This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 This was a hard review to write. Why? Because it is impossible to do The Archived justice. Victoria Schwab has delivered a truly unique and inspired story. An intriguing mystery, a wealth of metaphysical questions and a heroine that gets under your skin and into your heart. The current state of the YA market (and the book industry in general) is that we see a lot of the same books. A trend catches on and then a million books are published that are in a similar vein to the first few trendsetters. I don't need to give examples here, you all know what I'm talking about. But The Archived is a book with no parallel. I couldn't even put my finger on a genre for it. This, above all other things, has cemented this book in my memory, and gained Victoria Schwab an adoring fan forever. 
 When I first started The Archived I have to admit I had some issues. I felt as though I had been thrown right into the middle of a story and struggled to figure out all the details. There was a lot of information you were expected to piece together for yourself. But once I got oriented the pages started flying by. 
 I don't think I can say it enough, The Archived is an incredibly unique and thrilling read. I have never read a book quite like this one. A library of the dead. Keepers who patrol an in between world called the Narrows. Renegade spirits, scared, lost and sometimes violent. And at the heart of it all an intense and intricately woven mystery that will keep you guessing right until the final scene. I love trying to guess what the big twist will be at the end of a book and this one caught me completely off guard. I had no idea it was coming and I definitely had an "WHA?!" moment when I found out. 
 Beyond the action and the mystery however, there was an emotional element to this novel that just poured off these pages. Mac has lost her brother and her grandfather. Two people who mean the world to her. Her grief is very real and very forward in this story. Just like real life these feelings are at the forefront of all she does and thinks about. My heart ached along with her, when she talked about the people she had lost and how alone would feel. Victoria Schwab captured these emotions is a way that was both honest and heart wrenching. 
 And I can't finish this review with mentioning Wes. Loved, loved, loved Wesley. He was funky and honest and a genuinely good friend. He wasn't too good to be true, he wasn't a cliche, he was just an enjoyable character. He was the type of guy I would want to be friends with. Though I really liked him, we didn't actually learn that much about him so I have my fingers crossed for even more Wesley in I hope we get to learn even more about him and his background in book 2. 
 Recommendation: A book for mystery, paranormal, fantasy, contemporary....This is a book with cross genre appeal for sure so let's just say The Archived is for those who enjoy a well crafted, intriguing story with brilliant characters. Highly recommended.