"WORDS ARE, IN MY NOT-SO-HUMBLE OPINION, OUR MOST INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCE OF MAGIC. CAPABLE OF BOTH INFLICTING INJURY, AND REMEDYING IT." ~ALBUS DUMBLEDORE

Monday, July 16, 2012

Book Rec! THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab (ARC Giveaway)

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive. 
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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.
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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 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 might crumble and fall. 
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In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption. 

Let me just start by saying, I loved Victoria's first YA, The Near Witch. A lot. So I had high expectations going into this one . . .

She did not disappoint.

The Archived has flavors of The Adjustment Bureau (but way darker) and a few from Inception--but at the same time, it's very unique. The world in the book is built seamlessly--and creepily, I might add. There's the Outer, which is the world as we know it, and then the Archive, a place where Histories (aka bodies) are kept, storing the memories of the lives they once lived. But between them, are the Narrows, a buffer between the worlds.

"Close your eyes and picture this: a dark alley, just wide enough for you to spread your arms and skim the rough stone walls on either side with your fingers. You look up and see . . . nothing, just the walls running up and up and up into black. The only light comes from the doors that line the walls, their outlines giving off a faint glow, their keyholes letting in beams of light that show like threads in the dusty air. It is enough light to see by, but not enough to see well." (ARC of The Archived, page 14)

Those, my friends, are the Narrows. And they freaked me the freak out.

The main character, MacKenzie--Mac--is hardcore enough to complete her tasks (which, in case you didn't read the description, are to stop the Histories--so, you know, the bodies of the dead--from waking up and getting out of the Narrows) (creepy, right?) but also vulnerable enough (over the loss of her brother, and the way she feels about her family, and how she reacts to/forms relationships with other characters in the story) so that I could really connect with her while I read.

The Archived isn't scheduled to come out until January 2013, but I couldn't wait that long to share it with you! So I'm giving away my ARC.

To enter:
  • Follow my blog
  • Spread the word about the giveaway (Tweet/facebook/blog/sidebar/whatever you want to do. 1 point for each! 2 for a blog post about it.) 
  • Leave a comment telling me the following three things: 
    • How many points you have, with links to the ways you spread the word 
    • A promise to promote what you loved about the ARC if you win it 
    • Your email address for if you win
  • That's IT!
This giveaway ends Friday, August 17th, and is open internationally!

S

36 comments:

  1. That excerpt is pretty dope. Vivid image, at least.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh I can't wait for this one!!

    Following your blog and tweeted too: https://twitter.com/ChanelleGray/status/224893512930426881

    And I'll always help promote books :)

    chanelle(@)chanellegray(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow you and I re-tweeted your tweet. my twitter handle is peachandblue.
    Of course I woudl promote the book, I have a blog and I post reviews of all the books I read on it.

    peachandblue2(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been really excited about The Archived since I first saw it on Goodreads! I follow your blog via GFC (desiree1612) and email (desiree1612@hotmail.com)
    I tweeted https://twitter.com/Desi_Gay/status/224927644590931970
    and I facebooked http://www.facebook.com/desiree.thompson.1485/posts/328499860570276
    I would of course spread the word of what I loved about your book if I won! My email is desiree1612@hotmail.com
    PS. The cover is beautiful and the synopsis sounds rad! Can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I follow, and, of course, tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/stephandrea_/status/224932993268056064

    I promote the crap out of all the books I love! (And I'm sure I'll love this one :D)

    allens235@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Following you! Love the cover art of Archived and the story idea is really awesome. :D

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/DyadicEchoes/status/224932291712004096
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/map1972/posts/262548880524522

    I guess that gives me: 2 points :D

    I would definitely spread the word! Love supporting fellow authors. :D

    email: apatterson(at)dyadicechoes(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Following, and I RT'ed Victoria's tweet about the giveaway! https://twitter.com/veschwab/status/224931434337546240 (I RT'ed as @LaurenTHCW)

    So I'm not sure if that's 2 entries or one...

    I will also definitely review it on my blog if I win! Thanks for the giveaway!

    thehouseworkcanwait@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would love to win this!

