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shesalwaysreading's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is overhyped, sorry to say. I liked this at best, hence my 3 star review. It's very well written. I couldn't help but feel pretty bored and probably would not have had the stamina to finish had I not listened to the audiobook. I wanted to love this given the unique storyline, but could not recommend this to most of my friend circle.
kecho's review against another edition
5.0
I have a few regrets with reading this book.
- First being that I probably did not pick this book up at a great time to commit to a long story because life was busy and it took longer to read than I wanted for this month. If I had given it more time to absorb and remember more details I feel like this would have been closer to a 5 star read.
- Second being that I did not buy this on kindle version to save quotes.
- Third being that I finished the last hour of this book on audio at work because I was indeed weepy.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is a journey. It's a sad journey. A journey of longing, hope, determination, and a girl desperate to live and leave a mark on the world. You alternate perspectives of Addie's life throughout history and it often feels slightly repetitive in a good portion of the book. Although I did grow to appreciate this in the end.
It's beautifully written but this book will not be for everyone. I did not feel entirely committed until almost 75% of the way through the book when things picked up and the last 25% is what captured my heart. I went into this book with little to no background information prior to reading and I'm almost glad for it since I didn't know what to expect. I alternated between audiobook (Julia Whelan is the best I stg) and my physical copy but I very much enjoyed the audio book! Just be prepared for a 17 hour story lol.
In the end this was an easy 4.5 star (rounded up) read for me. I loved moving through Addie's journey. I was sad when the book came to an end. It was not an ending I expected and while I am a romantic at heart and grieved the ending, it was a GOOD ending. It suited the book perfectly. Everything fell into place in a way I didn't quite anticipate but exactly how it should have.
And since I didn't have my kindle to save quotes I'll pin two of my favorites here.
“The vexing thing about time,” he says, “is that it's never enough. Perhaps a decade too short, perhaps a moment. But a life always ends too soon.”
"there isn't enough time, and he knows of course that there will never be. That time always ends a second before you're ready. That life is the minutes you want minus one."
- First being that I probably did not pick this book up at a great time to commit to a long story because life was busy and it took longer to read than I wanted for this month. If I had given it more time to absorb and remember more details I feel like this would have been closer to a 5 star read.
- Second being that I did not buy this on kindle version to save quotes.
- Third being that I finished the last hour of this book on audio at work because I was indeed weepy.
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue is a journey. It's a sad journey. A journey of longing, hope, determination, and a girl desperate to live and leave a mark on the world. You alternate perspectives of Addie's life throughout history and it often feels slightly repetitive in a good portion of the book. Although I did grow to appreciate this in the end.
It's beautifully written but this book will not be for everyone. I did not feel entirely committed until almost 75% of the way through the book when things picked up and the last 25% is what captured my heart. I went into this book with little to no background information prior to reading and I'm almost glad for it since I didn't know what to expect. I alternated between audiobook (Julia Whelan is the best I stg) and my physical copy but I very much enjoyed the audio book! Just be prepared for a 17 hour story lol.
In the end this was an easy 4.5 star (rounded up) read for me. I loved moving through Addie's journey. I was sad when the book came to an end. It was not an ending I expected and while I am a romantic at heart and grieved the ending, it was a GOOD ending. It suited the book perfectly. Everything fell into place in a way I didn't quite anticipate but exactly how it should have.
And since I didn't have my kindle to save quotes I'll pin two of my favorites here.
“The vexing thing about time,” he says, “is that it's never enough. Perhaps a decade too short, perhaps a moment. But a life always ends too soon.”
"there isn't enough time, and he knows of course that there will never be. That time always ends a second before you're ready. That life is the minutes you want minus one."
crsswell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
johanne_weir's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.75
inkyun's review against another edition
3.0
Spoiler free, quick round up of final thoughts.
This book is split me apart.
Because I liked it when I wanted to love it.
There is a certainty that I've had since the first few chapters of this book, and I carried it with me through this agonizingly slow read to the bitter end:
This book is good.
The writing is very, very good. It's thoughtful, it's poetic at times, and it can be clever. My only complaint about the writing is that it can feel a bit hackneyed sometimes; overused imagery and overly wordy sentences, that jazz. Bit try-hardy, maybe. But it delivered on most accounts.
But the writing is the beautiful, shimmering ribbons around the underwhelming present: the plot. That of which almost did not exist.
This, by all accounts, should have been a book I love; the overwhelmingly good reviews and recommendations certainly placed it at that high pedestal. I wanted to love it, but I just kinda barely liked it.
There were things I loved about this book. Addie, as a tragic character. Luc, as someone we love to hate and hate to love. And Henry, as the final puzzle piece in this messy affair of curses.
Halfway through the book, however, I realized there wouldn't be much of an overarching plot. It was feeling more and more like I'd just stumbled upon someone's memoir (which I am loath to do).
(Also kind of ironic considering--NO NO, SPOILER FREE I SAID.)
You could argue that the last %30 of it or so had that plot, sort of? As there are some stakes added to the mix, but in actuality, it does not read or feel that way at all.
I am sad that I did not love it. I don't even think necessarily that it's a case of right book, wrong time necessarily; I'm just at a point in my life where I don't want to feel like I'm standing in place, waiting for words to transport me only for them to instead just keep me occupied. Just as Addie did in life and in her reading, I also love to travel through pages, and these specific pages rebuked all manner of entry; I was made a wallflower.
Hope that makes sense.
This book is split me apart.
Because I liked it when I wanted to love it.
There is a certainty that I've had since the first few chapters of this book, and I carried it with me through this agonizingly slow read to the bitter end:
This book is good.
The writing is very, very good. It's thoughtful, it's poetic at times, and it can be clever. My only complaint about the writing is that it can feel a bit hackneyed sometimes; overused imagery and overly wordy sentences, that jazz. Bit try-hardy, maybe. But it delivered on most accounts.
But the writing is the beautiful, shimmering ribbons around the underwhelming present: the plot. That of which almost did not exist.
This, by all accounts, should have been a book I love; the overwhelmingly good reviews and recommendations certainly placed it at that high pedestal. I wanted to love it, but I just kinda barely liked it.
There were things I loved about this book. Addie, as a tragic character. Luc, as someone we love to hate and hate to love. And Henry, as the final puzzle piece in this messy affair of curses.
Halfway through the book, however, I realized there wouldn't be much of an overarching plot. It was feeling more and more like I'd just stumbled upon someone's memoir (which I am loath to do).
(Also kind of ironic considering--NO NO, SPOILER FREE I SAID.)
You could argue that the last %30 of it or so had that plot, sort of? As there are some stakes added to the mix, but in actuality, it does not read or feel that way at all.
I am sad that I did not love it. I don't even think necessarily that it's a case of right book, wrong time necessarily; I'm just at a point in my life where I don't want to feel like I'm standing in place, waiting for words to transport me only for them to instead just keep me occupied. Just as Addie did in life and in her reading, I also love to travel through pages, and these specific pages rebuked all manner of entry; I was made a wallflower.
Hope that makes sense.
janetly's review against another edition
5.0
The way this book is written is amazing and takes you to vivid imaginations of the worlds that are described. It leaves you wondering and questioning, wanting to read more. Emotions all over the place while reading this book. I was so invested in this story. Can’t recommend it more!
alq4's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read this a few years ago and I still think about this book all the time. I really liked how the author leads you to think it’s about the power of love, but in the end it’s more about freedom at all costs. Also, the role of memory in creating a full life. This is a book I would read over and over again so it deserves a 5.
morrigan_squeaks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
maddyrosecohen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
skylarwebb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nothing is more frightening than living forever and being remembered by no one