Book Review ~ The Archived

The Archived (The Archived #1)
by Victoria Schwab
published by Hyperion
genre: YA, Fantasy, 

Summary (Goodreads): 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.

My Thoughts: Another enjoyable read from Victoria Schwab. I really liked her first book The Near Witch and I liked this one even more. It was a darker, unique take on what happens after death and those who care for them.
Characters: MacKenzie has been learning to be a keeper since she was very young. I don't often like so many flashbacks during a story but the parts with her Da were some of my favorites. The transition form the lessons she was being taught in the flashback and what was happening in present day were well done.
Wes was another favorite. Some have said he's the love interest but I never felt that. I could see something happening in the future but this not a case where the girl meets boy and loses all sense of self. Wes brought plenty of humour and levity to what could have been a straight dark, emotional book with no let up.
Overall, this is a great enjoyably unique read. One of the better starts to a series in awhile and I look forward to being immersed in this world again.

Rating: 5