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The Archivist
Death is not the end.
There is no God waiting for you in paradise. No afterlife where friendships severed by death are reformed and families reunited. There is only the Aether, a dimension of insatiable hunger that will possess you no matter the life you led.
Yet there is hope for a lucky few. Archivists, existing between the world of the living and the world of the dead, can offer salvation… for a price. Taking your essence in the final moments before death, they become your afterlife, allowing you to speak with those who remain.
When the last archivist is tricked into murder by troubled teenager, Sun-young Kang, he finds himself the centre of a suicidal cult that die at his feet. But there is more to these deaths than the Archivist realises. Someone is coming for him.
The Archivist may be the closest thing to a god that walks the Earth, but is that enough to keep those he cares about safe?
The Archivist is an incredibly rich novel with a truly original concept. It is cinematic in its scope and details the haunting, but also beautiful, gift an archivist could offer a person in their final moments.
Advanced Praise
‘A wonderfully original paranormal mystery/thriller packed full of suspense. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
"I loved the idea and the execution of this book. I adored the relationship that developed between the Archivist and Sun-yung, a foul-mouthed but lovable troubled teen .... a brilliant dark fantasy novel that would appeal to a wide range of readers, and it is a story I hope continues into another book and I wait for [it] with baited breath." LoveReading
Trigger warning
The Archivist is a New Adult novel about death and contains scenes of attempted sexual abuse, detailed descriptions of suicide and graphic depictions of injury. There is also quite a lot of swearing.
There is no God waiting for you in paradise. No afterlife where friendships severed by death are reformed and families reunited. There is only the Aether, a dimension of insatiable hunger that will possess you no matter the life you led.
Yet there is hope for a lucky few. Archivists, existing between the world of the living and the world of the dead, can offer salvation… for a price. Taking your essence in the final moments before death, they become your afterlife, allowing you to speak with those who remain.
When the last archivist is tricked into murder by troubled teenager, Sun-young Kang, he finds himself the centre of a suicidal cult that die at his feet. But there is more to these deaths than the Archivist realises. Someone is coming for him.
The Archivist may be the closest thing to a god that walks the Earth, but is that enough to keep those he cares about safe?
The Archivist is an incredibly rich novel with a truly original concept. It is cinematic in its scope and details the haunting, but also beautiful, gift an archivist could offer a person in their final moments.
Advanced Praise
‘A wonderfully original paranormal mystery/thriller packed full of suspense. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
"I loved the idea and the execution of this book. I adored the relationship that developed between the Archivist and Sun-yung, a foul-mouthed but lovable troubled teen .... a brilliant dark fantasy novel that would appeal to a wide range of readers, and it is a story I hope continues into another book and I wait for [it] with baited breath." LoveReading
Trigger warning
The Archivist is a New Adult novel about death and contains scenes of attempted sexual abuse, detailed descriptions of suicide and graphic depictions of injury. There is also quite a lot of swearing.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2022
18 people are currently reading
2022 people want to read
About the author
V.S. Nelson
3 books56 followersV S Nelson writes unconventional middle grade and young adult fantasy, science fiction and supernatural stories for readers who enjoy something a little strange.
His first story was The Keeper of Portals, a middle grade fantasy/sci-fi with plenty of portal jumping and time slipping. His second story, The Archivist, is a young adult dark fantasy all about death and what happens after. His most recent story is The Girl Who Sold Time, a middle grade science fiction adventure about friendship, discovery and finding your place in the universe.
V S Nelson loves big ideas, fantastical concepts and stories that unsettle the reader and set them thinking about something new.
V S Nelson lives in Winchester with his wife, two children and two cats. When not writing, he's either working as a scientist, out somewhere with explorer scouts or building Lego.
His first story was The Keeper of Portals, a middle grade fantasy/sci-fi with plenty of portal jumping and time slipping. His second story, The Archivist, is a young adult dark fantasy all about death and what happens after. His most recent story is The Girl Who Sold Time, a middle grade science fiction adventure about friendship, discovery and finding your place in the universe.
V S Nelson loves big ideas, fantastical concepts and stories that unsettle the reader and set them thinking about something new.
V S Nelson lives in Winchester with his wife, two children and two cats. When not writing, he's either working as a scientist, out somewhere with explorer scouts or building Lego.
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October 25, 2024dnf.
April 24, 2023
**Thank you goodreads and the author/publisher for free copy**
Firstly, the concept has been refreshingly different. The pleasure in this book was the discovery, the understanding of how death works and how there are other possible endings to the grand end. No spoilers but if you want to feel a new death this is a book for you!
Where I had an issue was that the two main characters did have a very similar personality and if the chapter didn't start with telling me whose point of view I was with I would have a hard time differentiating the two.
Overall a solid 4 star read!
Firstly, the concept has been refreshingly different. The pleasure in this book was the discovery, the understanding of how death works and how there are other possible endings to the grand end. No spoilers but if you want to feel a new death this is a book for you!
Where I had an issue was that the two main characters did have a very similar personality and if the chapter didn't start with telling me whose point of view I was with I would have a hard time differentiating the two.
