Whew! October slipped away from me. I’m busy running a campaign to land the At Large seat on my local school board, and Halloween popped up before I had time to post a book review for spooky season. I don’t read horror, but The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab weaves a tale of darkness, passion, magic, and shadows, so it’s a great fall read, even though Trick or Treat has passed.
Premise
In 1714 France, Adeline Larue dreams of independence. But her family is preparing to marry her to a man she does not love. Desperate to find a way to live life on her terms, Adeline makes offerings and calls for help in the forest near her village. A dark god answers her call and promises her freedom, if, when she is finished living life on her terms, he can have her soul. Adeline agrees, and the Darkness, embodied as the handsome dark haired man from Adeline’s fantasies, seals the Faustian deal with a kiss.
Shortly, Adeline the curse she gained with the deal: she can live without changing, but no one remembers her after she leaves their presence. Except for one man…
What I Liked
The writing is gorgeous. V.E. Schwab paints beautiful, poignant images with her words, and her writing style immediately sucked me in.
Adeline quickly finds herself poor, hungry, and barely able to secure safe shelter. To survive, she must find a way to adapt. She can never make friends or establish relationships because everyone forgets her after she disappears from their site. Her only companion for decades is Luc, the darkness, the God who granted her wish. He visits her regularly, usually on the anniversary of their meeting, to see if she is ready to hand over her soul. She never succumbs. Over the years, her relationship with Luc, her tormentor, her savior, the one who knows her best, deepens, and her hate for him grows into something more complicated.
When she meets a boy in the 21st century who does not forget her, Addie thinks she has finally found happiness. But her affection for him is marred by her worry her love can’t last, and she has good reason, Luc’s has cursed many people with his darkness, not just Addie.
I enjoyed Addie’s character. She shines with determination, emotional strength, and selfless love. The Invisible Life of Addie Larue explores themes of love, identity, and how we choose to define ourselves. It’s a fantasy with real life implications.
What I didn’t like
Addie’s relationship with Luc felt like one of a woman trapped by her abuser, and I didn’t like the blurred lines of love and manipulation. When I turned the last page, I found myself wanting a different outcome for Addie.
Recommendation
If you enjoy a book with a bit of romance and magic, like The Night Circus, you’ll enjoy The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. Happy reading! These early evenings are the perfect time for cozying up with a book.
Have you read Addie Larue or other books by Schwab? What did you think?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
I loved Addie Larue! Schwab’s other book series, A Darker Shade of Magic, is also good, and it also has a spunky female lead 🙂