I'm a huge Schwab fan, so I knew I was going to like this book, but if you go into this thinking it's like A Darker Shade of Magic, or even Vicious, you'll be surprised. While the realistic setting matches the Vicious vibe, the tone is less . . . dramatic and more lyrical. 

We get a blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery through Addie's story and I loved it. It was a blend of three of my favorite genres perfectly working together to tell me what's happening and why. Plus, we get to see the evolution of Addie's relationship with Henry and Luc as well as her life through the ages. There's no dramatic fighting scenes or battles to the death, like her other books. This story is about mental resilience - how well you can play the game, trick the trickster, and get away with living forever.

I aspire to be Addie's level of strength and pettiness. To look the devil in the eye and get away with it made my jaw drop. Watching them battle is like watching a beautiful, coordinated dance as each player makes their move. Simultaneously working for their own goals and ambitions while pissing the other off is *chef's kiss* so beautiful. I couldn't help but be dazzed and in awe as I watched them play with their words, their actions, and their wishes so gracefully. 

And let's not forget Victoria's strong suit - her expert storytelling. Not only can Victoria give me a book that made me laugh, cry, and cringe all at the same time, but she does it so beautifully. While this isn't the fast paced, adventure novels we've seen before, I wasn't bored. In fact, I was so enamored by the characters and how they got to their place in this story, that I had to put the book down so it wouldn't stop. Along with an interesting story, we have gorgeous imagery that left me gasping from tears. I admire Schwab's ability to take a simple idea/concept and turn it into an emotional event on every page. There's no getting through this book without shedding a tear. 

Overall, I love the mix of genres, the storyline, the dialogue, the characters, the plot, the writing - everything! Victoria always has a way of taking a story and making it something we've never seen before. And, at the same time, making me wish I could live in that world, even for just a moment. It's like magic. 

A life no one will remember. A story you will never forget. And I will never forget this book. 5 // 5 stars.

A glorious story. Magical realism is my favorite genre of all time and the subtleness of its inclusion in this book was breathtaking.

It is hard for me to put into words, that make sense, how much Addie LaRue's story means to me. It just covers SO much and I feel as if talking about it takes away some of the magic.

Go into this blind. You won't regret it. Just know it is a stunning work of art.

Did V. E. Schwab make a Faustian deal of her own in order to make this masterpiece? I would believe it!
There is so much about this book that I loved. Schwab’s style of writing is gripping and I felt transported. The characters are developed well and I feel that the overall character arcs worked SO well.
As I got closer to the end I began to get nervous I wouldn’t be completely satisfied with how it would end. I imagine some people may not be in love with how it all works out, but I truly thought it was perfect. I didn’t predict how it would end, but was ultimately very satisfied with how things wrapped up.

Ultimately, the theme of being truly seen by someone really resonated with me, and made my heart ache. The relationships made me analyze my own and how “seen” I feel, and how I well I am “seeing” my loved ones.

This is a gorgeous book. I think it’s my favorite of the year.

I fell in love with V.E. Schwab's storytelling and lyrical prose with the Shades of Magic series, and I was thrilled when this new book was announced! From the publisher's description: "In a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever—and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets." Addie's story is, at times, sad and full of challenges but watching her move through the centuries--facing hunger, cold, and war but also discovering novels, operas and love--is addicting to read.

"Were the instants of joy worth the stretches of sorrow?
Were the moments of beauty worth the years of pain?
And she turns her head, and looks at him, and says, "Always.""

I finished this book late last night and I am still processing it. This was a slow start for me but it got to a point when I could not put it down until I finished. This book had me feeling pretty much every emotion but sadness and melancholy were the ones that stayed with me, even though the ending is hopeful. This is a story about love, time, connection, loss, and most importantly, being remembered. It's about that longing we have to matter to someone, to leave our mark on the world, even if it's just one person, to love and be loved.

