YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is 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 useful tool for staying alive.

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 that 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 may crumble and fall.

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.

____________ Starting 12th of July 2018 _______________________

Sorry, but I'm going to post everything at once.

17%
(view spoiler)[
I believe I'm finally understanding everything with the Librarians and the Histories a bit. Although I still don't understand the difference between a History and what we call a ghost.
(hide spoiler)]

40%
(view spoiler)[ I like Wesley until now. I like that Mackenzie finally has something she can relate with on these things and who can help her. It will hopefully make her less alone. (hide spoiler)]

86%
(view spoiler)[ Nooo she left her ring in apartment 4d... I knew something would go wrong in there. I really feel like the climax of the book is about to start. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

I really liked the book! It was exciting and I loved learning about this new world. Despite the drawbacks I wished I would have the same "powers" as a keeper.

32% (view spoiler)[This books seems very interesting so far and i'm curious if we get to know more about the boy who murdered his sister in the past... I kind of expected Wesley to be a Keeper but i still like him and they are so sweet together :) (hide spoiler)]

54% (view spoiler)[Okay, i have many ideas what could happen: Wes or Owen as love interest? Is R (the librarian - forgot his name) really good or just pretending? If he is the villian he risks a lot by telling Mac so much about his plan. Why is Owen so different from other Histories? He said something about the story his sister wrote and that he never found the end of it... maybe that's why he's still here? Will Mac find the end of the story? Why did all these people die in 1953? What technical difficulties does the Archive have? (hide spoiler)]

Also... i know Mac's parents lost their son and i can't imagine how that must be but... shouldn't they see a therapist or something because how this moving and always starting something new and not really trying to overcome the grief and such... i just feel so bad for Mac.

94% (view spoiler)[Please, Wes isn't allowed to die :( Also, i don't think that the void or this Nothing will keep Owen. i'm sure he'll find a way back. It's so sad that all the libarians are dead :( (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[WES SURVIVED!!! :D i mean, that was sure but still :) Are there going to be Crew together in the next part? But Wes only just became a Keeper... and why do they store the Histories in the first place? They want to preserve their knowledge but noone uses it, so it doesnt make sense.... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ I can't imagine having to feel every single thing someone was feeling when touching them, especially their pain and trauma like Mac's mom. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ Wesley's a Keeper?! I guess it's kind of lucky Mac just stumbled into that one. I really like him! (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ Kinda sucks that Ben had to slip, but I guess it was inevitable. Owen not slipping is just weird. I really hope it's not Roland playing the longest con ever. (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[ I had a feeling it was Carmen! But Owen being Crew legit blew my mind. I had grown to really like him :( I wonder where this darkness in the door took him... (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting February 4th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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Starting today!

Chapters 1-6

(view spoiler)[So first thing's first - I was so confused at how Mackenzie and 'Da' were related. The only time I've heard someone called someone else Da, is when it's their father, so I was like has she got two dads, like a stepdad or something and then it's revealed that it was her grandfather. I'm so stupid.

Confusion aside, I'm loving this book. The concept of people dying and their Histories being kept in a massive archive, protected by Librarians and hunted by Keepers is fascinating. I would like to know why they're kept in an archive and how the Histories are able to escape.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7-14

(view spoiler)[Ahh so Wes is also a Keeper. I want to like this guy, I think he's good for Mackenzie and he's someone she can finally be herself around. But I don't know.. I have a horrible feeling he's gonna betray her and he'll have something to do with what's going on in the Narrows. Call it a hunch.

Also, what is up with that Owen guy? Who is he? Why does he keep appearing in the Narrows? How are the Histories getting Archive-marked weapons? Is a Librarian letting the Histories escape and giving them weapons? First thought would be that Patrick is involved because he doesn't like Mackenzie and he makes that very clear, but it might be a bit too predictable.

(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15-22

(view spoiler)[I seem to be just devouring this book. I freaking love it!

So I have an answer to my question about Owen: he's a History and he is the brother of the girl that was killed in Mackenzie's room. But how is he able to stay in the Narrows undetected and without slipping?? Also, was not expecting that kiss. Or should I say kisses? Whaaat?

It was heartbreaking seeing Mackenzie finally get to see her brother again, and then him slipping straightaway upon seeing her. Then Roland finding her and having to discipline her.

It's just occurring to me as I write this that Carmen might have something to do with what's going on. She's very young and mysterious, she didn't take much persuading to unlock Ben, and I wonder if she set Mackenzie up to be caught and disciplined because she knew Mackenzie is trying to work out what's going on?? My predication anyway!

(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 23-34

(view spoiler)[I knew I was right about Carmen!!!! I just wasn't expecting Owen to be in on it too. And for Owen and Carmen to have been former Crew partners!

I feel about being suspicious about Wes in the beginning, but I kinda want him and Mackenzie to be together. They're so cute and I love their relationship.

Really loved this book and can't wait to start the next one!

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Mackenzie wants to go into the Archive! That doesnt seem like a good idea. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ OMG! He pulled a knife out on her. How can he even hold it if he is just soul? (hide spoiler)]

Ashleigh wrote: "Starting today!

Chapters 1-6,..."

I was confused about the Da part too.

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ I had a feeling Wesley was a keeper. As soon as she said she saw the necklace I was able to guess it. This should get interesting. (hide spoiler)]

working on this now!

