The Archived: Victoria Schwab

THE ARCHIVED

SUMMARY

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.

REVIEW

I had heard a lot of hype about The Archived. So when I read it, my expectations were pretty high.

Luckily for me, it more than met my expectations.

The first thing that struck me about The Archived is how original it was . To create an entire other world that goes along with our world, where everyone is copied so that their histories can be preserved is an awesome idea.

Further, the author, Victoria Schwab, does a fantastic job jumping back and forth between Mackenzie’s memories of her grandfather, Da, and present day. This not only helps maintain a clipping pace but it also helps expand the readers knowledge of the archive and gives important back story as to why Mackenzie acts and is the way she is.

Speaking of Mackenzie, Schwab does a great job making her into a complex character that develops throughout the book. She is kick-ass, deep, and severely broken inside. That’s what makes her connections with Owen and Wesley so believable, because after all these years and all she’s lost, between her brother Ben, Da, and the level of separation and lies she has to always keep with her parents she just wants to not have to lie to someone. But Schwab does this all without diminishing Mackenzie’s character, and while maintaining a pretty constant level of action both guys and girls will love, which to be honest is quite an impressive feat.

Of course I also just plan liked the writing as well. It’s smooth, allowing readers to fully emerge themselves in the story, fast paced, and just plain captivating. I loved reading the Archived and personally I can’t wait for the sequel. So if you’re looking for a great book to read, then look no further, The Archived is worth all the hype.

INFO

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Published: January 22, 2013

Price: $16.99

Link to Buy: http://www.amazon.com/The-Archived-Victoria-Schwab/dp/1423157311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358870262&sr=8-1&keywords=the+archived