lusimusi's review against another edition
3.0
It was a very okay book. I don't really have very strongs feelings about it but it was nice.
At the begining I was a bit confused because I didn't know how the sistem worked (I still don't really understand it) but it gets better.
Also, I fell for the gost again, not really surprising. But weird when the other love interest was a guy with eyeliner.
Anyways there are better books to read
At the begining I was a bit confused because I didn't know how the sistem worked (I still don't really understand it) but it gets better.
Also, I fell for the gost again, not really surprising. But weird when the other love interest was a guy with eyeliner.
Anyways there are better books to read
drkappitan's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this one, even as I was silently yelling at the protagonist for certain of her choices. Looking forward to the next.
moonlitbooks_'s review against another edition
4.0
Initial Thoughts: Literally read this in an afternoon because I am, as I've discovered, a hoe for Schwab.
Non-Spoiler Review:
Schwab, you've done it again, you've stomped all over my heart and I am on my knees thanking you.
If you're a fan of some of Schwab's other works this book will not leave you disappointed. This is a brilliant YA book with fantasy, paranormal and mystery elements with a plot that will leave you genuinely shocked at the twist and a world you will crave to know more about.
The protagonist Mackenzie is a likeable character whose extremely intelligent and brave, but like a lot of of Schwab's characters a sad one - but one you will love for it. Mackenzie will invoke a great deal of emotions in you and will leave you rooting for her even at the most desperate of times in this.
The other characters featured in this feel very real and all add something to the narrative, and you will want to meet them all again. None of them feel one-dimensional and as if they are only there to drive the plot or Mackenzie's arc forwards, they are all their own characters and brilliant ones at that.
Similarly, in every other Schwab book I've ever read whilst characters are a main focus point the plot never suffers for it. There is action and a mystery plot beneath the surface that is brilliant and ingenious, and as the reader you will be left gasping at all the little reveals you couldn't see before but make everything make sense.
The world building is fascinating and enthralling and sometimes you feel as if you are walking the corridors of The Narrows or The Archive at Mackenzie's side. You will be left wanting to know more about this world as not every inch of it is explored but it is still compelling even though you sometimes feel as if you're only scratching the surface of it.
This was published before Schwab's more popular works we all know and love and does sometimes read like that, the writing here is obviously less experienced and confident but is still recognisable as Schwab's and isn't bad by any stretch. It is also less of a criticism and more an observation.
Overall, a stunning YA novel that will suck you in and leave you feeling desperate to know more.
Spoiler Review:
Is there anything this woman can't write?
Mackenzie Bishop is a character I can't help but love, smart and brave but wrapped up in a sea of grief she can't seem to escape - that is my kind of character. The grief rolling off of Mackenzie feels real and I could almost taste it in the air when reading this. The way she coped with it and the range of emotions she felt all the time that conflicted with each other: the longing, guilt, frustration and anger makes the grief the first thing we understand about Mackenzie and perhaps the most important part of this book. It was so well done I'm not sure what else to say.
The romantic interests in this are also fascinating characters. Whilst Wes does read as a typical YA romantic interest at times he is a fun one, but he is also complex and clearly has his own problems and issues that whilst aren't ignored, I would love to see more of in the sequel. I understand why he wasn't a main focus of this book, as Mackenzie clearly isn't focused on romantic relationships as she copes with grief and the job of being a Keeper AND with the Archive falling apart, but I hope their relationship continues to develop at the same natural pace we saw in this first book and we get to see more of Wes as a character. I know people don't like to label Owen as 'a romantic interest' but I am going to, as that is how Mackenzie sees him for a large portion of this book. Whilst I understand Mackenzie seeks comfort in Owen due to a belief of shared grief, I thought it was a brilliant way to undermine the reader's ability to see the plot twist with Owen later in the book but also to illustrate how brilliantly manipulative he is as a character.
Owen as an antagonist was a brilliant move, and it may only be me but he kinda reads as an early version of Eli from 'Vicious'. I think of him like Eli because whilst he goes about it the wrong way and clearly is driven by selfish motives, he does have some criticism that could be seen as valid. The way Owen criticises The Archive does ring true sometimes, but he just goes too far with it in the wrong way and clearly has the wrong idea. He makes for a complex antagonist, one that is clearly intelligent but is driven to madness and therefore invalidates his whole argument - much like Eli I think.
