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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
A cool premise but cliche book in itself. Now that I've invested the time into it, I will ride the series out, but if I could go back in time I'd choose not to start this series.
I liked this book much more than I thought I would! The first few V.E. Schwab books I read (five or so years ago) quickly made it to my favorites list, and I still rank them very highly ("Vicious" and the Shades of Magic trilogy). I even started to consider V.E. Schwab as my favorite author.
But I've yet to vibe with another Schwab book so much since then. I enjoyed "This Savage Song" and its sequel well enough, but I stopped halfway through the "City of Ghosts" series and have no inclination to finish it. I've started to think that maybe I prefer Schwab's books when they're marketed for older audiences (under the name V.E. rather than Victoria).
It's been about a year and a half since I last tried a V.E. Schwab book ("The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," which was a good book but made me feel very glum while reading it). I finally checked out "The Archived" from my public library on a whim, not expecting to find another series by this author that moved me like the first few works of hers I read. And while this book doesn't make it to my all-time favorites list, it reminds me why I love Schwab's writing so much!
The aesthetic of "The Archived" reminds me of a cross between "Coraline" (spooky keys leading to other worlds) and "The Keening" (young female protagonists dealing with familial loss and their father figures who can "see ghosts" in an unconventional way). The characters grew on me very quickly (especially Roland and Wesley), and I love how Schwab creates personalities for characters who are dead before the narrative even starts (like Mackenzie's grandfather and her younger brother). I thought that the flashback scenes were done very well and integrated neatly with the larger plot, and even if I don't vibe with most romantic subplots anymore, I can at least understand where these characters are coming from in their desire to be close to one another.
I started this book thinking, "I don't want to commit to reading a full series," and now I am thankful that there is more content for this universe and its characters. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes, especially since the world-building makes perfect sense but leaves plenty of unanswered questions for the later installments to expand upon.
But I've yet to vibe with another Schwab book so much since then. I enjoyed "This Savage Song" and its sequel well enough, but I stopped halfway through the "City of Ghosts" series and have no inclination to finish it. I've started to think that maybe I prefer Schwab's books when they're marketed for older audiences (under the name V.E. rather than Victoria).
It's been about a year and a half since I last tried a V.E. Schwab book ("The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," which was a good book but made me feel very glum while reading it). I finally checked out "The Archived" from my public library on a whim, not expecting to find another series by this author that moved me like the first few works of hers I read. And while this book doesn't make it to my all-time favorites list, it reminds me why I love Schwab's writing so much!
The aesthetic of "The Archived" reminds me of a cross between "Coraline" (spooky keys leading to other worlds) and "The Keening" (young female protagonists dealing with familial loss and their father figures who can "see ghosts" in an unconventional way). The characters grew on me very quickly (especially Roland and Wesley), and I love how Schwab creates personalities for characters who are dead before the narrative even starts (like Mackenzie's grandfather and her younger brother). I thought that the flashback scenes were done very well and integrated neatly with the larger plot, and even if I don't vibe with most romantic subplots anymore, I can at least understand where these characters are coming from in their desire to be close to one another.
I started this book thinking, "I don't want to commit to reading a full series," and now I am thankful that there is more content for this universe and its characters. I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes, especially since the world-building makes perfect sense but leaves plenty of unanswered questions for the later installments to expand upon.
Honestly, I can't say anything bad about this book. I loved it? Bought it yesterday and couldn't put it down, and you can bet I will be running to the bookstore soon to get the sequel soon. Definitely recommend for every reader.
I really, really liked it! The story moves fluidly and kept me engaged the entire way through. I made some very (VERY) wrong assumptions, which is always nice when you're reading a new book. I'm so ready to move onto the sequel! 🤩
It's been a while since I've read a book that I could actually confidently say is a 5 out of 5 star in rating. Not including some graphic novels and rereads, so far I have a read about only 1 book this year in the YA genre that I consider a 5 star, that book is "Six of Crows" of course. But this book right here definitely deserved this 5 star rating.
This is the first book by Victorie/V.E. Schwab that I have read. I wanted to start with something that isn't to hyped right now because I always try to avoid hyped books, and wait till the excitement dies down in order to read and fully enjoy. Because let's face it, hype can DEFINITELY change an opinion on a book. "The Archived" I feel was a book not many are particularly talking about right now so I decided that this would be the first Schwab book I would read.
