Keeper of the Archives

by Lynne Stringer

After their home in Sendirian City burns to cinders, Eden Fittell leaves school and gets a job to try and support her family and keep her alcoholic father away. But the city is being stalked by crime boss Kore Luddan, who is using Izrod, the strongest in his crew of freaks, to kidnap people off the street. Most of them are never seen again, killed or driven mad by Kore’s experiments. Eden manages to get a job in the government’s Archives, taking the place of one of Kore’s victims, but Izrod keeps snatching more government employees. Is Eden safe? And what is Kore planning? Will it mean the end to peace in Sendirian City?

Genres: Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life, beginning with short stories in her primary school days. She began writing professionally as a journalist and was the editor of a small newspaper (later magazine) for seven years, before turning her hand to screenplay writing and novels. Lynne currently works as a professional editor and proofreader. She lives in Australia with her family.

Reviews

[Wendy Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a title I would typically read. The audience it targets is younger than me!
Lynne Stringer is a masterful author and editor. Through some editing work she did for me, I learned of Lynne's extensive knowledge of her craft and her magic way with words.
I read this title because I knew it would be compelling. I was not disappointed. The writing is beautiful, and the pacing is perfect. With minimal words, the author skillfully captures places and feelings, drawing the reader into the story.
The work subtly conveys social messages about poverty, violence and abusive relationships.

[Jeanette Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shown to only shacks as shelter after the building where they lived burnt down, Eden sees no other choice than to try to get a job in the government to get food on the table for her family. In a dystopian world where resourses are scare, it is hard to make ends meet. Especially in the poor sector of Sendirian City.

Working down in the Archives, Eden does her best. It is not the safest of places. Government members have disappeared lately, taken by crime boss Kore’s foot soldier Izrod. Surely, she is safe down in the archives, right?


The story takes a turn for the existing as the story continues. Eden makes new discoveries and allies as she gets help from unexpected places. Will she be able to let some walls down and trust? Can they be trusted?

I liked the way certain topics were addressed in this book. It is not just mentioned once and forgotten.
We get to read how she feels about certain things because of it.

I see an earlier version of myself in her. I get her.
I think this book will really hit home for the age group it is intended. I am not just saying that because I see myself in Eden, though.😉
We have this eerie feeling. What is happening? When will it happen? Who is behind this all?

And what if they can't stop Izrod? Will his crimes be the end of Sendirian City?

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After their home in Sendirian City burns to confers, Eden gets a job working in the governments Archives to try and support her family and keep her alcoholic father away. But the city is being stalked by a crime boss Kore Luddan, who is using others to kidnap people off the street - particularly targeting government employees.
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Wow, what a read - this is a compelling, powerful read. Some themes may be too much for some of the YA audience (abuse / toxic family members), however the sense of social justice and knowing people at their core, and overcoming challenges are the real gems of this book.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous young adult dystopian novel.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Keeper of the Archives, Lynne Stringer leaves the world of Verindon for a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world following a series of world shattering disasters.

When their accommodation block burns down, leaving them homeless, it's just another horrible reality that seventeen year old Eden Fittell has to deal with – her constant reality of living in poverty and in constant threat of an alcoholic and violent father. So Eden jumps at the chance to work in a cushy government job as junior keeper of the archives with the provided accommodation and extra credits to give to her mother and siblings to help them survive. But all around the city and especially in the government sector people are going missing at the hands of a monster and his crime boss master.

When Eden is captured, she discovers that not all is as it seems and that Sendarin City is under serious threat from the crime boss and his associates. The key to who, what, how and when in the Archives. Can she and her unlikely ally save the city? And while doing so, perhaps find love in an unexpected place.

Eden is a closed-in character, determined that the world will not see her hurt and pain, determined to survive and to ensure the safety of her family. I enjoyed how the revelations of the past and the need to step up to save the city, to begin to trust someone, enables Eden to open up and reach for a positive future.

With romance, adventure and a touch of the macabre, Keeper of the Archives keep me engrossed and engaged. I'm looking forward to reading more stories from this world.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her home burns down, Eden Fittell applies for a job in the government archives. "Ah, one of the famous Fittells," says Derek her guide as he shows her to her interview. She thinks it's a joke - but Derek knows something about her father's background that takes her a very long time to discover.

He's alcoholic and abusive and seems always able to persuade her mother to enable him through co-dependent behaviour. Eden is determined to get away from both his hated blandishments and his violence and to support her family into better circumstances.

The vacancy in the archives has arisen because the crime boss Kore Luddan is using the surgically modified human, the freakish Izrod, to snatch government employees. Eden is careful but not enough. Taken by Izrod, experimented on by Kore with a novel drug, she discovers that she can look at people and sense whether they are trustworthy or treacherous. At first she discounts the ability because Izrod emanates nobility, integrity, power and goodness. When Kore asks if she feels different, she denies any change. But Izrod isn't the monster he is rumoured to be. His name is Leon and he was one of Kore's early experiments. And he's working to bring down the ruinous powers seeking to take over the city.

