This book was added to my TBR pile the day I found out about it on Instagram. I’d been following V.E. Schwab for a little while, planning on one day finding my way to one of her books. And then I saw her posting about this one: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. In the following months, I kept seeing talk about the novel, including how this was the product of a 10-year-old idea that had been ruminated on and constructed in the chunks of time between her other projects. As someone who has spent almost seven years trying to write my own novel, I was so excited to see this brain-child. And when I read the summary, I was even more excited!
Summary
Adeline LaRue was raised on the new god, and taught about the old ones by her neighbor, Estele, who had one piece of advice for her: “…no mater how desperate or dire, never pray to the gods that answer after dark.” In 1714, in a desperate attempt to avoid a marriage that she didn’t want, Adeline prays to the old gods, not noticing the sun slipping behind the horizon until its too late. She makes a deal with the god that appears anyways, seeking any way out of her situation; seeking a new life of freedom. He grants her the freedom she desires, at a cost: no one will be able to remember her. As soon as she leaves their sight, they will forget the interaction. It will be as if she never existed.
But what would happen if someone, almost 300 years later, remembers her?
Review
I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this novel. I hadn’t ever heard of a story quite like this, especially in young adult books. The first page, which acts like a prologue, reminded me so much of Arya’s storyline in Season 6 of Game of Thrones. As I continued reading, this continued to feel true, but only in a peripheral sense. There were some similarities, namely in the wording, referencing “a girl” or “the girl” rather than naming Addie. The differences from this arc are more present, as Addie is so different from Arya. At her core, Addie seeks to leave her mark and to be remembered, clinging to her existence and longing for the day when she can again share her life with others, to make her existence felt.
He studies her, squinting at her as if she’s a book, not a person; something to be read. She stares back at him like he’s a ghost. A miracle. An impossible thing.
page 152
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue surprised me with its language usage throughout. This is the first novel of Schwab’s that I’ve read, so I wasn’t familiar with her style of writing before picking this book up. The prose throughout the book reads like prose poetry: the language and imagery flowing from one line to the next across the pages. I really enjoyed reading in this style, as it lends itself to the story being told about art and impact. Passages are written so beautifully visual that I can easily picture the scenes or feelings being described without having to experience them on my own.
The day passes like a sentence.
The sun falls like a scythe.
page 41
Another somewhat unique aspect of this book is that the chapters are divided into seven parts. Storygraph users have mostly described this book as medium-paced, which I can agree with. For me, Part One was incredibly slow. When reading the beginning of this novel, I contemplated putting it down several times, concerned that I would not be able to make it through 360 more pages at the same pace and with such heavy exposition. However, I continued reading, and I’m so glad I did! Part Two immediately picked up for me, and I could hardly put the book down until I finished it. In my opinion, Part One moves the way it does because it is less plot and more exposition. This part lays the groundwork for the novel, and presents the relationship that is central to understanding the conflict that moves the plot of the novel forward to the end.
Final Thoughts
Upon finishing the book, I texted my partner, saying “I finished my book! And I’m glad I wasn’t in public when I did” with several crying emojis following it. I had planned to go to a coffee shop for a little while that day, but in the end decided to instead read on my couch. The constant tears for the last 30 pages or so certainly reinforced that decision!
I would recommend Addie LaRue to readers high school aged and older. The language can be dense at times and may be more challenging for younger readers. Additionally, the main characters of this text are presented as roughly 20+ years old, and the book discusses some difficult topics, like loss, depression, and suicide. However, if you’re looking for a book that contains immense amounts of character development and worldbuilding, I would highly recommend this book to you! This is truly a story like no other I’ve ever read!
I read the 2020 hardcover first edition of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.
If you’d like to pick up a copy for yourself or a friend, check out the following links:
Bookstore Link: Link
Barnes & Noble: Link
Amazon: Link
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