{BookTalk The Archived #1: Victoria Schwab

Rating: 78%

Series: The Archived

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult, Fiction,

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Page Count: 328

Format: eBook

Source: Amazon

The Book Depository | Barnes & Nobles | Goodreads | Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis: The dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead, called 'Histories', rest in 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 tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper is dangerous and a constant reminder of those she lost, Da and her little brother. Mac wonders about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. Yet someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall. 

Disclaimer: At Loving the Language of Literacy, a BookTalk means that there will be clearly marked spoilers interspersed throughout the review.

Would I Buy It?

40%
While I simply adore the cover, I didn't enjoy the book enough to go running out to buy a physical copy (because I read it as an eBook), but if there were a boxed set for purchase when the trilogy is completed, I would jump on a chance to own it. 

Background & Backstory?

There really isn't that much backstory behind my reading this book besides the fact that I was in a slump before I started reading it and am still in a slump afterwards. Don't get me wrong, this was a good novel and any other day, it would have been spectacular. I just keep hitting dud after dud and have yet to find a book that reminds me why I love to read.

What Was My Reaction Upon Finishing?

o_o

Premise/Writing Style | 98% Can we just talk for a few minutes about how amazing the premise of The Archived is? Even though you would have to classify it as urban fantasy genre-wise, it has some of the best, most complicated world building I have read in a long time. Something about Schwab's writing made me feel like I was floating on a cloud of mystery and death... which are two completely opposite things. The Archived just broke down all preconceived notions of mine for what a "paranormal" novel should be and I absolutely respect Victoria for whatever is going on in her brilliant mind.

Romance | 40% This was a complete personal preference issue, but I did not enjoy the romance because of the types of characters the two love interests were (if you have read the book, you'll know what I mean) as well as the fact that there were two love interests. With the kind of writing/story The Archived was, I didn't expect there to be a need for a love triangle.

***Start Spoiler***

Wesley seemed a little like the too-good-to-be-true, snarky, friendly boy-next-door who just happened to be a Keeper too. Of course, I know this is to help with the arc for the rest of the series, but I still dislike him. I also didn't understand the need for involving Owen romantically except for the fact that Mackenzie needed a distraction from the stress of her world, which vaguely reminded my of a paranormal DUFF. I thought it was kind of expected, but simultaneously a good decision that he ended up being a bad guy. The circumstances of them even KNOWING each other, let alone being romantically involved meant that they wouldn't end well.

***End Spoiler***

Pacing | 50% The reason I am in this darn reading slump is because I love my books fast-paced and unfortunately, with books as beautifully crafted and complicated as this one, the pace couldn't be lightning fast. It was extremely stimulating and thought provoking conceptually as events unfolded, but I wasn't able to fly through it.

Dealing With Tough Topics | 80% This is a completely new category in my reviews, but it is high time I had one considering I like reading books that feature them heavily. The premise alone tells you as the reader that you are going to be reading a lot about death. I thought the way Schwab presented death was interesting because of how she incorporated it into the something the reader should care/be aware about as well as part of what her story is relying on. The main character Mackenzie is forced to deal with the loss of her younger brother Ben as well as her grandfather Da. She's in the middle of grieving and Ben's death is the reason her family moved in the first place. Armed with her beautiful prose, Schwab presented grief in a conceivable, yet realistic way.

How Likely Is It That I Will Read Another Book By This Author?

70%
I just put the sequel, The Unbound, on hold for me at the library and have Vicious, which is Victoria's adult fantasy novel in my hands as we speak. I loved the beautiful writing style and want to read everything of hers.... just maybe not at this very moment because of this stupid reading slump.

Conclusion:

{Book Review} The Beginning of Everything: Robyn Schneider

Rating: 86%
Series: None
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Friendship,
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
Page Count: 331
Format: Paperback
Source: Borrowed from a Friend

Barnes & Nobles ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon

Goodreads Synopsis: Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

Fans of a quality, inspirational, feels-filled, humorous, young adult, contemporary romances

Winger (Andrew Smith), The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Sherman Alexie), Two Boys Kissing (David Levithan), These Gentle Wounds (Helen Dunbar), This Song Will Save Your Life (Leila Sales), If I Stay (Gayle Forman), 

Would I Buy It?

