do for me. "
" What’s that? "
" Stay alive enough to mess up again. "
See, I don't know if that's because :
a) I actually read a lot of slow-paced-kill-me-now books when I was in college - like this one, the riveting story of a man who decides to never go out of his house anymore because "too much luxury, people!" and intends to describe everything he thinks or sees or does in his freakin house during about 3 months (yes, that's as horrible as it sounds and yes, I had to read it like, 3 times. My eyes are still hurting - and I don't care how mind-blowing it's supposed to be - I read French literature so. damn. better.)
b) I used to be a fantasy fan, aka a reader who used to go through 3 books in a series before -
✶ getting in the middle of the action,
✶ understand who is Tennahra and Kileken exactly (yes, I'm typing randomly on my keypad) and why the King/the Queen/The Witch/*add random character here* are such weirdoes.
But what do I know? In my opinion the beginning isn't dull or boring. It's called... watch out, big big words! world-building people. Characterization.
I know, that's pretty rare out there.
Striking fact# 1 : The writing was impressive
The story is told from two different times : in present day, we follow Mackenzie, the youngest Keeper in the Archive organization (whose purpose is to keep the dead quiet on shelves), when her family moves in the Coronado Hotel whereas other parts let us have a glimpse of the memories of her training which took place years before - before her grandpa died.
Before her baby brother died, jeopardizing all her family, leaving an incurable wound in their heart.
I loved the writing, which contains the kind of magical blissfulness I found in The Raven Boys - we're struck by the way the objects seem to be brought to life somehow. The only thing we have to do is to let ourselves get lost in these corridors, walking through these doors hidden behind our consciousness, and enjoy the enchanted feeling created by Victoria Schwab's pen.
I ruined my post-it reserve I had created for... work. Bad me.
" Why? "
You take the cigarette out, jabbing the air with the unlit tip. "That is the most worthless question in the world. Use your words. Be specific. Why is like bah or moo or that silly sound pigeons make."
Striking fact# 2 : The story fascinated and enthralled me from the beginning to the end : I was hooked.
I won't get back to the no, I don't think the beginning is boring conversation, because hey, I'm pretty sure you saw my point earlier.
So let's go straight, shall we?
- The world-building is inventive and filled with originality. Of course it is! Seriously, have you ever heard about dead people resting on shelves? Keepers whose job consists of hunting Histories, aka dead who're not so comfortable on their shelves? Well?
- Now, the romance. You're worried to find another love at first sight/love overtakes the plot/whatever love does?
Try this : friendship, getting to know each other, light and smile-inducing flirting.
- Here's a mystery book which actually contains a mystery. I know. I'm excited too. That plot? Thrilling. Intoxicating. Slightly creepy at times. Because murderer people! Trust issues! Bunch of lies!
Oh. My. Am I bad to love that so damn much?
- Also, Histories' waking up? It gets a strong but awesome zombie vibe, without the lame heroine - yes, you got me! I don't like zombie books! While here I found it fascinating.
Striking fact# 3 : Can I have more of these characters, pretty please?
As I said earlier, I was amazed by the characterization qualities : you won't believe me, but we get the impression to really know the characters, who are far from the ghosts we're sometimes accustomed to. Now tell me, how incredible is that?
"Well, there's this new girl who just moved in on floor three. Her family re-opening the café. I hear she likes to lie, and hit people."
"Oh yeah? Well, there's that strange goth guy, the one who's always lurking around Five C."
" Strangely hot in a mysterious way, though, right?"
Multiple choice quiz time!
Mackenzie..…
✘can’t stop thinking about the eyes of some boy
✔ genuinely thinks before acting
✘ makes me want to throw the book in my chimney with her annoying crappie thoughts
✔ could be a friend of mine – apart from the fact she can’t really have friends, of course, duh.
"M. That's what I call her, this normal, nonexistent me. (...) I can pretend to be M ; I can wear her like a mask. But I can't be her. I'll never be.
M wouldn't see blood-covered boys in her bedroom.
M wouldn't spend her time scouring her dead brother's toys for a glimpse of his life."
Wes….
✘ is the savior everybody was waiting for. Hey, what did you expect? He’s a boy dammit!
✔ likes blueberry cupcakes and ... let's see... Did I smile so big it hurt each time he made an apparition? Absolutely.
