The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Ratings1,168
Average rating4.1
Never pray to those who answer in the dark.
Forced into marriage, on the day of her wedding Addie prays to anyone who will hear her desperate cries. When the darkness offers Addie a bargain, the life she wants for her soul, Addie sees no other choice. But the moment words of agreement are whispered, Addie’s life irrevocably changes. She may be immortal and free to live as she chooses, but she will never be remembered again.
The years are not kind to Addie as she learns the world is a dangerous place for women. And until she grasps the full capabilities of her extended life, she will struggle to survive. V.E. Schwab’s prose captures such a profound sense of loneliness and emotionally connects Addie to the reader. Over the course of three centuries, Addie will share with readers her journey from victim to survivor. Through the ups and downs of both past and present, Addie must endure the mental struggle of forever being alone. Forgotten by all except the one who caused it all.
The darkness is always near, waiting to catch Addie at her weakest moment. The fierce and complex moments between Addie and her dark stranger up the tension and keep the reader engaged. There is a sense of both attraction and repulsion, oftentimes blending and causing a confusing mix of emotions for Addie. And when she finally finds someone who remembers her aside from the darkness, a thrill will course through the reader as Addie is forced to reevaluate everything she has done in her life. The doubt and fear readers endure as she cautiously explores the impossible with someone who remembers her are heartbreaking.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is as haunting as it is beautiful. Each century is brought to vivid life for the reader through Addie's experiences. And the audiobook is fantastic as the narrator takes into account which century Addie is in and how her French accent changes over time. Addie’s life is painted in such an unforgettable way despite the character herself being forgotten at every turn. I highly recommended this book to those who enjoy historical fantasy novels and darker mental themes.
Originally posted at www.behindthepages.org.
3,5/5⭐️
Boek begon heel erg strek, maar is te lang uitgerekt voor mijn gevoel. Het boek har niet zo lang gehoeven. De deal die Addy op het einde maakte vond ik niet zo leuk, maar het einde vond ik wel grappig/slim. Ik had liever gehad dat het niet zo'n “open” eind was geweest...
Schrijfstijl was erg prettig om te lezen
5/5 • Literal goosebumps!
I can't believe I hesitated on this book for so long. I started it early last year and the first 100 pages didn't really grab me so I put it down. Finally picked it up the other day and wow, the writing, the story, the character relationships were all superb and that ending was just heartbreaking!! Couldn't recommend this book more.
oh wow...
the amount of times this book chewed me up and spit me back out...
the writing is the most stand out feature i'd say. it's so rich and beautiful and warm and comforting. i'll keep this section short because there's nothing i could say in my own words that would live up to what's actually in the book.
it's hard to discuss the characters, since there are so many characters who come and go so quickly. but the three that are there throughout the whole thing are immaculate. they are so well written and i'd say that henry has some of the best descriptions of battling with mental health without naming anything in particular that i've seen. i adore the metaphor and the repetition of “it's just a storm, it's just a storm”. luc was an archetype i typically see in YA but i was glad to see him here, the idea of a “dark, evil, hot antagonist who's clearly not healthy in relationships but you love him anyway” and i LOVED IT. addie... idk what words i can say about her. she's such a well written character, it's hard to put into words other than the ones in the book.
this is absolutely an immediate favorite and i don't think i'll forget anything about this book anytime soon ;)
It's completely out of my confort zone. I'm used to fantasy, quest, actions, so I began this book with of lot of apprehension. And hopefully, I was wrong to have them ! I really love this book :D Even though I have some problems with the beginning, I completely fall in love with the writing and the story of Addie. It's one of the first book I really like for the writing, first. Either Addie or Henry, it's so easy to identify oneself... V.E Schwab managed to describe our human life-problem and give a lot of thought about it. I strongly recommend to read it!
4.25 stars. Oh boy, do I have conflicted feelings about this one.
This book is beautiful. The premise captivating, yet sad. The writing is absolutely lovely, both lyrical and dreamy. I floated on each word until, before I knew it, I was already halfway through the book.
Unfortunately, that is about where it started feeling a bit too repetitive. I understand that may makes sense for this story, but this book did just an amazing job at immediately sucking me in emotionally that it could have just moved on with the story.