Also, that plot twist was so magnificently well done I'm not sure what to say about it. I didn't see it coming, and I'm not sure if that's because I'm slightly stupid, but I don't think so. I think Schwab was just that good at writing it. It was a surprise but also helped everything make sense afterwards and so many things slotted into place.
The world building in this is also magnificent and I am left desperately wanting to know more about it.
You can read my full review here: https://moonlitbooks.home.blog/2020/04/13/thearchievedreview/
Non-Spoiler Review:
Schwab, you've done it again, you've stomped all over my heart and I am on my knees thanking you.
If you're a fan of some of Schwab's other works this book will not leave you disappointed. This is a brilliant YA book with fantasy, paranormal and mystery elements with a plot that will leave you genuinely shocked at the twist and a world you will crave to know more about.
The protagonist Mackenzie is a likeable character whose extremely intelligent and brave, but like a lot of of Schwab's characters a sad one - but one you will love for it. Mackenzie will invoke a great deal of emotions in you and will leave you rooting for her even at the most desperate of times in this.
The other characters featured in this feel very real and all add something to the narrative, and you will want to meet them all again. None of them feel one-dimensional and as if they are only there to drive the plot or Mackenzie's arc forwards, they are all their own characters and brilliant ones at that.
Similarly, in every other Schwab book I've ever read whilst characters are a main focus point the plot never suffers for it. There is action and a mystery plot beneath the surface that is brilliant and ingenious, and as the reader you will be left gasping at all the little reveals you couldn't see before but make everything make sense.
The world building is fascinating and enthralling and sometimes you feel as if you are walking the corridors of The Narrows or The Archive at Mackenzie's side. You will be left wanting to know more about this world as not every inch of it is explored but it is still compelling even though you sometimes feel as if you're only scratching the surface of it.
This was published before Schwab's more popular works we all know and love and does sometimes read like that, the writing here is obviously less experienced and confident but is still recognisable as Schwab's and isn't bad by any stretch. It is also less of a criticism and more an observation.
Overall, a stunning YA novel that will suck you in and leave you feeling desperate to know more.
Spoiler Review:
Is there anything this woman can't write?
Mackenzie Bishop is a character I can't help but love, smart and brave but wrapped up in a sea of grief she can't seem to escape - that is my kind of character. The grief rolling off of Mackenzie feels real and I could almost taste it in the air when reading this. The way she coped with it and the range of emotions she felt all the time that conflicted with each other: the longing, guilt, frustration and anger makes the grief the first thing we understand about Mackenzie and perhaps the most important part of this book. It was so well done I'm not sure what else to say.
The romantic interests in this are also fascinating characters. Whilst Wes does read as a typical YA romantic interest at times he is a fun one, but he is also complex and clearly has his own problems and issues that whilst aren't ignored, I would love to see more of in the sequel. I understand why he wasn't a main focus of this book, as Mackenzie clearly isn't focused on romantic relationships as she copes with grief and the job of being a Keeper AND with the Archive falling apart, but I hope their relationship continues to develop at the same natural pace we saw in this first book and we get to see more of Wes as a character. I know people don't like to label Owen as 'a romantic interest' but I am going to, as that is how Mackenzie sees him for a large portion of this book. Whilst I understand Mackenzie seeks comfort in Owen due to a belief of shared grief, I thought it was a brilliant way to undermine the reader's ability to see the plot twist with Owen later in the book but also to illustrate how brilliantly manipulative he is as a character.
Owen as an antagonist was a brilliant move, and it may only be me but he kinda reads as an early version of Eli from 'Vicious'. I think of him like Eli because whilst he goes about it the wrong way and clearly is driven by selfish motives, he does have some criticism that could be seen as valid. The way Owen criticises The Archive does ring true sometimes, but he just goes too far with it in the wrong way and clearly has the wrong idea. He makes for a complex antagonist, one that is clearly intelligent but is driven to madness and therefore invalidates his whole argument - much like Eli I think.
