Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

113 reviews

_thelitlibrarian's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

5.00 stars
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TW; Suicidal thoughts, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Mental Illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders
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Let me tell you that I was not prepared to have a book shatter me the way this did. We follow Addie LaRue who made a deal to live forever back in the year 1714, the only catch? No one remembers her, the second they turn around her image begins to fade. That is until 2014 in New York when a bookstore employee remembers her face. I loved reading about how independent Addie is - to have lived that long and found means of survival, I truly look up to Addie because she's so relatable and independent I love it.

The characters are soo well written and don't even get me started on Henry, I felt like I could relate to his character as well (at this point I could relate to everyone). My heart fluttered every time they did anything together since they're just so cute. When you find out what Henry did my heart just broke, part of me really hoped the book would have a happy ending (MY HEART WAS NOT READY), I ended up sobbing during the last 20 pages.

I really enjoyed how the book was set up and we got chapters from both the past and current, it was eye-opening to see everything she had gone through to get where she is. I just need more Addie like asap.

Content Warnings

deereadsbooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really did enjoy the book. I found it entertaining. However, there wasn't really a lot of plot, so the middle 300 pages of the book was a bit boring since it only focused on the characters. However, these pages were necessary for the ending of the book, and it finished off nicely. However, there was some repetitive descriptions that you will find while reading, which can become slightly annoying as you reach the end of the book.

Content Warnings

vlntnmz's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

lifeoutsidethelines's review against another edition

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dark inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

marisa_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

Non-Spoiler Review:
Addie’s longing to be remembered was conveyed really well. I was invested in her story and particularly enjoyed reading the scenes from her past: (the stories of the people from her past who left an impression on her, her lowest lows and highest highs, her learning to navigate her curse, her learning to survive, and her small moments of joy)

Some feel the pacing was too slow or that it could’ve been shorter and accomplished the same thing. I personally liked the details and the pacing. Addie had a long and hard life; I think a long book with slow pacing was fitting.

Spoiler Review:

I really like that Addie didn’t really “end up” with anyone.

I interpreted that her and Henry’s relationship was depicted as something they both needed at that time in their life. And I like that.

I don’t think her relationship with the darkness was romanticized. I interpreted that it was a result of loneliness, longing, and emotional abuse (from him).

I like that Addie’s ending is a little ambiguous. We don’t know exactly what comes nexts but we know she has many adventures to come. I don’t need a perfect happy ending and I don’t think it would have been fitting for this book.

I think it also would have been nice if it had been hinted that Henry and Robbie would get back together. (if you think it WAS hinted at, then I would have preferred a more direct hint). Although bi-ness is still valid if your characters are in hereto relationships...it just...made sense and felt natural to me. And it would have been nice. 🤷‍♀️

I also thought it was a little corny that the title of Henry’s book was the same as the title of the book. 🥴

My Rating System:
1. DNF*
2. I didn’t like it, but I finished it.
3. I liked aspects of it.
4. Great book, would recommend. 5. My favorites**

* I don’t rate all DNFs

** subject to bias and not necessarily something I would recommend to others.

Content Warnings