SPOILERS BELOW
Still, that is minor compared to my feelings about the Luc storyline, of which I quickly grew tired. This poignant story about a woman wandering through life, doomed to be forgotten, turned into yet another “romance” between a woman and the demon/god/monster eager to claim her. I felt it cheapened the plot and ultimately added unnecessary pages.
Cut that out, thus tightening up the book, and this book is easily 5 stars.
1,5/5
Уже привычно видеть как книга, держащаяся лишь на одной идее, тонет в собственной воде и беспомощности. Первая треть книги - это затянутая экспозиция, знакомящая нас с ситуацией главной героини, Адди. Жизнь девушки, желавшей свободы вместо свадьбы на незнакомце, выливается в проклятье. Беспросветное проклятье, которое заставляет балансировать ее на грани жизни и смерти. И спасает ее от этой тоски только ОН...
Как обычно книга выливается в любовный роман с претенциозностью на великий смысл. А на деле автор выписывает глупейший любовный треугольник с парнем, который возбуждается от девушки, которая ему отказывает, и парнем, полюбившим девушку из-за одного мучителя. И, конечно, в конце перед героями встает СЛОЖНЫЙ ВЫБОР и ДРАМА.
Но проблема в том, что герои совершенно не меняются, как и переживания за годы и столетия. Все проблемы Адди - в прошлом. Из многих ее проблем спасает именно Демон. За столетия Адди не стала менее чувствительной и каждое забывание ее ранило. Но каждую главу хочется спросить - зачем ты продолжаешь жить? Просто во зло?
Вот и получается, что роман в основном состоит из постельных сцен и натужной драматичности ситуации. Ведь воровать, спать со всеми и каждый раз быть спасенной дамой в беде - это очень и очень сложно.
10/10 The best, most emotional, most movin book I've read since the Graveyard Book
10/10 The best, most emotional, most movin book I've read since the Graveyard Book
Este libro es una historia para hacerte reflexionar sobre el paso del tiempo. Como la vida puede ser un regalo o una carga en dependencia de nuestras decisiones. Del lugar donde venimos y hacia donde vamos.
No busques:
The exposition felt like getting hit upside the head with a sock full of change, but good god, the plot and characters had me hooked.
the invisible life of Addie laRue? More like the (giggle snort) BORING life of Addie LaRue
You'd think a book with a premise like a woman from 18th century France makes a deal with a devil who is literally her customizable male love interest, like some sort of Sim, and she lives through historical moments would have more excitement in it, but it unfortunately does not. I don't know why all the unfavorable reviews of this book are whining and saying stuff like “THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A ROMANCE BETWEEN ADDIE AND LUCCCC” but frankly speaking Luc is about as interesting as drying paint, and his only saving grace is that he's behind the accomplishments of most historical figures somehow, which just makes him more akin to a comedic figure than anything else.
Addie is boring. She is bland white bread. Not sure how that's even possible when you're a bisexual immortal from the eighteenth century, but this girl has had three hundred years of living and the book shows us her life only in France and America. There is constant allusion made to her escapades in other parts of the world—Turkey, Argentina, Portugal—and the fact that she's gone mad multiple times, and maybe this is the SJW in me speaking but I would like to see how and when a 300 year old woman discovered she was bisexual, but alas. All of that, the potential storytelling anyway, is thrown away in favor of hopping between Luc's tortured, emo, broken
Really thought of DNFing it in the first half as I did not like or relate to Addie at all. But then the second half, I was loving it. Henry's just like me fr
3.5
Really enjoyed the concept, the writing and the parts of the book set in the past but I found it to be too long for how little was happening, and the parts set in present time didn't interest me quite as much.
What a unique story! This started out pretty slow for me then I absolutely couldn't put it down towards the end.
This book was so good. When it started, I wasn't sure if it was going to be for me. But I'm so glad I persevered. It was beautifully written. By the end I was in love with all the characters. Even the ones I didn't think I could ever love.
this audiobook was something like 17 hours long and while it took me a while to actually start listening, it really sucked me in. parts were predictable in a way that wasn't frustrating or boring, but I was making predictions and cheering the book on to tell me if I was on the right track lol. sweet lil easy read about running up the hill, making a deal with god, etc.