✔ wears guyliner. Okay, I know, nobody cares about that, but -
Riiiiiight?
✔ is genuinely interested in Mackenzie, takes her feelings in consideration, and never tries to take the decision out of her.
" It's the same for me, you know? This is all new to me. And I'm not going anywhere. It takes at least three assassination attempts to scare me off. And even then, if there are baked goods involved, I might come back. "
Roland….
✔ Is an Archive Librarian whose age isn’t really clear and whose life is a mystery and whose choices are full of selflessness and caring and courage, okay?
Why, thank you, can I have the sequel pretty please?
" What if I mess up? "
" Oh, you will. You’ll mess up, you’ll make mistakes, you’ll break things. Some you’ll be able to piece together, and others you’ll lose. That’s all a given. But there’s only one thing you have to do for me. "
" What’s that? "
" Stay alive enough to mess up again. "
See, I don't know if that's because :
a) I actually read a lot of slow-paced-kill-me-now books when I was in college - like this one, the riveting story of a man who decides to never go out of his house anymore because "too much luxury, people!" and intends to describe everything he thinks or sees or does in his freakin house during about 3 months (yes, that's as horrible as it sounds and yes, I had to read it like, 3 times. My eyes are still hurting - and I don't care how mind-blowing it's supposed to be - I read French literature so. damn. better.)
b) I used to be a fantasy fan, aka a reader who used to go through 3 books in a series before -
✶ getting in the middle of the action,
✶ understand who is Tennahra and Kileken exactly (yes, I'm typing randomly on my keypad) and why the King/the Queen/The Witch/*add random character here* are such weirdoes.
But what do I know? In my opinion the beginning isn't dull or boring. It's called... watch out, big big words! world-building people. Characterization.
I know, that's pretty rare out there.
Striking fact# 1 : The writing was impressive
The story is told from two different times : in present day, we follow Mackenzie, the youngest Keeper in the Archive organization (whose purpose is to keep the dead quiet on shelves), when her family moves in the Coronado Hotel whereas other parts let us have a glimpse of the memories of her training which took place years before - before her grandpa died.
Before her baby brother died, jeopardizing all her family, leaving an incurable wound in their heart.
I loved the writing, which contains the kind of magical blissfulness I found in The Raven Boys - we're struck by the way the objects seem to be brought to life somehow. The only thing we have to do is to let ourselves get lost in these corridors, walking through these doors hidden behind our consciousness, and enjoy the enchanted feeling created by Victoria Schwab's pen.
I ruined my post-it reserve I had created for... work. Bad me.
" Why? "
You take the cigarette out, jabbing the air with the unlit tip. "That is the most worthless question in the world. Use your words. Be specific. Why is like bah or moo or that silly sound pigeons make."
Striking fact# 2 : The story fascinated and enthralled me from the beginning to the end : I was hooked.
I won't get back to the no, I don't think the beginning is boring conversation, because hey, I'm pretty sure you saw my point earlier.
So let's go straight, shall we?
- The world-building is inventive and filled with originality. Of course it is! Seriously, have you ever heard about dead people resting on shelves? Keepers whose job consists of hunting Histories, aka dead who're not so comfortable on their shelves? Well?
- Now, the romance. You're worried to find another love at first sight/love overtakes the plot/whatever love does?
Try this : friendship, getting to know each other, light and smile-inducing flirting.
- Here's a mystery book which actually contains a mystery. I know. I'm excited too. That plot? Thrilling. Intoxicating. Slightly creepy at times. Because murderer people! Trust issues! Bunch of lies!
Oh. My. Am I bad to love that so damn much?
- Also, Histories' waking up? It gets a strong but awesome zombie vibe, without the lame heroine - yes, you got me! I don't like zombie books! While here I found it fascinating.
Striking fact# 3 : Can I have more of these characters, pretty please?
As I said earlier, I was amazed by the characterization qualities : you won't believe me, but we get the impression to really know the characters, who are far from the ghosts we're sometimes accustomed to. Now tell me, how incredible is that?
"Well, there's this new girl who just moved in on floor three. Her family re-opening the café. I hear she likes to lie, and hit people."
"Oh yeah? Well, there's that strange goth guy, the one who's always lurking around Five C."
" Strangely hot in a mysterious way, though, right?"
Multiple choice quiz time!
