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A review by mollymortensen
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
2.0
I've never rated a Schwab book so low (and I've read almost everything she's written.) This one just wasn't for me.
I kept thinking about giving up. It was just so SLOW and the flashbacks were so depressing. I kept reading because she kept hinting about things like Addie's past, how she's going to explain things to Henry, what happened between her and Luc. There was always something, and I was usually disappointed once I found out. (But it didn't stop me from falling for it the next time.)
I didn't like Addie, but she was a great character. She was interesting, but annoying. She was vain, selish, and only concerned about herself. She basically did nothing with her life, but she was strong and spunky and clever, and never gave up.
The premise had a lot of promise, but I've read and watched a LOT of immortal stories and this one was below average. The ‘people forget her once they can't see her’ part was cool. (It drove me nuts where I saw that power before. I actually had to Google it. It was on Dark Angel with Jessica Alba.)
Her curse, while being the most unique part of the book, also greatly limited what she could do over time. No learning a lot of trades, no acquiring wealth, no past relationships. Most of the fun parts about an immortal character were absent.
I expected more from the flashbacks since she's lived for 300 years. We basically got the worst days of her life. Nothing exciting or adventurous. We're told she's become a master thief, but don't get to see much of it. Also she plays piano and knows many languages. But that's about it.
I wish that the person who could remember Addie was someone else, and not a romantic interest. I didn't feel the romance at all.
I hated how Henry would get mad at Addie for something stupid, throw a fit, and she'd just brush it off. Example: on their first date, he learns Addie has seen the movie she took him to before. He walks out of the theater.
I just don't understand what Addie saw in Henry. I guess it's that whole if you were the last person in the world thing.
Henry's POV was incredibly boring, and somehow made me like him even less. He was just so whiny and dull. and he gave up so easily.
It was actually the later parts with Luc that I enjoyed the most. I liked the complexity of him, the unknown. He was a great villain, unpredictable and cunning.
I couldn't see how Schwab could end this well, and so I would like it. But I think Schwab achieved about the best ending possible.
No, I don't want a sequel, because we don't need one. There is no ending for people who can't die.
I kept thinking about giving up. It was just so SLOW and the flashbacks were so depressing. I kept reading because she kept hinting about things like Addie's past, how she's going to explain things to Henry, what happened between her and Luc. There was always something, and I was usually disappointed once I found out. (But it didn't stop me from falling for it the next time.)
I didn't like Addie, but she was a great character. She was interesting, but annoying. She was vain, selish, and only concerned about herself. She basically did nothing with her life, but she was strong and spunky and clever, and never gave up.
The premise had a lot of promise, but I've read and watched a LOT of immortal stories and this one was below average. The ‘people forget her once they can't see her’ part was cool. (It drove me nuts where I saw that power before. I actually had to Google it. It was on Dark Angel with Jessica Alba.)
Her curse, while being the most unique part of the book, also greatly limited what she could do over time. No learning a lot of trades, no acquiring wealth, no past relationships. Most of the fun parts about an immortal character were absent.
I expected more from the flashbacks since she's lived for 300 years. We basically got the worst days of her life. Nothing exciting or adventurous. We're told she's become a master thief, but don't get to see much of it. Also she plays piano and knows many languages. But that's about it.
I wish that the person who could remember Addie was someone else, and not a romantic interest. I didn't feel the romance at all.
I hated how Henry would get mad at Addie for something stupid, throw a fit, and she'd just brush it off. Example: on their first date, he learns Addie has seen the movie she took him to before. He walks out of the theater.
Spoiler
I'm convinced that Addie was affected by Henry's curse.Henry's POV was incredibly boring, and somehow made me like him even less. He was just so whiny and dull.
Spoiler
He didn't do anything with his gift/curse but complain about itIt was actually the later parts with Luc that I enjoyed the most.
Spoiler
Not that I want them to be a couple butI couldn't see how Schwab could end this well, and so I would like it.
Spoiler
Because I wouldn't like a “happy ending” with Henry. And if he forgets her, well then what's the point of it all. I also wouldn't have been happy if she'd wound up with Luc, because that wouldn't make sense for her personality and I don't see that ending well.No, I don't want a sequel, because we don't need one. There is no ending for people who can't die.