Because Kore isn't the mastermind behind the rising darkness.

[R. Busby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edith Fittell lives in abject poverty, with her mother and younger siblings in a global post war world. The fragile society they inhabit is hanging by a thread. They spend everyday trying to eke out a meager living, and in fear of her drunken, abusive father finding them. The city is being terrorized by a deranged scientist and his terrifying creation Kore, who kidnaps members of the population for his Master's experiments.
When their apartment building burns down, Eden and her family are relocated to an even worse residence. However, managing to procure a job in the government archives means that Eden will be able to help her family but it comes at a cost . . .
Keeper of the Archives is full of twists and turns, with a sinister edge. it holds the readers interest up to the very last page.

[Adam Collings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book very effectively explored the idea of a family terrorised by an alcoholic father. I wouldn't call this overly edgy and the book is well suited for teens, as a YA book, but it doesn't shy away from showing darkness. I was riveted by the tension between Eden and her family with Eden's estranged father.

In an effort to provide for her mum and siblings, she gets herself a job - in a futuristic library. As book lovers, I'm sure we've all had that fantasy.

Keeper of the Archives is well paced and full of tension and suspense as Eden becomes involved in a criminal plot, and the mysterious villain Izrod, but is there more to him?

The book explores a very interesting "super power" as Eden gains a rather unique ability that I don't think I've seen explored in any other story.

I would recommend Keeper of the Archives as a YA sci-fi with some real character depth.

[Wayne Mullane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeper of the Archives is a gripping read. It tells the story of Eden, who battles personal demons and a corrupt government official. This is a tale of resilience and strength against terrible odds.

Eden's journey is powerful, showing how fortitude can overcome domestic abuse. The book also follows Leon who finds redemption. Together, they fight against the forces of evil. It's a reminder that even good people face tough choices in difficult situations.

Stringer's writing is clear and distinctive, addressing difficult themes with depth. The world-building is excellent, and the characters are well-developed. This novel teaches life lessons through a compelling story. Friendship and loyalty play a vital role. It shows how love and family can guide us.

This book is a fantastic read for fans of dystopian fiction. It's a story of hope, courage and the power of human spirit.👍✨

[Belinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t normally read YA as I find the YA level of fantasy trite and ‘young love’ nauseating but this was quite good. Very well paced plotting that kept the momentum up. Likeable lead. Just enough touch of fantasy to keep it interesting. Grappling with a very real world problem of alcoholism in the dystopian Sindaria, I feel there are alot of room for sequels or prequels. My 11 year old son is half way through and hasn’t lost interest. I’d probably recommend and I’d be interested to read her other YA series.

[Violet Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Keeper of the Archives was an easy and enjoyable read. The futuristic style city trying to rebuild after a prior conflict made for a fantastic setting. I thought the devision of the city by class added a lot to the story too. The themes of domestic abuse and addiction were handled well and respectfully. All the relationships between characters felt real and genuine. The best part for me was that the author kept me guessing right until the end. Nothing was ever predictable and I loved it.

[Rebekah Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more and more as I got into it. The central premise was a really fascinating 'what if?' and the story told with it worked very, very well. I loved the setting, the turns it took, the characters, the ending.

This is the sixth book of Lynne Stringer's that I've read, and it did not disappoint. She is a master of realistic character portraits, emotional process, and plausible plot development. Full immersion and full marks.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is solidly in the YA genre so I’m not in the intended age range, but it was an enjoyable easygoing read with a good pace.

[Adele Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very different to other titles I've read by this author. Set in a dystopian world, we meet Eden Fittell in the midst of confusion, smothered in smoke as flames consume her family's home. Provision for her now slum-living family forces Eden's hand to leave school and take employment as a Junior Archive Keeper. Soon it is clear Eden's greater challenge is in the form of her drunken and abusive father, whose behaviour has seen her retreat into an impenetrable emotional shell, for which he calls her "a rock". For this reason Eden's character remains somewhat inaccessible at times, even as the story develops and the threat from Frankenstein-esque monster, Izrod (Leon), created by psychopathic "inventor" and human experimenter, Kore, unfurls. (As a reader I did find this element, although clearly intentional, at times created a distance in the emotional payload of Eden's character.) Unfortunately for Eden, this "rockness" and emotional detachment attracts the attention of the mad inventor, who desires to test his latest potion on her, bestowing the capacity to see to the true nature of a person. Confusingly for Eden, this also means she sees the good in the city's notorious "monster". Torn between hard learnt experience and her new capacity, Eden finds herself increasingly drawn to Leon and overtly aware of strange meetings occurring in her place of employment, where those who seemed previously trustworthy are revealed as the true criminals. As she pieces together their evil intent, the greatest challenge will be discovering how their plans will be rolled out - a plan that leads back to her much despised father. With risks at every turn and carefully laid clues and twists, Stringer sets the stage for a showdown between good and evil, with a wide gray line hazing what side each character is on. Can Eden work it out before it's too late for Sendirian City and her loved ones within its boundaries?