Tag Archives: the archived

September Favorites

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Each month seems to be going by so quickly!  On to my September favorites!

Book of the Month

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This was my first book written by Victoria Schwab that I’ve read, and I absolutely loved.  I wrote a review here.  I’ve already read two more books by this author.  Reviews coming soon!

Baby

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I think I, unfortunately, passed on my allergies and sinus issues to my son.  These Boogie Wipes

really came in handy this month!

Beauty and Fashion

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On a whim, I found these Garnier Fructis hair masks at Target and decided to try them.  I used it once a week and loved the avocado mask for the frizziness due to the humid weather here in Texas.  I just got the papaya mask to try next.  I can really tell a difference after using it, even into the next day (I don’t wash my hair every day so a product that lasts two days or more is worth talking about!).

Entertainment

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I watched this movie the day after I posted my August Favorites.  And I would have changed it if I could.  I absolutely loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.  It’s about a community, books, and World War II on a little island between England and France in the English channel.  I loved all of the characters, but Amelia was my favorite.  The book is definitely on my Want to Read list now.  Five stars.

What are some favorites you have been enjoying this month?

All disclaimers have now moved to my About Me page.

The Archived: A Review

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The Archived by Victoria Schwab

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first V.E. Schwab book, and I really enjoyed her writing. This particular story is about a girl named Mackenzie who inherits this job from her grandfather as a Keeper. Apparently, when someone dies, a record of them is created in the Archive in the form of a body that looks like what they did before they died. Sometimes these records, or Histories, “wake up” and get lost in the space between the Archive and the Outer (the real world) called the Narrows. So, it’s up to the Keepers to get them back to the Archive. But something is going wrong and a lot of the Histories are mysteriously waking up. So, it’s up to Mackenzie to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.
There are a few triggers. Of course, the story is about people dying, and it opens with Mac’s family moving into a renovated hotel to an apartment complex after her brother dies. It also addresses grief and loss.
The plot is fast moving, and the world is built pretty well. There were definite twists and reveals that I enjoyed. I wasn’t ever sure just where the author would take the story. The chapters are short and the writing enabled it to keep a fast pace.
I really enjoyed Mac’s transformation throughout the book. She goes from an isolated loner to learning how to trust herself and others. Also, her grief transformation is good as well.
There wasn’t any profanity, which was a nice change from the other recent YA novels that I’ve read. I’m not sure if this is normal for her, but it was nice to see.
There are violent components, mentions of blood and several fight scenes in the book since the Histories don’t always go back to the Archive willingly.
There is romance in the book, but it’s mostly kissing. There is a scene with touching, but touch is a theme in the book. Keepers can see the thoughts and memories of a person they touch unless it is a History which gives off nothing but silence.
I’ve already picked up the second book in this series, and I’m excited to get back into the world. I highly recommend this book.