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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I'm not gonna lie, I was very disappointed in this book. I was so excited when I got this book, I had heard many amazing things about it. I thought it sounded interesting and I had been waiting forever to read it. Sadly i didn't enjoy it at all.
First off I couldn't get past the characters. I just couldn't connect with Mackenzie so that made it unenjoyable. I did like Wesly, I found him charming and funny. I wasn't a fan of the flashbacks, I felt they had no standing in the book, and that it as difficult to figure out who was talking in those sections.
Now I found the idea of the story to be quite interesting, but the book I got from when i read what it's about is completely different than the book i really got. I found this to be slow paced with not much going on. It wasn't until the last 50 pages that it seemed to start speed up. And who the bad guy turned out to be I had guess it was said person 200 pages ago. I didn't like some of the decisions Mac made, I felt some of this stuff would have been resolved a lot sooner if she had told someone, or even dug a little deeper on what exactly is going on.
All in all I was disappointed with the turn out of the book. It had a few good qualities, but many bad.
First off I couldn't get past the characters. I just couldn't connect with Mackenzie so that made it unenjoyable. I did like Wesly, I found him charming and funny. I wasn't a fan of the flashbacks, I felt they had no standing in the book, and that it as difficult to figure out who was talking in those sections.
Now I found the idea of the story to be quite interesting, but the book I got from when i read what it's about is completely different than the book i really got. I found this to be slow paced with not much going on. It wasn't until the last 50 pages that it seemed to start speed up. And who the bad guy turned out to be I had guess it was said person 200 pages ago. I didn't like some of the decisions Mac made, I felt some of this stuff would have been resolved a lot sooner if she had told someone, or even dug a little deeper on what exactly is going on.
All in all I was disappointed with the turn out of the book. It had a few good qualities, but many bad.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
OMG why did I wait so long to read this!!! I need to give myself a good swift kick in the ass for waiting this long.
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com
Critically
Plot – 4.5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved it, hooked me the entire time. It was exciting and intriguing. There were elements of mystery as well as heart-wrenching moments. It was full of twists and turns and I spent the entire time on the edge of my seat.
Writing Style – 5 out of 5 stars
Victoria’s writing style has always been hard for me to describe, all I know it that I love it. It’s hypnotic and addictive. It’s incredibly engaging while being elaborate and emotional. There’s also a mix of first and second person points of view that really allows us to get to know the main character and gives the story a very dynamic feel.
Characters – 5 out of 5 stars
I’m going to be repeating myself the entire time but I don’t care. I LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS! They’re freaking amazing all of them. Complex and entertaining and beautiful. Mac, the main character, is a legend. She’s fierce, strong and brave. But she’s also dealing with a lot, the new move, her little brother’s death and the things going on in the Archive. So part of her is vulnerable and defensive while she’s grieving but at the same time, hopeful for a positive change. I really really love her. She also meets a co-worker of her named Wes, who is as my close friend puts it “a pure cinnamon roll that needs to be protected.” He is kindhearted and witty. He’s really aware of Mac and super protective of her and it’s adorkable. There’s also the wonderfulness of his open vulnerability that contradicts her closed off attitude. Then we also have an antagonist who is frustrating as hell. He’s mysterious and crafty and insane and totally misguided. And you never see him coming.
Emotionally
The plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. First of all, the Archive is an intricate place. There’s a lot of sections and rules to it and there are so many things we learn about it that it could’ve gotten overwhelming except for the fact that those tidbits are released little by little. It keeps the mystery of the place alive while still keeping the reader hooked and interested to know more. We always have this sense that we don’t know the whole truth and that’s true for the entire book. We meet a lot of new characters in this place and you never know who to trust. It seems like there’s someone out to get Mac, kill her or get her fired who knows, but they want her to fail. So the entire time the plot is developing and you’re trying to find out who this is and you have no freaking idea until it’s revealed to you and then it’s like WHAT?!