Let me tell you..... this book blew me away.
The story had be hooked and turning pages into the late night/early morning from the beginning to the end. It had so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, and it was so dark and creepy but in such a subtle and tasteful way. This is rare especially for YA now-a-days. The suspense was amazing in this book. The author utilized their talents to the fullest here with keeping the suspense up. So much so that I had no clue on what characters to trust and which to not trust. Even the small hit of romance, ever present in YA, was done so well and was executed so perfectly that I honestly had no problems with it, which is so rare for any genre these days. PLUS I was actually rooting for a couple which I honestly NEVER do. Schwab made me love all the characters she created in this novel, even the ones I hated were so well written that I loved them.
Mackenzie as a main character was incredible. Schwab definitely succeeded in writing a strong character that still was real, and showed flaws and was vulnerable. Mackenzie was raw and she was written so real, and honestly everything I didn't know I actually needed in my life. Plus Wesley was honestly.....just.... my actual favorite??? Which is surprising coming from me because I usually scrutinize YA love interest, but Wesley is so important and my actual son.
In addition the prose is amazingly stunning, and had such a captivating mixture of action and horror that I just honestly couldn't put it down.
This book is a great example of an amazingly developed and well written YA novel. I'm excited to read "The Unbound" which I'm going to start right away, and I'm excited to read more books by Victoria/V.E. Schwab in the near future. Schwab is definitely now added to my list of favorite authors, and i'm excited to see were she brings her talents further.
This is the first book by Victorie/V.E. Schwab that I have read. I wanted to start with something that isn't to hyped right now because I always try to avoid hyped books, and wait till the excitement dies down in order to read and fully enjoy. Because let's face it, hype can DEFINITELY change an opinion on a book. "The Archived" I feel was a book not many are particularly talking about right now so I decided that this would be the first Schwab book I would read.
Let me tell you..... this book blew me away.
The story had be hooked and turning pages into the late night/early morning from the beginning to the end. It had so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, and it was so dark and creepy but in such a subtle and tasteful way. This is rare especially for YA now-a-days. The suspense was amazing in this book. The author utilized their talents to the fullest here with keeping the suspense up. So much so that I had no clue on what characters to trust and which to not trust. Even the small hit of romance, ever present in YA, was done so well and was executed so perfectly that I honestly had no problems with it, which is so rare for any genre these days. PLUS I was actually rooting for a couple which I honestly NEVER do. Schwab made me love all the characters she created in this novel, even the ones I hated were so well written that I loved them.
Mackenzie as a main character was incredible. Schwab definitely succeeded in writing a strong character that still was real, and showed flaws and was vulnerable. Mackenzie was raw and she was written so real, and honestly everything I didn't know I actually needed in my life. Plus Wesley was honestly.....just.... my actual favorite??? Which is surprising coming from me because I usually scrutinize YA love interest, but Wesley is so important and my actual son.
In addition the prose is amazingly stunning, and had such a captivating mixture of action and horror that I just honestly couldn't put it down.
This book is a great example of an amazingly developed and well written YA novel. I'm excited to read "The Unbound" which I'm going to start right away, and I'm excited to read more books by Victoria/V.E. Schwab in the near future. Schwab is definitely now added to my list of favorite authors, and i'm excited to see were she brings her talents further.
4.25
This was AMAZING! The beginning was a bit slow, thus the 4 star rating.
It was a little bit predictable in the sense that I knew who the baddies would be and how certain arcs would dissolve, but it was so interesting and once the story really got going, It was difficult to put down.
This was AMAZING! The beginning was a bit slow, thus the 4 star rating.
It was a little bit predictable in the sense that I knew who the baddies would be and how certain arcs would dissolve, but it was so interesting and once the story really got going, It was difficult to put down.
"Curiosity is a gateaway drug to sympathy. Sympathy leads to hesitation. Hesitation will get you killed."
WOW! This book is a WOW! My favorite from Schwab so far. Honestly I think this is better than ADSOM. But why is this book so underrated??? Huh I can't believe it. Btw I can't wait for the novella & book 3
WOW! This book is a WOW! My favorite from Schwab so far. Honestly I think this is better than ADSOM. But why is this book so underrated??? Huh I can't believe it. Btw I can't wait for the novella & book 3
Not bad. The beginning was slow but when it took off it was great.