assassinsweettea's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Body horror, Death, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Minor: War
scubtle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I’m usually not a fan of slow books but man did that last bit have me crying and shaking on the floor!!! I want to throw up :)
Good book I do recommend 👍
Good book I do recommend 👍
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
yilliun's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Confidently will say this book inspired me to READ again
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
boba_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read.
I love the personification of the devil through Luc and the Faustian bargains that took place. It was incredibly interesting and showed a lot of history.
That being said, it took me quite a while to get into the story. It wasn't until maybe the last 50% of the book that I really got invested in the characters and their fates. It just felt TOO slow-moving sometimes, focusing on one century over the other, and rushed in others.
I enjoyed the banter between Luc and Addie and their characters, but Henry is the one character I felt was well developed since we got to see his life played. With Henry, the reader gets a peek behind the curtain at his motivations while Addie's true motivations aren't revealed until the very end. I guess that just adds to the enigma that is Addie LaRue.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel and will be thinking about the plot for a while. It's one I need to delve into and could definitely reread at some point.
I love the personification of the devil through Luc and the Faustian bargains that took place. It was incredibly interesting and showed a lot of history.
That being said, it took me quite a while to get into the story. It wasn't until maybe the last 50% of the book that I really got invested in the characters and their fates. It just felt TOO slow-moving sometimes, focusing on one century over the other, and rushed in others.
I enjoyed the banter between Luc and Addie and their characters, but Henry is the one character I felt was well developed since we got to see his life played. With Henry, the reader gets a peek behind the curtain at his motivations while Addie's true motivations aren't revealed until the very end. I guess that just adds to the enigma that is Addie LaRue.
Overall, I did enjoy this novel and will be thinking about the plot for a while. It's one I need to delve into and could definitely reread at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: War and Cursing
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, War, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Grief
leticiaariana's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide attempt
thereadinghammock's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't quite know what to expect when I dove into this book finally. I was surprised, curious, intrigued, satisfied, and wanting more at every stage. I loved Addie's resourcefulness and tenacity, but was frustrated by her hubris and how it took her so long to learn how fickle Luc's moods and inclination to kindness could be. I was nervous for Henry almost every step of the way. I was so afraid Henry WAS Luc or some kind of specific obstacle put in Addie's path to cause her to misstep on her deal.
When I realized that this book was supposed to be a version of Henry's book, telling Addie's story, I loved that plot device. Subtle and witty. I legitimately cried when Addie read Henry's dedication to her in the finished novel, "I remember you." My heart broke and mended and grew and ached for them all at once. It was truly beautiful. And I love that it was perfectly paired with Addie's renegotiation with Luc at the end. She played his game of semantics with aplomb and I'm so proud of her. And Schwab kept us on that string until the very last sentence.
Spoiler
While I should have seen it coming, and eventually I did, Luc falling in love with Addie still managed to surprise me. I think the vehemence that Luc fell for her was what managed to surprise me. I thought he would fall in and out of love with her, or once he finally had her, he would quickly grow tired of her. But he didn't. Once he finally had her, he wanted her more. Wanted to keep her for himself. A Persephone to his Hades. And Addie only saw the betrayal of it; the malicious intent behind his actions, to lure her into a false sense of security and make her give up her soul to him before she was ready.When I realized that this book was supposed to be a version of Henry's book, telling Addie's story, I loved that plot device. Subtle and witty. I legitimately cried when Addie read Henry's dedication to her in the finished novel, "I remember you." My heart broke and mended and grew and ached for them all at once. It was truly beautiful. And I love that it was perfectly paired with Addie's renegotiation with Luc at the end. She played his game of semantics with aplomb and I'm so proud of her. And Schwab kept us on that string until the very last sentence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death, and Toxic relationship
sandwiiche's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.75
this was my first v.e. schwab book, and her writing is exquisite.
however, i predicted the plot twists and the ending was left rather open ended, which i personally didn't like.
this book also felt more like a slo paced literary fiction with a dash of fantasy/historical/romance, so if you're looking for a high stakes edge-of-your-seat kinda book then maybe come back when you're in the mood for this
anyway, looking forward to reading her other books, which i've heard are really good 😩
however, i predicted the plot twists and the ending was left rather open ended, which i personally didn't like.
this book also felt more like a slo paced literary fiction with a dash of fantasy/historical/romance, so if you're looking for a high stakes edge-of-your-seat kinda book then maybe come back when you're in the mood for this
anyway, looking forward to reading her other books, which i've heard are really good 😩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content
alyxbeau's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
This was my second read, as part of a really informal book club/buddy read. It was my pick, as I figured the person reading with me would really appreciate it. I've found I enjoyed it more the second time around. I've never really been one to annotate books, but I did this time using non destructive methods.
Reading this book knowing I would be discussing it later had me paying attention to a lot of detail. Mostly, I wrote down pages and quotes that were possible talking points for either debate or general discussion on life and how we love it. I think there is a lot to be said about this book.
Reading this book knowing I would be discussing it later had me paying attention to a lot of detail. Mostly, I wrote down pages and quotes that were possible talking points for either debate or general discussion on life and how we love it. I think there is a lot to be said about this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content
zg0612's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
I don’t think this book is something I could describe, but i’ll try. It was the most beautiful thing i have ever read, replacing my favorite book i’ve had for the last two and a half years. Maybe i loved it so much because i felt i related to the characters so much, longing for just a small something more in life, if it might feel complete, for just a moment even.
The story the book wove had all kinds of emotions to. Want, love, sadness, bitterness, lust, anger, need, frustration, eagerness, hatred, and so much more.
The beauty of this book too, lit does not finish Addie’s story, it is not over, there is still more to it, for i don’t think it will ever be over, not really.
I can’t describe this book more than this, and i don’t think i want to. it deserves to be experienced, not told about.
The story the book wove had all kinds of emotions to. Want, love, sadness, bitterness, lust, anger, need, frustration, eagerness, hatred, and so much more.
The beauty of this book too, lit does not finish Addie’s story, it is not over, there is still more to it, for i don’t think it will ever be over, not really.
I can’t describe this book more than this, and i don’t think i want to. it deserves to be experienced, not told about.
Spoiler
(It was funny too, because when i finished it, i have expected Luc to be standing behind me.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content and War