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anna_harmsen's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
mo345's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
saintstefan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
eruby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
I have read stories of gods and goddesses and their interactions with mortals (a la Circe or American Gods). And I love stories where a mortal ascends to godhood in a single moment of transformation (like The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms or the Mistborn series). But it is a real treat to read a story of one person's long, slow transition from human mortal to something akin to a minor god. I loved reading the way Addie clings to her humanity even as she slowly starts to accept that she's not truly human anymore and the way that, through sheer force of will, she finds herself on equal footing with an old god. This was a romance, an origin story, and a myth all wrapped into one.
I was really enchanted by this book, and only about half way through did I realize it was going to wreck me. Sure enough, the last 30 pages had me crying. I get the impression from other reviews that some readers didn't care for the ending, but I loved it.
Other notes about this book- I loved both Addie and Henry. I connected a lot to Addie's wildness, her yearning for freedom and new experiences, her determination to enjoy the beauty the world has to offer. I appreciated the portrayal of Henry's struggles with depression (his "storms") and his feeling that he is never enough, even when he clearly has loving and supportive people around him. I also, as a bisexual woman, really appreciated that both protagonists had romantic relationships with both men and women.
This is up there as one of my favorite books I've read this year, closely behind Circe and Piranesi. Maybe it's something about the black covers with gold text...
I was really enchanted by this book, and only about half way through did I realize it was going to wreck me. Sure enough, the last 30 pages had me crying. I get the impression from other reviews that some readers didn't care for the ending, but I loved it.
Other notes about this book- I loved both Addie and Henry. I connected a lot to Addie's wildness, her yearning for freedom and new experiences, her determination to enjoy the beauty the world has to offer. I appreciated the portrayal of Henry's struggles with depression (his "storms") and his feeling that he is never enough, even when he clearly has loving and supportive people around him. I also, as a bisexual woman, really appreciated that both protagonists had romantic relationships with both men and women.
This is up there as one of my favorite books I've read this year, closely behind Circe and Piranesi. Maybe it's something about the black covers with gold text...
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
meganmeread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
spookily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
cclewsey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
this is literally the best book ever i loved it so much
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
lectrixnoctis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
V.E. Schwab is probably one of the most famous authors of Young Adult books of our time. She is a Bestellung authored not only "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" but many more, for example ", The Shade of Magic"-series. She is known for her beautiful writing style and her dedication to her books. I am pretty sure you already read a work of her, but be sure to pick one up.
We follow the story of Adeline LaRue, a young woman who wants to be free and live her life like she wants to. But perhaps being born in the 17th century is not ideal for her dream of living an independent life. She runs off on her wedding eve as she ought to marry another local of Villon-Sur-Sarthe, France. In the woods of Villon, she pleads to unfamiliar gods. After endless begging, a god or perhaps a devil finally answers her calls. However, now she has to make a decision that will change her life forever. Does she want to be free, even if she has to give up her soul? As the darkling, who's named Luc, intends to leave Adeline alone in the woods, she finally decides to give up her soul to be free, but under the condition that she tell him when she is done with her life, he can have her soul. The presents grant her wish, but under the condition that everyone she meets will forget her after not leaving her alone for a split second.
But after almost 300 years, she finally meets someone who can remember her even after a day. She is complete shocked by this and wants to learn more about this particular human. His name is Henry Strauss, and he is in his late twenties. Not forgetting to mention almost double of the darkness reaping souls. The only thing that secrets them from appearance-wise is their eye colour; while Luc, the darkness, has poisons green eyes, Henry's are a bright blue shade. Addie finds herself in a sticky situation after falling for Henry. What will the future hold for her? Does she finally give Luc her soul?
This novel is written in the present and from a third-person omniscient narrator. The storyline springs through the ages from Villon-Sur-Sarthe in 1714 to New York in 2014, while making some stops between them, for example, Munich in 1872 or New Orleans in 1984
This story is about power dynamics and how they can virtually change but still be imbalanced. Humans sometimes hold onto the most toxic relationships that they cannot seem to let go of even if they are hurting them even more. Furthermore, it reflects how desperate a human being can be to search for their happiness and what they will give up to be not alone. We get to see the good and the ugly. We read about the lowers points of Addie's long way to happiness and the hurt that has to build up all these centuries. It also highlights how mental health can be such a hard thing to maintain.
I am not in the LGBTQIA+ community nor BIPOC, and I do not want to speak over their voices. I believe that this book has some good representation. Being LGBT+ Or BIPOC is not the main character trait of the main/side characters, which is refreshing. They have more levels, and every character feels super fleshed out and complexed. Maybe it is because every character has flaws, which makes them seem like they're real.
