The Archived

( 20 )

Overview

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. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories ...

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More About This Book

Overview

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. Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was: a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now that her little brother is gone too, Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hardwon redemption.

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
In this atmospheric thriller, the afterlife is like a library, where the Histories of the dead are stored as bodies in drawers and maintained by a network of Librarians. Sixteen-year-old Mackenzie is a Keeper, charged with tracking Histories who have awoken, returning them before they escape into the outer world. Her new territory is the Coronado, an old hotel turned apartment building, full of secrets and shadows. When something disrupts the Archive and the dead wake in ever-growing numbers, Mac teams up with the roguish Wesley to fix things, but she may not be up for the job, haunted by the death of her brother and distracted by the charms of the mysterious Owen. From the unusual premise to the dark, evocative narration, Schwab's (The Near Witch) novel skillfully blends fantasy and mystery, bringing the Coronado to life and making the setting as vital as the characters. While the setup is a little convoluted, there's a musty, yearning charm to this story. Ages 12-up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Children's Literature - Sandy Eichelberger
The dead do not stay in the ground decaying and decomposing. Their body may, but they become Histories (kind of like a Soul) and are kept in drawers in the Archive monitored by Librarians. Mackenzie is sixteen and a Keeper, the youngest to be assigned the job four years earlier. As a Keeper she finds the dead and forces them to enter the Archives. She learned her skills from her grandfather, also a Keeper. He taught her how to lie with ease, since no one in her family knows of her "other" life. Her training also included defense and fighting skills, since not all the dead go quietly into the Archives. Keepers carry numerous battle wounds and scars from fighting with the obstinate dead. But things are not as they should be, and some Histories are on the loose and the normally tranquil Archive is suffering from outbreaks and errors. The characters in the book are well crafted and interesting; there is a romantic attraction involving two different boys, and a kindly librarian who helps Mackenzie. Her mother's penchant for adventure after Mackenzie's brother's sudden death is believable and the old hotel turned apartment building, adds character to the plot. The explanation of the Archives and the Histories took a while to comprehend. With a slow start, the story picked up speed and became more interesting once Owen and Wesley enter the story. One usually roots for one romantic character over another and this book is no exception. Although the concept of the Archive and Librarians keeping track of the Histories of the dead is fascinating, it seems to have no real rationale to support it. As in many supernatural stories, there is a suspension of logic and yet one longs for just a little more from Schwab. The characters drive the story and make it work despite the failure to fully satisfy with the plot. Reviewer: Sandy Eichelberger
VOYA - Beth H. Green
The Archives takes a look at what happens to the spirits of those who have died and where they reside once they have left the living world. The Archives contain the stories and memories of those people, as well as their bodies, and are managed by Librarians, Keepers, and Crew, who each have their own job within the Archives. Sixteen-year-old Mackenzie Bishop, who is a Keeper, was introduced to the world of the Archives by her now-deceased grandfather, Da, at the age of twelve. Mackenzie’s family is struggling with the death of both her younger brother, Ben, killed by a hit-and-run driver, and her grandfather. After moving into an older apartment building with her parents, Mackenzie hunts down those spirits who have “slipped,” or awoken, becoming confused and sometimes violent. Armed with a key that opens doors to get the Histories back into their rightful resting places, she is provided names of spirits that must be caught in order to keep the Archives at peace. After meeting a fellow Keeper, Wesley, within the apartment building, they encounter Histories that have direct ties with the apartment that she and her family live in, and whose stories are being altered by someone, threatening to destroy the entire Archives. Mackenzie sets out to right what is disrupted, only to discover twists and turns of “what seems to be” along the way. Ages 12 to 15.
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—Mackenzie was just 11 when her Da passed along the heavy responsibility of being a "Keeper": one in charge of returning Histories to the Archive. A History is a sort of ghost, but more like a copy of a dead person's life. Librarians keep every History on a shelf, in a complex and rigid order. But every once in a while one slips (becomes restless and crazed) and escapes the orderly Archive into the chaos of the Narrows-a lightless series of corridors filled with doors. A Keeper's role is to return the Histories to the Archive lest they escape into the real world. When her family moves to an old hotel turned apartment building called the Coronado after the tragic death of her beloved little brother, Mac's workload of wandering Histories begins increasing exponentially. Plus, she meets a strange-looking Goth guy named Wes who shocks her by confessing that he, too, is a Keeper, and she begins to bond with him. Soon the ordered quiet of the Archive is booming with the noise of escaped Histories, and there appears to be a saboteur. Mac uncovers a dark secret held in the walls of the Coronado. Something terrible happened there and great lengths have been taken to cover it up. Stranger still is Owen, whom Mac encounters in the Narrows, a History who is not on her list and somehow has not yet slipped. Schwab skillfully manages that rare accomplishment: a spine-tingling, supernatural, ghostly mystery that is fully believable. A writer to watch for sure-sequel please!—Tara Kehoe, Plainsboro Public Library, NJ
Kirkus Reviews
A refreshingly angel-free departure in afterlife fiction, this gripping supernatural thriller features nuanced characters navigating a complex moral universe. After her brother's death, Mackenzie's parents seek a fresh start, moving into an apartment in the Coronado, a former hotel, to start a new coffee shop. Mac's good at keeping secrets: her grief, the psychic gifts she inherited from Da, her training and four years as a Keeper most of all. Keepers are tasked with keeping Histories--the recorded lives of human beings--from leaving the mysterious Archive, where they're filed and stored after death. Tended by Librarians, most Histories sleep, but a few awaken and panic, a process called "slipping," and escape into the Narrows, the passage separating the Archive and the living world. Returning violent Histories to the Archive, always dangerous, has gotten harder. The Librarians' vague explanation--"technical difficulties"--doesn't satisfy Mac. The mysteries extend beyond the Archive; records of former Coronado residents are missing in both worlds. Seeking answers, Mac forms an unsettling alliance with the guyliner-wearing boy who haunts the Coronado, but the handsome boy who saves her from a murderous History in the Narrows haunts her dreams. Suspense builds to the riveting climax, though discerning readers will spot loose threads when the dust clears. Never mind--that's what sequels are for. (Paranormal thriller. 12 & up)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781423157311
  • Publisher: Disney Press
  • Publication date: 1/22/2013
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 49,199
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Lexile: HL760L (what's this?)
  • Product dimensions: 5.80 (w) x 8.30 (h) x 1.30 (d)

