One of the books that made it to a lot of people’s favorites of 2020 list was The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. We both got an eARC and planned on reading it ever since haha. It took us a bit of time, but we finally read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (after also both getting a physical copy) and today we want to share our thoughts! So let’s jump in.

---

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.

---

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Published by Tor Books on 06/10/2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads

Cover

Candyce This book has so many different special editions as well as a UK and US cover. I have to say they’re simple, but stunning! I have the special edition from Illumicrate and it’s stunning. The publishers really outdid themselves with this cover and the special editions.

Isabelle There are two covers out there and I love them both! I have to UK cover myself, which is gorgeous. But I also love the simplicity of the US cover. I especially love that they both incorporated the 7 freckles.

Stories are a way to preserve one’s self. To be remembered. And to forget.

Review

Candyce If I’m honest it’s almost impossible to write a review for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. This book was such an experience and I can truly say I’ve never read anything like it. I love V.E. Schwab’s books, but I don’t think I could’ve thought of this at all.

I started reading this book before it released (when I received my e-arc), but ended up putting it down when I got distracted and believe me when I say I wish that I had read it in one go. Once I started reading again, I just couldn’t stop. The writing sucks you in and I can say this book isn’t action packed, but everything comes together in the end. If this book was action packed I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it as much.

This is truly Addie’s story. The story alternates between past and present Addie. She doesn’t want to live as society seems fit and when she prays and her wishes are met, but there’s a catch. No one will remember her until one day 300 years later some one does. I love how Addie is kind of remember through the years in art and other places. Even if it’s not stated it’s her. When someone does remember her it was really interesting to see how she responded to that. This was such a special story and I loved the journey and I have to say this book did have me in tears a couple of times.

The other side of this story is Addie’s interaction with the being that granted her wish. They have a complicated relationship and Addie slowly starts figuring him out. I have to say while reading it was really unclear how this story was going to end. Even knowing how it ends I wouldn’t have been able to see that coming. The ending was so good and I think it was perfect for this story! The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is truly a journey I would highly recommend.

 

“You think yourself a cat, playing with its catch. But I am not a mouse, and I will not be a meal.”

Isabelle When I started reading Addie LaRue, I realised I knew hardly anything. I wanted to read this books solely based on Victoria Schwab’s description; a love story between a girl and the devil 300 years in the making. Would you need to know anything else? Add the hype the book has been getting these past couple of months and all I can say is, go pick this up! If you do want to know a little bit more, read on ;).

The story alternates between present day Addie and Addie 300 years ago. Addie does not want to be married to a man she doesn’t love and against her friends advice, she prays to a god who answers after dark. She gets her freedom, but it comes at a steep price. No one remembers her and that is how she has to go through live from then on.

I loved all the bits and pieces of Addie’s life over the last 300 years. They were some of my favorite parts of the book. I loved reading how Addie tried to make a life for herself and seeing her interact with people throughout history. In present day time Addie still goes trough life unremembered, until one day a guy does remember her. I really liked how she interacted with him and their story together.

But what I loved most were Addie interactions with the god (or devil) she made her bargain with. Their relationship developed over time and I had a lot of feelings about it. I won’t say much more about it because I think it’s best to just experience it. And then make up your own mind. The book slowly works it’s way to an incredible ending. I did not see it coming nor did I have a clue were the story was going. There was one thing I predicted but other than that I was blown away. I loved the ending so so much and would love a sequel. Even if it was just a novella, but I need more content haha.

I think it’s clear I highly recommend this book. Beware that it can be a bit slow. It’s truly about the characters and Addie journey. Don’t expect any action or a fast paced story. Let Addie take you on a journey through history and what it is to live and be remembered.

Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives – or to find strength in a very long one.

 

I think it’s clear that we both recommend The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue! This is such an unique experience. Have you read this book yet? If you have, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments.