The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue made me rethink everything I thought I knew.
Last summer, I was drawn to the Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab. It was mentioned a lot on bookstagram and it had been a while since a fantasy series really captured my attention. It took only one of the three books for me to fall in love with the worlds she’d created and now I definitely consider myself part of that fandom. I quickly discovered that Schwab was a favorite author because even after reading the Villains duology (which is not my typical book genre), I was insanely impressed with her writing style and ability to create characters that were so complex and incredible.
This was about the same time that The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue began taking the world by storm. I knew I wanted to read it as soon as possible, so I put a hold on it at the library. I was somewhere around 60 out of 70 holds and by January, the number hadn’t decreased much. I knew it would be a while before I got a chance to dive into this story. Then I received the kindest package from my bookstagram bestie with a copy of the book inside! I couldn’t believe her generosity and naturally, I put down everything else I was reading and began to see what the hype was all about.
I experienced a wide range of emotions while going through this book. Let me tell you all about it.
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Why You Should Read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Below you can find my full and honest review.
“‘Do you know how you live three hundred years?’ she says.
And when he asks how, she smiles. ‘The same way you live one. A second at a time.'”
the invisible Life of Addie LaRue
“A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.
France, 1714: 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.
Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling 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.
But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.” (Goodreads Synopsis)
A little over halfway through reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, a friend asked me if I got the hype surrounding it or if I was feeling underwhelmed. I began to explain that while I was certainly not underwhelmed, I hadn’t discovered the elements that created the hype. As I was talking through the plot, I began to realize more and more that I had, in fact, already discovered those elements without even becoming aware of them. They were slowly sinking in and making an impact and I hadn’t noticed until I stated them aloud. But isn’t that what a truly good book should do? Sometimes the impact hits like a train – a really good quote or moment that just stands out above the rest – but other times it just seeps in like a steady IV drip of profound knowledge.
What I loved most about this book wasn’t the beautiful story (though yes, it was hauntingly beautiful), but it was the way it made me FEEL. It was a book of emotions in the form of words. It carried you to new places and made you experience everything Addie, Henry (and even Luc) did as they experienced them. You felt their pain, their joy, and when they were the most emotionally vulnerable, you felt stripped down to your rawest self as well.
Though moments of it were slightly predictable, I didn’t mind. They were written in such a way that while I saw them coming, I also wanted that outcome (and not because the outcome was always “perfect” or “good” but because it was REAL). Yes, this book may have been written about a girl who lived to be 300 years old, trapped in the body of a 23-year-old, but it was still relatable in many ways I wasn’t expecting.
I don’t annotate books. I just can’t make myself take a pen to a book, however, I can see myself wanting to reread this and learn from it (and yes, maybe even annotate) time and again because there’s so much to gain from it. It is one of the most profound books I’ve ever read. Leave it to Schwab to create another pure masterpiece.
[TW: suicidal thoughts, toxic relationships, drug use, anxiety and depression, untimely deaths]
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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue or any of V.E. Schwab’s other books?
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I'm All Booked Up says
We’ve heard a lot about this book. Great review! We’re adding it to our TBR.
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s awesome to hear! I really do hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it.
Rach says
My cousin recently told me about this book. She’s currently reading it and so I’m waiting for her thoughts. I had no idea that this book will be so profound!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Stephanie Whitman says
There’s a reason that it’s a mega bestseller! It’s an awesome book. Very different from Schwab’s other work, but just as magnificently written.
Lizzie says
Wow it sounds amazing! Glad it’s worthy of a re-read. And I totally can’t write in books either lol! I just can’t do it.
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Stephanie Whitman says
It definitely is worthy of a reread in the future. I just still need time to process this first read haha!
Mykki says
I’ve seen mostly mixed reviews on this book, but I’m a fan of Schwab’s work and this book has been on my TBR for a long while now…
I like how you realized that it had made such an impact only after talking about what you’d read so far, it’s incredible how we don’t even realize what we’re feeling or experiencing until we stop to put words to it and it’s lovely that books can give us that sensation as much as our own lived experiences!
Stephanie Whitman says
I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews as well – though most have been on the positive side. I was looking forward to reading it so much and I’m just mostly thankful that it really did live up to the hype. Not only that, but it had a personal impact on me as well!
Lee says
I just can’t get over that your friend sent you over a copy so you didn’t have to wait, that is just so thoughtful and sweet, what a great friend!
Stephanie Whitman says
Right? She’s the best!!! I was floored when I opened that package and saw the book in there. And then it was so much fun to be able to text her my thoughts as I read it 🙂
Candace Hampton says
A book has to have spoken to you immensely if it makes you rethink. I love finding reads like that. I am definitely adding this to my list of books to cover. Thank you for sharing this with us and your personal thoughts on how and why you fell in love with reading it.
