"Because the only way to truly record a person is not in words, not in still frames, but in bone and skin and memory." 
 This book honestly creeps me out, it feels like the author was using some dark magic to keep the readers captivated. I usually finish a novel as short as this in just one sitting but it oddly took me days to finish The Archived it's like the story itself wants to be savoured, not rushed, not overlooked. 
 It's hard to find the accurate word to describe 
 Victoria Schwab's 
 writing style but I think I'll go with 
 timeless 
 , every single page is equivalent to ten. Every scenes were full of happenings that even if the character was just sitting there and talking you know that something fundamental to the story was being unraveled. You never get bored but you weirdly felt tired it's like all the things that the protagonists has been doing were catching up to you so you have no choice but to stop and continue when you're fresh enough to read again. Never have I ever read a book like this and it's unnerving because it feels like the book itself was in control of your pacing as a reader. You cannot skim the pages because it feels like a sin, you cannot skip lines because you will miss something important which was why the writing is terrifying and exciting (mostly exciting) at the same time. 
 The only problem I had with this novel was the beginning, I was confused about who Da is and on how the Archived works but I gradually grasp the notion as I continue head on. I loved that the main character was flawed but still lovable. 
 The concept of the story was one of the most original concepts I've ever seen. The idea that dead people were kept and cataloged like books was so pioneer that I loved it the instant I heard about it. 
 The thing that I always look forward when reading an interesting book is theorizing, and I was a little disappointed when I busted who the real villains are before they even revealed themselves (I knew it, the moment they were introduced to Mac) and that's the reason why I did not give this book a five star rating. I worship a book that surprises me. Lol 
 I'm looking forward to reading more of Victoria Schwab's writing. Definitely a must read novel. 
 4.5 stars