This book is so richly descriptive. V.E. Schwab transports the reader through 300 years of time, from little villages in France to modern day New York City. Every aspect of the story is intricately detailed from the clothing to the food to the locations. I could picture Addie's childhood village so perfectly in my head, could smell the woods, could feel the rain, heat and snow. I felt like I'd been transported through time and space while staying warm and comfortable at home. That's really the mark of a fantastic book - when you're truly able to escape into the world and the story because of the author's use of words.

There's so much more I wish I could say here but I don't want to give anything away. There is love and hope in this story but there is also loss and sadness. The ending of the story is not what I expected but it felt exactly right. It broke my heart a little as well. 300 years with Addie were not enough and I didn't want her story to end. Reading the last sentence felt like a loss for me because I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a must read.

Thank you to Tor Books for this copy in exchange for my honest review. Quote is taken from an ARC and is subject to change.

This book is amazing. It is so magical, and I can't find a better word to describe it. The pacing changed drastically about three quarters into the book, but it was done so well and was so necessary that I can't complain.

Firstly, thanks so much Tor and NetGalley for my copy! It was greatly appreciated, and gave me a wonderful moment of joy and exercise when I ran laps around my house in excitement.
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Before I get into my thoughts, something I took note of and was delighted by was the capitalization of Black when referring to Black people. There were a few times when Black wasn't capitalized that I figured was an error and will be corrected, but little things like that mean a lot coming from a Black reader as myself.
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On to my thoughts! While I ended up enjoying the book overall, there were definitely a few moments where I struggled. Many times we are reminded that there is no one on earth like Addie LaRue. She’s special and different and not like other girls and I can’t lie, I rolled my eyes a few times, but I got over it.

I also had a bit of trouble with the pacing, as we are, like Addie, in this for the long haul. We constantly go from past to present and a few times I wondered if we really needed to (we did, in the end, but why so much). Sometimes the hopelessness, the fleeting moments of joy tainted with underlying despair, the two steps forward, nine steps back journey Addie takes is tiring not just to her, but to us readers (at least for me it was), but Schwab has such an amazing way with words and I greatly enjoyed what came from the buildup. For a while, I wondered where this was going, but when we got there?

Ouch.

Actual 0-100.

I do wish we had a bit more time to make the romance more believable, as we got a good chunk of backstory where it could have been further developed. It was a little sudden as the hatred between the two is so intense. This seems like a lot of complaining but please rest assured, I enjoyed it. Addie LaRue is a book I had to be patient with, but when things picked up, THEY PICKED UP. I love a story about a woman who refuses to back down.

Cheers to another good read from Victoria Schwab!

I loved this book. This was such an interesting way to frame the "deal with the devil" idea. I particularly enjoyed the way the author played with timelines and dates to bring pieces of the story together. It didn't feel like I was being told a story but rather like I was uncovering something that already existed, bit by bit. Usually I find it jarring when an author switches settings so frequently but because the characters themselves were so well written, they provided the context and continuity to make the transitions feel natural.

This is the first V.E. Schwab book that I have read and I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone to give this one a try. I will be reading more of V.E. Schwab in the future.
The invisible life of Addie Larue blew me away. I loved all the characters and the historical references as Addie had to navigate through as well as learning how to live with her new “life”. Even though I figured out a few of the twists It did not ruin the book for me. Funny enough I think I enjoyed her relationship with the antagonist than I did with her love interest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a tough review for me. I went into this book with my expectations lowered, only because it's been a weird year for books and a lot of my favorites have let me down. I'm glad I did though, because this one... wasn't for me.

A lot of what I didn't like about this book essentially boils down to taste. I noticed right away that the writing style was beautiful, But pretty, flowery prose isn't something I enjoy very much of. And this book is absolutely full of it. Every sentence is quotable. For me, that takes away from a story, and instead of a few parts that really stand out as special, it all ends up blending together in my head.

I found myself getting bored, but forced myself to power through. That was probably a mistake on my part. I think this book would benefit greatly from being read slowly, over time. Maybe with gaps in between reading sessions. It's a book that should be savored, and maybe not read to be critical, but instead to just be swept up in the story.

