I had such high hopes for this book, having long been a fan of Schwab's other work, but Addie blew every last expectation out of the water. This book is so poignantly Schwab, from the elegant and beautifully quotable prose to the truly memorable characters and masterful storytelling, this book is one for the ages. I didn't know it was so possible to feel so seen by a novel.

When Adeline makes a deal with the devil to avoid the inevitable lull of a sleepy life in a small village in 18th century France, he curses her so that she may live forever but is forgotten by everyone she meets. Until one day...a boy remembers her. Told through two distinct timelines, progressing from the 1700s to meet the present 2014 timeline, both narratives are compulsively readable. I found myself reluctant to leave either.

As usual, Schwab's characters were devastatingly complex and real. After a few centuries, it's inevitable that one would meet a number of interesting rogues and quirky characters, and each one feels so vivid and distinct. When one has so little time to make an impression, every second counts, and these ones especially did. I also appreciated the inclusion of multiple queer characters.

At its heart, Addie is a novel about beginnings, a slew of beginnings. But it's also about hope. And love. And persistence. Addie is a flame that refuses to die out. Schwab said this would be the closest she would get to writing a love story, and the attempt is devastating. As dark and twisted as would be expected and a hundred times more bittersweet. In the last ten years, I can count on one hand the number of books that have made me cry -- and after finishing Addie, it's at the top of the list.

I remember Addie, and I think this book will not be one soon forgotten. It will be a book that I will be recommending to anyone and everyone for years and decades to come. It's so very difficult to put into words just how perfect this book was, so I cannot wait for y'all to read this beauty for yourselves when she hits shelves in October. I'm already reserving a new space on my Schwab shelf in preparation.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of those books you pick up once in a life time. The main characters as well as the prose had me hooked instantly and the way Ms. Schwab spins her tale of love and loss through years of Addie's life is intensely beautiful and at times incredibly depressing. Addie is a character you can empathize with and root for while Henry is someone I just want to give the largest hug to. I have nothing but great things to say about this book but the simplest is, just pick it up and read it! You won't regret the choice.

In these challenging times of a pandemic, imagine my utter joy at discovering a haunting new novel by the amazing V. E. Schwab that quickly whisks you away from quarantines, masks, daily briefings. I am so grateful to NetGalley and Tor Books fro providing me with an ARC of Schwab's "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," in exchange for an honest review. I can honestly say that I loved this book and will be recommending it to all my reader and non-reader friends (and probably strangers). It is THAT good.

What is the price of your soul? Great wealth? Fame? A whirlwind romance? For Addie LaRue, this is not a hypothetical question. Set in a small French village in 1714, Addie is facing a loveless marriage to someone she detests.; a future of demanding children, crushed spirits, and the quick death of her dream to see and experience the world. Running away from the wedding party, she meets a dark stranger and makes an impulsive Faustian bargain to live forever. She does not foresee one of the unexpected consequences - she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets the moment she is out of their sight. This begins a picaresque adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.. She wants out, but that comes at the cost of her soul for eternity.

Schwab's thrilling and tension-filled romantic fantasy spans revolutions and wars, depressions, the industrial revolution, and a handful of lovers with some delightfully surprising twists when she is caught shoplifting by a a young man a hidden bookstore who remembers her name.

Schwab has written some terrific novel in the past including the New York Times bestselling Shades of Magic trilogy. Her new book is perhaps her greatest literary achievement.

This book is filled with magic, characters you will never forget, and a story that pulls you in from the first page and never lets. HIGHLY recommend for fans of Starless Sea, Darker Shade of Magic, and historical fiction.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue - where do I even begin. Let me start with telling you what I did love:
I loved how Schwab incorporated queer characters into her story. (She’s done this before and I love it). There is no big coming out story, there’s simply just an understanding that a certain character is not “straight”. I love that she doesn’t brush it off either. Like “I have a queer character but I won’t give you any details” (a habit I’ve seen from other major authors).

Now, as for the story itself, I felt disconnected from it. Every time the story switched back into the past life of Addie, I found I was bored to tears and just didn’t care. The present chapters were much more my style. Even then, the twist never felt like a twist.