Overall a solid 4 star read!
June 29, 2022
Book review time! I decided to try something a little different. It’s kind of dark fantasy meets mystery/thriller. It was a last minute pick from the “read now” selection because I forgot to request something earlier. But it sounded like something I would enjoy. The Archivist by V.S. Nelson was released yesterday (the 28th) from Matador Books. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s get to it!
The Archivist follows Sun as she tries to free her and her sister Laure from an abusive father figure. To do this, she enlists the help of a young man simply known as the Archivist. He has special abilities that allow him to save the essence of people who are dying among other things he hasn’t discovered yet. Unfortunately, the trio end up in the snare of someone who lures him in by stealing the essences of suicidal teenage girls.
The story started out really strong. The pacing was tight and the plot was interesting, but when the climax showed up and there were only like 15 pages left, my heart sank. There was no way to wrap up all the loose ends for a strong finish in that limited of a space. But I kept reading. Only to be proven right. There’s zero satisfaction at the end, but it doesn’t feel like a cliffhanger where you know a second book is coming. It’s just a let down. I know… not every story gets a happy ending. I’m fine with that. But even the unhappy endings need to feel satisfying, like an appropriate stopping point has been reached. This one just felt like it didn’t really know where it was going, so everything kind of fell apart. I’m hoping for some kind of follow up (maybe a short story or novella) to wrap things up, but I doubt it’ll happen.
The characters were great. Sun was strong and caring despite everything she had been through. Laure needed more page time, especially for her big reveal. It wasn’t as woven into the story as it should’ve been, so it feels like it comes from nowhere. Plus, I liked her more than Sun and wanted to get to know her better. But my favorite was the Archivist. Poor dude doesn’t even get a name. And he was never really taught how to be a normal human being. Instead, he’s basically a freak that people avoid because they don’t understand him. And he’s mostly okay with that. The rest of the characters were a little flat. There were too many of them in a relatively short book. And so many weren’t even introduced until later. There was no room to flesh them out.
There was a dual POV in this book. It switched between the Archivist and Sun each chapter. But the narrative voice didn’t actually change much between them. Everything read as detached and matter-of-fact. It was an interesting choice since most thrillers tend to have an excitable, compelling voice that drags the reader forward. Personally, I liked the tone of this book. It was different, but it fit the Archivist’s personality. Sun’s sections could have been a bit more lively and desperate to match her personality though.
The writing was good. Everything flowed really well up until the last two chapters, when everything kind of imploded. It was a pretty quick read actually.
Ultimately, I liked The Archivist, but I felt it could’ve used some work, especially around the ending. It just needed some fleshing out. If there’s a follow up, I’ll probably check it out, but I don’t think I’ll actively go looking for other books by Nelson.
Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. If it sounds like something you would love, pick it up. But otherwise, you’re not missing much.
The Archivist follows Sun as she tries to free her and her sister Laure from an abusive father figure. To do this, she enlists the help of a young man simply known as the Archivist. He has special abilities that allow him to save the essence of people who are dying among other things he hasn’t discovered yet. Unfortunately, the trio end up in the snare of someone who lures him in by stealing the essences of suicidal teenage girls.
The story started out really strong. The pacing was tight and the plot was interesting, but when the climax showed up and there were only like 15 pages left, my heart sank. There was no way to wrap up all the loose ends for a strong finish in that limited of a space. But I kept reading. Only to be proven right. There’s zero satisfaction at the end, but it doesn’t feel like a cliffhanger where you know a second book is coming. It’s just a let down. I know… not every story gets a happy ending. I’m fine with that. But even the unhappy endings need to feel satisfying, like an appropriate stopping point has been reached. This one just felt like it didn’t really know where it was going, so everything kind of fell apart. I’m hoping for some kind of follow up (maybe a short story or novella) to wrap things up, but I doubt it’ll happen.
The characters were great. Sun was strong and caring despite everything she had been through. Laure needed more page time, especially for her big reveal. It wasn’t as woven into the story as it should’ve been, so it feels like it comes from nowhere. Plus, I liked her more than Sun and wanted to get to know her better. But my favorite was the Archivist. Poor dude doesn’t even get a name. And he was never really taught how to be a normal human being. Instead, he’s basically a freak that people avoid because they don’t understand him. And he’s mostly okay with that. The rest of the characters were a little flat. There were too many of them in a relatively short book. And so many weren’t even introduced until later. There was no room to flesh them out.
There was a dual POV in this book. It switched between the Archivist and Sun each chapter. But the narrative voice didn’t actually change much between them. Everything read as detached and matter-of-fact. It was an interesting choice since most thrillers tend to have an excitable, compelling voice that drags the reader forward. Personally, I liked the tone of this book. It was different, but it fit the Archivist’s personality. Sun’s sections could have been a bit more lively and desperate to match her personality though.
The writing was good. Everything flowed really well up until the last two chapters, when everything kind of imploded. It was a pretty quick read actually.
