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claudia_moreira's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
It's a great book. Maybe it was me that could not find the right mood to read it, maybe I just felt it drag in some parts, but I can't give it more stars than this, even thought I know I will remember this story many times in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Murder, War, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, Gun violence, and Death
erebus53's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
This is a book that I kept seeing good things about so I was really happy when I found a copy.
I have found it really hard to sit down and write a review about it. I really enjoyed the book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes curses, prophesies, the movie Labyrinth, pansexual characters, book shops, art and music, and croissants. (if that's you, don't read the review, just go and get the book)
Addie La Rue is a semi-mortal person who has been gifted and cursed by an old god, to have all the time she wants, but never be remembered by anyone longer than she is in contact with them. This includes writing anything down, breaking things, or appearing on cameras, but does not include people drawing her or writing down things about her. It's a really cool premise for a story and provides a lot of scope for her interactions over the centuries. The story is not told in fully chronological order, but you don't get lost.
How would you react if you ordered a coffee but couldn't get it unless it was delivered to your table number, rather than you personally, because you are literally "out of sight, out of mind"?
Addie develops a perverse relationship of sorts with the one entity who can remember her; the one who cursed her in the first place. This creature of Darkness who she names Luc, has a definite Goblin King vibe and much of the feel of their relationship, and the crap he pulls, could easily have been straight from the movie Labyrinth.. the parallels are not lost on me.
Running into someone who can remember her is incredibly emotional and goes against all the things Addie has learned in her last centuries of life. They spend time figuring out the limits of her curse, and why it is that it doesn't work on him.
Honestly, the story, the growth, the recurrent nature of having to go through first-time meetings (over and over again) is a captivating puzzle. My son who is interested in SCP found himself spending time pondering about the limits of such magical restraints, what she can or cannot do, and what might happen if she encountered someone else with different powers or limits.
I really love this book.
I have found it really hard to sit down and write a review about it. I really enjoyed the book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes curses, prophesies, the movie Labyrinth, pansexual characters, book shops, art and music, and croissants. (if that's you, don't read the review, just go and get the book)
Addie La Rue is a semi-mortal person who has been gifted and cursed by an old god, to have all the time she wants, but never be remembered by anyone longer than she is in contact with them. This includes writing anything down, breaking things, or appearing on cameras, but does not include people drawing her or writing down things about her. It's a really cool premise for a story and provides a lot of scope for her interactions over the centuries. The story is not told in fully chronological order, but you don't get lost.
How would you react if you ordered a coffee but couldn't get it unless it was delivered to your table number, rather than you personally, because you are literally "out of sight, out of mind"?
Addie develops a perverse relationship of sorts with the one entity who can remember her; the one who cursed her in the first place. This creature of Darkness who she names Luc, has a definite Goblin King vibe and much of the feel of their relationship, and the crap he pulls, could easily have been straight from the movie Labyrinth.. the parallels are not lost on me.
Running into someone who can remember her is incredibly emotional and goes against all the things Addie has learned in her last centuries of life. They spend time figuring out the limits of her curse, and why it is that it doesn't work on him.
Honestly, the story, the growth, the recurrent nature of having to go through first-time meetings (over and over again) is a captivating puzzle. My son who is interested in SCP found himself spending time pondering about the limits of such magical restraints, what she can or cannot do, and what might happen if she encountered someone else with different powers or limits.
I really love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Body horror, Blood, Physical abuse, War, Sexual assault, Violence, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexual content
laurendenton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, and War
Minor: Blood, Biphobia, Confinement, Gun violence, and Pregnancy
bookswithlauren's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Reading this book was an incredible and immersive experience. Each time I opened the book, no matter how many pages I read, I was instantly transported into the world of Addie LaRue, and it was beautiful, intriguing and utterly brilliant.
I am a huge fan of V.E. Schwab's works and this did not disappoint. In fact, I would now say that The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of my favourite books of all time. Each time I re-read it, because I will re-read this book multiples times, I wish for it to be just as magical as the first time I read it.
An author has never made me feel so many emotions with one story, until now. Addie LaRue made me smile, laugh, swoon and cry. Some of my favourite elements of this book are how many places and characters we experience, how many historical events are referenced as Addie lives through them and how her character grows with her life experiences. Every single character is intriguing and brings a different element to create this wonderful story. I couldn't imagine the story without each and every one of them.
