Schwab created an interesting take on a time-travel story which crossed with the trope of selling your soul to the devil. The main theme of the story seems to be what happens when people have their wishes granted and the unanticipated consequences of those wishes. Addie finds that living her life as she wishes and for as long as she wishes results in her being absolutely forgettable by (nearly) everyone she meets. However, even with that consequence it eventually becomes clear that Addie does leave an impression on time in the form of art and ultimately words. Once she and Henry meet up, the pace of the story seems to pick up but it takes a bit to get there. There were a feel stretches of the narrative that dragged and seemed misplaced (or unnecessary) until I learned that Henry wrote down Addie's story. At that point, it made sense that Addie would have shared these seemingly out of place events from your life with Henry. This is also the point where it becomes quite obvious that this novel could potentially be considered a "dear reader" or found-manuscript story. ( )

I waffled between 4 and 5 stars on this book, but ended up giving it 5 stars. I was waffling between the two because it was a exceptionally well written piece, and I absolutely loved the characters, it was first and foremost a romance novel. As such, it's not really my cup of team normally. I think it's a testament to the quality of the writing and the story that I finished the book anyway.

As someone who's not a fan of romance, because Schwab was able to draw me in enough to finish the book means that it was really a great piece of literature. The world building and the premise were both great, and I always love a strong female lead.

Overall, I'm not sure it's a book I would recommend if you are a fan of Schwab's other work, but only because while it has the characteristic thread of darkness through the story, it's a very different kind of story than her other work. But it's a worthy piece on its own, and worth your time. Just remember, it's a supernatural romance and if you go in with that expectation, I'm sure you'll enjoy the story. ( )

dnf, maybe come back to it later ( )

“‘The vexing thing about time...is that it’s never enough. Perhaps a decade too short, perhaps a moment. But a life always ends too soon.’”

This book has the best parts of all the best myths—those ancient stories that have been retold and retold through each new generation. Each new generation leaving their mark on the most basic story of all—our obsession with life and legacy. This book is also the perfect mix of pleasant paradoxes: it feels expansively intimate, melancholically joyful, beautifully ugly, and blessedly cursed.

Addie LaRue is the (sometimes cross-dressing) girl born into an 18th century world too small to hold her desires for complete freedom and cravings for beautiful experiences. In a fateful act of desperation for that untethered freedom, Adeline, with the angelic markings of seven celestial stars across her visage, makes a deal with the darkness, proffering her soul for a lifetime of autonomy. This deal catapults her into a life that becomes both her greatest blessing—the freedom to come and go as she pleases—and greatest curse—the loss of her identity and ability to make her mark on the world. With an infinite amount of time but no ability to create or be remembered, Addie discovers through history and art and relationships what it means to live a full and satisfying life.

This book is simply beautiful—memorably beautiful. I’m not one who’s normally drawn to fantastical adventures, but Addie’s story is so universal that I couldn’t help but be drawn into her constellation of love and experiences, time and memory. Anyone who was enchanted by Madeline Miller’s Circe would be just as bewitched by V. E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. This would be a perfect winter read curled up warmly by a fire when the world is cold, asleep, and a little bit magical. ( )

WOW! I am in love and I don't know how to express what I feel. Please, if you choose reading this, read it attentively. There is so much attention to detail, so many great twists, characters you will love and miss dearly, when they are gone (even the ones, that are only there for a few pages), so many great feelings. Seriously, please read this, if you haven't already. And work yourself through the first half, because it is long, but it's all worth it.

Song I listened to on repeat, while reading: Too Late - SUPER JUNIOR ( )