Ultimately, I liked The Archivist, but I felt it could’ve used some work, especially around the ending. It just needed some fleshing out. If there’s a follow up, I’ll probably check it out, but I don’t think I’ll actively go looking for other books by Nelson.
Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. If it sounds like something you would love, pick it up. But otherwise, you’re not missing much.
June 5, 2022
What if you knew that death was not the end? That there was no afterlife, only the Aether, which hungers to possess your essence when you pass. You won’t be reunited with lost families, friends, pets. Just the all consuming Aether. No God, Allah, Yahweh, Brahman, or whoever you may believe in.
Yet, if you are lucky, and more importantly, wealthy, you may come across an Archivist. An archivist is traditionally a person trained in preserving historic material for future generations to access. However, these particular Archivists offer a link to the afterlife. They can capture your essence in the moments before your death, plucking it from the grasp of the Aether. This allows you to speak with your loved ones who remain. A loving lifeline, preserving you in life after death.
Sun-Young Kang crosses paths with an Archivist, and both of their lives are drastically changed. Sun-Young realises she has a lot more in life than she realised. The Archivist has kept from forming bonds with people, or caring about their problems. He does a job he is paid to do. When he finds he is getting emotionally invested in his new friends lives, and just how deep the connection goes, he wonders just how far he will go to save his friends? And who wants so many people dead? More to the point - why does it feel so personal?
This was one of the most original stories I have read in a long time. Dealing with life after death in a wonderfully original way. It explores the concept of what exactly would you do if you could cling on longer after death. What would be most valuable to you, and what would you hold on to the longest? How much is it worth? The Archivist is a fantastic character, flawed, vulnerable, cold, uncaring, yet fiercely protective of those he does let in. The plot of the story does stretch in some places, but when we look at what the Archivist is, I think you just have to roll with it. You will be engaged from the start, racing to find out what happens, yet not wanting it to end. Overall an absolutely engaging read, gripping from the start, and left me wanting more of this wildly weird, original world that VS Nelson has created.
Yet, if you are lucky, and more importantly, wealthy, you may come across an Archivist. An archivist is traditionally a person trained in preserving historic material for future generations to access. However, these particular Archivists offer a link to the afterlife. They can capture your essence in the moments before your death, plucking it from the grasp of the Aether. This allows you to speak with your loved ones who remain. A loving lifeline, preserving you in life after death.
Sun-Young Kang crosses paths with an Archivist, and both of their lives are drastically changed. Sun-Young realises she has a lot more in life than she realised. The Archivist has kept from forming bonds with people, or caring about their problems. He does a job he is paid to do. When he finds he is getting emotionally invested in his new friends lives, and just how deep the connection goes, he wonders just how far he will go to save his friends? And who wants so many people dead? More to the point - why does it feel so personal?
This was one of the most original stories I have read in a long time. Dealing with life after death in a wonderfully original way. It explores the concept of what exactly would you do if you could cling on longer after death. What would be most valuable to you, and what would you hold on to the longest? How much is it worth? The Archivist is a fantastic character, flawed, vulnerable, cold, uncaring, yet fiercely protective of those he does let in. The plot of the story does stretch in some places, but when we look at what the Archivist is, I think you just have to roll with it. You will be engaged from the start, racing to find out what happens, yet not wanting it to end. Overall an absolutely engaging read, gripping from the start, and left me wanting more of this wildly weird, original world that VS Nelson has created.
September 4, 2022
This story is an elegantly written paranormal thriller. The originality of the plot and characters is bewitching. I enjoyed being in this fantasy world, the author brings these characters to life beautifully. This was an excellent story.
May 23, 2022
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
23rd May 2022
TITLE: The Archivist
AUTHOR: V S Nelson
Star Rating: 5
CATCHY QUOTE
‘A wonderfully original paranormal mystery/thriller packed full of suspense. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I do enjoy a good paranormal thriller. I like them fast-paced, populated by strong, interesting characters, and, of course, it must have a twisting plot and a killer of an ending. I’m delighted to say The Archivist by V S Nelson ticked every box.
So let's begin by telling you what an Archivist is. Trust me, it's important - and a little complicated! Basically, an Archivist is an angel (of sorts) who can gather up the essence of a dying person, tethering them to the physical world. And it is this Archivist who is the protagonist of the story. In a nutshell, with a little help from Sun, a challenged 17-year-old, he must unravel a mystery concerning the deaths of a number of schoolgirls.
What follows is a pacey thriller with a very ´unworldly´ feel to it. Packed full of twists and turns, there´s plenty happening here to keep any paranormal fan turning the page. Personally, I enjoyed the last third of the story the most. It is by far the most intense, galloping along at speed.
In terms of the writing style, there's a good balance of descriptive prose and speech. The author keeps the focus on the plot, keeps things moving and, most importantly, keeps surprising the reader whenever she can. The first chapter is particularly well-crafted, the author not falling into the trap of telling´ us what an Archivist is, but ´showing´ us. In fact, the first chapter is so good, I challenge anybody to read it and not want to keep going!
