Reviews tagging 'Death'

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

554 reviews

sophiaxscherm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

It's a very beautifully written story that I enjoyed for the most part but was rather lengthy and not that exciting mostly.
The first third or so would have gotten a better ranking from me. I love the world building in the beginning and in all the different times we get to follow Addie in. I enjoyed to see the contrast between her getting to know her new life in the past and then her story in the present time. At one point I remember thinking that if it continues to be like that it might get boring regarding how much of the book was still left but then we meet Henry and things start to get exciting again. 

The beginning of their story had me hooked. However, I soon lost interest in their live story because I feel like it lacked substance since everything happened so fast. It was nice to have Henry's perspective in there as well but I thought the rest of their story together was boring. I also feel like that everything with Luc did not go deep enough. Their time together and their falling out felt all so rushed, I couldn't really grow attached to any relationship of hers. Also I think I would have enjoyed it more to keep following Addies adventures in different time epochs with more focus on what the times were like and how life was like. Since I did not really care about Henry and it didn't go into depth enough with Luc, I don't really know how I feel about the ending. Like it was kind of to be expected that she gives up to save Henry but the emotions didn't catch on for me. But I like that she only did it not to be with Luc but rather to start a new game and to try to make him hate her.

I still think it was a cute story with very good world building and a lovely setting.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Sexual assault

outlast0002's review against another edition

slow-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and War

Minor: Grief and Religious bigotry

kelisabeth's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

lelodo13's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted 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? No

5.0

As most things V.E.Schwab writes, this book is beautiful. It was quiet, warm, and intriguing. Wonderful read that I can see myself reading again and again.  

*Read my physical copy

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Violence

uselesspirateraven's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief

Moderate: Biphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Minor: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

emmmaustin's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide attempt

mballen528's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War

sarasorenson's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death and Suicide attempt

fatvampcat's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad slow-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

4.5

Throughly enjoyed this book however I think I would have preferred Addie to twist at the end and embrace her lack of humanity - becoming something like Luc. Other reviewers have commented on how stagnant Addie's character is and I really feel that is true. Luc, a literal god of darkness, has more character development than Addie does.

The writing implies that Luc is unable to break her curse, yet even as he loves her she can never allow herself to accept anything he tells her because he cursed her x hundred years ago? 

I feel a better character arc for Addie would be allowing herself to accept Luc's love, growing to recognize herself as no longer human, and putting her curse to work in a way that can affect real good in the world. Addie is so stuck on trying to be remembered and wanting to be held but when there is someone offering that to her she is still unwilling to take it. Why? 

Three hundred years and she is still running. 

I appreciated Addie's steadfast need for freedom above all else but her greatest strength is also her greatest downfall. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

jneverland's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting

Minor: Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Outing, and Abandonment