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.

Spectacular. Devastating but uplifting. Heartbreaking but so romantic. This book was gorgeous from start to finish. Addie will break your heart but then put it all back together.

Like her heroine Addie LaRue, V.E. Schwab plays the long game to her advantage. While this inventive novel's language often felt like a cliche , the story itself held a number of surprises and unexpected turns. The best part: the narrative thread about the role of a muse and the character of Henry, his mediocrity and his anxiety. I found there was room for improvement in Addie's historical adventures and the "magicked" way that she is brought one country to another felt uninspired and clumsy as a narrative device. Overall, a good read and I would recommend to fans of time travel and immortality genres.

Schwab’s outdone herself. ILoALR is an excellent book, and I cannot wait to purchase it for my library’s popular reading collection and for myself.

This book is such a work of fine art. The words were so articulate, the story so amazing. The fine details are absolutely genius.. I am blown away. I have so much love for this book. It is one of my favorite books of all time ❤️

You sell your soul to the devil. What does that little contract actually entail? Well we are about to find out..Addie chose the words but the devil chose the terms. He gave her freedom, but is it really freedom? Will she walk this earth for 300 years and leave not a trace of her existence? Everyone she meets has no memory of her...so everyday is a new day...for 300 years, a lonely existence. Until she meets someone who actually can "see" her for who she is. I don't want to give you any more details because I would hate to spoil anything for you.

Anyone who reads my reviews will probably be caught a little off guard. I usually am a little snarky or light in my reviews. This book STOLE MY HEART, so I am very emotional about it.

It had such a profound effect on me that I actually teared up at the end. I was almost distraught that my time with Addie LaRue was coming to an end. I had hung on to every word in an attempt to delay the ending. I love many books, but it is very rare that one is so special and beautiful that it tears you apart. Addie LaRue, you are one of the best books I have ever read. You will perhaps earn the spot of all time favorites in my heart.

This was my first time picking up a book by this author. I am so excited that this means I will have the chance to read her others. I am jealous of anyone that has not read this book yet, because you still have the chance to experience Addie LaRue.

Okay, now that I have poured my heart out-get your hands on this book if and when you can. Even though I have read the ecopy ARC, I will be purchasing this hardcover version when it is released. Addie needs to spot on my bookcase with all my favorites. Be still my heart Addie LaRue....I hope everyone loves her journey as much as I did.

What an amazing book. Easily one of my favorite reads so far this year.

It has been a while since a book has grabbed my attention so thoroughly that I read slowly to prolong it, and this was such a book. The writing was absolutely gorgeous and I loved the incorporation of the art pieces that resonate throughout the story. A true masterpiece on life, being remembered, what it means to be human, as well as the beauty in art and love.

It is my first book by this author but I will definitely pick up others by her.

This had everything I want in a book, including a cat named Book. Absolutely incredible story.
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

This is the kind of book that will stay with you long after you read the final page.
It was beautifully and intricately wrought, the characters were so very dear to me, and the story punched all the air from my lungs.
Schwab sure knows how to hurt you in a way you'll thank her for.
Read it. You won't regret it.

While I've enjoyed Schwab's writing in the past, I could never get fully immersed in the characters and storylines. But there was something about this one that made me give it a try, maybe the cover, the description, I don't know... and it completely rocked my world. I see why this one took the author so many years to write. It's like, you can FEEL the years when you read it. You can feel the dedication that went into this book. Schwab's skill and talent is fully realized in this beautiful, magical masterpiece. At the time I sent this review to Netgalley, there were 97 reviews before mine and every one of them is 5 stars. Incredible. You have to read it.

A million gold stars! This is my new favorite book by this author. Can’t wait to shove it in the hands of everyone I meet!

THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE gripped me from the very first page. V.E. Schwab's writing is lush, and she brings to life each city and century Addie finds herself in. I was particularly affected by Addie's struggle to leave her mark, and to find meaning and connection in a world where she cannot be remembered. The ending was powerful and emotional, and my only complaint was that I wanted to live longer in Addie's world.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a dual timeline story, spanning Addie's 300+ years on earth with the larger focus being on her present day life. Schwab's writing is great, the book is very readable, even some memorable lines- but there is no real plot to speak of.
Addie's motivation comes down to spite, because it certainly doesn't seem like she's having much fun with the extra centuries she bargained for. She spends her time being painted by artists and having repetitive one-night stands. She is pretty, has 7 freckles, and... that is about it?
Henry fills the role of a Mary-Sue, a hot young thing for the immortal to fall in love with, solely because he can remember Addie - I can't see any other traits that would make him desirable to an immortal, he's a fairly standard/bland millenial character otherwise.
Even the Devil was boring - but mostly because he is never present to be tricky or charismatic, or anything.
The world building is inconsistent, especially with respect to the powers (?) the various curses imbue the cursed with. The historical timeline becomes tiresome very quickly. New York is oddly bland and touristy, especially when the characters are supposed to be locals (I'm extrapolating Addie to being a local even though she is a native of France because she has been in New York for so long),
It seemed like right at the very end Schwab was setting up for a sequel that might have a plot in it - but I'm ready to forget Addie.
Great idea, weak execution.
Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an early copy for review.