To sum up, I would recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys paranormal thrillers populated with strong, memorable characters. It´s always fun to find a new author to enjoy. I think I just did!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
23rd May 2022
TITLE: The Archivist
AUTHOR: V S Nelson
Star Rating: 5
CATCHY QUOTE
‘A wonderfully original paranormal mystery/thriller packed full of suspense. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I do enjoy a good paranormal thriller. I like them fast-paced, populated by strong, interesting characters, and, of course, it must have a twisting plot and a killer of an ending. I’m delighted to say The Archivist by V S Nelson ticked every box.
So let's begin by telling you what an Archivist is. Trust me, it's important - and a little complicated! Basically, an Archivist is an angel (of sorts) who can gather up the essence of a dying person, tethering them to the physical world. And it is this Archivist who is the protagonist of the story. In a nutshell, with a little help from Sun, a challenged 17-year-old, he must unravel a mystery concerning the deaths of a number of schoolgirls.
What follows is a pacey thriller with a very ´unworldly´ feel to it. Packed full of twists and turns, there´s plenty happening here to keep any paranormal fan turning the page. Personally, I enjoyed the last third of the story the most. It is by far the most intense, galloping along at speed.
In terms of the writing style, there's a good balance of descriptive prose and speech. The author keeps the focus on the plot, keeps things moving and, most importantly, keeps surprising the reader whenever she can. The first chapter is particularly well-crafted, the author not falling into the trap of telling´ us what an Archivist is, but ´showing´ us. In fact, the first chapter is so good, I challenge anybody to read it and not want to keep going!
To sum up, I would recommend this novel to anybody who enjoys paranormal thrillers populated with strong, memorable characters. It´s always fun to find a new author to enjoy. I think I just did!
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
July 27, 2022
May the Aether be merciful.
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.
This book broke my heart! Squeezed it so damn hard it shattered to pieces and got pulled into the Aether, where nothing but hunger and death resides. Oh. My. God - I mean Archivist - as clearly God does not exist in the V.S. Nelson’s created world, but an Archivist does. With a godlike ability he can possess souls, granting them life after death while possessing their essence. He almost pulled me in, too, with his calm confidence and ethereal vibe.
I absolutely loved this book, from the characters to the plotline to every single printed word on the pages that was executed to perfection, reeling me in, twisting my heart strings, playing tricks on my mind and gripping my very existence.
This incredible story was dark with death in the form of suicides and murder woven deeply into the very core of it. Sun-young’s personal trauma with a man playing at being her guardian drives the plotline from one side, while the Archivist’s loneliness and desperation pull it together into a beautiful string of facets - a memory, a piece of the author’s soul that has been left on the pages. The forming relationship between the two characters is breathtaking in its tentative affection and I partly wish it had grown into something more, seen the connection they shared that ran deeper than words can describe in more debt. The subtle dance around their feelings lured me in as much as the investigation of deaths they were part of. I loved them both deeply by the end of the book and IT BROKE MY HEART!
I will not leave any spoilers. Just know, this book is a must read. It is a beautiful masterpiece and I fervently recommend it to anyone brave enough to put their own heart on the line. I wish it had never ended while I also wish it hadn’t ended the way it did. But I have no control over this creation just like nobody is truly in control of their existence.
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would.
This book broke my heart! Squeezed it so damn hard it shattered to pieces and got pulled into the Aether, where nothing but hunger and death resides. Oh. My. God - I mean Archivist - as clearly God does not exist in the V.S. Nelson’s created world, but an Archivist does. With a godlike ability he can possess souls, granting them life after death while possessing their essence. He almost pulled me in, too, with his calm confidence and ethereal vibe.
I absolutely loved this book, from the characters to the plotline to every single printed word on the pages that was executed to perfection, reeling me in, twisting my heart strings, playing tricks on my mind and gripping my very existence.
This incredible story was dark with death in the form of suicides and murder woven deeply into the very core of it. Sun-young’s personal trauma with a man playing at being her guardian drives the plotline from one side, while the Archivist’s loneliness and desperation pull it together into a beautiful string of facets - a memory, a piece of the author’s soul that has been left on the pages. The forming relationship between the two characters is breathtaking in its tentative affection and I partly wish it had grown into something more, seen the connection they shared that ran deeper than words can describe in more debt. The subtle dance around their feelings lured me in as much as the investigation of deaths they were part of. I loved them both deeply by the end of the book and IT BROKE MY HEART!
I will not leave any spoilers. Just know, this book is a must read. It is a beautiful masterpiece and I fervently recommend it to anyone brave enough to put their own heart on the line. I wish it had never ended while I also wish it hadn’t ended the way it did. But I have no control over this creation just like nobody is truly in control of their existence.
July 7, 2022
In exchange for an honest review, this ARC was provided to me by NetGalley.
"A soul implies something that is indivisible, a single entity that represents every part of a person. What we have inside us are essences composed of facets. Each facet is a unique aspect of the person: a memory, a feeling, a response, a trait. Facets appear when a person grows, either as they forget the memories or as their character changes with age. You are not one thins, you are many; constantly evolving and growing and dying."