Meet the Author

Victoria Schwab (www.VictoriaSchwab.com) is the author of several novels, including, The Near Witch-which Kirkus praised for its "shivery horror tang" and "extraordinary sense of place"-and The Archived, of which The Horn Book said "[Schwab] writes of death, sorrow, and family love with a light, intelligent touch and inventive vigor, and provides romance with a pleasing edge of unpredictability." When she is not wandering through foreign countries, Victoria can usually be found tucked in the corner of a coffee shop in Nashville, sipping tea and dreaming of monsters.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 20 )
Rating Distribution

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(12)

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(6)

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Sort by: Showing all of 20 Customer Reviews

  • Posted April 21, 2013

    more from this reviewer

    The Archived wasn¿t something that I was sure I would enjoy. It

    The Archived wasn’t something that I was sure I would enjoy. It sounded confusing and very involved. However, because so many other bloggers had been raving about it, I decided to give it a shot. It wasn’t for me. Definitely not. The Archived had everything that usually makes for a great book: interesting characters, romance, unique story line. While it sounded promising, I’m not convinced that it delivered.




    The plot was the biggest problem for me. What’s hard about this is that the plot is both the best and worst thing about this book. What I liked about it was that it was unique. It’s a brand new concept, unlike anything that I’ve read before. I was excited about this until I began reading The Archived, I was so confused. I wasn’t sure that the world building was working for me, but I figured I would understand at some point. I didn’t. I was confused the whole time. This is where the plot turns sour for me. There was just too much to it and the way that it was explained was too brief for me to grasp the full concept. I understood bits and pieces of the archives, the narrows, the outers, and all that stuff, but I didn’t really know how the worked. I wonder now if Mackenzie knew how it all worked herself? I’m not sure. I think there were parts that she was unsure about, so I felt a bit better about that.




