The Invisible Life of Addie Larue

by V.E. Schwab

[lyx]

You know the feeling when you open a book, begin to read, and it immediately welcomes you into its world? When a few pages in you are certain that this is gonna be a new favourite of yours, you can already sense the re-read, are already looking forward to revisiting the story? I hope you do. If you're an avid reader I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Well, this book was that. And so much more. This book reminded me of why I fell in love with reading, and that is perhaps the best compliment a reader can give to a book.

The writing in this is simply beautiful, not in a trying-to-be-pretty but in a resonates-within-your-soul type of way. The story is magical, but grounded, and not fantastical for the most part. It is fantasy, yes, but at its core, it's a story about life, about solitude and loneliness and interpersonal relationships, about what makes our time on this earth worth it, about what keeps us here. It's about hope, and pain, and grief. It is so heart-wrenchingly human. It's a faustian bargain done right. It's a work of art, it's a beacon of light, and I dare you to read it. Now. What are you waiting for?

Also, not necessarily relevant to the plot, but I love LOVE Henry's circle of friends, it's one of the most authentic portrayals of a queer friend group I've seen in a book, and we so f-ing love to see it.

Now while I adore this book, here's my few points of critique.
The last third of the book did get a bit slow at times and could have done with maybe a few pages less? It wasn't that big of a deal to me since I didn't really want it to end, but I get why it would be a bit more of a bother to other people. At a point, I was afraid I wouldn't be content with the ending, especially because I had already accepted it as a favourite, but luckily my worries were for nothing. I wouldn't call it the perfect ending, if there is such a thing, but it was certainly a good one. Some aspects and turns might have been a bit predictable, as it is the nature of these kinds of stories, but there were enough revelations to keep it interesting and keep you hooked. I also would have loved to see a bit more of Robbie and Bea, and maybe a bit more of backstory to Luc - tho maybe mystery is key here, I'm not entirely sure.
It's not their story tho, it's HERS.

Addie. LaRue. She's a great character and so is Henry, I loved them both and found myself and aspects of my own story in both of them, which is always nice.

I don't usually take notes while reading if it's not for class, nor write extensive reviews (or any tbh), but for this book, I couldn't help myself. I have about two pages of more personal notes and things I'll carry with me from this, which truly is the mark of a good book.