The Archived (The Archived, #1) by Victoria Schwab

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures 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 may crumble and fall. 

“You're trying to block out every bit of noise. But people are made of noise, Mac. The world is full of noise. And finding quiet isn't about pushing everything out. It's just about pulling yourself in.” 

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Also, the quote I used may have been altered or changed in some way, but I am quoting from what I received. 

I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner! My first book by Victoria Schwab was The Near Witch, which was wonderful, so I should have known I would enjoy The Archived. Now I need to read everything else she has ever written, especially The Unbound.

The author is incredibly creative. She didn't build a fantastical new world, but something intricate and secret that few people know about. The Archive seems simultaneously small and vast. There are endless possibilities, yet only a few. It depends entirely on who you are and what your purpose is within the Archive. It was magnificent.

I had no idea what was going on. I felt just as lost at Mackenzie. Her loss and fear felt like my loss and fear. I cringed when she had to twist her words with her parents, and when she relived painful memories. I felt her determination and endurance. I was Mackenzie Bishop when I read this, and that is powerful and compelling storytelling. I was completely caught up in her story, and I didn't know anything until she did (yay!).

I loved Mackenzie's flashbacks to conversations with her grandfather. They were very insightful and added another layer to the overall story. I also liked all of the secondary characters. A few of them were only mentioned a handful of times, but I felt like they were integral pieces of the puzzle. I knew a lot about them with very little information.

If you've been wanting to read this book, or you've liked any of the author's other books, please don't waste a lot of time like I did. This is not a book that needs to be passed over for something else. It needs to be read and enjoyed.