I kept hoping that the ending would really hit me, that it would make me fall in love with Addie's story. But when I finished reading I only felt unsatisfied. I can see logically where this ending is going to hit home for a lot of readers, but it didn't for me. I think maybe I just don't fundamentally agree with the message of the book, legacy and being remembered are things that I never spare a thought for.

So see what I mean? All of the reason's I didn't enjoy this book are reasons that someone else is going to love it. And that's the beauty of stories, there are ones out there for all of us. This book is beautiful, elegant, and one of the most heartfelt stories I've ever read. I hope that so many other readers who need it find it and fall in love with it.

Unfortunately I had to stop reading this book about a quarter of the way through because it triggered my anxiety; I love V.E. Schwab and this is a beautifully written book that I hope to return to eventually. Addie makes what amounts to a deal with the devil in 18th century France - she wants to get out of an arranged marriage and she wants to live forever. The unexpected result is that, while she does achieve immortality, no one can remember her. So if she leaves the room and comes back, the person she was with has no memory of her. I’m not sure why but this made me extremely anxious to the point that I had to put it down. Someday, I hope to be able to finish Addie’s story.

**Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review**

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is so magical! From the first page of this book I was drawn into the story, It seriously took me only a few sentences for me to know I would love it. As the synopsis will tell you.. in 1714 France our main character Addie makes a devilish deal in a moment of desperation, and ends up sealing the deal on a bargain that isn't quite what she had intended. To live forever, but be forgotten by everyone.
Addie's story weaves us back and forth through present and past on the many ways she has learned to push the boundaries to leave her mark on a world that forgets her. I loved the how Addie's life unfolds, how she learns to survive, her sheer stubbornness to continue living and not give in to the loneliness of constantly being forgotten. This book was just incredible and easily one f my top reads of 2020.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is hands down one of my favorite books of the year. Matter of fact it is one of my favorite books of all time. This novel is going on my constant reread shelf. Addie is a very well rounded and complex character. As someone who is forgotten and not in the most ideal situations she is a strong female character. I loved all the characters of this novel. Luc is one of my favorite characters of all time. I really enjoy books with short chapters and this books has though. It makes it so easy to keep flipping pages. Even though I say that know that this is a slow burn and a book you want to savor. I really enjoyed the back and forth between timelines. And learning all the parts of Addies life. Remy and Estele are two extremely important people in this novel. As they help shape Addie before and after she has made her deal. And Henry oh Henry! What a sweet man! Though Addie is forgotten her freckles leave marks across history. There are so many things I could say I love about this novel, but just read it! A book this good deserves to bless your eyes (or ears if you listen to audiobooks)! A beautiful and magically well crafted book.

This book was everything and more! The writing was amazing and by the ending I was hooked! I don't know if there will be a second book but I am ready for it if it comes out!
V.E Scwab's writing does not disappoint!

Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to review this title.

The premise promised me everything I’ve ever wanted and more. But the truth is that I didn’t get what I expected or wanted. There are too many flashbacks of Addie’s past and I just found those parts boring. I didn’t get to care about that time of her life or the deals the devil makes with famous people through history. I was more invested in the present time-line that takes place in New York, especially when Henry Samuel, a bookseller who is able to remember her, enters the picture. But then I even lost interest in that when the story begins to focus on the insta-love.

That being said, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue shows what is probably Schwab’s best writing to date. I lost count of how many beautiful quotes I ended up highlighting. But that didn’t compensate how lacking and predictable the story line is.

This is written in third person POV and I must add that I never truly felt well connected to our main characters. This story is quite slow developing, especially in the first 30% of the book. the stakes never felt high enough. No one remembers Addie so she can do whatever she wants, whenever she wants. When you find out Henry’s story, the stakes are perhaps raised a bit but him and Addie fall in love so fast and it’s so soft and sweet which is nice and refreshing but definitely makes things feel a little easy, in my opinion.

Summing up, this book was quite a let-down for me. I was hoping to love it, but unfortunately it didn’t deliver for me.

I loved this one. It's very atmospheric, it spans centuries in a really cool and interesting way. A Faustian deal with all it's unforseen consequences, and the struggle of being marginalized or not truly seen worked out on a magical scale. For fans of Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, Holly Black, Diana Wynne Jones, etc.

