A review by diannamorganti
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

3.0

In the early 1700s a woman makes a deal with the darkness on the night of her (forced) wedding. She wishes to not die too early, and to not be beholden to anyone. The darkness gives her immortality, but no one ever remembers her once she leaves their presence. She cannot do something as simple as rent a room, make a friend, or anything - she has to live a life of theft and anonymity (hence, 'invisible life').

Until one day, after 300 years, she meets a man who remembers her from the day before.

Spoiler

There are really two unconvincing love stories in this book, and neither of them were intriguing to me. Addie admits to not being in love with either of them at various points, but towards the end we're supposed to be convinced she's in love with both? I also just think I'm immune to finding immortal-mortal love stories convincing as well. I'm 41 now, and I look at a 20-something year old man with great distaste - they're like children in their maturity. How could a 300+ year old person find a 20-year-old man attractive? Yuck. The darkness? That's the love story I'd have preferred be explored. He's crafting his own lover over the centuries - grooming her, essentially. And her defiance of him would be more fascinating if we got to explore that concept more.

So - not a page turner, this one, not for me. If you're into art, perhaps, or you prefer literary fiction over fantasy - then, yes, this is probably for you. If you don't mind the icky Bella-Edward May-December romance trope: go for it. I stuck with it, and managed to finish it within the 3 weeks I had it from the library. I didn't just give it up, so that's something.