Mackenzie..…
✘
✔ genuinely thinks before acting
✘
✔ could be a friend of mine – apart from the fact she can’t really have friends, of course, duh.
"M. That's what I call her, this normal, nonexistent me. (...) I can pretend to be M ; I can wear her like a mask. But I can't be her. I'll never be.
M wouldn't see blood-covered boys in her bedroom.
M wouldn't spend her time scouring her dead brother's toys for a glimpse of his life."
Wes….
✘
✔ likes blueberry cupcakes and ... let's see... Did I smile so big it hurt each time he made an apparition? Absolutely.
✔ wears guyliner. Okay, I know, nobody cares about that, but -
Riiiiiight?
✔ is genuinely interested in Mackenzie, takes her feelings in consideration, and never tries to take the decision out of her.
" It's the same for me, you know? This is all new to me. And I'm not going anywhere. It takes at least three assassination attempts to scare me off. And even then, if there are baked goods involved, I might come back. "
Roland….
✔ Is an Archive Librarian whose age isn’t really clear and whose life is a mystery and whose choices are full of selflessness and caring and courage, okay?
Why, thank you, can I have the sequel pretty please?
ailengarcia's review against another edition
5.0
Es mas bien un 4,5 ya que hay un par de cositas que me parecieron predecibles. De todas maneras es un libro genial!
Reseña: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwSl-Ucn0yY/?igshid=opjhsamzkzb2
Reseña: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwSl-Ucn0yY/?igshid=opjhsamzkzb2
vantxian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
libby1990's review against another edition
4.0
This book is crazy hard to explain. It's about a world called the Archived and the main character has to hunt history and bring them to the Archived. It's her job. But one day her little brother is killed and she has to move. Where she is moved to, the old place was a hotel. She now lives there and then names start popping up on her list more then usually. Now she has to figure out what is going on and then she meets a guys who knows about the Archived and what it is. Then a history or two get out and Mac and Wes have to get them back to the Archived or send them through a door with a key. I loved this book and now i can read the second book.
tylerericka's review against another edition
5.0
I just finished this book and let me say, wow.
I had a hard time really getting into it due to my reading slump. But once I did I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next. Who was behind the altered Histories, the near constant stream of awakened Histories, the missing pieces, everything? Let me just tell you I wasn’t disappointed. Victoria Schwab delievered everything I could’ve wanted and more.
Mackenzie is an interesting character. Personally I liked her. At times I thought she went about things in potentially bad ways. Other than that I really liked her. She’s got something about her that makes her likeable without trying to oversell it.
I also really like Wes. He brings a good deal of humor to the book. Whether it’s always intentional, I don’t know. I really liked the relationship he and Mackenzie have. Romantic or not I think they’re good for each other. They balance out.
Overall The Archived is one of those books that just sucks you in and won’t release you. From her memories of Da, to visiting her brother in the stacks, to Wes, to the Histories, and to the end I was hooked. The beginning is a bit slow though but once you get past that it’s an easy read. Most of the action is at the end but there is still enough throughout to really keep you hooked.
My only question upon finishing this book is, does Mac ever sleep? Ever? Cause I don’t think she ever got any sleep throughout the book.
I had a hard time really getting into it due to my reading slump. But once I did I couldn’t put it down. I had to know what was going to happen next. Who was behind the altered Histories, the near constant stream of awakened Histories, the missing pieces, everything? Let me just tell you I wasn’t disappointed. Victoria Schwab delievered everything I could’ve wanted and more.
Mackenzie is an interesting character. Personally I liked her. At times I thought she went about things in potentially bad ways. Other than that I really liked her. She’s got something about her that makes her likeable without trying to oversell it.
I also really like Wes. He brings a good deal of humor to the book. Whether it’s always intentional, I don’t know. I really liked the relationship he and Mackenzie have. Romantic or not I think they’re good for each other. They balance out.
Overall The Archived is one of those books that just sucks you in and won’t release you. From her memories of Da, to visiting her brother in the stacks, to Wes, to the Histories, and to the end I was hooked. The beginning is a bit slow though but once you get past that it’s an easy read. Most of the action is at the end but there is still enough throughout to really keep you hooked.
