qyanacurry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
“A dreamer,” scorns her mother.
“A dreamer,” mourns her father.
“A dreamer,” warns Estele.
Most people only have ~80 years for growth and development. I don’t know, I’m 22 and feel like I’ve gone through significantly more character development than someone 3 centuries older than me. Also for someone that wanted to be free to see everything it seems only France, Italy, and Germany had memorable experiences. Even her being in mostly Europe, someone else mentioned that there were no Renaissance experiences. What was Addie’s experience with the Renaissance? The Reformation? The Age of Enlightenment? The closest thing to it was mentions of Voltaire. She could’ve easily spent a year in each country, just gone back and forth and built up a collection of the most amazing experiences instead of memories walking through Europe. At least I would’ve but I’m not her and maybe key to development is being remembered for the things you do and have done so people can guide you.
I enjoyed the writing although sometimes it got a bit corny and repetitive. It was both inspiring and heart-breaking. I looooved the relationship with the darkness and the manipulation at the end too. Henry was bland but I feel like sometimes people are actually just bland and that’s who he is.
“A dreamer,” mourns her father.
“A dreamer,” warns Estele.
Most people only have ~80 years for growth and development. I don’t know, I’m 22 and feel like I’ve gone through significantly more character development than someone 3 centuries older than me. Also for someone that wanted to be free to see everything it seems only France, Italy, and Germany had memorable experiences. Even her being in mostly Europe, someone else mentioned that there were no Renaissance experiences. What was Addie’s experience with the Renaissance? The Reformation? The Age of Enlightenment? The closest thing to it was mentions of Voltaire. She could’ve easily spent a year in each country, just gone back and forth and built up a collection of the most amazing experiences instead of memories walking through Europe. At least I would’ve but I’m not her and maybe key to development is being remembered for the things you do and have done so people can guide you.
I enjoyed the writing although sometimes it got a bit corny and repetitive. It was both inspiring and heart-breaking. I looooved the relationship with the darkness and the manipulation at the end too. Henry was bland but I feel like sometimes people are actually just bland and that’s who he is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
There’s a portion of the book where Addie does sex work out of necessity, she does not enjoy it. I wasn’t really sure what to tag this as.myleejmiller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
It is not often I find myself without something to say after concluding a story written and published, or otherwise yet to be printed on paper. I have so many words to explain my absolute astonishment at this novel and what it entails, but not enough words to scribe my thoughts properly. Thinking of my own writing, I often consider the benefits of certain methods leading to literary excellence. This novel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, made me question for the first time the benefit of writing a story in one popular way or the other, quieter way. One method, in which the author focuses on the plot, and the characters, and weaves a story of epic wonder and magic that makes you jump out of your seat while reading to evoke exclamations. Or, alternatively, a story which provokes such deep reflection and thought while and after reviewing it, that it changes lives due to its outstanding lean towards overarching theme and moral tension. Both, I feel are outstanding in their own ways. However, one provokes excitement while the other provokes memory. And unlike the thousands of books I've read over the years, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was merely the second book, and the absolutely better book, to ever channel tears from my eyes. The characters are exquisite in their anguish, the story is profound and encompassing in its bluntness. The world within it is deep and vivid and real, so much so that it makes for an un-put-downable standalone from start to finish. It is life-changing. Though it does have it faults, as every story (even with five star ratings) does, it is a book I am not likely to forget. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue paints the pictures of life so brutally real and in such vivid color that it is both memorable and provoking, long after its completion. V.E. Schwab, and her writing of this masterpiece, tells me that she is an author of deep thought and even deeper meaning. I cannot wait to dive into her future and past works, and let these alongside other stories like hers better my own perspective on reality, and also my writing of real and fictional worlds.
I could say so much more, and explain how much a story like this means to a person (of many flaws) like me, but I will simply end with this: Thank you. Thanks to V.E Schwab, the book itself, the agent who took it on, the publisher who printed it, and the readers who praised it so highly. You have made, altogether, an unforgettable tale of change, hope, and devastation. Thank you, from a reader who is just beginning to understand the impact a story can have.
I could say so much more, and explain how much a story like this means to a person (of many flaws) like me, but I will simply end with this: Thank you. Thanks to V.E Schwab, the book itself, the agent who took it on, the publisher who printed it, and the readers who praised it so highly. You have made, altogether, an unforgettable tale of change, hope, and devastation. Thank you, from a reader who is just beginning to understand the impact a story can have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, Torture, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Alcohol, and Death
pebbletown's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
takarakei's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Re-read. This remains one of my favorite books of all times. Sobbed just like I did the first time reading it. I also did a combo with audiobook (narrated by the queen Julia Whelan). The ending of this book makes me feral.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Misogyny
Minor: War, Addiction, and Sexual harassment
ashlyluvsyellow's review against another edition
I was not super interested in the ending and looked up how it ended as well then skimmed the rest of the novel.
I think this book is great if you like character driven plot and internal thoughts. It was a bit slow paced for me.
I think this book is great if you like character driven plot and internal thoughts. It was a bit slow paced for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
d_dubzz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
This book is absolutely amazing! You’re guided through history like you’ve never been guided before. Addie is such an interesting and complex protagonist who I adored from start to finish! Her ambition and passion for life is just astounding and her beautiful tragic story was truly fantastic. I’m a huge fan of V.E. Schwab and have been for years and I love all of the books I’ve read by her so far but this one hit me HARD. I went from smiling to crying to feeling actually nauseous at some scenes purely from the intense emotions I felt while reading some of the later chapters! I actually could not recommend this book more it is a masterpiece!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, and Sexual harassment
neogyv's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Addiction, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Emotional abuse
amschelly153's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed reading this book and will absolutely read it again. It made me feel so many emotions, mostly a mix of happiness and sadness and some anger honestly. It’s a beautiful story about art and hope and creative inspiration and womanhood and being seen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Minor: War and Trafficking
bruts_bane's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
This book was incredible, as always with VE Schwab. I’m definetly a big fan of her work, the way that she writes always draws me in. The plot of this book is so interesting and creative. It kept me hooked the WHOLE time. I love Addie and Luc, all the characters are so deep and flawed and it’s so fascinating seeing them grow and interact with each other. I found the beginning to the end of the book to be perfect. Every scene had meaning, there was pretty much no filler at all in the book (which I found great since reading filler chapters will always be the bane of my existence). The language is incredible in this book. It’s so poetic and can be flowery or gloomy, with the perfect balance of both. I’d die for a sequel or any more chapters of this book. It’s just really imaginative and creative, I can’t stress that enough. You can never predict what’s gonna happen next. There’s a really interesting correlation between art pieces throughout the book, which tie in with each chapter. And there are also time skips all throughout the book, similar to the vicious series, which just hook you in even more. My only grip which I hate repeating again and again, especially with VE Schwab books, is the lack of diverse representation within characters. I think the queer rep was done well which I appreciated, but the lack of POC characters is a bit upsetting. I wish it was more inclusive in that sense. But despite this, in my opinion, it was an overall almost perfect book. I wish all books were this good :,)
(…..Im sorry but I love you Luc <3)
(…..Im sorry but I love you Luc <3)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent and War