    Not only did the world-building not really work for me, but the characters weren’t clicking. I liked Mackenzie enough and I liked Wes. I was expecting some major romance there, but nothing big happened, which was kind of disappointing. It was even more disappointing when Mackenzie decided to start kissing the weirdest choice of love interest. I didn’t get that. WHY? It was just strange to me and it felt a bit forced, like it seemed as if it was the right choice for the book, but it really wasn’t. I’m not sure how to explain that.




    There seemed to be a lot happening in The Archived, but really nothing much happened. It was pretty much the same things repeating themselves over and over. Mackenzie kept catching Histories, or whatever they were, and new ones popped up on her list so she did the same thing over again. I was so bored reading this. I wanted something, anything to happen. I just wasn’t satisfied with the story and where it went. There’s not much else I have to say, so I’ll keep it short. I got bored and confused. That was basically my experience with this book. While it sounded really interesting, it didn’t deliver.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 22, 2013

    I Also Recommend:

    Starters

    I really, truly loved this book.  I found it on my bookshelf yes

    I really, truly loved this book.  I found it on my bookshelf yesterday and remembered that it was being released this month.  I knew that the book had to be great if only because the author shares my love of chocolate pudding.  So I sat down to read it, using it as a break from studying.  Well then it started to overwhelm the study time until I finally gave in and stopped pretending to study.  Midnight comes around, and I reached the last page.  I am eternally grateful to Ms. Schwab for not leaving me with some awful cliffhanger.  My brain wouldn't have been able to handle it after that reading experience.  I was already on edge.  (In the best possible way mind you.)

    Reading this book brought back the wonderful feelings that Starters had given me months before.  I was relishing in every word and page, turning faster and faster until I had to will myself to slow down.  The two worlds in which Mackenzie lives would have quickly overwhelmed me.  Luckily for her, she has some special talents and the wisdom of her grandfather residing within her.  The fact that she is pretty tang tough is also a pretty big plus.  Mackenzie is such a relatable character with her fierce loyalty and her "take-no-crap" attitude with a touch of empathy that creates such a well-rounded and well-loved character.  

    In all honesty, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about this book.  The plot was different and unique and full of just enough winding turns to keep me reading *and to yell at anyone who interrupted me* without completely overwhelming me.  The character development was incredibly strong from Mackenzie and the people in the world around her to the people residing in the Archives.  The Librarian Roland was probably my favorite character.  He had the whole smart guy thing going, complete with a pair of red Chucks.  Can you ask for more?  The world that Ms. Schwab created makes for a very fun and edge of your seat reading experience.  And it has just the right amount of creepy.  

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 22, 2013

      I¿ll be honest, The Archived is a straight-up good book. Excit

      I’ll be honest, The Archived is a straight-up good book. Exciting, unpredictable, original. Sure its got its issues
    and I didn’t fail to notice them, but , inevitably, I would find myself so engrossed 10 pages later that I’d
    completely forgotten what it was I had taken issue with. The story and characters are so wonderful that I really
    just can’t be bothered to care about the small technical difficulties.

    The characters are a refreshing break from some of the current trends. Mackenzie is an empowered and
    important person from the moment we meet her. She’s smart and kind of a badass, but she’s a real teenager
    too. She’d rather  track down a History than read classic literature, and she’s conflicted and sometimes
    immature. She is the kind of character that can be hard to relate to – emotionally reluctant, comfortably
    solitary – but her grief opens the door for you to care for her powerfully. Wesley, our leading boy, is swoon
    worthy but (despite his spiked hair and guyliner) really a good guy. I’m all for the dangerous, forbidden rebel,
    but Wes is warm and brave and sweet and okay so maybe I’m a little partial to him, shut up.

