The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab - Restarting January 12th 2023

[Maddie]

Picking it back up now

[Maddie]

19% Part Two (view spoiler)[I wonder what these pictures at the start of the Part mean... And I believe we've come across the name Henry before, right? Maybe not. Maybe I'm getting confused (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

22% (view spoiler)[I love how it's so commonplace now to find LGBTQ characters in a book, and have the book not actually be centered around it. Like how she takes lovers of both genders and it's so casual. It's sad though :( (hide spoiler)]

[Beatrice]

Maddie wrote: "I'll try make it to 28% today Bookish so I can keep up with you! I need the motivation"

I'm almost done with Part One and I kinda feel the same thing. Still, I want to know more about the story, but I don't seem to have found anything yet to keep me COMPLETELY hooked.

I have to say that after the last two books I've been reading, the character in this one seems... different, I guess. I hate it when main characters are always wining about their life, specially when they have no reason to. But Addie here DOES have reason to, yet she doesn't do it *that* much.

I hope I'm making sense.

[Maddie]

Yes that totally makes sense! She knows that she caused this curse, she asked for it, and she's learning to live with it. But I have no idea what's going to happen here!

It's a very interesting concept, and while I'm reading it I'm enjoying it, but there's not really any real plot that I've found

[Maddie]

30% (view spoiler)[HOLY CRAP HENRY REMEMBERS HER! This is amazing! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

33%
(view spoiler)[I love the fact that we don’t get everything all at once like going back to the past then to the present and all.. I also really feel bad for her for how the dark treats her I mean it’s sad she has to give him her soul eventually so why ruin her life while she has it (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

40%
(view spoiler)[how horrible it would be if Henry turned out to be Luc messing with her :’(
Also I really hope this isn’t just a love story coated in a magnificent concept.. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Yay I can pick this up again :D I'm so excited!

[Beatrice]

28%
(view spoiler)["...but time is a luxury she can't afford".

I loved that! She asked the darkness for more time yet time is what she didn't get, because she can't spend it with anyone but herself. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a bit slow on this book because I feel like I'm still in need for more *action*, (view spoiler)[but I'm liking the small interactions between Addie and the darkness at some points (hide spoiler)].

[Katie]

I'm so happy to see people still reading this one...I'm really being pulled to this book right now, so I might start this one soon!!

[Maddie]

@Beatrice: Yes exactly, but apparently this story is more writing-based than plot-based, and I think that's evident. For once I'm enjoying it XD

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Maddie wrote: "19% Part Two [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was really confused by those when I started because I took a break after ch 1 and didn't remember them.....I think they're in a way tying into Addie leaving marks across history, even though she can't be remembered. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Maddie wrote: "22% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I love representation when it's not thrown in your face....people doing whatever they want (in terms of sexuality) is a refreshing break from reality, and the way it's just there and like no one cares? That's what I love best. Though I can't really speak since I don't know if I'm part of the community, I still like seeing people being able to do as their heart desires!
And it's so sad.....all those scenes where the next morning no one would remember her? If I wasn't shedding actual tears, you can be sure I was crying inside. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Beatrice wrote: "Maddie wrote: "I'll try make it to 28% today Bookish so I can keep up with you! I need the motivation"

I'm almost done with Part One and I kinda feel the same thing. Still, I want to know more abo..."

It's like that....and it's pretty frustrating. I think you need to be reading this like you would a movie playing in the background(if that makes sense)....just watching it happen without putting too much thought into it.

And you do make sense!

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Maddie wrote: "30% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Even though I knew it was going to happen (that scene is after all what I was there for), I HAD THE EXACT SAME REACTION!! XD (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Bookishlybeety wrote: "33%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I know right?!?!?! It's not like she's going anywhere, let her do what she wants?!?!
Usually I don't like these kind of time skips in books; I actually hated them in The Night Circus, but here I just loved them! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Bookishlybeety wrote: "40%
.."
(view spoiler)[You would not believe the number of times I thought the same thing....why does she keep drawing parallels with his appearance?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Beatrice wrote: "28%
."
(view spoiler)[I loved it, but at the same time hated it, because that's just so sad (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Maddie wrote: "@Beatrice: Yes exactly, but apparently this story is more writing-based than plot-based, and I think that's evident. For once I'm enjoying it XD"

Glad you're liking it Maddie!
Definitely, there's not much plot, it's like something that's just happening? There's just story, but no real plot mostly

[Katie]

End of part 1- (view spoiler)[ I'm already hooked! I was so afraid to pick this up because of the hype, but I'm entranced. I don't usually like alternating time lines in my books, but this is done so seamlessly. The quote about really being a person if you can't leave behind a mark just broke my heart... I think that's one thing people are afraid of with death. Not really being "gone" but more being forgotten.