An advance copy of this book was given to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first novel I've read from Schwab, and I don't plan on it being my last.

It has almost everything I love about a novel--a mixture of paces, a bit of fantasy but too much, lots of character development, a non-linear plot, a wonderful but not saccharine romance(s), history, and an enchanting idea: what if no one could ever remember you, that you were unable to leave any sort of impression upon the world?

That's the case with our protagonist, Addie Larue. Born in the early 18th century in France, Addie was bound for the life that all women at the time were heading towards: marriage and babies. But Addie was desperate for a different kind of life; one of freedom, where she got to choose for herself what she would do with her life. After getting betrothed to a widowed man who needed a new wife to take care of his children, Addie makes a dangerous deal with a god who lives in the dark: her freedom, to be bound to no one, in exchange for her soul.

The book jumps between Addie's experiences throughout history leading up to the present timeline (in 2014). I really love this structure--it adds a lot of variety to a pretty long book with not a super linear plot structure. The flashbacks to Addie's experiences offer interesting viewpoints in history, though it doesn't get into details all that much that it feels like a historical novel, but still neat to read.

I thought at some point the past and present experiences would get stale after a while, but each one shed some more light on Addie's curse and further developed her relationship with Luc (the name the god took because he knew Addie liked it). It was so interesting to see the tricks Addie has learned to take care of herself with a curse that prevents her from holding onto anything--any sort of possessions, a home, pets, friends, all of it.

I also loved the relationship that developed between her and Henry. I had a feeling that I knew what was up, but it was still interesting to be teased for a bit before the twist--that's all I'll say about it. His character is very well developed; I think we all know at least one person a bit like Henry--overwhelmed, anxious, never feeling like he's enough--or maybe we have felt this way about ourselves.

I thought I wouldn't love the ending of the book, if I'm being honest. I really thought it would be a typical happy ending where Luc is defeated once and for all, and Addie can be free. I thought what Henry ended up doing with Addie's story in the journals and the photographs was a tad sentimental, but it was only a small part of the book. I can't complain too much.

I suppose my only fault with the book is how trope-y Addie is in the beginning. I understand that all characters are tropes in some way, but sometimes it's straight up predictable in a bad way that makes me want to hurry through sections of a book because we can guess how they feel without thinking too hard. And I suppose it's a bit personal, too--I can't help but roll my eyes at the "religious people are so oppressed and believe everything they hear uwu" crap. I just feel like that trope is sooooo tired and honestly lazy.

I also had a bit of a problem with the implied attitude towards people who live in smaller areas--as if they're all just a bunch of backwards folk who have nothing interesting to offer the world. There's even a line from Luc (I think) who says that people in small areas lead small lives. Really? It's kinda elitist and dismissive--again, eye roll at lazy trope/stereotyping.

All that being said, those flaws don't weigh the book down at all. It's truly a fabulous novel that I couldn't put down, and I'm excited to dive into Schwab's other books!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy!

I absolutely adore this novel! I have never read anything by V.E. Schwab before, but now I want to go back and read the author's entire backlist. I will definitely be buying multiple copies for my library because our patrons are going to love it. Thank you for letting me read it early!

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is unlike any of V.E. Schwab's other fantasy novels and despite my love for her previous works, that can only be described as a good thing. This is a love letter to art and the power of imagination and a testament as to how far someone will go to fulfill their own desires, what price they are willing to pay. I loved the characters and I thought the ending (which many authors struggle with) was perfect (but not too perfect- just the right amount of perfect).

I LOVED this book. It was haunting and magical. Addie LaRue is a driven character that is not overt in her rebellion, but quietly fights against fate.
Addie LaRue was given a chance to change her fate by summoning an ancient dark god. He grants her wish, but there is a twist-she can live forever, but no one will remember her. She lives in this lonely existence for over 300 years before she meets a boy who recognizes her from a previous meeting.
This story is full of bittersweet hope and tangled romance and hidden victories. I highly recommend this book!