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ADULT,  ARCS,  BOOK REVIEWS,  FANTASY,  FICTION,  HISTORICAL FICTION,  NETGALLEY

BOOK REVIEW : THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE BY VE SCHWAB

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TITLE : The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue

AUTHOR : VE Schwab

GENRE : Historical Fiction, Adult Fantasy

FR RATING : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐( 5 Stars)

FR REVIEW

DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Netgalley and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue is my 6th book from VE Schwab, who is one of my favorite authors. I have been eyeing this book for so long, seeing the beautiful pics on Instagram and just hoping I could get my hands on this beauty. When I saw the title on Netgalley, I never thought I would be able to read it, but just for fun, I requested it. I was squealing when I saw the email saying – my request was accepted. That made my day!! Seriously!! Receiving an ARC for my favorite author made my day!! Man!! I did not see it coming, and I am forever grateful to the lovely people at Titan Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

I was afraid of looking at reviews and book discussions on the different platforms because I didn’t want to hype myself up or build my expectations. And I am so glad I didn’t do that and can safely say that reading the book without any prior expectations or ideas was the perfect way to read it for me. Also, I am not sure if I will ever be able to pen down my thoughts accurately or even express myself in a way that will make sense. I am happy and excited about the book and heartbroken that the journey Schwab took me on through this book came to an end sadly. It reminded me of the famous quote: ‘All good things must come to an end.’

The story is about a Faustian bargain struck between a young girl and a God who answers after dark. Addie has always longed for more than she was given. She dreamed of more than she was allowed to. A girl with endless love for life and art makes a deal with the being who answers after dark, cursing herself to a lifetime of being alone and lonely and being forgotten by people around her. Her life is told in alternating chapters of present and past, taking us along for the endless journey that is her life. She meets a boy who remembers her and sees how the two of them navigate their new normal. The dual POVs adding to the narrative elevated the storytelling giving us an up-close view into their lives. It was raw and intimate, and the impeccable portrayal of these characters gives us a glimpse into their minds as well.

I really don’t know where to start with the praises for this book. I could start with the beautiful, lyrical, and poetic writing that brings out the whimsical and dreamy quality to the storytelling gripping the readers from the get-go. VE Schwab has a way of writing that makes me feel the emotions so strongly, and I could see her growth as a writer as well. This is an ode to arts, and the passion for life and love of arts and history is so wonderfully and seamlessly integrated into the story making the readers fall in love with art and history. Another thing I loved is the wonderfully flawed and human characters with perfections and imperfections that will leave you wanting more of them. The idea of the world, the complexity of the characters, the mysterious, dark, and enigmatic villain all contribute to making this story an unforgettable one. The famous and popular historical figures and how their tales add to the layers of intrigue to the story were fascinating.

A character-driven story needs a strong protagonist to lead the story, and that’s exactly, what Schwab has done with this book. Addie is a compelling character with a thirst for life and experiences. The love for life, a passion for arts, and a desire to make an impression in the world before one’s last breath are what forced our strong character, Addie, into making the cursed deal. She fears not being able to leave behind her mark in the world as she dies. The fears and worries the characters had were so familiar, and as a reader, I could relate to them. The lost loves, the forgotten memories, the precious moments, and losses that leave its mark were just so beautifully written, making me sigh and cry equally. I loved both Henry and Addie as characters. They were complicated, and their experiences shaped them to be the person they are in the present. Luc was the perfect amount of dark and mysterious, and I wanted more of him. He reminded me of what I imagined a Jinn would be like, and that made me wonder about how VE Schwab went into bringing this character into life. This is definitely one of my favorite character-driven stories, and I am in love with this book.

I loved the pacing of this book. It’s a slow read and was perfect, in my opinion. I loved the slow pacing, and it reminded me more of literary fiction/historical fiction that’s heavily character-driven. I couldn’t put it down and at the same time didn’t want to finish it either. This is one of those books, I wanted to take my time and savor every bit of it. There were so many thought-provoking quotes and heartfelt moments that made me emotional. I laughed, I cried, and I did not want the experience to end. I cherished this book and the story so much. I loved all the deeper questions that it made me reflect upon, and the beautiful writing just topped it all off for me. If you are looking for an epic-love don’t look for it here. If you are looking for an epic story that’s a celebration of life, love, art, and history, do read this book.

Overall if you are a fan of VE Schwab, you need to pick this book up!! If you love beautiful and lyrical writing, pick this up!! If you are a fan of historical or literary style fiction stories with whimsical quality to it, then pick this up!! If you love slow-paced character-driven stories, then definitely pick this up!! I cannot recommend this enough. I absolutely loved this book. This is a cozy read that you can savor and enjoy while being curled up in your blanket with a cup of hot beverage. I gave it 5 stars. I don’t think it will be much of a surprise after everything I have said. Have you read this book? If so, what are some of your thoughts on it?

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SYNOPSIS

In the vein of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Life After LifeThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is New York Times bestselling author V. E. Schwab’s genre-defying tour de force.

When Addie La Rue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there’s always a price – the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.

Addie flees her tiny home town in 18th-Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.

Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.

Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realizes she can’t escape her fate forever

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