There’s a lot of things going on at the same time which makes it so exciting and then you get the mother of all plot twists. My jaw dropped. I did not see it coming. If this was a normal review, I would tell you exactly what that is. But since this is one of my favorite books ever and I want you to read it, I’m not gonna tell you. NA NA NA NA NA NA.
Mac, our main character, is fucking badass. She’s strong and tough, working hard on the job she inherited from her Da, not only because she loves it but because he honored her with it. But she is still vulnerable. She’s not over her brother’s death and she feels like a lot of the grieving she wanted to do because of her parents and the move. It’s heart breaking to see her try to remember and collect as many things from her little brother as she can so she doesn’t feel like she’s losing him. Yet she still does her very best at her job and does her best to make sure her parents are okay and that they don’t worry about her.
Wes is bae. He’s the first other Keeper that Mac ever meets and in the beginning she’s kind of standoffish towards him but her desire to talk about her secret life wins her over and she seeks him out. He is the perfect balance to her. He’s kind and funny and protective of her. He gently pushes her to trust him when she doesn’t want her, pushes her to open up to him and it’s a constant push that never lets up but doesn’t seem to bother him at all. He is just what she needs.
The supporting characters are just as amazing in this series. Roland, who is a Librarian, is Mac’s confidant, her supporter and her friend. He’s there for her as much as he can be and always has her best interests at heart. Something quick that I want to mention to wrap this up which I feel is something really unique and outstanding in this series is Mac’s flashbacks with her Da, who is her grandfather and the person who taught her about the Archive. It really gives us great insight about Mac and how her personality developed and also insight on the Archive and how you get in which I would totally do if I could.
Critically
Plot – 4.5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved it, hooked me the entire time. It was exciting and intriguing. There were elements of mystery as well as heart-wrenching moments. It was full of twists and turns and I spent the entire time on the edge of my seat.
Writing Style – 5 out of 5 stars
Victoria’s writing style has always been hard for me to describe, all I know it that I love it. It’s hypnotic and addictive. It’s incredibly engaging while being elaborate and emotional. There’s also a mix of first and second person points of view that really allows us to get to know the main character and gives the story a very dynamic feel.
Characters – 5 out of 5 stars
I’m going to be repeating myself the entire time but I don’t care. I LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS! They’re freaking amazing all of them. Complex and entertaining and beautiful. Mac, the main character, is a legend. She’s fierce, strong and brave. But she’s also dealing with a lot, the new move, her little brother’s death and the things going on in the Archive. So part of her is vulnerable and defensive while she’s grieving but at the same time, hopeful for a positive change. I really really love her. She also meets a co-worker of her named Wes, who is as my close friend puts it “a pure cinnamon roll that needs to be protected.” He is kindhearted and witty. He’s really aware of Mac and super protective of her and it’s adorkable. There’s also the wonderfulness of his open vulnerability that contradicts her closed off attitude. Then we also have an antagonist who is frustrating as hell. He’s mysterious and crafty and insane and totally misguided. And you never see him coming.
Emotionally
Spoiler
This is only the second book I read from Victoria Schwab and I can say with certainty that she’s one of my favorite authors ever.The plot kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. First of all, the Archive is an intricate place. There’s a lot of sections and rules to it and there are so many things we learn about it that it could’ve gotten overwhelming except for the fact that those tidbits are released little by little. It keeps the mystery of the place alive while still keeping the reader hooked and interested to know more. We always have this sense that we don’t know the whole truth and that’s true for the entire book. We meet a lot of new characters in this place and you never know who to trust. It seems like there’s someone out to get Mac, kill her or get her fired who knows, but they want her to fail. So the entire time the plot is developing and you’re trying to find out who this is and you have no freaking idea until it’s revealed to you and then it’s like WHAT?!
There’s a lot of things going on at the same time which makes it so exciting and then you get the mother of all plot twists. My jaw dropped. I did not see it coming. If this was a normal review, I would tell you exactly what that is. But since this is one of my favorite books ever and I want you to read it, I’m not gonna tell you. NA NA NA NA NA NA.
