I was interested in reading The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue because I’ve loved everything I’ve read V.E./Victoria Schwab (9 books ranging from middle grade to adult), and this one does not disappoint.
It’s the story of a teenage girl in 18th century France who makes a deal with a dark god to get out of an unwanted marriage and instead live a life of freedom.
Her wish is granted but it comes with an unexpected price: “freedom” from personal entanglements—no one remembers her once she walks out of their site.
The story follows Addie for over 300 years, as well as a second point-of-view character whose life becomes intertwined with Addie’s. The story is thought-provoking and twisty. It’s so well described that you’ll feel you’re experiencing the entire historic timespan and settings all over the globe along with Addie.
The book’s themes include the question of how a person leaves a mark on the world, what one would give for artistic excellence, and what it means to live a full life.
Since Schwab’s Darker Shade of Magic was marketed as a crossover to the young adult market, I hoped to recommend this to my YA-reading audience. Though I recommend the book enthusiastically, I can’t say I’d push it as a teen read because of the sex and casual use of serious drugs. Of course, teens have their own opinions about what books are appropriate for them.
If you are a fan of young adult books, I’ve reviewed dozens on The Winged Pen.
Also notable, Schwab does a great job of portraying diverse characters. Henry, the book’s second main character, has bipolar disorder. Also, Schwab tweeted at the time I was writing this review: “For the record, there are no straight characters in THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. There are straight-passing pairs, but none of the people in those pairs are straight. And it’s on page, canon. Addie has relationships with women. Henry’s ex is a man.”
Props to Schwab giving characters of diverse backgrounds their fantasy/adventure story.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor for the eArc of the book. They provided the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue will be released on October 6th. You can find it on:
Goodreads Indiebound Barnes & Noble Amazon
If this book sounds good, you might like these other books I’ve recommended recently:
Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
Enchantée by Gita Trelease
Rebecca J. Allen 