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tessvb's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Beautifully written, but not my cup of tea. It’s a love letter to the arts, and New York, buried between the character’s self reflection on what makes existence worthwhile, tied together with a love story, that didn’t end quite as tragically as I thought it would.
I’d recommend this to the introspective romantic reader who likes flawed characters and literature.
I’d recommend this to the introspective romantic reader who likes flawed characters and literature.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and War
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
“I gave you what you asked for, Adeline. Time, without constraint. Life without restriction.”
I absolutely adored this. I never annotate books, but this is the first time I wished I wasn’t reading a library book, because there were so many things I wanted to highlight!
This novel follows our main character, Adeline. Her life is passing her by and as she desperately prays for change, her life is completely upended when she strikes an unusual deal. It is a story of life, love, and loss as the limitations of this bargain follow her for centuries. It is written in third person, but we do get dual POV from both Adeline and Henry.
“The wonder in your eyes, at the sight of something new. I knew then I'd never win."
This is my first read from this author and I absolutely loved the writing style. I was hooked into the story from the very beginning and the writing is just beautiful. It reads almost like a historical fiction, but with added magical elements. I thought it was really fun and filled with wanderlust.
I really enjoyed the characters. I adored Adeline. She reminds me a bit of myself in the way she wants to see and do everything. Despite her struggles, she never gives up and always sees the beauty in the world around her. I loved the little nods to art/history at the beginning of each part. It was really interesting to see how Addie was able to shape the world in her own way, even when she wasn’t supposed to be able to.
Henry is a really raw character and I love his dynamic with Adeline. I was definitely rooting for him.
Luc is a very interesting character and antagonist. I found myself liking him, even though he is at his core the villain of the story.
“I remember you”.
I had a few theories of the direction the story was going, but they were all wrong. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the ending, but I actually thought it was well done and wrapped everything up nicely. I loved getting lost in this story and would highly recommend!
I absolutely adored this. I never annotate books, but this is the first time I wished I wasn’t reading a library book, because there were so many things I wanted to highlight!
This novel follows our main character, Adeline. Her life is passing her by and as she desperately prays for change, her life is completely upended when she strikes an unusual deal. It is a story of life, love, and loss as the limitations of this bargain follow her for centuries. It is written in third person, but we do get dual POV from both Adeline and Henry.
“The wonder in your eyes, at the sight of something new. I knew then I'd never win."
This is my first read from this author and I absolutely loved the writing style. I was hooked into the story from the very beginning and the writing is just beautiful. It reads almost like a historical fiction, but with added magical elements. I thought it was really fun and filled with wanderlust.
I really enjoyed the characters. I adored Adeline. She reminds me a bit of myself in the way she wants to see and do everything. Despite her struggles, she never gives up and always sees the beauty in the world around her. I loved the little nods to art/history at the beginning of each part. It was really interesting to see how Addie was able to shape the world in her own way, even when she wasn’t supposed to be able to.
Henry is a really raw character and I love his dynamic with Adeline. I was definitely rooting for him.
Luc is a very interesting character and antagonist. I found myself liking him, even though he is at his core the villain of the story.
“I remember you”.
I had a few theories of the direction the story was going, but they were all wrong. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the ending, but I actually thought it was well done and wrapped everything up nicely. I loved getting lost in this story and would highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement and Suicidal thoughts
jennalerm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and War
pinkparentheses's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is going to stay with me for awhile. The writing is very poetic, intending to capture a feeling or illustration of human nature. Reads more like journal entries than anything. Plays upon natural human desires and adds a supernatural twist to it.
Ironically, Addie is not really likeable as a character, but that’s also just the nature of her curse. She never forms any deep connections with anyone, and she slowly loses grasp of herself over time. Henry is one of the most heartbreaking characters I’ve read in awhile. Luc and Addie’s dynamic does a good job showing how a toxic relationship can be both electrifying and infuriating, awful and tumultuous but you still find love in it somehow.
I’ve heard many valid critiques of this book, but I think the whole point is feeling the emotions of the characters/scene rather than trying to understand the logic or “adventure” of the story. The whole story feels like a classic fable (Take the example of the Tortoise and the Hare fable, if you’re hung up on why a Tortoise and Hare would be racing to begin with, you’re missing the entire point). People critique how Addie lives her life over 300 years, but this shows the decision paralysis of endless possibilities and how this version of freedom is actually extremely limiting. This is definitely not a straightforward story and you will be frustrated if you take it too literally. The only thing keeping me from rating 5 stars is it definitely could’ve used another round of editing.
