Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

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

115 reviews

books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective relaxing 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

4.5

"What I want, what I've always truly wanted, is for someone to remember me."

Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much. 
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.

Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

runrun's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Alcohol

madscanread's review

mysterious sad medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Suicide attempt

Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Alcohol

devangarri's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicide

hamstersinmypantsters's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Minor: Physical abuse, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, and War

tori21's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: War

naomi_k's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Abandonment

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and War

issy81's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt

roosveld's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

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

4.75

A lot of going back to the past

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

Moderate: Cursing, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail