Review: The Archived - Victoria Schwab

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 4.5 stars  
Cover Rating: 4.5 stars (Very interesting and pretty.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 22, 2013
Publisher: Hyperion
Page Count: 321 p.
Buy it: Book Depository | Indie | Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Da was dying, so he taught Mackenzie everything he knew. He taught her everything she would need to know in order to be a Keeper. As Keeper, Mackenzie has to escort the waking dead back into the Archive where they can be put to rest again. Of course, the job is never as easy as it seems and comes with a price. She has to lie to everyone she knows and she has to deal with the thought that one of those waking dead might be someone she doesn't want to put back to sleep. When her family moves into a new place, the activity picks up around the Archive, it almost seems like someone is waking the dead on purpose. Who would do that though and how would they get access to them? Mackenzie has to figure it out before she loses everyone she loved or herself.

The was a very wonderful and exciting novel. I loved this re-imagined afterlife. The idea that we are constantly recording our own histories and that when we die a copy of ourselves keeps all of that intact is comforting, strange and wonderful. I always love new twists on things, especially things that no one knows the truth about.

I like Mackenzie too, even if she seemed a bit boy crazy. The second she sees one she latches on. It was a bit strange. But, sans boys she seems quite nice. I wish we could have gotten to know Da. He seemed like a very closed person, but very interesting. There was a lot going on behind his eyes.

I thought I had the plot all figured out, but then some quite unexpected things were revealed. It was all most excellent. I can not wait to see what happens in the next book, even though this ending was wholly satisfying. I just want to hand out in the Archives a bit more.

So, if you haven't checked this one out yet, get to it. It's amazing.

First Line:
"The Narrows remind me of August nights in the South."

Favorite Line:
"But you left something out.
It is beautiful."