    The concept of the book is, in itself, fascinating, and the mystery and action throughout are engrossing (I
    startled my cat several times from gasping/exclaiming out loud). Where Victoria Schwab really knocks it out
    of the park, though, is with the honest, down-to-earth, human-ness of it all.  Underneath the rogue dead
    people and magically empowered keys is a powerful, gut wrenching portrait of grief. Not only is Mackenzie’s
    heartbreak over her brother’s death breathtakingly real, but the entire premise lays out a question that most
    of us (thankfully) would never have to answer. How far would we go to get back someone we loved? How
    many rules would we break? How many people would we betray? Would it be right, and would we care if it
    wasn’t?

    Also, the Librarians are pretty badass.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 24, 2013

    more from this reviewer

    The Archived by Victoria Schwab was everything I hoped it would

    The Archived by Victoria Schwab was everything I hoped it would be and more.  For book lovers everywhere, I’m sure they would all appreciate the fact that dead and their histories is storied in place called The Archive and are being watched over by Librarians.  That, in itself, is a pretty epic idea.

    For main protagonist, Mackenzie, the life of being a Keeper is a role that was bestowed upon her by her dying grandfather, Da.  Where the ability to become a Keeper is not allowed until the age of 12, Mackenzie finds herself holding that position even earlier, thanks to the training provided by Da, and with the backing of Roland, a Librarian in the Archive, who believes that Mackenzie is ready.

    After the loss of her younger brother Ben, Mackenzie and her parents leave their roots and move into The Coronado, where, once upon a time, it was a hotel, but has now been renovated into apartments.  It is here that Mackenzie’s parents hope to bury the pain and memories of such a terrible loss, and start over again.

    But in a place full of pasts and histories, The Coronado keeps Mackenzie’s duties as a Keeper on her toes.  Change also comes to Mackenzie in the form of an eyeliner wearing boy named Wesely.  But it seems, Wesley is not all that he seems to be.  Wesley seems to know a lot about the hidden secrets that Mackenzie has, and Mackenzie isn’t sure if it’s a blessing to have someone she can speak to, or if it’s another obstacle in her life where she must keep more secrets.

    And secrets seems to be the theme of The Coronado.  As stated before, an old place holds lots of history and past, and when Mackenzie stumbles upon a string of mysterious deaths, who can Mackenzie really trust to find the truth and answers she needs.  Not only does she fill her time with investigating these murders, there is also an influx in Histories in The Narrows.  Histories being the dead who have awakened from The Archive and are lost and confused and are trying to find a way to The Outer, the place where the living live, and the dead used to call home.

    And to complicate things even further, Mackenzie runs into an anomaly within The Narrows…a History that does not appear on her paper that needs to be returned, a History that is out and about under the radar of The Archive.  Owen…who seems to have some of the answers that Mackenzie has been looking for regarding the murders, Owen…who is mystery unto himself, Owen…who makes the all the noise in Mackenzie head…quiet.

    But still grieving the loss of her brother, some sort of breech that is happening within The Archive itself, and with more Histories that need to be returned and who are becoming more violent, how will Mackenzie handle all this chaos without slipping and finding herself dead and archived.

    The Archived by Victoria Schwab is a masterpiece.  This story had me from the very beginning and held my attention right to the very end.  I loved how the story was told in a back and forth manner.  Where we are told the story in the present, but are allowed glimpses into the past whether it be through Mackenzie’s skills as a Keeper, or by the memories of Mackenzie’s time with Da as she is slowly being trained to become what she is today…a Keeper.

    The world building found in this book is phenomenal.  You can’t help but be caught up in this world of Librarians, Keepers, Crew, and Histories.  Every little piece of information provided in the book leads way to another exciting chapter in the book.  You’re kept guessing until the very end as to the outcome of the mysterious deaths in The Coronado.  And when you think you have it all figured out, Schwab throws in another twist that will have you reeling.

    The pacing is quick and easy to follow and I quickly found myself devouring every word, not wanting to leave this world and the characters found within.  The idea of The Archived is so unique that that in itself will draw readers in.  Once you get a taste of the story within the first few chapters, you will quickly find that The Archived is a story that you will not soon forget.

