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ofcolours's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jrika1998's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely could not put this book down. There were so many themes to follow, and it was not what I was expecting at all. The ending wasn’t exactly a twist, but it was unexpected in a way that left me smiling. I cried and laughed throughout the whole thing.
thick_thighs_thicker_reads's review against another edition
5.0
“Three words, large enough to tip the world. I remember you.”
“But this is how you walk to the end of the world. This is how you live forever. Here is one day, and here is the next, and the next, and you take what you can, savor every stolen second, cling to every moment, until it’s gone.”
“They teach you growing up that you are only one thing at a time—angry, lonely, content—but he’s never found that to be true. He is a dozen things at once. He is lost and scared and grateful, he is sorry and happy and afraid.”
"That time always ends a second before you’re ready. That life is the minutes you want minus one."
I cried and cried when this book was over. Forever changed by the forgotten girl.
When I first started reading this book, I dnf'd it. It is so slow paced, and I didn't appreciate the beauty of the writing.
I recently went back, and read the audio (with the physical book) and jesus h christ. This BOOK!
So wonderfully written, so thought provoking, so moving. I will be rereading this book until i die, and still finding things to think about and consider.
10/10
“But this is how you walk to the end of the world. This is how you live forever. Here is one day, and here is the next, and the next, and you take what you can, savor every stolen second, cling to every moment, until it’s gone.”
“They teach you growing up that you are only one thing at a time—angry, lonely, content—but he’s never found that to be true. He is a dozen things at once. He is lost and scared and grateful, he is sorry and happy and afraid.”
"That time always ends a second before you’re ready. That life is the minutes you want minus one."
I cried and cried when this book was over. Forever changed by the forgotten girl.
When I first started reading this book, I dnf'd it. It is so slow paced, and I didn't appreciate the beauty of the writing.
I recently went back, and read the audio (with the physical book) and jesus h christ. This BOOK!
So wonderfully written, so thought provoking, so moving. I will be rereading this book until i die, and still finding things to think about and consider.
10/10
kanncarlson's review against another edition
5.0
This was the most lovely read I've experienced in a long time. I thought the writing in this book was superb. I just felt like, every time I picked it up, I was sinking into a wonderfully immersive story that I never wanted to leave.
This story follow Addie LaRue born in the 1600s in a tiny French village. Addie looks around herself and sees no possibility that her life will ever be any bigger than the village in which she is born. When circumstances conspire to solidify the chances that Addie will forever remain in her small village, she winds up making a deal with a sort of devil. She can live a life as long as she desires with all of the freedom she can dream up but the catch is that no one will remember her.
I found it utterly fascinating to watch Addie learn the quirks of her curse while simultaneously learning about life outside of the village where she was born. I also thought the start of the book was wonderfully French. This is the book that made me feel closer to the time I spent in France than any book has done in quite a while. I thought the immersive nature of the writing continued all the way through the book. I just loved it from start to finish. This was my first but certainly won't be my last V.E. Schwab.
This story follow Addie LaRue born in the 1600s in a tiny French village. Addie looks around herself and sees no possibility that her life will ever be any bigger than the village in which she is born. When circumstances conspire to solidify the chances that Addie will forever remain in her small village, she winds up making a deal with a sort of devil. She can live a life as long as she desires with all of the freedom she can dream up but the catch is that no one will remember her.
I found it utterly fascinating to watch Addie learn the quirks of her curse while simultaneously learning about life outside of the village where she was born. I also thought the start of the book was wonderfully French. This is the book that made me feel closer to the time I spent in France than any book has done in quite a while. I thought the immersive nature of the writing continued all the way through the book. I just loved it from start to finish. This was my first but certainly won't be my last V.E. Schwab.
heatherahooker's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.75
Addie LaRue is a most read! Honestly I brings you on a creative concept through her life. I personally wished there was a little more romance between the growing tension but I know that’s not the focus of the book
lomeraniel's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally published at: https://lomeraniel.com/book-review-the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue-by-v-e-schwab/
This is the story of Addie, a twenty-three-year-old girl living at the beginning of the 18th century in a small French village. In order to avoid an arranged marriage and a life and death tied to the same place, she makes a deal with one of the gods she shouldn't have prayed to, one of the gods that answer after dark, to set her free from everything and everyone. This is how Addie begins her immortal journey of several centuries, a life of freedom but also a lonely one, as nobody will remember her after they turn their back on her.