Schwab’s writing style is still wonderful and I believe others will love this book, it just wasn’t quite to my taste. There was one chapter that was super dark and I was hoping there would be more but I was vastly disappointed.

I’m giving this book three stars because while it wasn’t for me, I do think that a lot of people will enjoy it thoroughly. There is a good message throughout.

"A girl is running for her life." And so begins THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab. Some of Schwab's finest work, and characters I will -never- forget. You are all in for a treat this October. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful book!

“If a person cannot leave a mark, do they exist?”

Addie LaRue is immortal. In the 1700s, she trades her soul for “freedom” from the strict constraints of 18th-century life. What she doesn’t realize is her “freedom” becomes a curse, as everyone she meets forgets about her. She is forced to live forever but as an invisible person. She cannot leave a wine stain on a carpet, as any wine she spills disappears. She cannot write anything down, as her writing disappears before she can complete her thoughts. She comes and goes, stealing what she can to survive, without leaving a trace of her existence. It is in this way that she lives until one fateful day, 300 years later, when a bookstore worker does the unthinkable: He remembers Addie LaRue.

About 20 pages into this book, I realized what I was reading was special. I’ve always enjoyed Schwab’s writing, but this book shows an entirely new level of skill from Schwab. Schwab’s writing vividly portrays Addie’s life and I found myself constantly wanting to return to Addie’s world. In addition, Schwab masterfully switches between multiple timelines and I never found myself struggling to understand the timing of a chapter in this book.

At times, I did feel the pacing slowed, but I found the characters and the overall ideas Schwab presented to be compelling enough to continue to read. While I found some of the plot points predictable, there were enough surprises to keep me coming back for more. Ultimately, it was almost like Schwab was playing a game of cat and mouse with me. She got me to think I knew what was coming, only to throw something new at me, enticing me to keep reading.

Ultimately, Schwab explores what it means to be mortal, as well as what it means to love. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is special. You should read it and you should savor it.

Recommended: THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V.E. Schwab

I was interested in reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue because I’ve loved everything I’ve read V.E./Victoria Schwab (9 books ranging from middle grade to adult), and this one does not disappoint.

It’s the story of a teenage girl in 18th century France who makes a deal with a dark god to get out of an unwanted marriage and instead live a life of freedom.

Her wish is granted but it comes with an unexpected and troubling cost: “freedom” from personal entanglements—no one remembers her once she walks out of their site.

The story follows Addie for over 300 years, as well as a second point-of-view character whose life becomes intertwined with Addie’s. The story is thought-provoking, twisty, and so well described that you’ll feel you’re experiencing the span of time and settings all over the globe along with Addie.

Themes include the question of how a person leaves a mark on the world, what one would give for artistic excellence, and what is the meaning of a full life.

Since Schwab’s Darker Shade of Magic was marketed as a crossover to the young adult market, I hoped to recommend this to my YA-reading audience. Though I recommend the book enthusiastically, I can’t say I’d push it as a teen read because of the sex and casual use of serious drugs. Of course, teens have their own opinions about what books are appropriate for them.

Also notable, Schwab does a great job of portraying diverse characters. Henry, the book’s second main character, has bipolar disorder. Also, Schwab tweeted at the time I was writing this review: “For the record, there are no straight characters in THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. There are straight-passing pairs, but none of the people in those pairs are straight. And it's on page, canon. Addie has relationships with women.

Henry's ex is a man.” Props to Schwab giving characters of diverse backgrounds their fantasy/adventure story.
Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the eArc of the book.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be released on October 6th

Note: because of adult content, I can't put this on Thewingedpen.com. I'll post on Rebeccajallen.com as well as goodreads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

