Victoria Schwab
Author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
About the Author
Series
Works by Victoria Schwab
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince Vol. 2: Night of Knives (Graphic Novel) (2019) 142 copies, 6 reviews
The Returned 62 copies
Untitled (Threads of Power, #2) 26 copies
Untitled (Threads of Power, #3) 24 copies
Black Tabs 23 copies
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince #3.1: The Rebel Army (Shades of Magic - The Steel Prince) (2019) 12 copies
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince #3.3: The Rebel Army (3 of 4) (Shades of Magic - The Steel Prince) (2019) 9 copies
Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince #2.4: Night of Knives (Shades of Magic - The Steel Prince) (2019) 7 copies
A Royal Affair 5 copies
V. E. Schwab 7 Books Collection Set (A Darker Shade of Magic Series,Villains Series,Monsters of Verity Series) (2019) 3 copies
First Kill {short story} 3 copies
A Gathering of Shadows {sample} 2 copies
Gallant (Signed Edition) 2 copies
vingança 1 copy
Villains 1: Vicious 1 copy
Victorius 1 copy
Villains 2: Vengeful 1 copy
Azat 1 copy
Hingede sild 1 copy
The Steel Prince #1 1 copy
The Unbound {sample} 1 copy
Box Os tons de magia 1 copy
Associated Works
(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental Health (2018) — Contributor — 315 copies, 1 review
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology (2020) — Contributor — 265 copies, 5 reviews
Fearless Women Fall Sampler: Excerpts of Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels by Fearless Women (2018) — Contributor — 2 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Schwab, Victoria Elizabeth
- Other names
- Schwab, V.E.
- Birthdate
- 1987-07-07
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Washington University
- Agent
- Holly Root (Waxman Literary)
- Short biography
- Victoria (V. E.) Schwab (born July 7, 1987) is an American fantasy author best known for her 2013 novel Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and for her children's and young adult fiction published under the name Victoria Schwab.
The Guardian called Vicious "a brilliant exploration of the superhero mythos and a riveting revenge thriller". It received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which also named the novel one of its best books of 2013 for SF/Fantasy/Horror. The American Library Association's Reference and User Services Association likewise awarded it the top fantasy book in their 2014 Reading List. In late 2013 the rights for a film adaptation of Vicious were bought jointly by Story Mining & Supply Co and Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions.
In 2014 Schwab signed a two-book deal with Tor Books. Her next novel, A Darker Shade of Magic, was published in February 2015 and also received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. "Vicious" and the Shades of Magic series are published by Tor Books. In 2017, she signed another book deal with Tor for the sequel to Vicious, Vengeful; a new trilogy set called “Threads of Power” in the same world as the Shades of Magic series; and a Blade-Runner inspired book called "Black Tabs."
In May 2018, Schwab gave the sixth annual Tolkien Lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford. - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- California, USA
- Places of residence
- Tennessee, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- USA
Members
Reviews
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
The anticipation for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab was so high this year that you might think there is no way it could possibly live up to those expectations. Then you read it. And you realize that it blows those expectations out of the water.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the very definition of pathos because there is nothing particularly happy or joyful about Addie’s life. Yet, it matters not because her story is show more so imaginative, so thoughtful, so evocative that you read it with your heart in your throat. Emotions, like dread and sadness, threaten to overwhelm you after every page.
There is beauty in Addie’s world though. Strangely, you find beauty in her suffering, her resilience, and her longing. Even though you don’t think you want to continue her story after her first night in Paris — because it is just too much — you do because Addie haunts you, unlike any other character. You want her to find happiness in any form, and you want to ease that longing that is so visceral and difficult to read.