Stephanie Whitman says
It certainly did. I wasn’t expecting it to have that kind of impact. I assumed it would be a meaningful read and probably would be beautifully-written just like all of her other books… but PHEW it was a fantastic and emotional story that will definitely stick with me!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
And now I want to add this book to my TBR! You wrote such a compelling review!
Stephanie Whitman says
Oh, that’s so encouraging to hear. Thank you, Ashley!! I do hope you read it at some point. Honestly, everything Schwab writes is genius. This was no different – it was just on a whole other level of incredible!
Neely Moldovan says
Oh I am going to have to add this to my list! It sounds so good!
Stephanie Whitman says
I hope you get a chance to pick it up. It’s an incredible book!
rebecca says
ah how sweet for her to send to you!!! will have to add this one to my list!
xx reb // thecrystalpress.com
Stephanie Whitman says
It was seriously so kind. I was blown away! And it made reading the book even more special.
Deborah says
You know, I’ve been meaning to read this book but I kept hearing mixed reviews. I totally understand what you mean about loving the way a book makes you feel and I haven’t felt that way about a book in a while. I think your review just cinched it for me to pick it up!
Stephanie Whitman says
I had heard a lot of mixed reviews as well. I will say that it starts out slowly, but the way the story builds is truly magnificent. I was (clearly) very impressed!
Laura Leigh says
I love your reviews so much and your beautiful photos! I hadn’t heard of this book before. Thank you for the introduction and the amazing review. I am definitely adding it to my list – have one I just ordered but this will be immediately following.
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
Stephanie Whitman says
Thank you so much, friend 🙂 I’m always so shocked when people haven’t heard of certain books that (in my world) are so popular and even sometimes feel over-hyped. This one is definitely special to me now. Which book did you just order?
Loïne says
this novel is the epitome of storytelling. I remember listening to the audiobook and thinking ‘this is the best story I had ever heard.’ It was unforgettable and I really want to buy a physical copy to read it instead of just listening. Your review was great as usual, darling! x
Stephanie Whitman says
It really is, isn’t it? It’s such a magnificent story with such beautiful writing. I don’t think I’ll ever be over it! I’m actually so interested to listen to the audiobook because I heard great things about it! We want to trade places haha!
Della Driscoll says
I’ve just added this to my book buying list, it sounds right up my street! It’s a brilliant review too xx
Stephanie Whitman says
That’s so wonderful to hear! I really hope you enjoy it. It’s a beautifully written story!
Genesis says
I’ve had that problem at the library before, too! If it’s a new and popular release, I usually have to wait in a very long line before I can get my hands on a copy haha. It makes book gifts all the more special, though! This book sounds like an awesome one to put on my TBR list.
Stephanie Whitman says
It’s tough! I try to request the moment I hear about a book release, but sometimes the library is a bit delayed in getting the book added to the system and by the time I get around to requesting, there’s a mile-long list of people ahead of me haha! But yes, it made this particular book very special to receive!
Sarah Mark says
I have never come across this book before but it sounds fab! I will need to add it to my TBR pile.
Stephanie Whitman says
No way! It’s a major bestseller and for good reason! Clearly, I enjoyed it very much. I hope you read it too 🙂
Nailil Ivaldi says
I had not heard of this title. I will add it to my list of books because I REALLY need to get a book to read.
Xx,
Nailil
https://thirtyminusone.com
Stephanie Whitman says
I’m so surprised with how many people said they hadn’t heard of this! I guess in my world, it’s extremely hyped, but I’m happy to introduce it to others this way!
Nayomi says
This is not something I would typically read but I really intrigued by this book. I’m addint it to my To Read list. So I should get to it sometime this decade, lol
Stephanie Whitman says
I love hearing that! Always thrilled to intrigued someone with a title they wouldn’t typically reach for 😉
Freya says
I’m interested in this book after your evocative review, beautifully illustrated too
Stephanie Whitman says
I appreciate the encouragement. I hope you do get a chance to read it!
Kait says
I’ve heard a bit about this book, but never really knew what it was about. I am always skeptical of books outside of the contemporary fiction genre, because I have trouble getting into them. It’s so good to hear that you related to the characters. Maybe I’ll have to pick this one up.
Stephanie Whitman says
I think it’s a good middle-ground for people who enjoy different genres. It has magical realism (which works for fantasy-lovers), a bit of historical fiction (it’s a back-and-forth timeline), and romance (for those who like contemporary fiction). I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something new!
Adaleta Avdic says
This is in my kindle at the moment actually, and I’m so excited to get to reading this one because it’s one of the books for a virtual book club I’m in. By the way, I think I’ll try to join one of the months of yours, but at the moment I’m already in 3 book clubs so I’m a bit strapped sometimes haha!
Stephanie Whitman says
I had noticed you signed up but hadn’t joined, so thanks for letting me know about this! I’m not sure what I’ll be doing this coming month (if anything), but I’ll try to keep folks updated!