    Fans of mystery reads and are in the mood for something different but breathtaking will fall in love with The Archived by Victoria Schwab.  Believe me when I tell you that you will NOT have read anything like this, and you will be so glad that you were able to experience this epic read.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 18, 2013

    Completely new premise

    Read it. would also make a great movie. The story is so fresh and strange it will pull you in.

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  • Posted March 17, 2013

    In a year I read, on average, 30-60 books in the Young Adult/Fan

    In a year I read, on average, 30-60 books in the Young Adult/Fantasy genre. While I love the beautifully written tried and true plots out there (there's nothing wrong with re-doing something that works!) I'm always on the look out for something original but with that "Ahhh, I'm home" feeling you get when re-reading a favorite childhood book. These are the books that really stick with me and are the ones I keep on my shelves for years to come. These are the books I pawn off to family and friends with the stipulation: "If you break the spine I will hunt you down."

    After reading a few chapters of "The Archived" by Victoria Schwab I knew that I had stumbled onto something great. This had nothing to do with my New York Editor Friend's raving review, or the fact that this same friend lived with Ms. Schwab for some time, but had everything to do with the novel itself. It was breathtaking, it was heartbreaking, it was NEW. Within the first few pages I was crying over the loss Mackenzie and her family experienced. I felt for M's mother who tried too hard to make life normal for her daughter (who was anything BUT normal). I wanted to leap into the pages and hold Mackenzie close and tell her that it was going to be okay.

    Victoria Schwab's world, the Outer, the Narrows, the Archive - I could see it all. I understood it without much effort. There was a blissful moment where I effortlessly suspended disbelief and dove into the Archive myself. I was there every time she sat by the shelves of the Histories and wished, hoped, dreamed that somehow her life could have taken a different turn. I understood her choices, no matter how misguided, because they were REAL. There was even a quote within the novel itself that summed up everything about the archives - about how anyone who had another chance to see a loved one again would break down the walls of the world to get that chance. It made SENSE. Everything. She was real, the world was real, and I believed in it. I still do believe in it.

    That is what makes "The Archived" stand out among the plethora of YA novels on the shelves. Reality mixed perfectly with fantasy and, when I go to sleep at night, I can imagine that the Narrows and the Archives actually exist and, if only my grandfather had chosen me, I might have been a Keeper myself.

    Brava, Victoria Schwab. Brava!

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  • Posted March 13, 2013

    more from this reviewer

    The Archived is a spectacular read that left me dazzled and crav

    The Archived is a spectacular read that left me dazzled and craving more! Victoria Schwab has created an intricate story with impressive world-building and unforgettable characters. There's also a delightful supply of mystery, darkness, detective work, fighting, and a little bit of romance to top it off. Once you start reading, it's incredibly hard to stop!

    Mackenzie, A.K.A. Mac, is the female protagonist and on the outside she appears to be a normal 16-year-old girl, but she's actually very special. Mac has some very special gifts and a lot of responsibility for someone her age. She's a Keeper: someone whose job is to return escaped Histories--which are records of the dead--back to the Archive. The Archive is a vast library of the dead. It sounds slightly confusing, but once you start reading it all comes together rather brilliantly!

    There's so much going on this book, and I really like how easy it was to connect with Mac. She is dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil at times, and on top of that she's trying to do her job as a Keeper as efficiently as she can, but Histories keep popping up more frequently ever since she moved into a new apartment with her parents. Their new residence was one of my favorite things about this book because they are living in what used to be a hotel that has a very colorful and interesting past. Moving into this place definitely helped provide allure and mystery to the story.

    One of the things that made me love this book, aside from the amazingly unique and awesome storyline, is the characters! I absolutely adore two of the male characters in Mac's life: Roland and Wesley. Both of these characters captured my heart and they are very important to Mac. Roland is a Librarian, and he's pretty darn cool! Wesley is just plain adorable and charming, and I'm completely rooting for him and Mac as an item. I also really love the fact that Wesley isn't your typical book boyfriend hottie: his nails are painted black and he wears eyeliner, but it totally works for him!