One of the main themes of this book is forgetting and remembering. While this may seem quite dull: I can tell you it is not. Just imagine you remember everything while the person with who you shared mane memories cannot recognise you for the life of them. At the same time, the only one who can remember you for enuresis is you charming yet abusive devil who ought to terrorise you till you are willing to surrender your soul. V.E. Schwab has done beautiful things with the character, Luc since he is intriguing and easily romanised but still maintains his role as an abuser so well. Henry, who is feeling a lot of mental health problems like depression, seems like a beautiful broke person who wants to be loved so badly and think for once that he is finally enough. Lastly, Addie is a solid female character who knows what is worth fighting for and when to give up on a sure thing.
I am entirely overwhelmed by how I grew to love this story and how beautiful Schwab's writing style is. This book is a masterpiece, and I do not use that word lightly. Now I know why everyone loves her stories and characters so much. If all her books are like this, I am going to be extremely broke.
We follow the story of Adeline LaRue, a young woman who wants to be free and live her life like she wants to. But perhaps being born in the 17th century is not ideal for her dream of living an independent life. She runs off on her wedding eve as she ought to marry another local of Villon-Sur-Sarthe, France. In the woods of Villon, she pleads to unfamiliar gods. After endless begging, a god or perhaps a devil finally answers her calls. However, now she has to make a decision that will change her life forever. Does she want to be free, even if she has to give up her soul? As the darkling, who's named Luc, intends to leave Adeline alone in the woods, she finally decides to give up her soul to be free, but under the condition that she tell him when she is done with her life, he can have her soul. The presents grant her wish, but under the condition that everyone she meets will forget her after not leaving her alone for a split second.
But after almost 300 years, she finally meets someone who can remember her even after a day. She is complete shocked by this and wants to learn more about this particular human. His name is Henry Strauss, and he is in his late twenties. Not forgetting to mention almost double of the darkness reaping souls. The only thing that secrets them from appearance-wise is their eye colour; while Luc, the darkness, has poisons green eyes, Henry's are a bright blue shade. Addie finds herself in a sticky situation after falling for Henry. What will the future hold for her? Does she finally give Luc her soul?
This novel is written in the present and from a third-person omniscient narrator. The storyline springs through the ages from Villon-Sur-Sarthe in 1714 to New York in 2014, while making some stops between them, for example, Munich in 1872 or New Orleans in 1984
This story is about power dynamics and how they can virtually change but still be imbalanced. Humans sometimes hold onto the most toxic relationships that they cannot seem to let go of even if they are hurting them even more. Furthermore, it reflects how desperate a human being can be to search for their happiness and what they will give up to be not alone. We get to see the good and the ugly. We read about the lowers points of Addie's long way to happiness and the hurt that has to build up all these centuries. It also highlights how mental health can be such a hard thing to maintain.
I am not in the LGBTQIA+ community nor BIPOC, and I do not want to speak over their voices. I believe that this book has some good representation. Being LGBT+ Or BIPOC is not the main character trait of the main/side characters, which is refreshing. They have more levels, and every character feels super fleshed out and complexed. Maybe it is because every character has flaws, which makes them seem like they're real.
One of the main themes of this book is forgetting and remembering. While this may seem quite dull: I can tell you it is not. Just imagine you remember everything while the person with who you shared mane memories cannot recognise you for the life of them. At the same time, the only one who can remember you for enuresis is you charming yet abusive devil who ought to terrorise you till you are willing to surrender your soul. V.E. Schwab has done beautiful things with the character, Luc since he is intriguing and easily romanised but still maintains his role as an abuser so well. Henry, who is feeling a lot of mental health problems like depression, seems like a beautiful broke person who wants to be loved so badly and think for once that he is finally enough. Lastly, Addie is a solid female character who knows what is worth fighting for and when to give up on a sure thing.
I am entirely overwhelmed by how I grew to love this story and how beautiful Schwab's writing style is. This book is a masterpiece, and I do not use that word lightly. Now I know why everyone loves her stories and characters so much. If all her books are like this, I am going to be extremely broke.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer
risemini's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
1.5
likes: -writing style
-two bisexual main characters
dislikes: -no plot till last 30 pages
-badly written characters except for luc
-too long
-two bisexual main characters
dislikes: -no plot till last 30 pages
-badly written characters except for luc
-too long
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Rape, and Suicide attempt
snoutsiru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
really enjoyed it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Injury/Injury detail