In this world, we may not know if gods exist but we do know that Archivists exist, the closest physical manifestation to a god that walks the Earth. There is no afterworld, just Aether, an all consuming realm of nothing. Archivists take the essence of those dying and preserve them into their being, an act that allows the Archivist to access that individual at will into the corporal world.
To begin, we are introduced to Sun-Young Kang, a teenager who desperately wants to protect her sister Laure from the predatory ways of their guardian. Meeting the Archivist, she sees her opportunity. After tricking the Archivist into murder, both are ensnared into a whirlwind mystery of what seems to be a suicide cult of teenage girls,
Very fast paced, this book makes for a quick read that is difficult to put down. The only downside, the climax is rushed and does not quite tie up the loose ends.
As a half-Korean reader, I had the very interesting and pleasant perspective of have Sun-Young to identify with. Personally, it would have been nice to have a bit more of a cultural connection with her, other than appearance; as it is not often I get to see halfies portrayed in media. However, I know this was not integral to the plot and am still satisfied with the character.
"A soul implies something that is indivisible, a single entity that represents every part of a person. What we have inside us are essences composed of facets. Each facet is a unique aspect of the person: a memory, a feeling, a response, a trait. Facets appear when a person grows, either as they forget the memories or as their character changes with age. You are not one thins, you are many; constantly evolving and growing and dying."
In this world, we may not know if gods exist but we do know that Archivists exist, the closest physical manifestation to a god that walks the Earth. There is no afterworld, just Aether, an all consuming realm of nothing. Archivists take the essence of those dying and preserve them into their being, an act that allows the Archivist to access that individual at will into the corporal world.
To begin, we are introduced to Sun-Young Kang, a teenager who desperately wants to protect her sister Laure from the predatory ways of their guardian. Meeting the Archivist, she sees her opportunity. After tricking the Archivist into murder, both are ensnared into a whirlwind mystery of what seems to be a suicide cult of teenage girls,
Very fast paced, this book makes for a quick read that is difficult to put down. The only downside, the climax is rushed and does not quite tie up the loose ends.
As a half-Korean reader, I had the very interesting and pleasant perspective of have Sun-Young to identify with. Personally, it would have been nice to have a bit more of a cultural connection with her, other than appearance; as it is not often I get to see halfies portrayed in media. However, I know this was not integral to the plot and am still satisfied with the character.
June 29, 2022
Who doesn’t want to cheat death? Especially when you know there’s no afterlife or heaven waiting for you, just a hellish Aether- a dimension with all-consuming hunger. Along with being a paranormal thriller, The Archivist deals with various profound themes. Whose life is worth saving and whose is not? To what extent would you go to NOT die? And is someone who controls death – God? Usually, you see such stories being told from the perspective of a protagonist who encounters such a being and then is taken along on the journey. But with The Archivist being the narrator, it was all the more exciting to read. Let’s just say it was much more entertaining than I was expecting it to be with fresh ideas and a unique way of storytelling. I like Sun’s character too but The Archivist was more overpowering than everything else. The world that the author has created paves way for many other exciting stories but with this book, the prose, the dialogues, the plot – everything was entertaining. I read the book cover to cover within a day and there wasn’t a slow chapter anywhere. It had action, yet self-reflection, a cult, death, life, afterlife – all kinds of themes just swirling around in the perfect mix. An original storyline with raw, flawed and vulnerable characters that you can’t help but cheer for!
The Archivist tries to be cold and detached, which his job demands but can’t help but fall vulnerable after meeting with Sun. That character growth was visible towards the end. I’d recommend this book to everyone!
The Archivist tries to be cold and detached, which his job demands but can’t help but fall vulnerable after meeting with Sun. That character growth was visible towards the end. I’d recommend this book to everyone!
June 28, 2022
The Review
This was such a brilliant and unique read. The author did an incredible job of crafting a mythos and world that felt both alive and new in its identity. The emotional depth of the narrative was greatly felt, as readers felt the character’s struggles with loss and the concept of death and the afterlife as a whole. The heavy atmosphere and tension that came with that reality were both relatable and original in their delivery.
The character arcs of this narrative and how they played into the evolving mythos surrounding the Aether and the Archivists were incredible to watch. The complexity of the Archivist itself and how it holds so many other essences within itself while maintaining some sort of autonomy was so thought-provoking and unique. Yet it was the emotional toll of the families and those living within the Archivist in death that really drove the heart of this narrative home.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, engaging, and thoughtful, author V.S. Nelson’s “The Archivist” is a must-read novel o 2022. The growing mythology of the Aether and the Archivists was so creative and unique in its development, and the imagery the author used in their writing was both beautiful and chilling, depending on the moment in the book the reader was reading.
This was such a brilliant and unique read. The author did an incredible job of crafting a mythos and world that felt both alive and new in its identity. The emotional depth of the narrative was greatly felt, as readers felt the character’s struggles with loss and the concept of death and the afterlife as a whole. The heavy atmosphere and tension that came with that reality were both relatable and original in their delivery.
