The Archive of the Forgotten (Novel from Hell's Library, #2)

by A. J. Hackwith

In the second installment of this richly imagined fantasy adventure series, a new threat from within the Library could destroy those who depend upon it the most.

The Library of the Unwritten in Hell was saved from total devastation, but hundreds of potential books were destroyed. Former librarian Claire and Brevity the muse feel the loss of those stories, and are trying to adjust to their new roles within the Arcane Wing and Library, respectively. But when the remains of those books begin to leak a strange ink, Claire realizes that the Library has kept secrets from Hell--and from its own librarians.

Claire and Brevity are immediately at odds in their approach to the ink, and the potential power that it represents has not gone unnoticed. When a representative from the Muses Corps arrives at the Library to advise Brevity, the angel Rami and the erstwhile Hero hunt for answers in other realms. The true nature of the ink could fundamentally alter the afterlife for good or ill, but it entirely depends on who is left to hold the pen.

• ISBN10: 1984806394
• ISBN13: 9781984806390
• Publish Date: 6 October 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Ace Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781984806390

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

The Archive of the Forgotten is the second novel in A.J. Hackwith's Hell's Library Series, and the more I read, the more hooked I become. I'm fortunate to have The God of Lost Words waiting for me to jump right into.

The Library of the Unwritten has a new librarian, Brevity. Meanwhile, Claire has stepped into running the Arcane Wing in the Library. It's taking some – well, a lot – of getting used to. This adjustment period would be difficult enough without constant reminders of what was lost hanging over their heads.

Or puddling by their feet. A mysterious puddle has formed in the Arcane Wing, and it appears to be made of ink. More than that, it feels like the Library of the Unwritten. Is this what remains of the books that were so recently destroyed?

“Every book carried a scar, a splinter of psyche, that was essential to its need to exist.”

How does every book in this series (I know I'm only at two – you know what I mean) manage to hit me so hard in the feels? The Archive of the Forgotten was not the sequel I was expecting, but I feel like it's the sequel we deserved.

The Archive of the Forgotten brings us back to Claire, Brevity, Hero, and Rami, but it does not continue how I might have expected. I'm going to argue that the path written by A.J. Hackwith is far better than anything I could have imagined. Don't get me wrong – it weighs heavy on the heart, but it is still perfect for the story.

Honestly, the Archive of the Forgotten concept is pretty heartbreaking. The idea of books being left to disintegrate and die is sad, especially when we think about the characters making those books their homes.

There were many surprises in this book, alongside new characters. At least one of them I loved to hate, even though that opinion didn't feel justified until the end (and then, oh – the satisfaction!). It made for a complex and emotional read, one I wouldn't change for the world.

“Letting books take you where they might – that was one part of the Library magic.”

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Archive of the Forgotten is the second novel in the Hell's Library trilogy by A.J. Hackwith. Due out 6th October 2020 from Penguin Random House on their Berkley Ace imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a very intricately crafted book, told in 3rd person alternating PoV from the 4 main characters. There has been a shakeup in the academic library structure of Hell. Interdepartmental strife is starting to settle down and the library is establishing a new status quo when a mysterious ink begins leaking out of the books damaged in the aforementioned contretemps. Several of the secondary characters along with the main characters have theories about what is happening, if it's dangerous, and if so, how to fix it.

For anyone who's spent much time in academia, the interdepartmental interplay will be instantly recognizable. I found it delightfully, sharply, wryly imagined and depicted. The narrative arc felt somewhat slow to me because the book is heavily character driven and ponderous - there's a lot going on. I also don't think it works well as a standalone; pick up and read the first book in the series before tackling this one.

I adore bibliomysteries; it's probably my favorite fantasy subgenre. This is definitely a beautifully well written example. For fans of Fforde's Thursday Next series, this is much more serious and somewhat darker in style and content. I would say it compares more favorably with a long story from Gaiman's Sandman - Lucien from the Dreaming's library would fit right in in this story.

Four stars - but not a standalone read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[tweetybugshouse]

This ended up being a solid 3 for me as it dragged so much but i was intrigued to find out what the mysterious ink was and how the librarian and the no longer librarian where going to make things work. Then we got to visit new part of the realm like the forgotten wing where books that have been forgotten due to being the last copy, no longer published or the author has died. Then you have Hero trying to figure out what he is without his book and the mystery inks seeps into Claire arm. So there was a lot to suck me in but just seems like it was mixed into a confuluated narrative but the ending got me enough that I want to know how it all ends. Not as solid or as enjoyable as the first book.

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

The whole misfit crew of librarians is back for another adventure through the libraries and archives of Hell trying to repair the damage done to each other in The Library of the Unwritten.  I love the world and the characters that Hackwith has created. Claire and Brevity and Hero and Rami. Hackwith understands what draws readers to books and why writers are driven to write them. I will follow Hackwith through the depths of hell and back I love her stories so much.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.