Reviews with content warning for Drug use - La Vida Invisible de Addie Larue

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La Vida Invisible de Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

340 reviews

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.

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feliciatarantino's review against another edition

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5.0

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kelly_e's review against another edition

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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."

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asagetheskater's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This book is magical!! I have re-read it multiple times, and yet each time it seems to get better!!

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teaand_tomes's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad fast-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

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is an absolutely magnificent book. The way V.E. Schwab writes is enchanting, painting an entrancing story that feels like pure poetry. It is easily one of the most beautifully written stories I have ever read.

The unexpected mystery surrounding the man who finally remembers Addie adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. It keeps you engaged and wanting to uncover the truth alongside the characters.

The dual timelines in the story are so captivating that I found myself torn between them, never wanting either to end once they've started. The way the author seamlessly weaves together Addie's past and present is masterful.

While reading, I couldn't help but hold my breath, much like Addie herself, waiting for the spell to break. The constant anticipation of the curse creeping back into her life adds a sense of tension and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is truly a masterpiece of literature. Despite having an ending that may not be conventionally happy and is mildly open-ended, I am left utterly speechless by how amazing this story is. It is a testament to the author's skill and storytelling ability.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates beautifully written stories that captivate and leave a lasting impact. It is a remarkable tale that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

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helfire124's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-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

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guessgreenleaf's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring 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

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mmidi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful medium-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

4.0

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lou_ka's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I liked the story's writing and general premise, but the ending disappointed me. It was a bit too much about giving oneself up for someone else. Although the author probably tried to reduce it with the last few pages by framing it as a strategic choice, it was not really believable to me. But this might also be cause I could not really bond with the characters.

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neim's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Before: i have really high hopes. Everyone seemed to love it.

During: I didn't expect this to be third-person POV. Not gonna lie, I feel bad for Addie. I imagine myself in this situation and it feels lonely, and the fact that you had to repeat everyday, answer the same questions about you everyday is AGONIZING.
I'm actually interested and it's not boring to read like some books. This book doesn't have any dull moments. And it is so fast-paced!!!!!

(The moment when Luc sealed Addie's prayers through a kiss)
OH MY GOD HE IS SO HOT!!!! Especially when he smiled and kissed her to grant her wishes. And then said "Done" 🥵🥵🥵🥵 AAAHHHHHH

At the end (like almost at the end), it kind of feels like the author, like she's trying so hard to make it dramatic and emotional because it's really fast-paced like the first 50% of the book, its really fast paced, and then suddenly when it comes to Henry's life story, especially this time when it's a week before he dies, she's trying so hard to make it like emotional and make the readers cry their eyes out.

I just finished the story and i cried, i was bawling. i can't believe it wasn't a happy ending. I WAS expecting it to be a happy ending and it's not. I'm not mad that Addie end up with Luc but obviously, the best will be addie together with henry. But yeah, addie and Luc is still something than much worse endings (I actually thought of another ending. Henry's going to die and Addie end up with no one and Luc still doesn't get her.)
-----------
Okay, so my favorite parts(yess PARTSSS, cause I loved this book so much!) where I left my bookmark. 🔖

1. The part where they just left the club, Henry and Addie both drunk. It rained. They're laughing and having a good time. They went to Henry's apartment, soaked. And they... basically did some love actions. ESPECIALLY WHEN HE'S SAYING HER NAME!!!! and she loved it so much cause everyone(even her), only Luc CAN SAY HER NAME!!! And the fact that Henry can say it will love and good intentions, AAAAHHHH!!! Just like Addie said "You wouldn't know the power of a name." The power of an identity! Without your name, you would go crazy searching for who you are!!

2. Second favorite part is when they went to the Art exhibit. There's neon paints sitting there, and they can basically paint the clear walls. When Addie tried it, obviously it gets erased even before she finishes. And Henry thought of a solution, putting her hand over his and they drew together. It doesn't get erased. It's a crucial and emotional moment for Addie that she can leave a mark, somehow. SHE WROTE HER NAME WITHOUT IT GETTING ERASED! She immediately thought of going home, Henry brought a ballpoint pen and a notebook, AND HE WRITES EVERYTHING SHE SAYS!!!! FROM THE START OF HER GROWING UP TO HER PRAYING TO THE GODS!!!!! IF THIS ISN'T LOVE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!!!!! I WOULD DIE TO HAVE MY OWN VERSION OF HENRY STRAUSS!!!!

3. Third one is when Luc admitted his love(possession? Obsession?) to Addie. They were dancing and the moment Luc whispered "I want you", MY WHOLE BODY GOT ELECTRIFIED!!! I felt a wave of weird excitement on my whole body hahaha. And also, can we talk about how V.E. Schwab describes how Luc kisses Addie??? And the fact that this moment, when he admitted his love, HE KISSES HER ON HER COLLARBONE, HER THROAT, ALONG HER JEW... (stay with me...) WHILE SAYING SWEET THINGS TO HERRRR!!!!!! AAAAHHHHHH this got me kicking my feet. And this is why I am okay with Addie ending up with Luc.

4. The fourth and last favorite and the most devastating part of the book. It's when Henry woke up, Addie isn't there and he's searching for her. I literally cried at this part. He immediately took the journals (the notebooks he used to write Addie's story because again, she can't). HE LITERALLY READ EVERY LETTER OF THAT 6 NOTEBOOKS, THINKING OF HER!!!!! He completed it, wrote what happened now that she's gone, shared her story to the world! (MY OH MY HENRY STRAUSS!!)
"Because the girl he loved is gone.
And he's still here.
He remembers everything."
I can't.

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