The character arcs of this narrative and how they played into the evolving mythos surrounding the Aether and the Archivists were incredible to watch. The complexity of the Archivist itself and how it holds so many other essences within itself while maintaining some sort of autonomy was so thought-provoking and unique. Yet it was the emotional toll of the families and those living within the Archivist in death that really drove the heart of this narrative home.
The Verdict
Heartfelt, engaging, and thoughtful, author V.S. Nelson’s “The Archivist” is a must-read novel o 2022. The growing mythology of the Aether and the Archivists was so creative and unique in its development, and the imagery the author used in their writing was both beautiful and chilling, depending on the moment in the book the reader was reading.
September 16, 2024
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Trigger Warnings for book: Adult language, attempted rape, pedophilia, suicide, blood and gore.
The Archivist is a book about death, longing, and moving on from what we’ve lost. I’ll admit that it’s been about a week since I finished this book and I still am not entirely sure how I feel… Was it a happy ending? A sad ending? I don’t know! I have to sit with it some more. I have a feeling I’ll be contemplating this book for the next long while. Years, likely.
So, besides this book entirely swirling my emotions around and leaving me in complete disarray, it also did an amazing job at hooking me immediately. The premise is one that I’ve never heard of, nor would ever have dreamed of. Having Archivists that can take your essence and store what makes me me inside of them so I can “live” on after I die? And those same archivists are just born from regular people, then grow up and no one can remember what they look like? Definitely explains the cover–which, by the way, is beautiful. That cover is a work of art. The colors are exquisite.
Emotional damage, check. Grabbing my attention, check. Lovable characters? Also check. There are dual POVs that tell us this story, and I actually really enjoyed that we got to see both. It helped me attach myself to the characters more and I did in fact come to love them, despite the Archivist’s standoffish behavior. Be prepared, though, there are some unsavory things in this novel. Please read the trigger warnings–I left more specific ones on The Story Graph just in case.
Overall, this book was a great experience. Very unique, very… philosophical, in its own way. It definitely left me thinking.
Trigger Warnings for book: Adult language, attempted rape, pedophilia, suicide, blood and gore.
The Archivist is a book about death, longing, and moving on from what we’ve lost. I’ll admit that it’s been about a week since I finished this book and I still am not entirely sure how I feel… Was it a happy ending? A sad ending? I don’t know! I have to sit with it some more. I have a feeling I’ll be contemplating this book for the next long while. Years, likely.
So, besides this book entirely swirling my emotions around and leaving me in complete disarray, it also did an amazing job at hooking me immediately. The premise is one that I’ve never heard of, nor would ever have dreamed of. Having Archivists that can take your essence and store what makes me me inside of them so I can “live” on after I die? And those same archivists are just born from regular people, then grow up and no one can remember what they look like? Definitely explains the cover–which, by the way, is beautiful. That cover is a work of art. The colors are exquisite.
Emotional damage, check. Grabbing my attention, check. Lovable characters? Also check. There are dual POVs that tell us this story, and I actually really enjoyed that we got to see both. It helped me attach myself to the characters more and I did in fact come to love them, despite the Archivist’s standoffish behavior. Be prepared, though, there are some unsavory things in this novel. Please read the trigger warnings–I left more specific ones on The Story Graph just in case.
Overall, this book was a great experience. Very unique, very… philosophical, in its own way. It definitely left me thinking.
May 4, 2023
This book is very addicting, in a dark twisted way. The blurb has you thinking the Archivist is a type of salvation to an afterlife, that you can spend with your loved ones after your body gives up the fight. And it is that in a way, but it can also be a tormenting and a suffering. If your family can’t afford the Archivist, then your essence is sucked into the Aether, which I never really got a handle on, to be honest. The book is very dense, and you need to pay attention. It’s like one of those movies that if you look away for five minutes, you’ve lost a chunk of plot.
All in all, this is very original, but does border on more of a horror than just a fantasy. The relationship between the Archivist and Sun, and her sister Laure, is a something of a surprise to both him and to the reader. This is a good suspense entangled in this book, but I’m not going to describe it because I don’t want to give anything away, and I’m not so sure I could describe it properly. But it’s an addicting read, with a good suspense woven in, and hard to put down at times.
All in all, this is very original, but does border on more of a horror than just a fantasy. The relationship between the Archivist and Sun, and her sister Laure, is a something of a surprise to both him and to the reader. This is a good suspense entangled in this book, but I’m not going to describe it because I don’t want to give anything away, and I’m not so sure I could describe it properly. But it’s an addicting read, with a good suspense woven in, and hard to put down at times.
December 25, 2025
V.S. Nelson’s The Archivist weaves a delicate and introspective supernatural story perfect for readers who enjoy mythology and questions of existence. The novel follows an 18-year-old, face-stealing demigod who forms an unlikely bond with a teenage girl named Sun-young, exploring themes of death, identity, and the mystical Aether—our origin and final destination.