I have to give this book all of the stars for its rating.. and that definitely includes extra stars that come from Addie's constellation freckles.
There are those few books that come into your life that leave their mark. It's as if they are left tattooed on the readers heart, soul, brain etc.
The longer I read, the less I experience this phenomenon.
And I'm certainly euphoric in saying that The Invisible Life Addie LaRue has officially taken a moment to tattoo herself on me. I'm stunned. I'm crazed. I'm tearful.
Thank you V. E. Schwab.
I've told people numerous times that this novel felt different to me even before reading. Something about its synopsis and tone just stole my breath, and I think many would call me crazy to place all these expectations on a book. Well- I didn't have to worry about disappointment because she does not dwell here.
For hours I could describe the poetic writing that only Schwab can finesse; Schwab's emotional rollercoaster of time, and love, and power; and, of course, the pure beauty that is Addie LaRue... but I think... I know that I cannot write a review like I usually do.
I'm thankful to Tor for allowing me to learn her story early. I feel very blessed.
Now-I'm sitting in my bed, blissful and content, wondering how in all this quarantine mess I was able to read this gem. It has been a beacon of light in such a troubling time. I cannot express how lucky I feel to have found this story in a period of my life that feels as lonely as Addie details to us from page one. In my opinion, Addie teaches remembrance, patience, and strength, and I think her story will be a nice one for people to read once (or even during if it doesn't end) quarantine subsides.
Hope is what I'm left with. Thank you Addie LaRue.
The best book so far in 2020.

Schwab has written the perfect book to break my heart over and over again and I loved every single moment. Addie is everything I want and love in a protagonist. That combined with Schwab's amazing storytelling there are not words for my feelings. My favorite book of the year!

I was very excited to get my hands on this book: first, bc it comes out on my birthday and second, bc I really love keeping up with Schwab's writing process on social media. I was nervous, however, because it was partially set in Paris (which is almost always a no-go for me, having lived there) and also because it's the middle of a pandemic and I would LOVE to be in Paris/travelling/planning travel right now, but of course that's the exact opposite of what I can be doing. The good news is that I was not turned off by the Paris part.
A few things genuinely impressed me about this book. While Schwab is taking inspiration from Faust (and, I think, the show "Lucifer," but that might just be because I know she has seen it and I am watching it now?) this is a very original story. It has the air of a myth without telling you a story you already know. I thought I had guessed the ending, and I was very wrong. This is not a retelling of Faust, and that is all for the good. I also really enjoyed the character of Henry, and liked the parts from his point of view best.
That said, the pacing was a bit off. Which is to say, I thought it dwelled more on parts that I didn't care much about (i.e. Addie's life before Henry or without Luc--which I don't feel great about, since why should I only care abt her life when she is with one of the two leading men?) and less on parts I wanted to hear more about.
What I absolutely loved about the end, though, was that Addie was not defined by either of the men in her life. That is hard to pull off, esp in this particular story, and yet the ending makes it crystal clear that Addie's life is defined by neither.

I find it difficult to connect with these kinds of books, though I'm not sure exactly how to describe them. V.E. Schwab has a lot in common with the author of The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern. Their books are all beautifully written and plotted but always, to me, seem to lack substance: their character just flit through and don't seem like real people; more like a collection of ideas and whimsy.

So, starting off with that, I think this book was the most accessible book I've read that is written in that style. The characters still felt a little distant and lacking in any real life, but the compelling story and quick plotting made up for that! I love how sexually fluid all the characters seemed to be but didn't find the overall romance to be that strong; while I found the male romantic lead interesting, I just didn't find his story nearly as compelling as Addie's. The relationship between Addie and Luc (the god/creature/whatever that gave her this life she lives) was much more interesting to read about.

Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil to live forever, but ends up being forgotten by everyone she meets. The story that spans over 300 years is one of adventure and romance. Over the course of the long book, Schwab strongly develops Addie's character and her complex relationship with Luc. When Addie meets Henry, her life seems to gain purpose and the book takes a more interesting path.

Although I enjoyed the book, and LOVED the last quarter of it, the first half was a bit slow for me. The relationship Schwab develops between Addie and Henry is unique. In addition, the conflict Luc brings to the second half is much more electrifying than the beginning.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this unique book.

This is one of my most anticipated books of the year and oh em gee I LOVE IT SO MUCH. This book was not at all what I expected but in the best possible way. I adore Addie as a strong female protagonist and love to hate Luc. I wasn’t sure how this one was going to end but I think it ended up being perfect and I want more.