    GFC follower - Taz
    Twitter follower - @star_light91
    I promise to promote what I loved about the book through my GR account :)

    1 point

    tasnim-sheikh AT hotmail DOT com

    Taz xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. I adore this book already, can't wait to read it!!

    I follow via google reader, retweeted Victoria's link about the contest (https://twitter.com/veschwab/status/224931434337546240), facebook (http://www.facebook.com/leigh.caroline.71.. I don't know how to get the link for the actual POST, but I don't post much on there, so you shouldn't have trouble finding it!). so that's 2 points.
    And I review books too, and spread the word of the ones I love.

    leighcaroline1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am GFC follower Jenna (MTGReviews)

    +1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/MTGReviews/status/224929605495164929

    +1 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennadetrapani/posts/124608827681968

    +1 Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/257057091201656844/

    +2 Blog post (scheduled for July 18): http://mtgreviews.com/wow-the-archived/

    I think that is 5 points?

    And of course as a blogger I promise to promote the heck out of this one should I be lucky enough to win. Thansk for this opportunity! ;)

    imakethegrade at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! Thìs is lovely. I shared it on twitter n facebook. Am gonna talk about on my blog www.thepanaceatp.blogspot.com . Stay good.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a follower, so I suppose that's one point. I also made a blog post for it (http://spaceshipkatie.blogspot.com/2012/07/book.html) so there's two. And then a pin (http://pinterest.com/pin/223280093996394830/) And of course I promise to promote the book! =D I'm so thrilled for it!
    And my email: ktbucklein@gmail.com
    So how many does that make? Three? Maybe.

    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a follower, I tweeted, and I facebooked it (although for some reason I can't make the link work). I also included this giveaway in a blog post. I think that's five points, total?

    And, since I've already been gushing about this book in a general "AHHSOUNDSAWESOME" way, I promise to promote this book until I'm blue in the face. Sky blue. Blueberry blue. Marvel frost giant blue. REALLY REALLY BLUE, because that's how much I'm looking forward to this.

    My email is nirnaeth7 @ gmail.com. Thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway! EEK! (Sorry, I'm having a case of Book Excitement)

    ReplyDelete
  14. :OOOOOOO!
    Thank you so much for the chance!!
    GFC: Gisele Alvarado
    - Tweet: https://twitter.com/Gisselle_Alv/status/225265485669875712 (+1)
    - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ileana.alvarado.376/posts/133646870109637 (+1)

    = 2 Points

    I solemnly swear to promote this book! I'm excited to read it! Thsnk youuu!

    ilepachequin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. OH!! that paragraph was great!!
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/LzzMrtnz/status/225387802458718210
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/Liss125/posts/476134649066090
    G+: https://plus.google.com/116042117957503887386/posts/G36EmrqWBPF
    3 points!
    I swear it!! :)
    Thanks for doing it international!! Thank you so much!

    Lissette_125(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I followed through GFC and I Tweeted about it. So I believe I have 1 point.

    My GFC: Michael @ The Bookshelf Review
    https://twitter.com/TheBookshelfRev/status/225450502803034112

    Of course I would promote the book. Can't wait for it. Would read it and review it and tell everyone to read it if I like it.

    Thank you so much for the awesome chance to win this. =]

    My email address: thebookshelfreview@gmail.com

    Thanks again. =]

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ahhh I can't wait for this book!! That excerpt was not enough!!

    I follow with gfc (alicia marie ezell)

    and I tweeted: https://twitter.com/bamayankee/status/225550099240071168

    and facebooked: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.m.ezell/posts/268004146637371

    and google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108646400842605823735/posts/GgwDzCwTvEX

    and pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/192458584046640946/

    and tumblr: http://bamayankee.tumblr.com/post/27476757240/want-to-win-an-arc-of-the-archived-click-on

    Pretty sure that totals 5 points!!

    and I will most definitely show my love for the book : )

    thanks for the awesome giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I follow your blog! Thanks for the chance to win! Looks like something I would like:)
    saltsnmore at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just one point - a tweet ( https://twitter.com/Shelver506/status/225754338998493184 )

    I absolutely promise to hype this book (I've already done a Wishlist Wednesday post on it ( http://shelversanon.blogspot.com/2012/07/wishlist-wednesday-7.html ).

    shelver506 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks so much for this giveaway and making it international! I haven't read anything by Victoria Schwab yet, but The Archived looks incredible!