    Read this book immediately if you are looking for a story that will blow your mind and keep your attention until the very end. Seriously, once you read this book you will be mad at yourself for not digging into it sooner, because that is exactly how I felt after I read it--it's quite the treasure! I'm sure the next book in this series, The Unbound, will be just as amazing!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 4, 2013

    Tonjuax

    *searches through books anout faceless creatures. He needs access to a room with level 5 Master Librarian access.* Excuse me. Master Librarian would you be so kind to help me archive these new demon facts?• master librarian: of course Tonjuax, how was your expediti- *she dnt finish because Ton slammed her head into the edge of a shelf. He takes her clearance pass and walks over to the vault.* Lets see what you want to hide.. * He goes and gets the books that were on the list for faceless creature liie angels.* he exits the vault* *he slides a book into an angels pack as they leave* Security guard: Hey! YOU CANT TAKE THAT! *he yells at the angel* *ton excapes throuhh the back. Through the archivers exit.*

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  • Posted March 4, 2013

    Adored this book! Not only is the plot/story unique, but the p

    Adored this book!

    Not only is the plot/story unique, but the pace is perfect, keeping you moving along, needing to know what happens, all while falling for the characters more with each and every page turned.

    Well written, intriguing, and a favorite. Can not wait to continue this series.

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  • Posted March 1, 2013

    Unusual premise, very well done

    I have been reading a lot of young adult/teen fiction lately and I must say this was a very unique book. The premise was truly unusual. A quick read, left me with many questions and thoughts about possible sequels. Though some of the details were not explained to my satisfaction, on the whole the book was satisfying.

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  • Posted February 22, 2013

    Fascinating premise

    When we die our lives are stored like books almost in an archive with librarians tending them. Histories can waken and get confused so there are keepers who take them back to sleep. But if a history escapes to the outer world of the living the crew rounds them up. The story spins around a teen keeper. It's fanciful, a good mystery and suspenseful. A good start to a series.

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  • Posted February 22, 2013

    Pros Victoria created this visual experience for us readers. It

    Pros
    Victoria created this visual experience for us readers. It was powerful, enticing, and free. The character seemed to speak to you with this air of grace and power, soft and hard. And I can say that my mind went on a magical journey throughout the whole novel.

    The only other book that made me experienced this "visualization" was The Night Circus. While reading the book, it felt like I was thrown into a world that was like ours but twisted, ancient, silly, and teasing. But just like The Night Circus, the plot barely develops. But, (and yes, a second but), this makes the book different. It wasn't like normal YA, it was more, something deeper. Victoria was able to capture a middle grade feel from the start and transition to YA as the character grew. It really had the best of all worlds. I mean, I am a huge fan of MG plots, but YA/Adult level of sophisticated writings, so when Victoria merged the boundaries, I died in heaven. It was as if you plot me in my fantasy world of Lemony Snicket and brought back memories of adventure.

    This book was funny, let me explain. This book seemed like balance, on one side it is plot/action, on the other is visualization. In the first half and so the visualization is fabulous, but the action lacked. And as the later half approached, action increased but visualization dropped.

    The atmosphere around this book was something indescribably. It almost seemed like a mist had en-caged you and you, as the reader, are having visions, visions that are vivid and fierce.

    The words Victoria weaved seemed to swirl around me and turn into scenery. The Narrows, The Archived, and everything else were dreamlike. I cannot describe it and I will not because I am not up to the quality of Victoria, but I really hope when you read this book, you can feel the joy I got reading it.

    I can totally see a "Coraline" type of animation coming out of this book! But also an Inception like movie!


    Cons
    Like The Night Circus, it had almost too much "visualization" and not enough plot advancements (or at least not good ones). The book seemed to dragged on forever and when things happened it seemed to leap. It was choppy, unprofessional and honestly boring. The characters were boring to read, typical and just not relatable. But at first I liked Kenzie and Wes and even Da (even though I was confused for a long time about him). But as the story went on I just couldn't care about them. It really was a pain to read on.