The ending of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is flawless. There is no other way the story could end. Even though it may not be the ending you want for Addie’s story, it is perfect and completely worth the heartache and tears that fall on Addie’s behalf.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is unlike any story you have previously read. It is also a story that is going to haunt your waking moments as well as your dreams. You will find yourself thinking of Addie’s curse at the strangest times, and you will notice all the ways in which you leave an imprint of yourself now that you know all the ways Addie could not. Without a doubt, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be the best book you read all year and maybe for years to come. show less
The anticipation for The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab was so high this year that you might think there is no way it could possibly live up to those expectations. Then you read it. And you realize that it blows those expectations out of the water.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is the very definition of pathos because there is nothing particularly happy or joyful about Addie’s life. Yet, it matters not because her story is show more so imaginative, so thoughtful, so evocative that you read it with your heart in your throat. Emotions, like dread and sadness, threaten to overwhelm you after every page.
There is beauty in Addie’s world though. Strangely, you find beauty in her suffering, her resilience, and her longing. Even though you don’t think you want to continue her story after her first night in Paris — because it is just too much — you do because Addie haunts you, unlike any other character. You want her to find happiness in any form, and you want to ease that longing that is so visceral and difficult to read.
The ending of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is flawless. There is no other way the story could end. Even though it may not be the ending you want for Addie’s story, it is perfect and completely worth the heartache and tears that fall on Addie’s behalf.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is unlike any story you have previously read. It is also a story that is going to haunt your waking moments as well as your dreams. You will find yourself thinking of Addie’s curse at the strangest times, and you will notice all the ways in which you leave an imprint of yourself now that you know all the ways Addie could not. Without a doubt, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be the best book you read all year and maybe for years to come. show less
In a dystopian future, the USA has conglomerated into larger states and every act of violence between humans results in the birth of a monster. In the divided city of Verity, Kate Harker is desperate to prove to her father that she is just as ruthless as he is and a worthy heir to take over his territory where he rules the monsters and extorts money from all of the citizens in exchange for their safety. On the other side of town, August Flynn is a Sunai, the most rare type of monster. He's show more fully devoted to his adopted father's cause of fighting the monsters to protect the human population. As the truce between the two sides begins to wobble, August is tasked with infiltrating Kate's high school in case of need of leverage. When everything starts to fall apart, August and Kate will find the strangest ally may be each other.
I picked this one up because I so loved Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy. While this universe that she's created isn't quite as compelling, it remains fascinating. She creates flawed characters whom you can't help but root for as they face off against the brutal world in which they live. There's a beautiful idea at work in how monsters are created and August's struggle to figure out who he is is a fascinating character arc. With plenty of action moving the plot along and a serious twist at the end, I will definitely be picking up the sequel to this one. show less
I picked this one up because I so loved Schwab's Shades of Magic trilogy. While this universe that she's created isn't quite as compelling, it remains fascinating. She creates flawed characters whom you can't help but root for as they face off against the brutal world in which they live. There's a beautiful idea at work in how monsters are created and August's struggle to figure out who he is is a fascinating character arc. With plenty of action moving the plot along and a serious twist at the end, I will definitely be picking up the sequel to this one. show less
{stand alone; fantasy, urban fantasy}
I'm reviewing this book now, months after having read it. This one stays with you, in a good way.
Adeline LaRue was born at the end of the 17th century to a peasant couple in rural France. Curious and clever, she was given a little more freedom than most girls of her station and so she was allowed to drive in to the nearby town with her father when he went to trade and she spent time with Estelle, an old, independent woman who might be considered a witch. show more And so in 1714 at the age of 23, long after girls in her position should have been married, when Addie is promised (just because she's the only female available) to a man she cannot imagine spending the rest of her life with - thereby committing to a circumscribed life - in desperation she makes a deal with the darkness (an old god who claims he is not God or the devil) trading her soul for a chance to belong to no one but herself and explore the world.
They say never ask for what you want because you might just get it.
And so Addie lives indefinitely but is remembered by no-one, once she leaves their sight.
I found this an intriguing concept and wrestled with the issues that being out of sight and literally out of mind brings. No one remembers Addie - not her parents or her friends; not any employers or landlords or boyfriends. Until Henry in 2014.
