The Dark Vault
Ratings3
Average rating3.7
"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. Mackenzie Bishop's grandfather first brought her here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now her grandfather 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. Follow Mackenzie as she explores the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking, through these two timeless novels, now bound together in this thrilling collection. With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Archived Collection delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin."--back cover.
Series
Featured Series
2 primary booksThe Archived
The Archived is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2013 with contributions by V. E. Schwab.
Reviews
Popular Reviews
Reviews with the most likes.
This is two books in one. The Dark Vault collects The Archived & The Unbound in one volume.
Well, when I started this I did not realise that this was a book for young adults. Did it put me off. No! I don't know what the demographic is for this for this book, but the story appeals to a fifty year old man because of the fact that VE Schwab's writing is for all ages and the story that she tells is one that transcends age because it is so bloody good.
I mean, I couldn't tell that the story is meant for young adults and really enjoyed the story. The characters are well rounded and each one is relatable to whatever age.
One of the reasons that I like her so much, is that she has a really good aesthetic of show don't tell and this helps the story move at a rapid pace dragging the reader along with it.
The characters of the book are well rounded, even though they are dealing with issues of everyday life and the fantastical politics of the Archive.
I've got to say that I wasn't all that bothered about the main antagonist of the second book, compared to the antagonistic politics of the Archive as the main driver of the story.
I think any review has got to mention Wesley. Who wouldn't want Wesley as a boyfriend, he has the looks of a Korean popstar, the body of Bruce Lee, can charm the pants off a statue and is absolutely fantabulous at make up. Is there nothing that this boy cannot do?
It's funny isn't it with books, you don't want to finish the book and leave this world, but you can't wait to get to the end to see what happens.
I have got to say that it is a totally different way of looking at what happens after death, and is something that I have not seen before.
I don't know about anyone else, but when I was reading this, I had the song Dead Souls by Joy Division going through my head. Funny isn't it what you think of.
