A review by dmwhipp
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
4.0
To avoid a dull life in a small 18th century French village, Adeline LaRue makes a deal with a devil on the eve of a wedding she does not want. While she gains her freedom and immortality, her desperate bargain leaves her destined to be forgotten, literally wiped from the memory, of everyone she meets. She and the devil spar regularly over the years, and their relationship evolves from one of hate on Addie's part, to an uneasy truce, and eventually more. Then 300 years later, Addie meets a boy in a used bookstore who REMEMBERS her - a boy who has made his own deal with the devil - and everything changes.
I found this a well-written love story with a Faustian twist. I enjoyed reading about Addie’s adventures across the globe and through the centuries, especially as she tested the boundaries of her curse and found ways to leave her mark. Her struggle to define and come to terms with her hate-love relationship with Luc was interesting, especially when compared to the type of love she felt for Henry.
I’m not exactly sure how I felt about the ending. While I understood and was fine with Addie’s sacrifice, I’m not sure I loved her long-term goal as far as Luc was concerned and found it a touch bitter. I think I was looking for a happier ending, one where Luc’s evolution included a true ability to love. But given the time it would take for Addie’s plan to come to fruition, I still held out hope.
This reminded me a bit of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, with the star-crossed lovers and supernatural aspect. If you enjoyed this, I’d recommend giving that a try.
I found this a well-written love story with a Faustian twist. I enjoyed reading about Addie’s adventures across the globe and through the centuries, especially as she tested the boundaries of her curse and found ways to leave her mark. Her struggle to define and come to terms with her hate-love relationship with Luc was interesting, especially when compared to the type of love she felt for Henry.
I’m not exactly sure how I felt about the ending. While I understood and was fine with Addie’s sacrifice, I’m not sure I loved her long-term goal as far as Luc was concerned and found it a touch bitter. I think I was looking for a happier ending, one where Luc’s evolution included a true ability to love. But given the time it would take for Addie’s plan to come to fruition, I still held out hope.
This reminded me a bit of The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, with the star-crossed lovers and supernatural aspect. If you enjoyed this, I’d recommend giving that a try.