I liked the interesting twist to the end. I thought it was amusing the way Schwab denotes her protagonists (and Addie's lovers) 'girl' and 'boy' even though Addie (at 300+ years) is frozen at 23 years old and Henry is about 30 years old.
Sweeping; the narrative is set over more than 300 years and across the world. There is an impending sense of doom because the book starts in 1714 and follows Addie's long life but is interspersed with chapters from 2014 so you know there must be an ending soon. And you know that Addie must surrender her soul once she is tired of living ...
I like the way Addie never gives up fighting even though she loses almost everything. But the darkness is always waiting for her.
(April 2023)
4 stars show less
I'm reviewing this book now, months after having read it. This one stays with you, in a good way.
Adeline LaRue was born at the end of the 17th century to a peasant couple in rural France. Curious and clever, she was given a little more freedom than most girls of her station and so she was allowed to drive in to the nearby town with her father when he went to trade and she spent time with Estelle, an old, independent woman who might be considered a witch. show more And so in 1714 at the age of 23, long after girls in her position should have been married, when Addie is promised (just because she's the only female available) to a man she cannot imagine spending the rest of her life with - thereby committing to a circumscribed life - in desperation she makes a deal with the darkness (an old god who claims he is not God or the devil) trading her soul for a chance to belong to no one but herself and explore the world.
They say never ask for what you want because you might just get it.
And so Addie lives indefinitely but is remembered by no-one, once she leaves their sight.
I found this an intriguing concept and wrestled with the issues that being out of sight and literally out of mind brings. No one remembers Addie - not her parents or her friends; not any employers or landlords or boyfriends. Until Henry in 2014.
I liked the interesting twist to the end. I thought it was amusing the way Schwab denotes her protagonists (and Addie's lovers) 'girl' and 'boy' even though Addie (at 300+ years) is frozen at 23 years old and Henry is about 30 years old.
Sweeping; the narrative is set over more than 300 years and across the world. There is an impending sense of doom because the book starts in 1714 and follows Addie's long life but is interspersed with chapters from 2014 so you know there must be an ending soon. And you know that Addie must surrender her soul once she is tired of living ...
I like the way Addie never gives up fighting even though she loses almost everything. But the darkness is always waiting for her.
(April 2023)
4 stars show less
About to be coerced into marriage against her will, Addie in desperation pleads to any gods who will listen for deliverance from this unwanted situation. At her age, and here in her 18-century French village, marriage is the expected next step, but Addie is not ready. She needs more time. Someone, or something, hears her despairing call and arrives, willing to make an offer.
I had a hard time putting this amazing book down — it had me feeling all the emotions, and when I wasn't reading it I show more wished I were. (Normally, I keep one book at work and one book at home, but I lugged this one both to and from work every day, if this break in my usually strict routine is any indicator of how engrossing it was!) I appreciated the extent to which the author outlined Addie's altered world — its limitations but also its possibilities — and the time she took to add so much atmosphere and detail. I really did not want it to end.
I happened this week to be reading Wintersong and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue simultaneously, which turned out to be quite the curious coincidence with respect to Faustian bargains! show less
I had a hard time putting this amazing book down — it had me feeling all the emotions, and when I wasn't reading it I show more wished I were. (Normally, I keep one book at work and one book at home, but I lugged this one both to and from work every day, if this break in my usually strict routine is any indicator of how engrossing it was!) I appreciated the extent to which the author outlined Addie's altered world — its limitations but also its possibilities — and the time she took to add so much atmosphere and detail. I really did not want it to end.
I happened this week to be reading Wintersong and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue simultaneously, which turned out to be quite the curious coincidence with respect to Faustian bargains! show less
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Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 94
- Also by
- 8
- Members
- 67,477
- Popularity
- #198
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 2,044
- ISBNs
- 646
- Languages
- 16
- Favorited
- 50
