An engaging dystopian YA fantasy that feels realistic and will keep you reading until the last page.

Despite this book essentially dumping you into the center of the world with very little buildup, I found it extremely easy to get a feel for both the worldbuilding,as well as the conflicts within this book. Everything has a sense of realism to it, that makes even the more fantastical elements seem grounded in reality. Once I began reading, I was hooked until I finished a few hours later, and not once did I hit a slow point that made me consider going to bed before finishing this novel. I also love how the ending sets up the conflict for the story to continue, and I cannot wait to see how this story moves forward in the next installment. 

Rin is a fantastic main character, and while one might be inclined to believe she is simply “too good” at everything she tries, I never found myself doubting her. I also loved how there was an in-universe explanation that made everything make sense, but that it’s not something obvious from first glance. Her characterization is relatable and realistic, and never once did I not find myself rooting for her success as I read her journey. 

I will admit to being the first to not always like the romances placed in these kinds of stories, but Ieuan was such a fantastic supporting character and friend to Rin no matter what, that I found myself rooting for him anyway. Their closeness and romance feels natural, especially when Rin begins the book not fully understanding both his - and potentially her own - changed feelings towards each other. However, I loved how Ieuan cared and loved Rin as a friend first and foremost, and despite not overtly hiding his feelings towards her, he never makes her feel like she has to choose him in a romantic context, or that his help and support is only hinged upon it. I also love how Ieuan uses this trait of his to help the other characters in this story, and that Rin not only recognizes him doing this - she is able to vocalize it to help a fragmented relationship mend as well. 

I loved the other supporting characters, as they all felt real and unique. Never once did I have difficulty determining who was speaking, which can be a difficult thing to do when a book has many speaking characters in it and sometimes their narrative voices begin to blend together. While the characters grew and changed, and their interactions with one another grew along with the story, at no point was their characterization lost to move the plot forward. 

I also loved how we, as the reader, could determine many of the twists and reveals within the book before the protagonists, at no point did it feel like this information was intentionally left out for the story to progress, or like it was unrealistic for the main character to not have realized these things sooner. I enjoy when I can determine plot twists early on in the novel, as well as when the book has a fantastic foundation for them, and yet I never once questioned Rin herself never realizing these same things. 

This is a brilliant addition to the dystopian ya sphere and I believe anyone who enjoys stories with an overlying conflict, an oppressive government, and a small group of oppressed trying their best to save each other would love this novel. Fast-paced with a momentum that never slows down until the last page, I loved The Generation Archives and I cannot wait to read more of this world.