Mac, our main character, is fucking badass. She’s strong and tough, working hard on the job she inherited from her Da, not only because she loves it but because he honored her with it. But she is still vulnerable. She’s not over her brother’s death and she feels like a lot of the grieving she wanted to do because of her parents and the move. It’s heart breaking to see her try to remember and collect as many things from her little brother as she can so she doesn’t feel like she’s losing him. Yet she still does her very best at her job and does her best to make sure her parents are okay and that they don’t worry about her.
Wes is bae. He’s the first other Keeper that Mac ever meets and in the beginning she’s kind of standoffish towards him but her desire to talk about her secret life wins her over and she seeks him out. He is the perfect balance to her. He’s kind and funny and protective of her. He gently pushes her to trust him when she doesn’t want her, pushes her to open up to him and it’s a constant push that never lets up but doesn’t seem to bother him at all. He is just what she needs.
The supporting characters are just as amazing in this series. Roland, who is a Librarian, is Mac’s confidant, her supporter and her friend. He’s there for her as much as he can be and always has her best interests at heart. Something quick that I want to mention to wrap this up which I feel is something really unique and outstanding in this series is Mac’s flashbacks with her Da, who is her grandfather and the person who taught her about the Archive. It really gives us great insight about Mac and how her personality developed and also insight on the Archive and how you get in which I would totally do if I could.
"Because the only way to truly record a person is not in words, not in still frames, but in bone and skin and memory."
This book honestly creeps me out, it feels like the author was using some dark magic to keep the readers captivated. I usually finish a novel as short as this in just one sitting but it oddly took me days to finish The Archived it's like the story itself wants to be savoured, not rushed, not overlooked.
It's hard to find the accurate word to describe Victoria Schwab's writing style but I think I'll go with timeless, every single page is equivalent to ten. Every scenes were full of happenings that even if the character was just sitting there and talking you know that something fundamental to the story was being unraveled. You never get bored but you weirdly felt tired it's like all the things that the protagonists has been doing were catching up to you so you have no choice but to stop and continue when you're fresh enough to read again. Never have I ever read a book like this and it's unnerving because it feels like the book itself was in control of your pacing as a reader. You cannot skim the pages because it feels like a sin, you cannot skip lines because you will miss something important which was why the writing is terrifying and exciting (mostly exciting) at the same time.
The only problem I had with this novel was the beginning, I was confused about who Da is and on how the Archived works but I gradually grasp the notion as I continue head on. I loved that the main character was flawed but still lovable.
The concept of the story was one of the most original concepts I've ever seen. The idea that dead people were kept and cataloged like books was so pioneer that I loved it the instant I heard about it.
The thing that I always look forward when reading an interesting book is theorizing, and I was a little disappointed when I busted who the real villains are before they even revealed themselves (I knew it, the moment they were introduced to Mac) and that's the reason why I did not give this book a five star rating. I worship a book that surprises me. Lol
I'm looking forward to reading more of Victoria Schwab's writing. Definitely a must read novel.
4.5 stars
I've been wanting to get into Victoria Schwab's books and thought that this was a great place to start and I did enjoy my time with The Archived.
The premise of the book was quite interesting with the whole History element but I found that over half of the book got quite repetitive. Mac was just returning a whole bunch of Histories and then going home, I was wondering when things were going to get interesting and the ending lived up to my hopes. I just wished that we had spent more time really delving into the mystery behind the missing Histories to make it more intriguing.
In saying that though the plot twist at the end I did not see coming. Owen! How did I not guess that he was up to no good? This boy just randomly appears in the Narrows and can't be returned but I never really questioned his motives. He was just so sweet and caring and could really bond with Mac over their losses. Although I did think the romance was a bit too sudden and wasn't developed enough. Owen was mysterious but not to the point where I was suspicious and the way everything came together was so clever. I didn't really think Carmen would be in on it as well though. Although when she opened Ben's shelf for Mac I was kinda like, why did she open that so easily when Roland never ever let it be opened?
Speaking of Roland...he's dead? All the librarians are histories? Not gonna lie didn't expect that. But I really did enjoy Roland's sorta Mentor/Older brother figure for Mac. The relationship between Mac and her grandfather was also nice how it was presented in flashbacks and you could really see how all of his life lessons were effecting her in present time.
