Well, I'll be damned. For someone who rarely reads books about this kind of story, this one totally kicked me in the gut and made my head swam in a muddle of..... amazeballness. Yep, totally using that word. The Archived took things to a different level with its eerie and whimsical world, strong/independent heroine, adorable love interest and twisty, conspiring villain. Not enough to convince you to read this? WESLEY AYERS. Dream guy. GUYLINER. Funny, smart, cute, goshdamn cute.. And has DADDY PROBLEMS *gasp* Go. I know you want to meet Wesley Ayers. This book is unique in all sorts. A library full of the memories of the dead? "Librarians" who want to protect the memories of the dead? "Keepers" who subdue violent Histories off the leash? YES PLEASE. And another note: PARENTAL PRESENCE!!! Mac's, the heroine, parents were present all through out the book and they care and they are there. The banter here was so entertaining, I could munch a whole tub of popcorn and just sit there and watch Wesley and Mac talk and joke around and throw some charming banter on each other. Really. I would. 

On the other hand, this book dragged a little for me. It started smoothly at first, almost right into action then felt a little (yes I am still in love with the series) flat on the latter. But I can't never deny the eminent character growth throughout this book. The emotional abuse, turmoil and battle of Mackenzie made my heart ache, but she's brave. Always have been brave. That is one thing that makes this book and Mac's character stand out amongst the other books in the loose. I like like liked the dynamics of the new characters as well as the change in setting. Prep school Mac and Wesley? SIGN ME IN. It was fascinating getting deeper into the characters' life. All of them share grief, depression, sadness, and quirks that totally made the diversion. I was just a little upset with the plot in here. It went from "OHMIGOSH THE MYSTERIES" to "UM THAT'S IT?" The romance between Wes and Mac.... It was swoon-worthy, funny, adorable and flail inducing. I found another shiiiiiiiiiiip *pops confetti*

Summary:
The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.