My only question upon finishing this book is, does Mac ever sleep? Ever? Cause I don’t think she ever got any sleep throughout the book.
pixelski's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5. The Archived had one of the most original concepts I've ever read in a paranormal book. It was so refreshing! I loved how creeptastic this was I got the shivers more often than not, it was thrilling! Schwab's writing really flows and I loved Mac's voice. She's relatable, tortured, filled with pain and I loved how this ended "Everything hurts. I don't know how to make it stop. It hurts when I breathe. It hurts when I think." Wesley is also awesome. As plot goes I can't say I was surprised by the revelation, again I guessed the culprit as soon as they made an appearance (I really need to find a YA book that manages to have me clueless until the revelation) but I did like the build up to the motive among other things that were revealed - I did feel that some bits were rushed.
Overall, I loved this plain and simple and I can't wait to read The Unbound.
Overall, I loved this plain and simple and I can't wait to read The Unbound.
rosiefrog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kerilynnxo's review against another edition
4.0
Well I thought the book started out slow and the way it was written (with the flashbacks) took some getting used to, but I did enjoy it. I still have questions, but so does the main character, so I'm cool with that. This book is SAD though. Just a warning. I was grieving with the main character. I think that's a sign of a good book. :)
berls's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Whew! So I was racing to finish this in time to for my May #TBRL review and I barely made it. But it wasn't hard to read it every chance I had because it was SO GOOD. Victoria Schwab (also VE Schwab) has a perfect record for me and I look forward to reading more!
As with her other books, The Archived has two major strengths: Engaging characters and a fascinating world.
MacKenzie is a 16 year old who's been carrying more than most adults could, for four years. She has a very important, very secretive job as a Keeper. On top of that, she's reeling from a huge loss - her little brother was killed not long ago. The pain that she and her family are trying to move on from was a real, tangible thing in this book. And her job has taught her to isolate herself -- the worst possible thing to be feeling when trying to recover from that sort of loss. MacKenzie is the only character you get to know deeply, with this being first person. But what you get to know of the others is enough to make you care for them - her parents, her grandfather - Da (he's also passed, but most chapters are punctuated with glimpses of memories with him), Wes (another Keeper), Roland, etc.
The world is... wow. How does she come up with these worlds? This is a world that answers the question of what happens when you die, in the most marvelous, unexpected and fascinating way. It's a bit brutal because of MacKenzie's job, but there's a beauty to it as well. Thsere's an undercurrent of sadness in the entire book, for me at least, because of the way death (and often of the very young) is a constant. But there's also a great mystery, cool abilities, action, and a tinge of romance.
Because I was trying to hurry and finish, I ended up picking up the audiobook version from the library and when I couldn't read I listened. The narrator, Piper Goodeve, was brand new to me but I enjoyed her narration quite a bit. I probably will continue with the series in audio, simply because I read so much faster that way and I am eager to continue.
Whew! So I was racing to finish this in time to for my May #TBRL review and I barely made it. But it wasn't hard to read it every chance I had because it was SO GOOD. Victoria Schwab (also VE Schwab) has a perfect record for me and I look forward to reading more!
As with her other books, The Archived has two major strengths: Engaging characters and a fascinating world.
MacKenzie is a 16 year old who's been carrying more than most adults could, for four years. She has a very important, very secretive job as a Keeper. On top of that, she's reeling from a huge loss - her little brother was killed not long ago. The pain that she and her family are trying to move on from was a real, tangible thing in this book. And her job has taught her to isolate herself -- the worst possible thing to be feeling when trying to recover from that sort of loss. MacKenzie is the only character you get to know deeply, with this being first person. But what you get to know of the others is enough to make you care for them - her parents, her grandfather - Da (he's also passed, but most chapters are punctuated with glimpses of memories with him), Wes (another Keeper), Roland, etc.
The world is... wow. How does she come up with these worlds? This is a world that answers the question of what happens when you die, in the most marvelous, unexpected and fascinating way. It's a bit brutal because of MacKenzie's job, but there's a beauty to it as well. Thsere's an undercurrent of sadness in the entire book, for me at least, because of the way death (and often of the very young) is a constant. But there's also a great mystery, cool abilities, action, and a tinge of romance.
Because I was trying to hurry and finish, I ended up picking up the audiobook version from the library and when I couldn't read I listened. The narrator, Piper Goodeve, was brand new to me but I enjoyed her narration quite a bit. I probably will continue with the series in audio, simply because I read so much faster that way and I am eager to continue.