The Archive of the Forgotten: A Novel from Hell's Library, Book 2

The Hell’s Library series is about books, characters that love and treasure books, and the mysterious libraries in after-life realms for the books unwritten and words unspoken. Part of why I love this trilogy SO much is because of the devotion to books and their characters. It’s everything that a bookworm could want, and then much more.In this second installment of the Hell’s Library Trilogy, we spend a significant amount of time with Hero and Rami, two males that were secondary characters in book one. Claire and Brevity were still very important in this book but I enjoyed diving deeper into the minds of Hero, the character separated from his book, and Ramiel the Fallen Angel. Loyal almost to a fault, the two of them go on a dangerous journey for answers that will help The Unwritten Library as well as The Arcane Wing. During their time together they come to see the inner layers of each other’s personalities. Hero in particular learns to come to terms with his true self when he’s constantly challenged by Rami to drop his arrogant and careless swagger. Could a relationship be blooming for them in book three?Finally–a story with natural diversity.When I say “natural” diversity, I mean that A.J. Hackwith has characters of different colors (even blue), genders, and non-binary, without constantly reminding you throughout the story. Too often an author will remind me more than a few times of how dark a person’s skin color is, and very often doesn’t reference the shades of white at all. A.J. Hackwith describes every character quickly, to paint you a vague picture and then doesn’t remind you again. The color of a character’s skin doesn’t detract from the story as it so often does for me in books.Sexuality is very seamlessly expressed as well. Characters who come to love another character of the same gender develop their relationship just as naturally as heterosexual stories. Why shouldn’t it be, right? I only point it out because of how refreshing it is to read the different ways people can fall in love. Our experiences may be different, but that doesn’t mean that either way is right or wrong.Are any of us ready to face judgement in the afterlife?There is a scene in which people are shifting from their lives to a form of their afterlife. No one knows where they’ll end up, only that they must cross a bridge. If you’re not worthy, you’ll find yourself stuck on the bridge as it narrows to a tightrope, waiting for you to teeter of the edge into the unknown. It shook me a little because of the panic among everyone on the bridge. All kinds of souls running, trying not to be the one the bridge is narrowing towards. All of them looking around to see who it is the bridge wants. Are any one of us certain we’d deserve to cross the bridge? For that matter, where would we end up if thrown off the edge?This book series is certainly one of my all time favorites, ever. While I’ve received both books one and two for honest reviews, I quickly purchased them in print for my shelves and to share with my teenager. It’s amusing for the library to be placed in Hell, a place we’re not meant to visit by choice. As it stands, I would love to visit the Unwritten Wing in Hell. The Arcane wing too! From there I’d love to visit the wing of words unsaid, and all of the other after-life realms to see what other magical places exist for books and words.This series was made for readers who truly/madly/deeply love books. Characters will come and go from their books like real people. Walking among angels, demons, muses, and mortals in the afterlife. I mean… haven’t all of us fallen in love with a book character? They might be waiting for you in Hell’s Library.

This is the 2nd book in the series, and it’s even better than the first ! I can’t wait for the final bikini in the trilogy.

Stories can change you.Great stories do.What A. J. Hackwith’s The Archive of the Forgotten did to me is another story. Her writing is on a whole new level. It’s like she KNOWS what stories are made of. How stories should be written. The world-building? Enthralling, so absolutely terrifically amazing that I can’t find the right words to describe it.Claire, Brevity, Rami and Hero are my heros.Introverted, determined, seemingly selfish Claire is a miracle and I can’t stop loving her. Until she does or says something haughty and insulting so I hate her only to realize that she feels so deeply and she cares for the people she loves and that she can feel remorse and guilt.Arrogant, pesky, sarcastic Hero who would sacrifice himself to save those he loves. I adore the Hell out of him.Brevity…sweet, lovely Brevity who loves stories but is afraid of her new responsibilities. Lovely, selfless Brevity who is capable of forgiveness and loves hard.And Ramiel…Rami. Quiet, brooding Rami who’s gone a long way to become what he is now. He has such a big heart. He is so understanding, a good listener, he won’t judge you if you tell him your greatest fears, your biggest secrets. Everyone should have a Ramiel of their own.I don’t want to describe what happens in the book because I’m not I could stop. All I can say is that the story grips you and won’t let go, not even when it ends.The Archive of the Forgotten is for everyone who wants to read a tale. A tale of love, of forgiveness, of books.

Rarely am I surprised by my feelings towards a character — especially by the second book of a series. That’s not to say my opinions won’t change when and if the author allows their creations to evolve, but I am generally aware that such shifts are occurring and how they affect my perceptions.So, when I had to set my Kindle aside while reading The Archive of the Forgotten to process something that happened to Hero, the villain of his book who instigated the events chronicled in the outstanding first book of this series, it was … unexpected. But not unwelcome. Tagging along with Hero and the other characters created by A.J. Hackwith and introduced in The Library of the Unwritten — one of the best books I read last year (my review) — was exactly what I needed to escape from the reality of this mostly awful year.Still dealing with the fallout from the climatic events of first installment, as Archive opens Claire, Brevity, Hero and Rami are confronted by a new and potentially dangerous mystery, the solution of which could reveal surprising truths about the Library and its various wings scattered throughout the afterlife. To solve the mystery, Hero and fallen angel Rami set off on an improbable team-up journey but mostly the story stays close to the Unwritten and Arcane Wings — no trips to Earth this go-round — which makes every twist and turn feel more intimate.My advice to anyone intrigued despite this admittedly inadequate review: Read the first book first, then dive into The Archive of the Forgotten. And if you’re reading this in a future with more Library of Hell books (fingers crossed!) I’m confident you won’t be disappointment by picking them up, too.

The story is not smooth, but disrupted and repetitive. The characters feeling are totally uprooted swaying this way and that at the slight breeze. I skipped more than two chapters out of plain boredom and did not need to read a line back to catch up. The first book had some faults but the story was at least original, I don't know what can possibly save this one. :(

This was such an unexpected, unique read. I loved the characters and the whole premise of Hell having a library of books that haven't been written. Great twists, the build up to them made for satisfying conclusions. I wish some of the characters had been more flesh dout, but that's what sequels are for!

Absolutely the most original and unique series I've come across in a loooooong time. Love the characters, they're all equally interesting and flawed and so relatable. The only mark against this book/entry in the series, is it was a little slow to get into in the beginning.

A fun read with interesting ideas about stories and books. The characters are drawn well. I like the budding relationship between Hero and Ramiel especially.