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verypeculiarpages 's review for:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
by V.E. Schwab
Reread 11/2021– *sobbing intensifies*
“She never gets closure, never gets to say good-bye-– no periods, or exclamations, just a lifetime of ellipses. Everyone else starts over, they get a blank page, but hers are full of text. People talk about carrying torches for old flames, and it’s not a full fire, but Addie’s hands are full of candles. How is she supposed to set them down, or put them out? She has long run out of air.”
It’s hard for me to find the right words to express how special this book is. After waiting for so long (it’s literally been the very first book on my Goodreads TBR for YEARS now), to finally read it and not get caught up in the eagerness and anticipation because of the absolute magic of it all is a feat in itself. It’s strange to be reading a book and know in your bones that you will come out of it a different shape. That you’re experiencing a story that is wholly comfortable and reflective yet you’re still fully enraptured in seeing how the plot unfolds.
I think if I had to describe this book in two words it would be painfully soft. It’s a slow build, and you’re so deep in the characters’ minds that some lines just hit you because the feelings are SO REAL. It’s jarring how human it all is. The amount of times I read a line and then immediately let out a SOB were too many to list. I always love Victoria’s ability to write interesting and entertaining storylines, but it’s in her character work that she truly teaches new levels. Addie and Henry have much of the same fears that we all experience and they are amplified by the magical stakes, but it almost makes it even more emotional because of that.
The plot is definitely slower and softer than anything Victoria has written, but I think it lends to the comfort level of just being able to sit, relax and savor every page of this book. It never felt slow in the way of, ‘oh my god I can’t wait for this part to be over’. I really enjoyed the structure and felt that the flashbacks were timed well. I really don’t want to give any specific details at all about what I loved because I think it’s even better going in and knowing next to nothing.
The ending was emotional and perfect and rewarding. It’s truly a special book that immediately became one of my favorites before it was even over. So happy that I got to enjoy the experience and I’m grateful and thrilled to finally have this story on my shelves!
“She never gets closure, never gets to say good-bye-– no periods, or exclamations, just a lifetime of ellipses. Everyone else starts over, they get a blank page, but hers are full of text. People talk about carrying torches for old flames, and it’s not a full fire, but Addie’s hands are full of candles. How is she supposed to set them down, or put them out? She has long run out of air.”
It’s hard for me to find the right words to express how special this book is. After waiting for so long (it’s literally been the very first book on my Goodreads TBR for YEARS now), to finally read it and not get caught up in the eagerness and anticipation because of the absolute magic of it all is a feat in itself. It’s strange to be reading a book and know in your bones that you will come out of it a different shape. That you’re experiencing a story that is wholly comfortable and reflective yet you’re still fully enraptured in seeing how the plot unfolds.
I think if I had to describe this book in two words it would be painfully soft. It’s a slow build, and you’re so deep in the characters’ minds that some lines just hit you because the feelings are SO REAL. It’s jarring how human it all is. The amount of times I read a line and then immediately let out a SOB were too many to list. I always love Victoria’s ability to write interesting and entertaining storylines, but it’s in her character work that she truly teaches new levels. Addie and Henry have much of the same fears that we all experience and they are amplified by the magical stakes, but it almost makes it even more emotional because of that.
The plot is definitely slower and softer than anything Victoria has written, but I think it lends to the comfort level of just being able to sit, relax and savor every page of this book. It never felt slow in the way of, ‘oh my god I can’t wait for this part to be over’. I really enjoyed the structure and felt that the flashbacks were timed well. I really don’t want to give any specific details at all about what I loved because I think it’s even better going in and knowing next to nothing.
The ending was emotional and perfect and rewarding. It’s truly a special book that immediately became one of my favorites before it was even over. So happy that I got to enjoy the experience and I’m grateful and thrilled to finally have this story on my shelves!