    I followed GFC: twogirlsandanovel

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/SteelKimberley/status/225754747670495232

    1 point

    I will definitely promote the book if I win.

    email: twogirlsandanovel(at)hotmail(dot)com


    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  21. This sounds really cool! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/Emma015/status/225958568090820611

    GFC follower: Jessy

    2 points
    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    If I like the book I will definitely post about it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. YAY! Thank you so much for this awesome giveaway :D *Fingers crossed.* <3

    Follow your blog via GFC as Carina Olsen. :)
    My tweet: https://twitter.com/CarinaOlsen/status/226617901770231809
    I PROMISE to read and review this book the moment I get it, if I win. And I promise to let everyone know how I feel about it. :) <3
    I have 2 points. I think. ;p

    Love, Carina ~ carina-olsen@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. GFC follower: Marti@SBBCreviews
    tweet: https://twitter.com/SBBCreviews/status/228384941640138752
    post on FB: http://www.facebook.com/martina.koleva.980/posts/243696989084013
    pinned it: http://pinterest.com/pin/261208847108241584/
    that makes 3 points I think.

    And as a blogger I review every book I read and I post in on my blog. If I happen to win this giveaway the review will be posted!

    ReplyDelete
  24. GFC: dani_nguyen
    tweet: https://twitter.com/Dani_Nguyen/status/228486257578221568

    I promise to spread my love for this book after I read it :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow your blog via GFC as Ivya and I have 4 points:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/journalivyacz/statuses/228487892467605504
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivyacz/posts/371758632896934
    Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/72057662758815434/
    Tumblr: http://ivya.tumblr.com/post/28052944305/book-rec-the-archived-by-victoria-schwab-arc

    Of course I'd spread the word! I'm so curious about this book! ^^

    My email: journalivyacz(at)gmail(dot)com ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sounds great.

    blog follower
    tweet - https://twitter.com/DonnaS1/status/228679755141115906
    blog - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2012/07/sara-mcclung-book-rec-archived-by.html
    And I will definitely post about it.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Follow my blog -GFC K8


    How many points you have ONE
    with links to the ways you spread the word
    https://twitter.com/Froze8/status/228949907774529536

    A promise to promote what you loved about the ARC if you win it
    I promise! I'll review and spread the love by telling everyone about it :)

    Your email address for if you win
    kate_reads(at)yahoo.com

    Thank you so much for this!
    -K8
    http://froze8.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. Blog follower: Spav
    +1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/Sparima/status/229601557740658689

    I will share what I loved about the book if I win it.

    spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Follow my blog -
    * GFC: theladyreads
    Spread the word about the giveaway -
    * Twitter - https://twitter.com/theladyreads/status/229770093033312256
    * Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/emily.kaiser.75/posts/114551775357377
    * Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/pin/51369251970468491/
    * tumblr - http://theladyreads.tumblr.com/post/28320011514/i-want-to-win-a-copy-of-the-archived-by-victoria-schwab
    * Blog Sidebar (right sidebar, under the JKS Communications button) - http://edandemreviews.blogspot.com/

    +5 Entries

    I will definitely promote the ARC. There will be a review posted. And I know I'll love it because I've loved Victoria's other works!

    edandemsreviews(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Aww, thank you so much for the awesome giveaway, Sara! I've been in serious lust of this book ever since I saw the gorgeous cover! <3 This book looks soooo good, and the passage about The Narrows? AWEEESOME. <3

    I follow you via GFC: Hilda K
    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/hey__hilda/status/235089062292226048

    And I solemnly swear that I would post a review of this book in my blog, Catch the Lune, if I win! <3

    Total: 2 points

    my_saphira (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) id

    Thanks again, Sara! <3

    ReplyDelete
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