This is a beautifully written book, almost poetical. Schwab's prose grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. In a way, the writing style reminded me a bit of This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. How the story was told was as important as the story itself, sometimes even more. The book is written in the present tense to emphasize the fact that Addie only has the present as any possessions and people from the past are completely out of her reach. She can only live looking forward, as looking back is desperation itself.
While this is not a completely original story, people selling their soul to the devil is a theme that has been written about since the beginning of times, I quite enjoyed this book. Some parts were quite repetitive, to illustrate how Addie's life consisted of meeting new people and soon being forgotten, but also to convey the idea of the very long time Addie was on Earth waiting for a miracle to happen. The writing style was lyrically beautiful but the book felt long-winded. The beauty of the prose and the intrigue to know what was going to happen to Addie and Henry was what kept me going. From the moment they meet, the story is told from each character's pov, alternating chapters. With each one, more and more is uncovered, and the appeal at this moment is that both have something to hide.
One of the issues I had with this book is that I wasn't able to relate to the characters. I understood their fears and worries, but the more we knew about them, the less I was able to justify the bad decisions they made again and again. The other issue was the length and pace of the story. Somehow, I think the same could have been told with fewer words, and as a whole, it would have worked better.
Julia Whelan did an astounding job with the narration of this book, just as I expected from other audiobooks narrated by her. She transmitted the raw emotions felt by the characters, and her steady pace and smooth voice were key in making listening to this audiobook a stunning experience.
This is the story of Addie, a twenty-three-year-old girl living at the beginning of the 18th century in a small French village. In order to avoid an arranged marriage and a life and death tied to the same place, she makes a deal with one of the gods she shouldn't have prayed to, one of the gods that answer after dark, to set her free from everything and everyone. This is how Addie begins her immortal journey of several centuries, a life of freedom but also a lonely one, as nobody will remember her after they turn their back on her.
This is a beautifully written book, almost poetical. Schwab's prose grabbed me from the start and didn't let go. In a way, the writing style reminded me a bit of This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. How the story was told was as important as the story itself, sometimes even more. The book is written in the present tense to emphasize the fact that Addie only has the present as any possessions and people from the past are completely out of her reach. She can only live looking forward, as looking back is desperation itself.
While this is not a completely original story, people selling their soul to the devil is a theme that has been written about since the beginning of times, I quite enjoyed this book. Some parts were quite repetitive, to illustrate how Addie's life consisted of meeting new people and soon being forgotten, but also to convey the idea of the very long time Addie was on Earth waiting for a miracle to happen. The writing style was lyrically beautiful but the book felt long-winded. The beauty of the prose and the intrigue to know what was going to happen to Addie and Henry was what kept me going. From the moment they meet, the story is told from each character's pov, alternating chapters. With each one, more and more is uncovered, and the appeal at this moment is that both have something to hide.
One of the issues I had with this book is that I wasn't able to relate to the characters. I understood their fears and worries, but the more we knew about them, the less I was able to justify the bad decisions they made again and again. The other issue was the length and pace of the story. Somehow, I think the same could have been told with fewer words, and as a whole, it would have worked better.
Julia Whelan did an astounding job with the narration of this book, just as I expected from other audiobooks narrated by her. She transmitted the raw emotions felt by the characters, and her steady pace and smooth voice were key in making listening to this audiobook a stunning experience.
kaylastellarose's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful book. This one will be with me for a while.
larsssreads's review against another edition
5.0
Where to start... wauw I really really loved this book. Normally I would avoid fantasy books (my opinion), but I enjoyed this book. I mean the vibes, the aesthetics and the connection between characters. Yes, definitely 5 out of 5!
I loved Addie so so much. All the characters in this book has it own amazing aesthetic. And just as I already said, the connection between characters... the chemistry.
It took my a while to read the whole book. I think I just took the time to really enjoy all of it (besides school and other activities then..)
I want to thank the author for writing this book, because I really enjoyed it.
- Lars
I loved Addie so so much. All the characters in this book has it own amazing aesthetic. And just as I already said, the connection between characters... the chemistry.
It took my a while to read the whole book. I think I just took the time to really enjoy all of it (besides school and other activities then..)
I want to thank the author for writing this book, because I really enjoyed it.
- Lars