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ximereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked this book, it took me more time than I thought to finished it, but it was an enjoyable reading, the story for me was incredible, I would just liked it more if there was more diversity with the people Addie met, and the places she stayed. But overall I think everything is great and I definitely recommend this book :)
I give it a 4.5, just the lack of poc and other places bugged me.
I give it a 4.5, just the lack of poc and other places bugged me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Rape, and Violence
runitsthepopo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Blood, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Terminal illness
azyef's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Blood, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexism, and Mental illness
Minor: Biphobia, Dementia, and Death
bwaymadeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
this book is a triumph and so is henry strauss❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Drug use
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Blood
sebrittainclark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Moderate: Addiction and Rape
Minor: Blood and Suicide attempt
makeshiftrolley's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Violence
maisierosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
3.5
I impulsively borrowed the audiobook of Addie LaRue from my library (while desperately hunting through their available fiction audiobooks on overdrive late at night, because most audiobooks were temporarily unavailable on Scribd UK)
I haven't read any of V.E. Schwab's other books, but I have listened to other books narrated by Julia Whelan (unsurprising, if you've seen the sheer number she's narrated!) and she did as good a job as always.
I enjoyed the concept behind The Invosible Life of Addie LaRue, and V.E. Schwab's writing style. There were some details in the plot which I particularly appreciated too - though I was able to predict most of the reveals, there was enough mystery to keep me interested.
One of the things I was really excited about was this book having two bi MC's - their sexuality isn't explored in a lot of detail, but it is very much canonical. Although it isn't necessarily a problem, I think Addie's sapphic identity/relationships could have definitely been explored in more detail given the length of her timeline, or at least touched upon more than once or twice since this novel is primarily driven by her as a character. As it is, we are only told (briefly) about one of her female lovers in the contemporary part of the timeline, and this lover had a much smaller impact on her character than any of her on-page male love interests. It is implied that she had slept with other women - surely at least one of them had a significant impact on her life?
It is also worth noting that this book is very white. In a 300 year narrative, only one of the book's original characters wasn't white, and pretty much the only famous historical figures she comes across were white men (some of whom were undeniably racist in reality, though this wasn't touched on in the book). Addie plays a small part in some historical events, e.g. briefly helping to work against the Nazis in WW2, but seemingly only when those events were affecting Addie herself and not when marginalised groups were being systematically oppressed alongside her.
My other issue was understanding the relationship between Addie LaRou and Luc. I understand her need to hear her name and not be forgotten, butLuc literally tortures her at one point in the book and I don't know how she could ever look past that!
Overall, I didn't hate this book and enjoyed several aspects of it, but feel that more could have been done in terms of diversity and character development.
I haven't read any of V.E. Schwab's other books, but I have listened to other books narrated by Julia Whelan (unsurprising, if you've seen the sheer number she's narrated!) and she did as good a job as always.
I enjoyed the concept behind The Invosible Life of Addie LaRue, and V.E. Schwab's writing style. There were some details in the plot which I particularly appreciated too - though I was able to predict most of the reveals, there was enough mystery to keep me interested.
One of the things I was really excited about was this book having two bi MC's - their sexuality isn't explored in a lot of detail, but it is very much canonical. Although it isn't necessarily a problem, I think Addie's sapphic identity/relationships could have definitely been explored in more detail given the length of her timeline, or at least touched upon more than once or twice since this novel is primarily driven by her as a character. As it is, we are only told (briefly) about one of her female lovers in the contemporary part of the timeline, and this lover had a much smaller impact on her character than any of her on-page male love interests. It is implied that she had slept with other women - surely at least one of them had a significant impact on her life?
It is also worth noting that this book is very white. In a 300 year narrative, only one of the book's original characters wasn't white, and pretty much the only famous historical figures she comes across were white men (some of whom were undeniably racist in reality, though this wasn't touched on in the book). Addie plays a small part in some historical events, e.g. briefly helping to work against the Nazis in WW2, but seemingly only when those events were affecting Addie herself and not when marginalised groups were being systematically oppressed alongside her.
My other issue was understanding the relationship between Addie LaRou and Luc. I understand her need to hear her name and not be forgotten, but
Overall, I didn't hate this book and enjoyed several aspects of it, but feel that more could have been done in terms of diversity and character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Violence
nicolemattingly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Full review coming soon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism and Drug use
starvation,marisa_reads's review against another edition
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.
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 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
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
fictionalalex's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓅𝓇𝒶𝓎 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝒹𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓀”
Review:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Summary: When she runs away from her wedding in 1714, Adeline LaRue doesn’t realize how much more she is leaving behind. When the sun sets, a god hears her pleas and makes her a bargain — she can live forever free of everyone’s control. She doesn’t realize this means she will be forgotten by everyone too.
300 years pass and not a single soul remembers Addie LaRue. Luc, the god her heard her, visits her, checking in to see if she is ready to give up her soul. But when a boy in a bookshop remembers Addie, her life changes forever.
Review: I wanted to quit the book in the first 25% percent of it. Schwab’s writing in liquid gold. It reminds me of the Starless Sea and Morgenstern’s whimsical style. However, the first quarter of the book was a bit of a drag. It was worth pushing through it. The alternating time periods keep you hooked on, waiting to see what happens next. You never know where in Addie’s life a chapter might take you. The end of the book had me in tears, and the tale is now dear to my heart. A magical tale of heartbreak, I am in love with this story and every character in it.
Rating:4.5/5
Recommended For: lovers of the The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, lovers of historical fiction, magic, and love.
Review:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Summary: When she runs away from her wedding in 1714, Adeline LaRue doesn’t realize how much more she is leaving behind. When the sun sets, a god hears her pleas and makes her a bargain — she can live forever free of everyone’s control. She doesn’t realize this means she will be forgotten by everyone too.
300 years pass and not a single soul remembers Addie LaRue. Luc, the god her heard her, visits her, checking in to see if she is ready to give up her soul. But when a boy in a bookshop remembers Addie, her life changes forever.
Review: I wanted to quit the book in the first 25% percent of it. Schwab’s writing in liquid gold. It reminds me of the Starless Sea and Morgenstern’s whimsical style. However, the first quarter of the book was a bit of a drag. It was worth pushing through it. The alternating time periods keep you hooked on, waiting to see what happens next. You never know where in Addie’s life a chapter might take you. The end of the book had me in tears, and the tale is now dear to my heart. A magical tale of heartbreak, I am in love with this story and every character in it.
Rating:4.5/5
Recommended For: lovers of the The Night Circus and The Starless Sea, lovers of historical fiction, magic, and love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Minor: Blood