Ironically, Addie is not really likeable as a character, but that’s also just the nature of her curse. She never forms any deep connections with anyone, and she slowly loses grasp of herself over time. Henry is one of the most heartbreaking characters I’ve read in awhile. Luc and Addie’s dynamic does a good job showing how a toxic relationship can be both electrifying and infuriating, awful and tumultuous but you still find love in it somehow.
I’ve heard many valid critiques of this book, but I think the whole point is feeling the emotions of the characters/scene rather than trying to understand the logic or “adventure” of the story. The whole story feels like a classic fable (Take the example of the Tortoise and the Hare fable, if you’re hung up on why a Tortoise and Hare would be racing to begin with, you’re missing the entire point). People critique how Addie lives her life over 300 years, but this shows the decision paralysis of endless possibilities and how this version of freedom is actually extremely limiting. This is definitely not a straightforward story and you will be frustrated if you take it too literally. The only thing keeping me from rating 5 stars is it definitely could’ve used another round of editing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
epeolatrist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Confinement and War
epellicci's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I'm incredibly grateful to the friend who recommended I read this book. What a story. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is clever and heartbreaking and playful and beautiful. It made me cry, and it reminded me the importance of looking for moments of beauty and wonder every day. An unforgettable masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
mikaylawood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was so beautiful and I was sobbing at the end of it!!!
"I remember you."
"I remember you."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: War
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: October 6, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Imaginative • Quiet • Tragic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.
France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
💭 T H O U G H T S
It's quite possible I am the last person to read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, as this book took Bookstagram by storm upon release. Personally, I was glad some of the hype had receded, as it afforded me the opportunity to go at my own pace and develop my own thoughts and feelings free of being bombarded with reviews and hype. And to be quite honest, the whole experience was rather dizzying and don't exactly know how I ended up feeling.
On the one hand, V.E. Schwab's writing was mesmerizing, atmospheric, and haunting. Although I didn't always know what was going on, I was transported into the story so vividly. Addie, herself, is a fairly unlikeable character, yet I could find myself empathizing with the why. There's such a strength in what this unique and clever story attempted to do.
Yet on the other hand, because of the structurally necessary repetitive descriptions I was never compelled to keep reading. I never found myself thinking about the narrative or characters when I wasn't reading. It lacked a depth I craved so badly. This sense of detachment made it feel longer than it actually is.
And finally, I found myself completely satisfied with the ending, meaning I finished on a high note and that's kind of what I focus on when I think back to my time with Addie. Taken in pieces, there are a lot of mixed feelings, yet it is a real testament to making the most of the time we have.
I do certainly understand why The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is beloved by so many. It's such a unique and fascinating idea, yet for me the reading experience was tedious. I am not sure I have been convinced to explore more of V.E. Schwab's work, but you just never know.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife
• readers who like unique stories
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Nothing is all good or all bad,' she says. 'Life is so much messier than that.'"
"Live long enough, and you learn how to read a person. To ease them open like a book, some passages underlined and others hidden between the lines."
"And perhaps it is just that happiness is frightening."
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: October 6, 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Imaginative • Quiet • Tragic
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.
France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.
💭 T H O U G H T S
It's quite possible I am the last person to read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, as this book took Bookstagram by storm upon release. Personally, I was glad some of the hype had receded, as it afforded me the opportunity to go at my own pace and develop my own thoughts and feelings free of being bombarded with reviews and hype. And to be quite honest, the whole experience was rather dizzying and don't exactly know how I ended up feeling.
On the one hand, V.E. Schwab's writing was mesmerizing, atmospheric, and haunting. Although I didn't always know what was going on, I was transported into the story so vividly. Addie, herself, is a fairly unlikeable character, yet I could find myself empathizing with the why. There's such a strength in what this unique and clever story attempted to do.
Yet on the other hand, because of the structurally necessary repetitive descriptions I was never compelled to keep reading. I never found myself thinking about the narrative or characters when I wasn't reading. It lacked a depth I craved so badly. This sense of detachment made it feel longer than it actually is.
And finally, I found myself completely satisfied with the ending, meaning I finished on a high note and that's kind of what I focus on when I think back to my time with Addie. Taken in pieces, there are a lot of mixed feelings, yet it is a real testament to making the most of the time we have.
I do certainly understand why The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is beloved by so many. It's such a unique and fascinating idea, yet for me the reading experience was tedious. I am not sure I have been convinced to explore more of V.E. Schwab's work, but you just never know.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife
• readers who like unique stories
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'Nothing is all good or all bad,' she says. 'Life is so much messier than that.'"
"Live long enough, and you learn how to read a person. To ease them open like a book, some passages underlined and others hidden between the lines."
"And perhaps it is just that happiness is frightening."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and War
ksilvio's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction and Suicidal thoughts
jpearlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content