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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Really enjoyed this book! Victoria Schwab is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
This book was such a surprise! I loved it! The world, the characters, and the twists were very well developed and so unique. Also, the writing was brilliant. Can't wait to read the sequel!
WOW. Just wow.
I went into this book completely blind, so blind that for four chapters straight I thought that Mackenzie was a "he" and not a "she". I gathered a little from the title, but other than that I knew nothing. And I LOVED IT. The foundation and the main idea of the novel are great and very unique and the world building is very fulfilling right from the start. The writing style is very poetic and metaphorical and it took some getting used to but I liked it a lot. The characters are great (especially Wes, of course, who's my current fictional crush), I was kind of annoyed with Mackenzie at some points in the last parts of the book before the fallout, but the beautiful ending adjusted everything for me.
If you're looking for a fantasy with a unique taste to it, I definitely recommend this book.
I went into this book completely blind, so blind that for four chapters straight I thought that Mackenzie was a "he" and not a "she". I gathered a little from the title, but other than that I knew nothing. And I LOVED IT. The foundation and the main idea of the novel are great and very unique and the world building is very fulfilling right from the start. The writing style is very poetic and metaphorical and it took some getting used to but I liked it a lot. The characters are great (especially Wes, of course, who's my current fictional crush), I was kind of annoyed with Mackenzie at some points in the last parts of the book before the fallout, but the beautiful ending adjusted everything for me.
If you're looking for a fantasy with a unique taste to it, I definitely recommend this book.
3.75/5 stars. Didn't like it as much as other things I've read by this author (under the name V.E. Schwab) but I still enjoyed it and will read the sequel.
EDIT: Changing my rating to 4 stars since I realized you guys are correct that the main purpose of The Archived isn't clear.
I'm keeping an eye for this book since then because of its promising premise and interesting main concept. And after reading this book, well, I was very satisfied that I forgot some of Mackenzie's (the female protagonist) irritating actions, though they happened for a good reason (I think), they were still irritating. Haha.
The book started a bit slow for me probably because I was confused of how The Archived works. And you know, it felt like the book moves so slow if you didn't fully understand the main concept of it, right? I mean you have the idea but you can't fully grasp it because it's shaky, vague and confusing. And sometimes, it leads to a scenario that you can't focus yourself reading the book.
Fortunately, my confusion has been wiped away when The Archived and ten of other terms connected to it were explained in a polished manner. Though it still left vague ideas, the basic and the important ideas has been determined. After that, The Archived hooked me like a fish when it gave me: (a) a great back story that introduced a great character (who is Da) and described how Mackenzie became a Keeper (b) conflicts in every chapter that thickened the plot and intesified the action and the thrill and made things more complicated and intriguing (c) a dark setting and atmosphere (d) likable and adorable main characters with depth who threw snarky dialogues and have mysteries on their own (e) twists I didn't see coming that increased my anticipation and excitement towards the book.
All of this won't be possible, however, if not for the engaging writing of the author. I mean every point I mentioned won't satisfy me or will bore me if the writing is unengaging. It's like Victoria's words were enchanted with some kind of a spell that drew me in to the story.
To simply put, The Archived is a well-written, dark, interesting book which landed a place to my all-time-fave shelf.
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep.
I'm keeping an eye for this book since then because of its promising premise and interesting main concept. And after reading this book, well, I was very satisfied that I forgot some of Mackenzie's (the female protagonist) irritating actions, though they happened for a good reason (I think), they were still irritating. Haha.
The book started a bit slow for me probably because I was confused of how The Archived works. And you know, it felt like the book moves so slow if you didn't fully understand the main concept of it, right? I mean you have the idea but you can't fully grasp it because it's shaky, vague and confusing. And sometimes, it leads to a scenario that you can't focus yourself reading the book.
