Title Series Author Publisher Pages Release date Source | : The Archived : The Archived #1 : Victoria Schwab : Disney Hyperion : 321 : 2014 (paperback edition) : purchased on periplus.com |
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 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.
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.
The Archived meas that the past is never gone. Never lost. Knowing that, it's freeing.
It gave me permission to always look forward. After all, we have our own Histories to write
- Wesley Ayers -
The memory after someone die, they call it History, is shelved and gathered in The Archived. The History can slip away and lost in The Narrow, a world in between real world and The Archived. That's why they need a Keeper, someone who bring back the History shelved.
I was tempted to read this because of the premise. Victoria Schwab precisely created the Library system surrounded by creepy scent, gave an accurate atmosphere for the afterlife world which Mackenzie traveled. I really love the world, but I needed time to figure it out. I was confused at the beginning of book, I was lost and started it slowly. I had no idea what was the main problem, what was the point beside Mackenzie's life as a Keeper and her brother who just died. I have to say it needs patient to dive into the story, to finally like it. When the mystery about the serial killer in the past began, I'm sure your curiousity will grow. Although the killer was pretty obvious, it still sent me eeriness throughout the book.
There was a pinch of romance, but it didn't prevent the cuteness over the story. I really adored Mac & Wes' relationship, they created a good team mate and adorable discourse. Wes is my favorite, he colored every sullen scene XD
I really love the writing, it was beautiful! There were some paragraphs that really touched my heart, how divine they were. My favorite is this part :
Nature is constantly growing, changing, one of the few things that can't hold memories. You forget how much clutter there is in the world, in the people and things, until you're surrounded by green. And even if they don't hear and see and feel the past the way I do, I wonder if normal people feel this too- the quiet.
I was there in a tiny park and surrounded by the beautiful nature. I was totally transported to another place by the words. I'm really sure wanting to check another Victoria Schwab's works!
It needs time, but you'll love it if you keep going. I'm so eager to continue this series!