Wesley. I really really liked Wesley his personality was so refreshing and bubbly and he really pulled Mac into a better place. He was witty and charming but I did predict that he would be a Keeper even though it was revealed earlier on in the book. Their friendship was so heart warming and I hope it turns into an 'official' thing in the next book because I was really hoping they would kiss at the end of the book! Although more than once I thought Wesley might be the one to turn out as the bad guy. I just found it weird that he was always lurking around a place he didn't live (even if it was his job to be there) and I thought maybe he was a bit too friendly? In the end I really should've been questioning Owen and not Wesley. But I'm really glad it didn't turn into a love triangle because it looked like it was heading that way.
Over all this was an enjoyable novel but not mind blowing. It had some good things going for it and I will probably be picking up book two, (even though book three has never been released) XD.
The premise of the book was quite interesting with the whole History element but I found that over half of the book got quite repetitive. Mac was just returning a whole bunch of Histories and then going home, I was wondering when things were going to get interesting and the ending lived up to my hopes. I just wished that we had spent more time really delving into the mystery behind the missing Histories to make it more intriguing.
In saying that though the plot twist at the end I did not see coming. Owen! How did I not guess that he was up to no good? This boy just randomly appears in the Narrows and can't be returned but I never really questioned his motives. He was just so sweet and caring and could really bond with Mac over their losses. Although I did think the romance was a bit too sudden and wasn't developed enough. Owen was mysterious but not to the point where I was suspicious and the way everything came together was so clever. I didn't really think Carmen would be in on it as well though. Although when she opened Ben's shelf for Mac I was kinda like, why did she open that so easily when Roland never ever let it be opened?
Speaking of Roland...he's dead? All the librarians are histories? Not gonna lie didn't expect that. But I really did enjoy Roland's sorta Mentor/Older brother figure for Mac. The relationship between Mac and her grandfather was also nice how it was presented in flashbacks and you could really see how all of his life lessons were effecting her in present time.
Wesley. I really really liked Wesley his personality was so refreshing and bubbly and he really pulled Mac into a better place. He was witty and charming but I did predict that he would be a Keeper even though it was revealed earlier on in the book. Their friendship was so heart warming and I hope it turns into an 'official' thing in the next book because I was really hoping they would kiss at the end of the book! Although more than once I thought Wesley might be the one to turn out as the bad guy. I just found it weird that he was always lurking around a place he didn't live (even if it was his job to be there) and I thought maybe he was a bit too friendly? In the end I really should've been questioning Owen and not Wesley. But I'm really glad it didn't turn into a love triangle because it looked like it was heading that way.
Over all this was an enjoyable novel but not mind blowing. It had some good things going for it and I will probably be picking up book two, (even though book three has never been released) XD.
Original and offbeat idea of the plot, beautiful style of writing and interesting characters. I took one star away, because sometimes the pacing was too slow and the ending could be better. Still - highly recommended!
I loved this book so much. I bought it because it sounded very very different from anything I've ever read and I was not disappointed. It's such a new an interesting idea. Schwab managed to draw me in and make me feel so much for the main character. I hurt with her over her loss of her brother and I wept with her over they betrayals she experienced.
Mackenzie is a bad ass main character but not unbelievably so. She can take care of herself and whereas she can be hesitant to accept help I understood that it was a part of her being a Keeper and being required to so thoroughly close herself off. Her strength was believable because she was strong in spite of the pain she was dealing with. She still felt, she still hurt, and you could tell it was likely written in her eyes but she powered through the pain. She existed despite the agony of her loss. That to me was very admirable and something a lot of people can easily understand.
I can easily relate to her. She has to play different roles and adapt to who she is needed to be at the time. This is something most of us can relate to. You have different roles to play for different people in different situations. Everything about this book was right for me. You simply have to read it. You won't regret it. It's just the right amount eerie and beautiful.
