A review by moonlitbooks_
The Archived by Victoria Schwab
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/