This book...already has my heart. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Bookishlybeety wrote: "40%
h."

I'm terrified this could be true....

End of part 2- (view spoiler)[ I want to know more about Henry. Is he really Luc, or is Luc just using Henry to get closer to Addie? Will she have to choose between saving Henry and her own soul? (hide spoiler)]

[Beatrice]

Trisha wrote: "Maddie wrote: "@Beatrice: Yes exactly, but apparently this story is more writing-based than plot-based, and I think that's evident. For once I'm enjoying it XD"

Glad you're liking it Maddie!
Defin..."

I guess it's some kind of a personal diary, right? I mean, the book is called The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue for a reason :D

[Beatrice]

Katie wrote: "End of part 1- I'm already hooked! I was so afraid to pick this up because of the hype, but I'm entranced. I don't usually like alternating time lines in my books, but this is done so seamlessly. ..."

I normally don't like alternating time lines either, but in this case I love finding out about her first years little by little. Otherwise it would be a short, almost meaningless story at the beginning of the book, but this way you can really feel the depth of it.

[Mahi]

Done with the last page. I'm a bit disappointed as i had high expectations but i'm satisfied enough :)

[[deleted user]]

59%
(view spoiler)[ughhhhh she's such a talented writer why the hell does she use this trope? I'm so sick of I'm so different I'm so special I'm so beautiful and then aw what an amazing and terrible thing to happen to me!
I'm still intrigued lol (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

85%
(view spoiler)[ and of course the dark itself is in love with her!
Well I don't claim to be a better imaginer lol but I don't know I feel like she's not using the concept it has so much potential! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Katie wrote: "Bookishlybeety wrote: "40%
h."

I'm terrified this could be true....

End of part 2- [spoilers removed]"
That don't even occur to me oh god oh god if something happens and she has to choose I'm freaking out my anxiety is already up there with this book ugh

[[deleted user]]

so far I'm clearly not putting the book down but I feel like it slowed down my reading.. every time I wanted to read I felt like picking it up because I have to know what happens next but then I found I'm behind on another book I forgot I was even reading I don't know why it feels so sloowww

[Katie]

Bookishlybeety wrote: "so far I'm clearly not putting the book down but I feel like it slowed down my reading.. every time I wanted to read I felt like picking it up because I have to know what happens next but then I fo..."

I feel the same...I'm usually more into books with a faster plot, so this is a change for me. I love it, and I definitely want to know more, but it has slowed down for me as well.

[Katie]

Beginning of part 6- (view spoiler)[ I love seeing the different art/music that Addie made a mark on. But I have a bad feeling about how this is going to end...I am also really intrigued by Luc... (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ I'm just speechless... I need more time to process this!

I think the number 7 plays a super important part in this novel. There was a quote about her 7 freckles being about her 7 loves, and there are 7 sections in this book. I learned in my music theory class that 7 is a pretty important number is music and religious songs, and this definitely has religious ties. I'm blown away...

Are we to assume Luc is one of her 7 main loves? (mom, dad, Estelle, Remy, Toby, Henry...and Luc?) Was there someone else I missed? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ooh just made it!
Part 1 (view spoiler)[ How terrible to be constantly forgotten. No friends or lovers for more than a couple hours, can't tell anyone your name. I'd get sick of that, especially after 300 years. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Quirks wrote: "End of Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

I like (view spoiler)[ the flashbacks. It reminds me of The Night Circus (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 5 [spoilers removed]"

Agreed! It flows so well and is easy to listen to

[Beatrice]

Katie wrote: "Bookishlybeety wrote: "so far I'm clearly not putting the book down but I feel like it slowed down my reading.. every time I wanted to read I felt like picking it up because I have to know what hap..."

40%

Yeah, same for me. I’ve been devouring books for the past months in just a few days, but this one is taking me a while because it feels a bit slow sometimes.

Although I have to say I would love the idea of (view spoiler)[ Henry being Luc (hide spoiler)] so now I’m intrigued. So macabre!!!!