    But really, I just think this book was waaaayyy too slow for me. The first half was just setting up and I am sorry, I am not patient. So basically this book had me in this bad mood for the first half so anything that was somewhat exciting was somewhat bland. I literally had to force myself to finish. So if you are the type of people who only reads about 100 pages of a book and decide to continue or not, you might have some issue with this book.

    Oh, one of the pros lead itself to the cons. You know the MG/YA thing I praised above, it became a pain in the butt. Half of book to me seemed like MG (the first half), and set my brain to this mode of "oh, this is a MG book". So when Victoria switched on the YA part, my brain didn't register and it was just weird for me to read it. But of course, this is just my opinion, and I am weird.


    So yes, I think Victoria killed a great concept. I mean that prologue was one of the best prologue I had EVER read! I am soooo disappointed! I might just cry myself to sle-. Okay maybe not.

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  • Posted February 8, 2013

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    Absolutely magical, enchanting and beautiful.  Every line wrappe

    Absolutely magical, enchanting and beautiful.  Every line wrapped its words around my heart, soul and mind.  A remarkable plot about love, loss. death and betrayal.  This story explores how far we are willing to go and how deep we are willing to nestle ourselves between all of these layers that make life worth living, remembering and holding onto.

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  • Posted January 30, 2013

    I started following Victoria on Twitter before this book was rel

    I started following Victoria on Twitter before this book was released and that's how I first found out about it and as the weeks went by and the teasers came and the anticipation built I knew I could not wait to get my hands on it. I was not disappointed. Anyone who is a fan of Beth Revis' Across the Universe trilogy, Ally Condie's Matched trilogy or Meg Cabot's Mediator series will find something they like in The Archived. It's a mystery, it's science fiction, it pushes us to consider uncomfortable ideas about death and the after life and just how far we'd be willing to go to preserve history, change history, or just be able to see those that we've loved and lost.

    Like Across the Universe, The Archived sets up a story where all hell is about to break loose. Something ain't quite right, if you know what I mean. There's trouble afoot and if our main characters don't solve the mystery soon people end up dead...or in The Archives case...awakened dead.

    The Matched series asks it's readers to consider uncomfortable thoughts on how far they'd go to protect their loved ones from illness and pain, what freedoms would they give up? Like that The Archived doesn't a brilliant job of asking us what we'd do to preserve history, or even delay death, or bring those that have died back to us regardless of the consequences.

    And like The Mediator series, Schwab presents us with a strong female character who makes mistakes, acts on impulse, and doubts herself and her mission at times but has a strong foundation given to her by her mentors.

    The book was well paced, I finished it in less than a day completely unable to put it down once I started. I can not wait for more of Victoria Schwab's work!

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  • Posted January 24, 2013

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    I want the full story, this is good! Read from December 24, 2



    I want the full story, this is good!

    Read from December 24, 2012 to January 07, 2013




    BOOK SYNOPSIS








    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.




    Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.




    Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.




    In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.




    My Thoughts








    Starting off with 16 year-old Mackenzie's memories this book instantly captures your attention, instantly transports you into the action and just as instantly wraps itself around a place in your mind so that it is hard to remove ones self from the story when real life interrupts with demands.




    I found myself drawn to this book when I read the synopsis, trying to understand a place like the author describes is something that makes me faintly ill but at the same time intrigues me as well. The story is a chronology of sorts that describes the duties of a Keeper, describes the harsh reality that with one mistake on their part a Keeper could be struck down in the field and because of the secretive nature of the job no one would know the truth. 




    Following Mac as she and her parents move from the home they shared prior to the death of her younger brother, watching her trying to come to terms with that death the best way she knows how as well as prove herself able to fulfill her duties is emotionally stressful. After all we are talking about a teenaged girl who has a job that even an adult finds distressing in certain circumstances. 




    The imaginative narrative of this short portion of the full length book is very honest, very at times brutal, it is one that will leave the reader thinking about what they read long after the last word and in most cases wanting to finish the story as seen through Mackenzie's eyes so as to know whether or not she manages to save the Archives and the dead that lie within it's boundaries.