Fortunately, my confusion has been wiped away when The Archived and ten of other terms connected to it were explained in a polished manner. Though it still left vague ideas, the basic and the important ideas has been determined. After that, The Archived hooked me like a fish when it gave me: (a) a great back story that introduced a great character (who is Da) and described how Mackenzie became a Keeper (b) conflicts in every chapter that thickened the plot and intesified the action and the thrill and made things more complicated and intriguing (c) a dark setting and atmosphere (d) likable and adorable main characters with depth who threw snarky dialogues and have mysteries on their own (e) twists I didn't see coming that increased my anticipation and excitement towards the book.
All of this won't be possible, however, if not for the engaging writing of the author. I mean every point I mentioned won't satisfy me or will bore me if the writing is unengaging. It's like Victoria's words were enchanted with some kind of a spell that drew me in to the story.
To simply put, The Archived is a well-written, dark, interesting book which landed a place to my all-time-fave shelf.
I am glad that Mac is able to fend for herself and that she was able to hold Jackson before he killed her. I like that Mr. Nix was able to help Mac a little bit. I'm glad she was able to help Owen. I don't like that Owen turned on Mac and betrayed her after she tried to help him. I am glad that Mac is okay and that she made things right. I like that she saved the Archives.
Victoria Schwab is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. The Near Witch was one of my favorite books of 2011 and it really impressed me. I was pretty sure her sophomore novel couldn’t be better than that one but boy was I wrong. The Archived is one of the best books I have read in 2012 and one of my all-time favorites.
The Archived is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The concept is fabulous and the execution is perfect! I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going to go in the beginning but I honestly didn’t care because it was just so interesting. However, once the story really picked up and things started to come together, I was fascinated. I won’t try and tell you exactly how things work in the Archive because the book does a way better job of explaining it. Just know that it’s an awesome concept and it’s kind of spooky.
That’s another thing about The Archived that I didn’t expect but I should have given the spookiness of The Near Witch. The Archived takes place in two locations: the Coronado, an old hotel turned apartment building, and the Narrows/Archive. Both places are pretty much equally creepy. The Coronado is a building full of secrets. A series of strange deaths happened shortly after the place became apartments and somehow these murders tie in with strange things happening in the Narrows and the Archive. While it’s not a horror story by any means, I was sufficiently creeped out yet equally intrigued.
Mackenzie is one stubborn, strong-willed, hard-headed girl. She did not want to accept help from anyone and she wanted to do everything her own way. She was a little closed off with people but she did grow out of that a little bit throughout the book. She was lonely and she just wanted someone who could relate to her. She found that someone in the very unlikely form of Wesley Ayers. (By the way, Wesley Ayers is my new fictional crush and none of you can have him!) Wesley is the comic relief in this book. He’s the complete opposite of Mac. He’s free-spirited, friendly, and a little goofy. He’s pretty much the definition of a nice guy. I have no complaints regarding Wesley’s character! As for the rest of the characters, it was hard to judge them. The Librarians were very aloof and mysterious, Mackenzie’s parents were heartbroken and lost, and the Histories were kind of creepy yet kind of sad. I look forward to learning more about everyone in the next book.
As for the writing itself, if you’ve read The Near Witch you know what to expect from Victoria Schwab. Her writing is beautiful and creepy and mysterious and just freaking fantastic. Victoria Schwab is one of those authors who could write a phone book and have people fall in love with it. I really can’t put into words how much I love her writing. =)
Overall, The Archived is a stunning sophomore novel from Victoria Schwab. It’s a creeptastic story full of mystery and secrets and I can’t recommend it enough!
The Archived is one of the most unique books I have ever read. The concept is fabulous and the execution is perfect! I wasn’t quite sure where the story was going to go in the beginning but I honestly didn’t care because it was just so interesting. However, once the story really picked up and things started to come together, I was fascinated. I won’t try and tell you exactly how things work in the Archive because the book does a way better job of explaining it. Just know that it’s an awesome concept and it’s kind of spooky.
That’s another thing about The Archived that I didn’t expect but I should have given the spookiness of The Near Witch. The Archived takes place in two locations: the Coronado, an old hotel turned apartment building, and the Narrows/Archive. Both places are pretty much equally creepy. The Coronado is a building full of secrets. A series of strange deaths happened shortly after the place became apartments and somehow these murders tie in with strange things happening in the Narrows and the Archive. While it’s not a horror story by any means, I was sufficiently creeped out yet equally intrigued.
