From the Bookshelf of The Introvert Readers…

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

V.E. Schwab,

Victoria Schwab

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: BOTM

Why we're reading this: It won our BOTM poll
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What Members Thought

Oct 24, 2020 Lorena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

“Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives – or to find strength in a very long one.”

After seeing so much hype and countless raving reviews for months, I can now also say that this is indeed an exceptional work. Schwab never disappoints.

Despite differing from my expectations, Addie LaRue's story enchanted me and held my interest from the very beginning to the very end. Bittersweet, thought-provoking, exceedingly atmospheric and unlike Addie herself - unforgettable, it's a book w ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2021 Joyce rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own

It should be illegal to write such a beautiful literary masterpiece. This book was a work of art! It definitely lives up to its hype and I am so glad I spent my night reading this instead of studying! It's been a hot minute since I've written a review, so bear with me while I get back into the swing of things.

Technically, I'm giving this book 4.5/5 because the only thing I disliked about this book was the constant switching between past and present. Okay okay, I understand it's part of the app It should be illegal to write such a beautiful literary masterpiece. This book was a work of art! It definitely lives up to its hype and I am so glad I spent my night reading this instead of studying! It's been a hot minute since I've written a review, so bear with me while I get back into the swing of things.

Technically, I'm giving this book 4.5/5 because the only thing I disliked about this book was the constant switching between past and present. Okay okay, I understand it's part of the appeal, but it was a genuine love/hate relationship. I would get really invested into Addie's life in New York, but be forced to read about her days in France. And to be completely honest, Addie's past is much more boring to read. It only picks up around the war, but everything before that is a drag to read.

The concept of time is tricky in this book, which is again, part of the appeal. Time is nothing, but also, it's everything. I don't know how Schwab did this, but it was executed beautifully and seamlessly. My small qualm is when Addie first meets Henry, their relationship moves SO FAST that I almost had to buckle up. It was almost unrealistic, even if it's a fantasy.

Alright, now, moving on! The romance was just so beautiful. I've already used this word twice in this review, but there genuinely is no better way to put it. The pure, raw emotions Henry and Addie share and go through together makes me feel so warm and happy, but sad and disconnected at the same time. It's so weird, but I love it. (view spoiler)

Can we talk about Luc please, because I don't know how to feel about him!! It feels wrong to ship him with Addie, because he's such a... gray character? Bleg, anyways.

I've never been a huge fan of V.E. Schwab. I've tried several times to read her other books, but nothing was holding me in. So, when I picked up this book, I was really nervous and afraid that I wasn't going to like it. But holy shit, it took no time for me to get into this book. I loved it so much and it feels different than her other series (Darker Shade of Magic, I think?).

All in all, Schwab tied everything up in a perfect bow. No loose ends, no confusion... only a tinge of sad satisfaction. ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2021 toointofiction rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, reviewed-books, standalones, young-adult, romance, lgbtqia, paranormal-supernatural, book-to-screen-adaptation

If you're looking for a book that's going to make you cry from beginning to end then look no further.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue tore my heart apart and the through it in the garbage.

This book is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read and a definite highlight of my 2021, even though, the year just started. It is also one of the most interesting 'be careful what you wish for' / 'deal with the devil' stories I have ever read. The ending was also bittersweet, as I was hoping it woul ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2021 ｊｅｎａ ✧ rated it really liked it

Shelves: owned-copies, four-stars, 2021-read

“...it is sad, of course, to forget.
But it is a lonely thing, to be forgotten.
To remember when no one else does.”

¤

⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

The year is 1714, in a moment of desperation, Adeline LaRue makes a Faustian bargain to leave her old life behind−at the cost of the memory of her. This is when the story of a girl, a boy and the devil beings spanning over 300 years.

Well, well, well, V.E. Schwab does it again with a magical and melancholic book. It was a stunning read, very lyrically written. I don’t think I ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Dec 27, 2020 winnie rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, romance, historical, fantasy

3.5 ⭐

Hmm... I'm clearly one of the few who didn't enjoy as much as the others because of how hyped the book is. I found The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue to be extremely slow and I didn't feel connected to any of the characters; it honestly felt exhausting to finish this book. I think it would have been better if the book wasn't that long because the plot is truly a good one. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2020 delaney rated it it was ok

Shelves: lgbtq-rep

damn this took me forever to read. it's soooo slow and a bit boring. may or may not be worth it, but i wouldn't necessarily recommend it. also, just saying, this is not historical fiction. it glosses over any and all important moments in history. plus, (view spoiler)
...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 20, 2020 Via Luino rated it really liked it

Shelves: atmospheric

Not as mind-blowing as the Darker Shade of Magic books, but The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was still a good read!

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2025 Sylvs (NOVELty Reads) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

DNF page 160 - this book was very slow and felt like it was dragging on and on 🥲 It kills me because I know so many people love this book, but I really couldn't keep going 🥲 ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2021 Tuna ⎈ Reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: love, adventure, magic, grey-area-up-in-this-mf, wit-and-grit

5 "enchanted and turbulent" stars...

I wish I had read this book in a suitably whimsical setting, but the reality is I was too infatuated to care. This book CREATED its own atmosphere. And that's a good thing too, because I read it at the kitchen table, with my dog crawling all over me, with pandemic news blaring from the TV. None of it made a dent. 'Kay, except for the crawly paws, but not cause he's cute (that goes without saying), but bc that adorable mf has a gps calibrated for my mf'kn bladd ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 25, 2021 Sarah rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2021 Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2-stars

Okay, let me break two things down. The authorship of this novel is genuinely beautiful, and it is the redeeming factor of this book. However, the novel itself was fairly boring, the relationships and drama a bit convoluted, and the honestly the plot points themselves were utterly frustrating half the time. However, I related to the fear of being forgotten and how that singular point was well written. I just felt it could have been cut in half.

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