The book’s greatest strength is its unique, atmospheric premise. It thoughtfully examines the “fragile links to our human forms” and crafts a compelling dynamic between its supernatural and human protagonists. The philosophical underpinnings regarding what happens after we die provide a solid, thought-provoking foundation that elevates it beyond a typical paranormal romance.
For fans of character-driven YA fantasy that leans into the ethereal and metaphysical—similar in tone to the works of Maggie Stiefvater or Laini Taylor, this novel offers a satisfying, contemplative experience. The prose aims for a lyrical quality that matches its themes of memory and transition.
The book’s greatest strength is its unique, atmospheric premise. It thoughtfully examines the “fragile links to our human forms” and crafts a compelling dynamic between its supernatural and human protagonists. The philosophical underpinnings regarding what happens after we die provide a solid, thought-provoking foundation that elevates it beyond a typical paranormal romance.
For fans of character-driven YA fantasy that leans into the ethereal and metaphysical—similar in tone to the works of Maggie Stiefvater or Laini Taylor, this novel offers a satisfying, contemplative experience. The prose aims for a lyrical quality that matches its themes of memory and transition.
August 27, 2022
I chose this book because of the cover, it reminded me só much of “the silence” a doctor who monster, and I was kind of hoping that the archivist had something to do with the silence, but no its only the aspect… what he does is much more impressive I guess, he can take the essence of dying people and eat that, while for comfort of the family of the dying he can connect the dying and living, if that makes sense… at first it gave me the idea that the chapters would be parallel stories but not directly connected and that was until a very significant part on the story where the archivist did something that he wasn't supposed to do, and all that to help a helpless teen and her younger sister…
hmm the book is well written but I didn’t connect with the characters, I needed more of each of them. Maybe my mood for this book wasn't what should have been and you will enjoy it much more than me…
thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
hmm the book is well written but I didn’t connect with the characters, I needed more of each of them. Maybe my mood for this book wasn't what should have been and you will enjoy it much more than me…
thank you NetGalley for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
June 6, 2022
I thought I had an idea of what this book was about when I was first asked to write a review..
I was wrong in the best way. I thought I was getting a paranormal thriller that would be entertaining to read but I got so much more.. A deeper question of what would you do if you could linger more after death? Realizing that we might leave behind so much more than we ever thought.. and the self reflection of being used to being cold and detached once he finally starts letting people in..
It was a very interesting take on a thriller set in the afterlife. The plot is the main focus but it doesn't leave out the characters' growth.. Finding that balance isn't easy.
I did get a bit confused at first when the POV changed, but it didn't take away from the overall message of the story.
If you are looking for a book that will make you think as well as entertain you.. pick this one up.
I was wrong in the best way. I thought I was getting a paranormal thriller that would be entertaining to read but I got so much more.. A deeper question of what would you do if you could linger more after death? Realizing that we might leave behind so much more than we ever thought.. and the self reflection of being used to being cold and detached once he finally starts letting people in..
It was a very interesting take on a thriller set in the afterlife. The plot is the main focus but it doesn't leave out the characters' growth.. Finding that balance isn't easy.
I did get a bit confused at first when the POV changed, but it didn't take away from the overall message of the story.
If you are looking for a book that will make you think as well as entertain you.. pick this one up.
August 2, 2022
*Goodreads First Reads copy*
Almost from the moment I began reading this story, I loved it. The pacing was great. The storyline was unique. The characters were well fleshed out and it was easy to visualize them.
Some of the topics of the story may create strong emotional reactions. These include suicide, child abuse, and what some would construe as bullying. None of these are dealt with gratuitously nor treated in a lackadaisical way. I found them to be dealt with appropriately as they played integral to the story's development.
I loved how this book made me think about what lies beyond our lives. No one really knows, yet this book brilliantly shines a light upon our collective hopes and fears. It is well worth reading. I would recommend it to all who do not react adversely to the topics I have mentioned.
Almost from the moment I began reading this story, I loved it. The pacing was great. The storyline was unique. The characters were well fleshed out and it was easy to visualize them.
Some of the topics of the story may create strong emotional reactions. These include suicide, child abuse, and what some would construe as bullying. None of these are dealt with gratuitously nor treated in a lackadaisical way. I found them to be dealt with appropriately as they played integral to the story's development.
I loved how this book made me think about what lies beyond our lives. No one really knows, yet this book brilliantly shines a light upon our collective hopes and fears. It is well worth reading. I would recommend it to all who do not react adversely to the topics I have mentioned.
March 2, 2023
Interesting concept
Imagine how much better life would be if we could still somewhat hold on to our loved ones after they pass away. The concept of this book revolves around each person having an essence. When we die, a person with special skills would be able to capture our essence. This person would then be able to transform themselves to look like our loved ones and we could talk to them as though they never left us. However, this “person” with special skills discovers new issues that he needs to figure out.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
Imagine how much better life would be if we could still somewhat hold on to our loved ones after they pass away. The concept of this book revolves around each person having an essence. When we die, a person with special skills would be able to capture our essence. This person would then be able to transform themselves to look like our loved ones and we could talk to them as though they never left us. However, this “person” with special skills discovers new issues that he needs to figure out.