My only complaint is that I wanted more from the flashbacks of Addie’s life. They were a bit too clumped together around the same time period and I think a lot of interesting things could have been done if they covered more of history. I wanted a bit more of Luc too but I think the balance was actually just right I’m just trash for a dark love interest.

But overall this book absolutely exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to buy a finished copy.

Many thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was definitely an ok read. Entertaining and surprising. It dragged in the first third. The character development needed some work via the descriptions in the narrative. We are told many times that she wants to live because of the joie de vivre but we are never showing her taking a moment and appreciating life. There needs to be some lyrical descriptions waxing poetic. Contemplations on the joy I’m the simple things. Instead, we are given never ending descriptions of her misery and mind games played with the devil. It seemed her real reason for wanting to live was stubbornness. I didn’t find her to be a particularly likable character

Underwhelming. Schwab is better than this. An interesting premise about the twin desires that rule us all: to be remembered and to be good enough for someone else. The Big Ideas were quickly rendered trite and insipid. If I were 20 years younger, I might have loved this book for its YA hipster signaling, shoe-gazing, weepy, maudlin bullshit. Unfortunately, I’m an adult. Twoo wuv and pretty white girls with constellations of freckles bore me to tears. This was just so disappointing, like a step above Twilight.
This book should not be marketed to adults.

This book is truly a masterpiece. I loved Addie LaRue, she is was such a bold, brave and lovable character. I really loved the chapters about her life in France and how she changed and where she went throughout history. I loved her backstory with her parents and Estelle and how strongly she felt about everything. The chapters from her history definitely had a folktale/enchanting feel to them. Even if there were some sad events. I did feel like New York as a setting took away from the charm of this book, so I really didn't love that. Henry was also... mediocre and I was hoping for more from him. Luc was something else though. A dark incarnate who wisps Addie through time and becomes somewhat of an expectation. I adored their story line, even if it broke my heart. This book was so enchanting yet heartbreaking all at once.

V.E. Schwab continues to amaze me. The premise of a girl selling her soul to the devil, only to realize there is always a price, is perfectly executed. All of the details come together in the best way in this epic story that spans more than 300 years. The writing and descriptions are rich and beautiful. It's the kind of book that you want to savor for it's beauty, but binge for it's story.

A Faustian bargain, a love story, a time travel epic, an ode to the love of the arts...this novel is a bit of each, and more in its telling. The story is sweeping in its scope yet wonderfully intimate, it's dark and sexy yet romantic and heartbreaking. It's lyrical and clearly heartfelt and I think Schwab's best to date. Highly recommend.

There’s a reason(s) that I’ve read every book by V.E. Schwab!

1. Her worldbuilding is phenomenal
2. Every story is uniquely written
3. Her characters come to life right before my eyes

This is just a few of the many reasons and as I read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I added heart-wrenching and hopeful with a lot of poetically written dialogue.

“Palimpsest. She doesn’t know the word just yet, but fifty years from now, in a Paris Salon, she will hear it for the first time, the idea of the past blotted out, written over by the present …”

Addie is a character that I grew to love for her adventurous nature, her quest for knowledge, and her thirst for life but mostly, her ability to keep moving forward in the face of adversity. To be forgotten seconds after leaving one’s sight would be more awful than I originally thought. Never to form a meaningful relationship or settle down anywhere for very long. The implications of this are many. The one constant in her life is Luc, the devil she made a bargain with on that desperate night, until she meets Henry.

“Other people would call him sensitive, but it is more than that. The dial is broken, the volume turned all the way up. Moments of joy register as brief, but ecstatic. Moments of pain stretch long and unbearably loud.”

The story explores not only the pain that Addie experiences over 300 years of being forgotten, of experiencing war, homelessness, trauma, and loneliness but it also explores the many delights that Addie see’s through her journeys, the people she’s met that she hasn’t forgotten who’ve touched her life in both positive and negative ways. Her joy for life rarely falters, even in the most heart-breaking of times.

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

I’m going to avoid saying anymore about the plot because I don’t want to spoil this amazing story for anyone. I will say that The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made my top five favorites this year and I’m still thinking about it today, two days after I’ve finished it.

A great big thank you to Macmillan – Tor/Forge, V.E. Schwab, and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue in exchange for my review.