I’ll admit I was nervous going into this book. It was one of the most talked-about books last year, and I have loved every V. E. Schwab book I have read so far. There was a lot of hype to live up to, but it surpassed every expectation I had. Not only was it beautifully written with an incredibly powerful story, but the emotions and the turmoil of the characters are so real that you can’t help but feel them too. There were a couple of points where I had to just put the book down and take a few deep breaths, remind myself it wasn’t real and I needed to concentrate on the story, then dove right back in.

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There are three main characters: Addie, Henry (the bookseller who remembers her) and Luc (the demon she sold her soul to for immortality). My heart ached for Henry, a young man who feels so strongly that it overwhelms and consumes him. His and Addie’s romance was sweet but also realistic as they navigated the ups and downs of their relationship. It was also really nice to read a heterosexual romance between two bisexual characters – I can’t think of any other book where that happens.

As the story unfolds, we are given more glimpses into the relationship between Addie and Luc. From their first meeting, where Addie sells her soul, we see the power struggle between them evolve in very unexpected ways. The looming darkness of his character added a huge amount of suspense to the book which I absolutely loved.

It’s safe to say this is already one of the top books I’ve read this year. I’m just completely bowled over by how good this is. Now to gaze at it longingly as I wish I could read it for the first time over and over again..