Mackenzie is one stubborn, strong-willed, hard-headed girl. She did not want to accept help from anyone and she wanted to do everything her own way. She was a little closed off with people but she did grow out of that a little bit throughout the book. She was lonely and she just wanted someone who could relate to her. She found that someone in the very unlikely form of Wesley Ayers. (By the way, Wesley Ayers is my new fictional crush and none of you can have him!) Wesley is the comic relief in this book. He’s the complete opposite of Mac. He’s free-spirited, friendly, and a little goofy. He’s pretty much the definition of a nice guy. I have no complaints regarding Wesley’s character! As for the rest of the characters, it was hard to judge them. The Librarians were very aloof and mysterious, Mackenzie’s parents were heartbroken and lost, and the Histories were kind of creepy yet kind of sad. I look forward to learning more about everyone in the next book.
As for the writing itself, if you’ve read The Near Witch you know what to expect from Victoria Schwab. Her writing is beautiful and creepy and mysterious and just freaking fantastic. Victoria Schwab is one of those authors who could write a phone book and have people fall in love with it. I really can’t put into words how much I love her writing. =)
Overall, The Archived is a stunning sophomore novel from Victoria Schwab. It’s a creeptastic story full of mystery and secrets and I can’t recommend it enough!
I love reading YA but unfortunately sometimes it seems like it's the same recycled storylines and characters over and over again. This is particularly true of the science fiction and fantasy genres. So when I find a young adult novel in those genres with an original premise and good writing, it makes me very excited. The Archived is one of those books.
The story centers on Mackenzie Bishop, a teenager who is struggling with finding her place after the death of her younger brother in a hit and run accident. Her family moves into an old hotel that has been converted into apartments. Mackenzie is a Keeper, which makes her responsible for making sure the dead stay asleep. In her secret world, once you die, you go to sleep in the Archive, where you are cataloged and shelved by Librarians and are known as a History. Histories are meant to sleep forever, but when they start waking up, Mackenzie must find out what is going on before everything crumbles around her. And she must struggle with the insidious thought that maybe she could have her brother back.
I loved the characters, especially the complexity of Mackenzie. Watching her struggle to find her place in a family still not over a tragedy and balancing her responsibilities as a Keeper with an attempt to appear normal to those who can't know about it was compelling and intense. The romantic aspect was well done and not overly dramatic as YA tends to be. It was pretty heart breaking to see her struggle to deal with her brother's death and the idea that he might be one of the ones who comes back to life. The world building done by Schwab was so interesting and original that it kept me compelled from the very beginning of the story. This is definitely one my list of favorite young adult science fiction and one I'd recommend to any teen or adult interested in that genre.
The story centers on Mackenzie Bishop, a teenager who is struggling with finding her place after the death of her younger brother in a hit and run accident. Her family moves into an old hotel that has been converted into apartments. Mackenzie is a Keeper, which makes her responsible for making sure the dead stay asleep. In her secret world, once you die, you go to sleep in the Archive, where you are cataloged and shelved by Librarians and are known as a History. Histories are meant to sleep forever, but when they start waking up, Mackenzie must find out what is going on before everything crumbles around her. And she must struggle with the insidious thought that maybe she could have her brother back.
I loved the characters, especially the complexity of Mackenzie. Watching her struggle to find her place in a family still not over a tragedy and balancing her responsibilities as a Keeper with an attempt to appear normal to those who can't know about it was compelling and intense. The romantic aspect was well done and not overly dramatic as YA tends to be. It was pretty heart breaking to see her struggle to deal with her brother's death and the idea that he might be one of the ones who comes back to life. The world building done by Schwab was so interesting and original that it kept me compelled from the very beginning of the story. This is definitely one my list of favorite young adult science fiction and one I'd recommend to any teen or adult interested in that genre.