Mackenzie is a bad ass main character but not unbelievably so. She can take care of herself and whereas she can be hesitant to accept help I understood that it was a part of her being a Keeper and being required to so thoroughly close herself off. Her strength was believable because she was strong in spite of the pain she was dealing with. She still felt, she still hurt, and you could tell it was likely written in her eyes but she powered through the pain. She existed despite the agony of her loss. That to me was very admirable and something a lot of people can easily understand.
I can easily relate to her. She has to play different roles and adapt to who she is needed to be at the time. This is something most of us can relate to. You have different roles to play for different people in different situations. Everything about this book was right for me. You simply have to read it. You won't regret it. It's just the right amount eerie and beautiful.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
Initial reaction when reading the blurb: Yeah, I sooo want to read this!
Reaction after finishing: meh...
Blurbs are one of the utmost misleading information to be given to a reader. Reading a blurb and thinking it sounds decent is like watching a movie trailer, and thinking the film itself is awesome, primarily based on all the cool visual effects shown.
From the rating - it seems as if I enjoyed the Archived. It was entertaining from time to time. The writing was also decent. But as I kept reading along, I realized the archive (the main storyline of the whole book) is strikingly stupid.
This book wanted to be original.
This book wanted to be unique.
But it simply wasn’t.
Sounds all clever and new in the science-fiction/fantasy genre, doesn’t it? But several people who will read this book will skip one simple thing. The Actual point behind the Archive. So, in basic term you’ve got copies of these dead people stacked in a place called the Archive which is organized by the librarians, who are the only ones able to access it. But what’s the point, if the only people able to enter the Archives are the librarians? Why bother making copies of millions of dead people, if in the end there’s nothing beneficial or effective about this entire system? You can almost imagine my absolute confusion when someone attempted to bring this utterly useless system down.
Even with an explanation, I was still unable to comprehend the reason behind bringing down the Archive.
It’s almost as if the author had this amazing idea and was completely excited by it, that she rapidly started writing the book before she even began to structure it thoroughly. I’m not sure if I even want to get into the mystery part of this book. Mystery can be thought-provoking with very skilful writers. Most of the writers that are capable of constructing a beautiful mystery have an understanding in criminology. I’m not convinced this author did. In most of the books the person who turns out to be the psychotic antagonist is the person you least suspect, who you actually end up suspecting nonetheless. Yet, the authors are still are unaware of this.
The heroine Mackenzie Bishop is a keeper. She guards the place known as the narrows. It’s a place where histories (dead copy of people) go when they escape the Archive, and her duty is to catch them swiftly and put them back into the Archive before they escape into the real world. Woah! The Heroine’s role sounds interesting. Though, it wasn’t. All Mackenzie did was catch dead people and put them into the Archive. That’s all she did. At first it was cool then it wasn’t.
Yes, it’s time for the romance part of the book.
As we have observed from the quote above there's a love triangle. Two love interests.
One who:
Wore eyeliner and never stopped complimenting himself on how handsomely attractive he was.
And the other:
Well, umm he was dead.
I wasn’t a fan of the romance. It was just a big capitalized NO for me. Actually, I disliked the romance because it was awfully monotonous.
I noticed something else as I went through this book and I will make it as explanatory as possible.
All of us probably watch sitcom shows, right? Shows such as big bang theory or how I met your mother. A big major detail we pick up on is the setting. The settings in sitcom shows are always the same, virtually in every episode. For example every episodes of how I met your mother will be held in apartment or a bar – not always but regularly.
The setting in the book for the archived is in Coronado which is located in San Diego, but I’m pretty sure the author never stated that, however that’s not the problem. The problem is the author doesn’t use the Coronado setting to her advantage. Throughout the entire novel the only place I’ve gotten a description of is the narrows or the apartment. I felt so trapped. The narrator never goes anywhere besides those two main places. I truly don’t see how someone cannot view this as irritating.
It all seems strange because I still granted the book almost three stars. I only did this because of the potential – there was so much potential.
I have too many things to say about this book, but I won’t be able to voice them all because they’re all entwined to make these conflicting emotions, which I can’t put into words since they won’t make any sense to others.