#GoodreadsGiveaway
February 10, 2024
Archivists are beings, or rather people with a strange talent or affliction, who can capture the essence of a person at the moment of death, and who sell their services to grieving families who want to keep talking to the deceased. This is such a great idea, I bought this instantly and could not wait to start it.
But now I've read it I can say I did not enjoy it. It's poorly written, with too much unnecessary swearing and detailed descriptions of suicide. I don't know who it's meant to appeal to, but I'm not among them.
But now I've read it I can say I did not enjoy it. It's poorly written, with too much unnecessary swearing and detailed descriptions of suicide. I don't know who it's meant to appeal to, but I'm not among them.
November 12, 2023
This book was really gripping from the start and all the way throughout. As someone who doesn’t usually read this genre I enjoyed that this books fantasy elements were convincing and really unique. I love a book with multiperspectivey and I loved both The Archivist and Sun’s characters - they made me invested in the storyline. I was pleasantly surprised that the book left me guessing what was going to happen next throughout. Overall a super original book I really enjoyed.
January 4, 2024
Haunting and different
This felt like a very fresh story, despite some very classic tropes. The writing is cinematic and some scenes played like a movie in my mind. The book took a lot of turns without feeling like it was tricking you. The characters were complex and felt fleshed out although character development was a slow burn so to speak. Overall very enjoyable and I would recommend reading it if you're up for something different.
This felt like a very fresh story, despite some very classic tropes. The writing is cinematic and some scenes played like a movie in my mind. The book took a lot of turns without feeling like it was tricking you. The characters were complex and felt fleshed out although character development was a slow burn so to speak. Overall very enjoyable and I would recommend reading it if you're up for something different.
October 11, 2024
Won this in a Goodreads giveaway - thank you!
I thought that this was a fantastic premise and I really liked the initial descriptions of the archivist and Sun and Laure. I felt like the book dragged in the middle, and I got kind of lost with what was going on. Suicide after suicide of teen girls was grim, which when combined with the slow midsection made me put it aside for a while.
I did finish it though, and I'm glad I did, because a lot of it was so original.
I thought that this was a fantastic premise and I really liked the initial descriptions of the archivist and Sun and Laure. I felt like the book dragged in the middle, and I got kind of lost with what was going on. Suicide after suicide of teen girls was grim, which when combined with the slow midsection made me put it aside for a while.
I did finish it though, and I'm glad I did, because a lot of it was so original.
March 1, 2024
The Archivist, what a very interesting premise. Death is not the end? People pay to see loved ones faces and chat to them again? I found the book a good read, it caught my attention straight away, although it confused me from time to time and lost me a bit at the end, I enjoyed it and would recommend it.
July 23, 2022
Thank you for the ARC!
I adored this book.
The character development was great, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat and I really fell in love with The Archivist. Such a unique story concept, I couldn't stop reading. There had better be a sequel!!!!!
I adored this book.
The character development was great, the plot kept me on the edge of my seat and I really fell in love with The Archivist. Such a unique story concept, I couldn't stop reading. There had better be a sequel!!!!!
September 10, 2025
I thought this novel would’ve been a good read being fantasy and supernatural which I usually quite enjoy. It started off strong but got confusing and found it to be a very tedious read. In my honest opinion I couldn’t wait to be done with it.
August 3, 2022
DNF'd at 16%. The concept is interesting, but the plot is far too grim.
April 25, 2023
The Archivist by VS Nelson has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award
www.chillwithabook.com
www.chillwithabook.com
September 2, 2022
The Archivist
[Blurb goes here]
This novel is something I been giving a lot of thought to. It's hard for me to review it, and here's why: while I enjoyed the story—a lot, mind you—I didn't care at all for the characters, and the writing style. If there's danger, excitement, urgency...the author doesn't seem to care enough to convey it. To make the reader feel it. The story is quite good and original, so are the concepts it portrays, but there's no emotion behind the words. Any way, those are my two cents. Don't let me discourage you. It is worth reading, if for no other reason, than to discover what to me, is an adventure devoid of the usual derivative clichés.
Thank you for the free copy!
[Blurb goes here]
This novel is something I been giving a lot of thought to. It's hard for me to review it, and here's why: while I enjoyed the story—a lot, mind you—I didn't care at all for the characters, and the writing style. If there's danger, excitement, urgency...the author doesn't seem to care enough to convey it. To make the reader feel it. The story is quite good and original, so are the concepts it portrays, but there's no emotion behind the words. Any way, those are my two cents. Don't let me discourage you. It is worth reading, if for no other reason, than to discover what to me, is an adventure devoid of the usual derivative clichés.
Thank you for the free copy!
July 19, 2023
I won this in a giveaway.
This story is so unique and different. It's a fun read.
This story is so unique and different. It's a fun read.
April 1, 2025
This book has a genius concept and a really intriguing main character but in the end it sadly felt like the logical plot disappeared in the Aether alongside my understanding for the antagonists.
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