Also, that plot twist was so magnificently well done I'm not sure what to say about it. I didn't see it coming, and I'm not sure if that's because I'm slightly stupid, but I don't think so. I think Schwab was just that good at writing it. It was a surprise but also helped everything make sense afterwards and so many things slotted into place.
The world building in this is also magnificent and I am left desperately wanting to know more about it.
You can read my full review here: https://moonlitbooks.home.blog/2020/04/13/thearchievedreview/
imzadirose's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while for me to get into, or it would have been a 5 star book. Didn't really hook me until about half way through, then it got pretty damn good. Good book!
alexisneuville's review against another edition
4.0
Review: http://theliteraturelion.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-archived-by-victoria-schwab.html
Mac has followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, Da, who was a Keeper. He job is to find lurking Histories and force them back to where they belong. All her life has been a secret to everyone, some of her friends, her parents, and even her dead brother Ben. When she moves to a new town, she notices two things: Wesley, the cute boy, and then that more and more Histories are finding their way out. With the help of Wesley, Mac uncovers some dark secrets about the truth about the Archived.
Eerie and mysterious are two words that I would use to describe The Archived. This novel kind of sucks you in the farther you get into it. I know I definitely got caught up in the twists, turns, and suspense that are found in the pages of this novel. The world that was created by Victoria Schwab was a wonderful place to get lost in for a couple hours.
I really liked the character of Mac. The way that she dedicated everything to her job as a Keeper was inspiring. She was definitely a risk-taker and she was confident in her abilities. I really enjoyed seeing flashbacks of how she obtained her fierceness and spunk. On the contrary, I liked the hidden thoughts she had when she remembered Da and everything she learned from him. Mac was most definitely one of my favorite characters I've read in the past weeks!
Along her journey of sending Histories back to their home, Mac meets a boy named Wesley - an emo kid that has the same job as her. I really liked the friendship they created, and I can't wait to see how their budding relationship develops in the future books. Anyways, Wesley's personality was fricken amazing. He had hilarious one-liners, a deeper side, and an ease when conversing with higher authorities. The way that Wes and Mac fit together is seamless and exciting.
Now for the character of Owen. He was kind of predictable when he was introduced, right up until his last scenes. When Mac was with Owen - that was the only time I ever hated Mac. She just didn't have much of a reason for doing what she was doing with him. Sure, she wanted to escape, but I think it was a crappy reasoning. I feel like Victoria Schwab could have put more meaning behind it, and could have built up their interactions a bit more. It seems like one moment they barely knew each other and the next they were all up in each other's intimate space... like WHAT?
The whole idea of the novel was definitely original. I have never read anything like this! I feel bad, because I almost marked this one as DNF within the first 50 pages or so. It was slightly confusing with the whole keys/doors/Narrows/etc. and it just went pretty darn slow. After a couple people on Twitter telling me I should read it, I decided to pull through... and DANG did I end up really liking this novel!
If you're looking for a novel that's slightly creepy, definitely mysterious, and not overpowering with romance - then The Archived is definitely the novel for you. I'm glad I stuck with this one, and now I know I have to go pick up a copy of Near Witch to read more of Victoria Schwab's wonderful work.
Mac has followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, Da, who was a Keeper. He job is to find lurking Histories and force them back to where they belong. All her life has been a secret to everyone, some of her friends, her parents, and even her dead brother Ben. When she moves to a new town, she notices two things: Wesley, the cute boy, and then that more and more Histories are finding their way out. With the help of Wesley, Mac uncovers some dark secrets about the truth about the Archived.
Eerie and mysterious are two words that I would use to describe The Archived. This novel kind of sucks you in the farther you get into it. I know I definitely got caught up in the twists, turns, and suspense that are found in the pages of this novel. The world that was created by Victoria Schwab was a wonderful place to get lost in for a couple hours.
I really liked the character of Mac. The way that she dedicated everything to her job as a Keeper was inspiring. She was definitely a risk-taker and she was confident in her abilities. I really enjoyed seeing flashbacks of how she obtained her fierceness and spunk. On the contrary, I liked the hidden thoughts she had when she remembered Da and everything she learned from him. Mac was most definitely one of my favorite characters I've read in the past weeks!