Maybe you should give the book a shot/maybe you shouldn’t.
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.
Initial reaction when reading the blurb: Yeah, I sooo want to read this!
Reaction after finishing: meh...
Blurbs are one of the utmost misleading information to be given to a reader. Reading a blurb and thinking it sounds decent is like watching a movie trailer, and thinking the film itself is awesome, primarily based on all the cool visual effects shown.
From the rating - it seems as if I enjoyed the Archived. It was entertaining from time to time. The writing was also decent. But as I kept reading along, I realized the archive (the main storyline of the whole book) is strikingly stupid.
This book wanted to be original.
This book wanted to be unique.
But it simply wasn’t.
“I didn’t want to accept it, but the fact is, they were people. Copies of people. Because the only way to truly record a person is not in words, not in still frames, but in bone and skin and memory.”
Sounds all clever and new in the science-fiction/fantasy genre, doesn’t it? But several people who will read this book will skip one simple thing. The Actual point behind the Archive. So, in basic term you’ve got copies of these dead people stacked in a place called the Archive which is organized by the librarians, who are the only ones able to access it. But what’s the point, if the only people able to enter the Archives are the librarians? Why bother making copies of millions of dead people, if in the end there’s nothing beneficial or effective about this entire system? You can almost imagine my absolute confusion when someone attempted to bring this utterly useless system down.
“I want freedom,” he says, stalking me. “The Archive is a prison, and not only for the dead. And that’s why I’m going to tear it down, shelf by shelf and branch by branch.”
Even with an explanation, I was still unable to comprehend the reason behind bringing down the Archive.
It’s almost as if the author had this amazing idea and was completely excited by it, that she rapidly started writing the book before she even began to structure it thoroughly. I’m not sure if I even want to get into the mystery part of this book. Mystery can be thought-provoking with very skilful writers. Most of the writers that are capable of constructing a beautiful mystery have an understanding in criminology. I’m not convinced this author did. In most of the books the person who turns out to be the psychotic antagonist is the person you least suspect, who you actually end up suspecting nonetheless. Yet, the authors are still are unaware of this.
The heroine Mackenzie Bishop is a keeper. She guards the place known as the narrows. It’s a place where histories (dead copy of people) go when they escape the Archive, and her duty is to catch them swiftly and put them back into the Archive before they escape into the real world. Woah! The Heroine’s role sounds interesting. Though, it wasn’t. All Mackenzie did was catch dead people and put them into the Archive. That’s all she did. At first it was cool then it wasn’t.
With Wesley, there is too much to lose. But with Owen, there is no future to be lost by giving in. No future at all. Only escape.
Yes, it’s time for the romance part of the book.
As we have observed from the quote above there's a love triangle. Two love interests.
One who:
Wore eyeliner and never stopped complimenting himself on how handsomely attractive he was.
And the other:
Well, umm he was dead.
I wasn’t a fan of the romance. It was just a big capitalized NO for me. Actually, I disliked the romance because it was awfully monotonous.
I noticed something else as I went through this book and I will make it as explanatory as possible.
All of us probably watch sitcom shows, right? Shows such as big bang theory or how I met your mother. A big major detail we pick up on is the setting. The settings in sitcom shows are always the same, virtually in every episode. For example every episodes of how I met your mother will be held in apartment or a bar – not always but regularly.
The setting in the book for the archived is in Coronado which is located in San Diego, but I’m pretty sure the author never stated that, however that’s not the problem. The problem is the author doesn’t use the Coronado setting to her advantage. Throughout the entire novel the only place I’ve gotten a description of is the narrows or the apartment. I felt so trapped. The narrator never goes anywhere besides those two main places. I truly don’t see how someone cannot view this as irritating.
It all seems strange because I still granted the book almost three stars. I only did this because of the potential – there was so much potential.
I have too many things to say about this book, but I won’t be able to voice them all because they’re all entwined to make these conflicting emotions, which I can’t put into words since they won’t make any sense to others.
Maybe you should give the book a shot/maybe you shouldn’t.