[Beatrice]

Aly wrote: "Quirks wrote: "End of Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

I like [spoilers removed]"

I read The Night Circus a long time ago and I gave it only 2.5 stars I think because of that exactly haha but I do like it in this one.

[Beatrice]

65%

(view spoiler)[I still think there's something off about Henry. I don't like him, don't know exactly why. I guess all that drinking, drugs, etc. reminds me of someone of my past and now it's hard to like him. Still, I think there's more to say about his "deal". Or at least I hope it is. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[ I am so intrigued by this so far! How does Henry remember her? I get the feeling the art pieces in the book are inspired by Addie. Like she inspired Toby's song. I appreciate how Schwab manages to keep be entertained despite flipping between times. It all just builds on Addie's personality and character. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Aly wrote: "Ooh just made it!
Part 1 [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ It really is a cruel curse! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Katie wrote: "End of part 1- .."
(view spoiler)[Same, that is most of the reason I gave The Night Circus 3 stars....but in this one, I didn't mind it one bit!
Yeah, that quote was one of my favourites, and it's true, more than being gone, we don't want to be forgotten, lost to the world. That's one of the reasons I really loved The Book Of Life (movie) and Coco, because the way The Day Of The Dead is about all those that we remember, and those that we don't go to the Land of The Forgotten....and I don't think I'm making much sense, but I really like anything that explores that kind of thing (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Beatrice wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Maddie wrote: "@Beatrice: Yes exactly, but apparently this story is more writing-based than plot-based, and I think that's evident. For once I'm enjoying it XD"

Glad you're liking i..."

Yeah ;)

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Katie wrote: "Finished- I'm just speechless... I need more time to process this!
.."
(view spoiler)[Glad you liked it! Yeah, I htink you're right, and I'm not completely sure, but I don't think you missed anyone.
The freckles were a pretty big part of who she became, right? All the art forms that we see in the beginning of the parts have something related to 7, and I just really loved that!
I don't know much about 7's relation with music and religion; there are only 7 main notes on any scale, other than that no idea.....But I do know that 7 is the ghost number in chinese culture(if I remember The Son Of Neptune correctly) (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Aly wrote: "Quirks wrote: "End of Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

I like [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I actually gave The Night Circus 3 stars for almost completely that reason....I don't much love time skips and going forwards and backwards randomly, but I really enjoyed it in this one! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Beatrice wrote: "Aly wrote: "Quirks wrote: "End of Part 1
[spoilers removed]"

I like [spoilers removed]"

I read The Night Circus a long time ago and I gave it only 2.5 stars I think because of that exactly haha b..."

Same XD

[Beatrice]

Finished.

I tried very VERY hard to like this book, but I'm sorry to say I did not. For me the story felt slow and boring. I rushed a bit through the ending because I could not bring myself to keep reading.

Still, I love the author and I love her writing style, but this book wasn't for me. I didn't like any of the characters and I absolutely hated the ending. It felt too flat and foreseeable to me. (view spoiler)[I did like all the hidden meanings behind the story, Addie's freckles and all that. Also the way Luc explains great art comes with a price and introduces great artists from all times into the story. I almost thought it was true. (hide spoiler)]

I really hope you guys enjoy it more than I did :)

[Aly]

Part 2 (view spoiler)[ I'm so excited that Henry remembers her! I wonder why though? And I want to know more about Luc (hide spoiler)]
Part 3 (view spoiler)[ Oh Henry made a deal, that makes sense. I wonder what his deal is for? (hide spoiler)]
Part 4 (view spoiler)[ Henry's deal is almost as bad as Addie's. To have people become almost obsessed with you and never trust that anyone truly likes you (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Part 5 (view spoiler)[ I think Luc likes having Addie around. She remembers him, doesn't fear him, and he's the only one she can really talk to. I wonder if he'll let her out of her deal, or if that's something he can even do? (hide spoiler)]
Part 6 (view spoiler)[ Awh, Addie gave up everything to save Henry. She and Luc definitely fit together, but I don't know how capable he is of love. Maybe someday she can come back to Henry (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I like that Addie is playing a game with Luc and that Henry wrote Addie's story so people will know who she is. I didn't love that the author kind of put herself in as Henry but oh well. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Maddie wrote: "22% [spoilers removed]"

Agreed! And it doesn't have to be a big thing to see someone that's LGBTQ, they just are who they are