Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

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

235 reviews

effy's review against another edition

5.0

Review on re-read: This book was another re-read for me but this time I very much felt myself falling in love with it all over again. Schwab has such an irresistible way with words that truly sucks the reader in. I also appreciated Henry so much especially with the place that my mental health has been recently. Henry really spoke to my soul <3

This read was utilising the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan. Overall it was really well produced however the London accents toward the ned were laughably bad. 

Given how much I loved this book, it is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that it wasn't my best book of last year but I think that just meant I read some truly exceptional books.

Favourite quotes:

Spoiler

And there in the dark, he asks if it was really worth it. Were the instances of joy worth the stretches of sorrow? Were the moments of beauty worth the years of pain? And she turns her head, and looks at him, and says, "Always." 

Spoiler

... And there wasn't enough time, and he knows of course that there will never be. That time always ends a second before you're ready. That life is the minutes you want minus one.

Rating on first read - 5⭐

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Death

jayknowsit's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual content

Moderate: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Violence, Alcoholism, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Grief, Injury/injury detail, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Drug use, War, Blood, and Cancer

raelinton's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I have never seen the word "perhaps" so many times in a single book. Took about 33% of the way through to get to a point, then didn't find its pace again until the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide

Moderate: War, Blood, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/injury detail

Minor: Slavery, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness

tessbookcorner's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death and Mental illness

saricostanzo's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

amre23's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Self harm, Stalking, Dysphoria, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Rape

Moderate: Grief, Cursing, Suicide, Emotional abuse, War, Sexism, Terminal illness, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug abuse

Minor: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Confinement

aryaa_05's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Sexual content

sk_coco's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness

cosxshea's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'm very happy I stuck with this book, but it was hard to keep reading. About halfway through, the mystery become intriguing enough to keep going, but I don't know if I would have made it that far if I didn't promise people I'd read this book.

I would not consider this book adventurous or fast-paced in any way. It's main focus is character driven, with a tiny side of plot. However intriguing said plot is, it does not make it fast-paced. 

That being said, the ending of this book was definitely worth the slow build up. It seized my heart and spoke to me on an emotional level that other mysteries have not. I will absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a story about the intricacies of love and life and a god that makes deals with mortals. 

This book will forever stay with me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Death of parent

katies_bookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-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

V. E. Schwab's writing is gorgeous. This book felt made up of equal parts wistful yearning and comforting like an old worn sweater. 

As I read, I couldn't help but think about all the ways the ending could play out in a way that was truly satisfying for all of the characters I had fallen in love with. The ending...was nothing like I had imagined, but I truly cannot think of a better or more satisfying ending.

Spoiler

Addie and Henry's goodbye made me cry in the darkness of my room in the middle of the night, as all the best literary goodbyes do.

It took me longer to read this book than the other novels I've read so far this year, but that is because you really need to have time to sit with this book (or, perhaps, let this book sit with you). Let it seep into you, your mind, your skin, your soul. (Can you tell I've just finished reading this book? I'm waxing poetic at 1am.)

I have so much more I could say about this wonderful book (and I might add to this review someday), but this is all I can write for now.

Tldr; Writing? Gorgeous. Ending? Perfect. Characters? Love them to pieces. Hotel? Trivago.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts