The Archive of the Forgotten

Starred review from August 1, 2020

Hell's Library has survived, but not without the loss of hundreds of books from the Unwritten Wing. Now the muse Brevity has stepped up to become Librarian, as Claire takes over the Arcane Wing. As they try to find their footing in their new roles, they discover that the remains of the destroyed books are leaking curious ink. The fractures in their former camaraderie widen as Claire and Brevity choose to approach the mystery in different ways. When a representative from the Muse Corps arrives, one who has a past with Brevity, Claire's brusque manner and actions intensify. As the angel Rami and devilish Hero head to other realms to find answers, the true power of the ink manifests, revealing secrets that could once again change the power structure in Hell. Hackwith literally brings books to life with her layered prose, emotional scenes, slow burns, and powerful connections among found family members. VERDICT The sequel to The Library of the Forgotten will not disappoint as the prickly Claire, brash Hero, bubbly Brevity, and composed Rami build their story lines into solidity.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2020
Hackwith's follow-up to The Library of the Unwritten (2019) is a richly imagined fantasy tale that expands on its predecessor with verve. After the attempted takeover of the library by a demon and the ensuing fire, former librarian Claire, new librarian and former muse Brevity, angel Ramiel, and book Hero are already struggling to find their footing in their new positions. Their world and their relationships splinter even more when a pool of hungry ink appears that consumes what it touches and threatens to break apart everything the librarians think they understand about the books they care for. Hackwith's brilliant writing is rooted deeply in the strong cores of her characters, from the clash of Claire's fiercely stubborn nature and Brevity's uncertainty, to the sparks between stoic angel Ramiel and the flirtatious rebel Hero. This book pulls apart what a book is, what a book could be, and gets to the soul of what it means to tell a story, all while delivering queer chemistry and intricate worldbuilding. Hackwith writes of muses, inspiration, and what it means to be a librarian, and indulges readers' loves for the dusty book smell, neat bindings, and the viscous nature of ink.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from October 5, 2020
With this powerhouse fantasy, Hackwith returns to Hell’s Library where Claire Hardley now works as the Archanist of the Arcane Wing, and her former deputy, the ex-muse Brevity, has taken over as Librarian of the Unwritten Wing. Many books were destroyed in the battle that ended The Library of the Unwritten, and now the ink from these books has formed a deep pool in the Archive. As Claire, Brevity, and their respective deputies, Ramiel and Hero, examine the mysterious ink, Claire’s arm becomes engulfed in the dark liquid. It is only through the swift action of visiting muse Probity that Claire is saved from being overtaken by the ink, prompting all the characters to band together in search of answers about the pool’s properties and purpose. Meanwhile, Brevity discovers that Probity has ulterior motives for her visit: she’s on a quest to empower the muses, beings who exist to inspire stories in humans, to create stories of their own, cutting out what she sees as cruel humanity. Writing in stirring prose, Hackwith imbues her high-concept, metafictional tale with color, action, and high-flying emotion. This imaginative ode to the power of fiction is sure to delight. Agent: Caitlin McDonald, Donald Maass Literary.