Along her journey of sending Histories back to their home, Mac meets a boy named Wesley - an emo kid that has the same job as her. I really liked the friendship they created, and I can't wait to see how their budding relationship develops in the future books. Anyways, Wesley's personality was fricken amazing. He had hilarious one-liners, a deeper side, and an ease when conversing with higher authorities. The way that Wes and Mac fit together is seamless and exciting.
Now for the character of Owen. He was kind of predictable when he was introduced, right up until his last scenes. When Mac was with Owen - that was the only time I ever hated Mac. She just didn't have much of a reason for doing what she was doing with him. Sure, she wanted to escape, but I think it was a crappy reasoning. I feel like Victoria Schwab could have put more meaning behind it, and could have built up their interactions a bit more. It seems like one moment they barely knew each other and the next they were all up in each other's intimate space... like WHAT?
The whole idea of the novel was definitely original. I have never read anything like this! I feel bad, because I almost marked this one as DNF within the first 50 pages or so. It was slightly confusing with the whole keys/doors/Narrows/etc. and it just went pretty darn slow. After a couple people on Twitter telling me I should read it, I decided to pull through... and DANG did I end up really liking this novel!
If you're looking for a novel that's slightly creepy, definitely mysterious, and not overpowering with romance - then The Archived is definitely the novel for you. I'm glad I stuck with this one, and now I know I have to go pick up a copy of Near Witch to read more of Victoria Schwab's wonderful work.
benjfleck's review against another edition
2.0
The Archived: Or, Death, Darkness, Depression
The premise for this book is wildly imaginative and intriguing: A library of the dead!! How cool!! I was so excited for all the possibilities that could come from something so interesting and different. However, I was extremely disappointed upon reading this book. There was no sense of fun at all. Instead, it was dark, dramatic, and depressing AF.
I understand where Schwab was coming from and this feels really personal to her. I just wasn't prepared for such a heavy novel about death and loss. Also, it was really hard for me to understand this world she built. It felt incomplete and I never really knew where I was, or what was happening. So for me, it became a confusing, sordid affair and I ended up not caring too much because I didn't know what was happening and I was having no fun. It was just bummer city and that's not what I was expecting.
The premise for this book is wildly imaginative and intriguing: A library of the dead!! How cool!! I was so excited for all the possibilities that could come from something so interesting and different. However, I was extremely disappointed upon reading this book. There was no sense of fun at all. Instead, it was dark, dramatic, and depressing AF.
I understand where Schwab was coming from and this feels really personal to her. I just wasn't prepared for such a heavy novel about death and loss. Also, it was really hard for me to understand this world she built. It felt incomplete and I never really knew where I was, or what was happening. So for me, it became a confusing, sordid affair and I ended up not caring too much because I didn't know what was happening and I was having no fun. It was just bummer city and that's not what I was expecting.
alba_marie's review against another edition
4.0
"Knowledge is power, but ignorance can be a blessing."
"I agree, but once you know, you can't go back. Not really. You can carve out someone's memories, but they won't be who they were before. They'll be full of holes. Given the choice, I'd rather learn to live with what I know."
It's been some time, but I'm back to immersing myself in the worlds created by fantasy author Victoria Schwab. The Archived isn't my favourite but dang, even when she's not writing her best work, Schwab is fantastic. (Ok so my order of favourites probably goes in order: Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Darker Shades of Magic series, Monsters of Verity, The Near Witch, Gallant, The Archived, and finally, Vicious. Yep, superheroes don't work much for me, sorry!)
The Archived, the first in a duology, is a genre-defying book. Kind of a ghost story, kind of a romance, kind of an adventure, kinda a mystery, dabbling in urban fantasy and the paranormal, the one thing it definitely is: portal fiction. Which is a trope that almost always works for me. And it's about the afterlife, which also is pretty much my thing.