I am in love with this book.
I am a huge fan of V.E. Schwab's works and this did not disappoint. In fact, I would now say that The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of my favourite books of all time. Each time I re-read it, because I will re-read this book multiples times, I wish for it to be just as magical as the first time I read it.
An author has never made me feel so many emotions with one story, until now. Addie LaRue made me smile, laugh, swoon and cry. Some of my favourite elements of this book are how many places and characters we experience, how many historical events are referenced as Addie lives through them and how her character grows with her life experiences. Every single character is intriguing and brings a different element to create this wonderful story. I couldn't imagine the story without each and every one of them.
I am in love with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, War, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Trafficking, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
tbrinthestars's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I was never drawn into the hype surrounding V.E. Schwab's novels. However, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue blessed my bookstagram doorstep, and I was drawn in deeply; call me cliché, but it was love at first sight.
For one thing, the cover is gorgeous! The colour scheme and flower details enticed me, and the title itself is wrapped in intrigue. I went into the story with no expectations, for the most part. I hadn't read the blurb or any reviews beforehand (not even the spoiler-free ones), but I did see a number of references to"I remember you", and the seven freckles across Addie's cheeks that look like constellations . That was all, and it was enough to take all of my money.
Going in without any prior knowledge is my favourite way to enter a novel. It keeps me open-minded and leaves room to enjoy the reading experience so much more. I've found many of my favourites novels and authors this way, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is no exception.
I'm surely not the only one who can say they have also wondered what it would be like (and even wished) to be invisible. Addie's story shows us what that could be like through the most wondrously descriptive experiences; traipsing through the art of remembering, of people, of France. The writing style feels so much like a symphony; a dance to preserve one's history through time. It was a glorious time in this literary world.
The characters are so, so loveable; all in their own unique ways. Well, there are a few exceptions... but for the most part, they are, ironically, unforgettable. This novel is strongly character-driven by Addie, and soon by Henry, and I couldn't love them both more. I adored reading and learning their stories, witnessing their growth and character development. They left a heavy mark on me, but so too did the minor characters we meet along the way.
I've left yearning for Schwab to gift us the blessing of more novels set in this world. I want to learn the stories of the other characters we got to meet. We don't have many pages or even chapters with them, but we learn so much. Enough to want to learn more, and I find that such a strong and compelling aspect, paired with the richness in prose.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is poetry in every sense of the word.
Even when we are known, we want to leave a mark on the world. How much more when you are remembered by no one?
For one thing, the cover is gorgeous! The colour scheme and flower details enticed me, and the title itself is wrapped in intrigue. I went into the story with no expectations, for the most part. I hadn't read the blurb or any reviews beforehand (not even the spoiler-free ones), but I did see a number of references to
Going in without any prior knowledge is my favourite way to enter a novel. It keeps me open-minded and leaves room to enjoy the reading experience so much more. I've found many of my favourites novels and authors this way, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is no exception.
I'm surely not the only one who can say they have also wondered what it would be like (and even wished) to be invisible. Addie's story shows us what that could be like through the most wondrously descriptive experiences; traipsing through the art of remembering, of people, of France. The writing style feels so much like a symphony; a dance to preserve one's history through time. It was a glorious time in this literary world.
The characters are so, so loveable; all in their own unique ways. Well, there are a few exceptions... but for the most part, they are, ironically, unforgettable. This novel is strongly character-driven by Addie, and soon by Henry, and I couldn't love them both more. I adored reading and learning their stories, witnessing their growth and character development. They left a heavy mark on me, but so too did the minor characters we meet along the way.
I've left yearning for Schwab to gift us the blessing of more novels set in this world. I want to learn the stories of the other characters we got to meet. We don't have many pages or even chapters with them, but we learn so much. Enough to want to learn more, and I find that such a strong and compelling aspect, paired with the richness in prose.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is poetry in every sense of the word.
Even when we are known, we want to leave a mark on the world. How much more when you are remembered by no one?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: War, Violence, Gun violence, and Death of parent
meaganmuth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The story was good, but it got to feel repetitive. The ending was pretty disappointing, and it felt like the character development was for nothing. Overall, good story, disappointing ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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