    While it is true this is only the first 9 chapters, it is enough to beguile the reader with a very creepy premise that is enticingly dark but at the same time filled with a sense of wonder as we follow Mackenzie Bishop as she navigates the worlds of the living and the dead. I am for certain at this point hooked, if only to see how she and Wesley develop their relationship in the rest of the story. That and finding out more about the murder that was committed in Kenzie's room.




    [EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]

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  • Posted January 22, 2013

    With each new book Victoria Schwab blows me away.  It's her seco

    With each new book Victoria Schwab blows me away.  It's her second novel, and it's the best yet. I don't know how to describe her writing very well other than to say it makes me yearn for more.  More of this really good writing.  The kind that is full of emotion and and and... Gahh!  It just makes me smile a lot.  She writes books that leave me truly satisfied as a reader.

    MacKenzie's brother had recently passed away and coincidentally a few days after I read this book, my own grandpa passed away.  Of course I thought to myself, "If I could wake him up and talk to his History, would I?"  It's a scary thought and it's something Mac deals with throughout the book.  I just felt a big connection with MacKenzie during and even as I go through my own grieving process.  While she's picking through her brother's stuff and looking for any possible memory... All of it.  

    So basically, MacKenzie is grieving and she's living in a new home where she meets a new friend and comes across all sorts of crazy.  Especially with the histories that beg her to let them see the outside world.  She shows her vulnerability, but when tension is at its highest, we see her stand her ground and find the truth.  

    I think Victoria Schwab did a great job at having two living and breathing parents that live in close quarters with Mac.  I feel like in YA, the parents get killed off or are so faceless.  I'm sure it's for good reason, but I always like to applaud authors who have the parents involved in the story, even if they aren't in on the action.  And Mac is a smart gal who knows how to sneak around, but knows how to respect and help her parents as they're setting up the coffee shop/bakery doo-dad in the apartment building lobby.

    The Archived is a book that will be near and dear to me for years to come.  

    Also, that one History, the one she let stay in the Narrows, FREAKED ME OUT.  Even when she was hanging out with him, I was all "AHHH I CAN'T HANDLE THIS."  

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  • Posted January 22, 2013

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    I was immediately drawn to this book because I love the idea of

    I was immediately drawn to this book because I love the idea of people (or their memories) being archived when they die. Combine that interesting idea with an old hotel turned apartment building and it was a recipe for a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Through Mackenzie's memories of her grandfather (Da) the reader learns about the unique job that was passed down to her. Mac struggles to keep up with her normal teen life while returning sometimes violent Histories to The Archives. Everything about it, the notification system, the librarians and the Narrows, was inventive and so much fun to read! Oh, and Wesley! Never have I been a fan of guyliner, but I will make an exception. The reader learns a lot about Wesley as the story progresses, but what you immediately notice is that he is a perfect foil for the ultra-serious Mackenzie. The Narrows keep its own secrets, though, and I have to admit that the author really got me with the excellent twists in this book. That doesn't happen to me very often and I really enjoyed the surprises. The combination of action scenes, where Mac must physically fight Histories, and her sleuthing to uncover the mystery of the building, made for a story that had near perfect pacing and never faltered.

    Within this book, which was so wonderfully imaginative, there was also a sort of examination of grief. I was surprised at how sad this story was, really. Victoria Schwab really captured the way that grief can isolate you, even when you are surrounded by family. Mac is deeply in mourning for her brother and her parents are each isolated by their own grief. In addition, Mac is isolated by her job as a keeper, which she must keep a secret from those she loves. She leads a life very close to death, while experiencing the loss of a loved-one first hand. There was something so moving and interesting about the way Mackenzie exists in these two realms; she is a keeper who must bring Histories back to The Archives and she is a teenager who misses her brother and is at a loss as to how she can crawl her way back to any sort of normal family life. I was completely captured by this book. I knew I would like it because the idea really appealed to me, but I was unprepared for how emotional it was. It was spooky, sad, funny, and mysterious, all at once. This book would be an excellent choice for teen or adult book clubs and I cannot wait for everyone to experience it!

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    Posted March 12, 2013

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    Posted January 29, 2013

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    Posted February 25, 2013

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