In the world created in the book, every person leaves an imprint, a story – their history. Upon death, it's recorded in a sort of imprint of their shape, which is stored in eerily coffin-like shelves at the Archive. They are called Histories. But sometimes they walk up, go walkabout, and get confused, wreaking havoc. It's the job of the Keepers, people like Mackenzie, to "Return" them to the Archive. She polices the Narrows, creepy hell-like hallways full of Doors, Returning (lots of capital letters in the book) wandering Histories.
But after moving into a new place, a creaky old building called the Coronado, and being given a new territory, suddenly there are tons more awakened Histories. There's also the record of a cold case of deaths in Mackenzie's new flat. There's a new guy too – Guyliner, or Wesley – who catches her eye. Owen, another mysterious guy, catches her attention too. And then there's the tragic death of her brother which still feels fresh even more than a year later. Something strange starts happening at the Archive and somehow Mackenzie falls into the middle of it.
The book isn't Schwab's strongest. The world building could use more work - how did the Archive come to be? What is its purpose? Why bother recording the History of dead people if they are "asleep" and no one is able to visit or read them? Maybe these questions are answered in book two.
But even if it isn't my favourite of hers, I still really enjoyed it, and I liked the characters, particularly Wesley and Roland, the librarian. Mackenzie could do with a bit more to her life, and she makes some frustrating, eye-rolling decisions, but she does mature (a little) by the end of the book. It doesn't feel like the start of a series, so I'm curious where book two takes us, but happy to be along for the ride! Already checked out from the library :)
"I agree, but once you know, you can't go back. Not really. You can carve out someone's memories, but they won't be who they were before. They'll be full of holes. Given the choice, I'd rather learn to live with what I know."
It's been some time, but I'm back to immersing myself in the worlds created by fantasy author Victoria Schwab. The Archived isn't my favourite but dang, even when she's not writing her best work, Schwab is fantastic. (Ok so my order of favourites probably goes in order: Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Darker Shades of Magic series, Monsters of Verity, The Near Witch, Gallant, The Archived, and finally, Vicious. Yep, superheroes don't work much for me, sorry!)
The Archived, the first in a duology, is a genre-defying book. Kind of a ghost story, kind of a romance, kind of an adventure, kinda a mystery, dabbling in urban fantasy and the paranormal, the one thing it definitely is: portal fiction. Which is a trope that almost always works for me. And it's about the afterlife, which also is pretty much my thing.
In the world created in the book, every person leaves an imprint, a story – their history. Upon death, it's recorded in a sort of imprint of their shape, which is stored in eerily coffin-like shelves at the Archive. They are called Histories. But sometimes they walk up, go walkabout, and get confused, wreaking havoc. It's the job of the Keepers, people like Mackenzie, to "Return" them to the Archive. She polices the Narrows, creepy hell-like hallways full of Doors, Returning (lots of capital letters in the book) wandering Histories.
But after moving into a new place, a creaky old building called the Coronado, and being given a new territory, suddenly there are tons more awakened Histories. There's also the record of a cold case of deaths in Mackenzie's new flat. There's a new guy too – Guyliner, or Wesley – who catches her eye. Owen, another mysterious guy, catches her attention too. And then there's the tragic death of her brother which still feels fresh even more than a year later. Something strange starts happening at the Archive and somehow Mackenzie falls into the middle of it.
The book isn't Schwab's strongest. The world building could use more work - how did the Archive come to be? What is its purpose? Why bother recording the History of dead people if they are "asleep" and no one is able to visit or read them? Maybe these questions are answered in book two.
But even if it isn't my favourite of hers, I still really enjoyed it, and I liked the characters, particularly Wesley and Roland, the librarian. Mackenzie could do with a bit more to her life, and she makes some frustrating, eye-rolling decisions, but she does mature (a little) by the end of the book. It doesn't feel like the start of a series, so I'm curious where book two takes us, but happy to be along for the ride! Already checked out from the library :)
jasecorn's review against another edition
4.0
Schwab has become one of my favourite authors in both the adult and YA field (this is . She seamlessly develops completely unique worlds and stories without the need for extensive exposition.
Her prose flows beautifully and naturally - making you forget you are reading a book.
Just another excellent read and another completely unique concept.
Her prose flows beautifully and naturally - making you forget you are reading a book.
Just another excellent read and another completely unique concept.