100%

It's not even a question of "Will I buy this book or not?" it's merely, "Will I purchase the hardback or paperback editions?" By the end of the year, you will most certainly see TBoE in a book haul. I loved this book so much and the cover, in terms of relevance to the book, is perfection.

Background & Backstory

There are those books that are super-hyped up in the blogging/vlogging/bookish community that the rest of the world hasn't discovered yet. Then there are those books that I see EVERYWHERE around school and every non-reader and their jock best friend has read. (I say that only as a comparison and joke, not a judgement) The Beginning of Everything is the latter, and so many of my non-reader friends had read, recommended, and loved it, that it was only a matter of time until I picked it up.

My fellow student council member lent the book to me, I started reading (and put aside the book I was currently reading, I had anticipated it that much), and veraciously devoured it in 2 days with a TON of homework. 

End of back story.

What Was My Reaction After I Finished This Book?

I go into the book knowing the ending for crying out loud, and I am still THIS emotionally effected? WTF!?! 

Cover 95%: This story could have been written by the crappiest 3rd grade writer and I would have picked it up based on its cover. So it was just a huge bonus that the story it contained was astounding as well. There is a hilarious scene that happens near the beginning of the novel, involving a roller-coaster, that could be what the cover is based off of. Instead, it incapsulates one of the most over-used, yet insightful comparisons ever about life being like a roller-coaster. And if any YA contemporary novel features a protagonist who goes on a roller-coaster, it is Ezra Faulkner.

Romance 55%: One of the most-hyped (that's not actually a phrase) qualities of TBoE is the romance and I have to admit that I was not a huge Cassidy/Ezra shipper. I never got a firm grasp on who Cassidy was and how she effected Ezra so much. Sure, I know what actions were the catalyst for how she "changed" Ezra as a person. Yet, I never knew how. It seems that I missed the "Cassidy Thorpe is one of the best female leads I have read in a long time" boat. Therefore, I missed out on why their love story was so good. IMHO,  their dynamics were better as friends and during the chase before they became a couple.

Writing Style 90%: As readers, we always know of a certain narrator that encompasses everything you ever wanted said by somebody other than yourself. Ezra Faulkner is that person for me. He spoke in such a frank, humorous, and thoughtful way. It was as if everything he said is something I would want in a pretty font and gorgeously edited background so I could pin it on Pinterest. It's not that he was a perfect person or I agreed with all of his decisions. He just had a way with words and a gift for storytelling that made me wish I knew him in real life. (By translation, I'm praising Schneider, because she obviously wrote this, and not Ezra, but she gave him life)

Ending 25%: I don't think I have ever hated an ending more than I loved a book. I also don't know if I have ever had a book spoiled for me and still been extremely emotionally effected. Well guess what, The Beginning of Everything makes history. Yay! *jazz hands* 

How Likely Is It That I Will Re-Read This Book?

80%

Some people go to a Stephanie Perkins book to cheer them up after times of bookish hardship and hangover. Having the weird reading taste that I do, I head towards the emotionally heart-breaking, gut-wrenching reads I'm sure to love. I don't think I have given a book that high or a re-readability percent in a looong time, The Beginning of Everything is on that level of bookish goodness.

How Likely Is It That I Will Read More Books Written By This Author?

40%

Ironically, this percentage is way lower in comparison. It's one of those cases where you have read such near-perfection that the only thing that could top it, IS perfection (impossible to attain with critical readers). I probably would give another one of Robyn's books a shot, but I would be extremely on-edge and judgmental because I don't think I could respect another novel on the same level. But you never know ;) *winky face*

Conclusion: The Beginning of Everything is the kind of book that will tear your heart into shreds and you will like it. The humor, plot, insight, and characters have no competition in the literary world.