mckenna_maltz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Could not put this book down! Incredible! Will recommend this to everyone I know!
chloecumming8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
paigedc's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly, I don’t think the buzz over this book lives up to the reality. The premise is so unique and catchy, and the writing is beautiful (I love VE Schwab and have read several of her other books!), but this book was so slow, and the back-and-forth time jumps really didn’t serve the story until the end. It reminded me a bit of The Night Circus, which I LOVE, but it wasn’t nearly as good as that.
Addie LaRue makes a deal with a devil one night in 1714 to be free, but the catch is that she will be forgotten by all with whom she interacts. She wanders through the world, struggling for 300 years until, in a bookstore in Brooklyn in 2014, a man remembers her. The reasons are unveiled slowly, and there is a love story and love conflict associated with this revelation. All deals have consequences, and no one is truly free.
This book is a must to read on paper, as the jumps between years and the samples of artwork throughout are important to pay attention to and would be lost on audio. I’m sad it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me, but it was an enjoyable story, especially the last hundred pages or so. Keep pressing on through the slow bits because the ending is good.
Addie LaRue makes a deal with a devil one night in 1714 to be free, but the catch is that she will be forgotten by all with whom she interacts. She wanders through the world, struggling for 300 years until, in a bookstore in Brooklyn in 2014, a man remembers her. The reasons are unveiled slowly, and there is a love story and love conflict associated with this revelation. All deals have consequences, and no one is truly free.
This book is a must to read on paper, as the jumps between years and the samples of artwork throughout are important to pay attention to and would be lost on audio. I’m sad it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me, but it was an enjoyable story, especially the last hundred pages or so. Keep pressing on through the slow bits because the ending is good.
nybookdragon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
caro_024's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
elimabean's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this book was simply amazing. I thought that the beginning was a bit slow however I understand that there was a reason and a meaning for everything put in this story. This story is just....so well thought out. I felt for her in the beginning and I was shocked in the middle when we find out Henry owes his soul. How he wanted to be loved so bad that he would've taken it for less. Because at the end of the day, we all want to be loved in some shape or form. But if it's not real... if its not genuine...what's the point? I feel like even without the wish he made, there are rich, famous, attractive people that go through this. They are reduced to their superficial qualities so you don't know if they are commenting on a genuine quality or they're sucking up to you. What does it matter if its not real ya know? Towards the end I absolutely balled my eyes out. This author just starting writing SCRIPTURE. Everything just made sense. Henry dying, her giving up her soul to save him or her love. So he can go out and live the life he always wanted? The fact that she was able to use him to make an impact on the world ooF. The art she inspired, when she said that ideas are not the same as memories, they are wilder... that was stupid deep. And then she left and he wrote the book that made everyone know her??? ARE YOU KIDDING? Her not dying but slowly plotting on making Luc be sick of her so she can live freely? HELL YEAH. The fact that neither of them died like what you would originally predict is just the cherry on top. He still remembered her and they are no longer together but they are each others fondest memory? Amazing show stopping actually one of the best endings ever. Best mix of realistic, bittersweet and optimistic. This book gets alot of shit but I think it's because Booktok lost their patience and brainspan. But they will recommend meaningless crap. It is a fucking amazing amazing book. LOOK BETWEEN THE LINES PPL. You'll like what you discover.
shyanneyoung13's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 Stars
“Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives--or to find strength in a very long one.”
I absolutely adored the writing style of this book. You can also tell this book was thoroughly researched from the little added bits of history to the overall development of every character. The issue that I had with this book was the pacing. The middle of the book was just too slow for my taste.
“Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives--or to find strength in a very long one.”
I absolutely adored the writing style of this book. You can also tell this book was thoroughly researched from the little added bits of history to the overall development of every character. The issue that I had with this book was the pacing. The middle of the book was just too slow for my taste.
thekrusader's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75