Ashleigh wrote: "Starting today!

Chapters 1-6
Spoilers remobed.

It's a really interesting book! I really wish the series had finished. :(

Courtney wrote: "Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

yeah that was my guess too. I was excited to see what would happen next.

Ashleigh wrote: "Chapters 23-34


Yeah! I think I'm starting The Unbound soon. <3

Ashleigh wrote: "Chapters 7-14


YOu basically summed up everything I was feeling in these chapters. I love Victoria Schwab's writing because it really keeps you engaged.

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Date changed. Restarting October 14th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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5 chapters in so far and enjoying it. I've avoided reading the synopsis or any reviews, having decided to read it solely based on the author and the cover lol, so it took me a bit before I wasn't completely lost. I really like Mackenzie's character already. Also, I'm enjoying how Schwab is slowly giving us glimpses into Mac's past as a way of introducing and explaining the world we are diving into.

(view spoiler)[ I love the concept of the notepads and how the History's names appear etched on hers or how Roland used his to summon Patrick - its a cool concept that is simple yet magical.

The scene where her memories revealed how Ben died and the aftermath at the hospital and when she ran to the archives begging to see him.. that whole thing broke my heart. Especially where she recounted them drawing the stick figures on each others hands and how she wore gloves to the hospital to avoid seeing the one he drew.

Anxious to learn more about what happened in her room and to see if the guy from the hallway plays a vital role in the story.. I suspect he could be a Keeper as well and her future Crew mate but I hardly ever guess this stuff right haha! (hide spoiler)]

Through ch 11

(view spoiler)[ well, I was right about the hallway guy! Turns out Wes IS a Keeper also and maybe another overlapping one in Owen! Sorta exciting and I can't wait to read more about her interactions with them.

New question.. what is Ms Angelli hiding?? (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch 16

(view spoiler)[ lots of questions in my head. Like with the near witch, I’m struggling to figure out who these characters are and what they’re up to. I adore Wesley but wonder what he’s hiding based on the glimpse she got of him when they touched. Also Owen... what is he?! And this murder she saw happen?? Gah!! (hide spoiler)]

Up to ch 27

(view spoiler)[ gah! The scene with Ben’s history broke my heart a bit. Also I feel like someone close to Mac is deceiving her but I can’t quite figure it out. I want to trust Roland and Owen and Wesley but I also suspect all three can’t be completely good here. And I get her need for the silence, the escape, but making out with a dead guy? Weirdness. (hide spoiler)]

finished

(view spoiler)[ Schwab's writing is exactly my kind of writing. I love how she writes her characters and the layers and growth that we get in each of her books. Mac was fantastic to read about. I loved how she struggled with juggling her normal life - all the lies she was forced to tell - and her Keeper life - all the injuries and exhaustion she had to hide. Her grief was relatable and her friendships with Lynds and Wes were everything I could ask for. This is my favorite of her books that I've read so far. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting April 10th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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Starting now!!!

Chapters 1-3 Last time I read this I got to chapter 9 and surprisingly I remember alot of it so far except for how (view spoiler)[ creepy the scene in her room with the guy covered in blood was. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ Histories being able to attack you is a terrifying thought! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ This is super awesome. A place where your life is documented, where people exist that care and want to know your History.
I like how Keepers have a nice spin on them rather than evil demons that keep your soul. Keepers are so close and you may never know. (hide spoiler)]

Courtney wrote: "Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"


(view spoiler)[ I know right? Especially since they can come right back... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Losing a brother, and knowing they are behind a door, where you can view their history, but you are unable to. The pain of that must ne unbareable.
OOO now, it's time to meet Lusha nix. Must go and read it!
One last thing: two boys-- one a History, one a Keeper. This will get spicy! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 This is where I ended last time so everything else will be new to me :) (view spoiler)[ I forgot that Wes was a keeper. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Courtney wrote: "Chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"


[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ and hold weapons. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 (view spoiler)[ I really hope Wes is not a bad guy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Hmm that's wierd. I wonder who it is erasing all these memories. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Losing a brother, and knowing they are behind a door, where you can view their history, but you are unable to. The pain of that must ne unbareable.
OOO now, it's time to meet Lusha nix..." (hide spoiler)]

It is getting interesting.(view spoiler)[ I dont think she will have any connection to Owen though. Wes is another story. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ Ugh when books tell you life messages that are so true, but what is the likelihood you will listen? So true we do things to escape regardless of if they are good for us. Are you suspecting Carmen too? Maybe? I know things when wonky when Elliot started, but I don't know... Carmen seems to make a lot of errors and as it was said, she has sadness in her eyes. (hide spoiler)]

Comments about partnership (view spoiler)[ That moment when parents walk in at the wrong time and get the wrong idea. Its not like they can say "Nothing is going on here, just removing glass shards and checking for broken ribs here. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[ Wow, Owen and this girl is amazing! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Oh damn! I was right! (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ Yay! Happy ending. Her and Wes now? I don't know if I like the idea of Histories being librarians, but I suppose that is the best thing. If those who were alive were librarians, I suppose this could have happened a lot sooner. People not wanting to believe their loved ones were only images of their past selves, that lives couldnt be lived with them-- or at least, not happy ones.
Truth frees-- and while it is messy, I think Mackenzy made the right choice. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[ Shit. She woke Ben up. (hide spoiler)]