Friday, February 21, 2014

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived (The Archived, #1)Novellas/Pre-squeals: No
Series: The Archived 
Published by: Hyperion
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 324
Source: kindle, bought
Rating: ✬✬✬


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.
Thoughts: 
I hate being the person to say this, but I honestly have no clue why this book is as hyped as it is besides the uniqueness of the plot. I found the beginning to drag on. I highly disliked the main character in the beginning. I couldn't connect with her at all on any personal level, and for me to rate a book 4-5 stars, I need to be able to  have some type of connection with the characters within the first few pages. I honestly thought all of the characters fell flat. The only character I fell in love with was Wesley. His personality was pure perfection and his humor had me sold. 
Also with the beginning, I felt like there was too much information being thrown at me. I was completely confused, and it took me about 100 pages to sort everything out. However, even then I was still slightly confused. I also still have no idea why the story includes Mackenzie having a brother who died. I don't get the importance of that part of the plot at all because to me, I felt like it ruined the main character. 
I really liked the writing of the book, although, I have read better. Some parts left me confused so I had to reread it a few times. The thing that kept me reading was the mystery towards the end of the book. I wanted to keep reading when I had 100 pages left to read. Alas, we reach the ending. I was so disappointed in it. As much as I hate cliffhangers, they are vital to keep me reading the next book because I hate being left with unanswered questions, except I felt like this book didn't have many questions I needed answers to.  Honestly, I felt like the ending was rushed. Overall, I'd still say read this if you want to (:
Favorite Quotes: 
"A year of words no one can say because they call up images no one can bear. The silliest things shatter you."
"We leave memories on objects we love and cherish, things we use and wear down."
"It's a shame they do that," he says, thumbing through the pages. "Requirement ruins even the best of books." 
 

6 comments:

  1. I'm sad that you didn't love it, but I'm glad that you at least liked it. These authors can't please everyone!

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  2. I have this book - got it for 99 cents but still haven't started it. I heard the third book in the series was cancelled so it is harder to start but I am interested still!

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    1. oh no! that's so sad. ): I hope you enjoy the book though :D

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  3. This one has been SO hyped lately, and I think it's because of what someone mentioned: the author said there probably won't be a third book due to sales. I haven't read it - I hadn't even heard of it until it blew up on Twitter - but I probably will eventually.

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    1. I'm part of the booktube community and I know it's been hyped there since last year, but I think it's just getting bigger. I hope you enjoy it!

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