Minda’s drunk review of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

What I drank prior: We did a Disney Power Hour + so I had a handful of seltzer and then a follow up glass of wine.

Goodreads Summary:

A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

My Summary: Addie LaRue prayed to the wrong god, made a bargain for her soul, and now she is cursed to an immortal life of being forgotten until she gives up her soul. You heard that right, literally forgotten by anyone she meets after they walk away and she is unable to tell her story, or even her name. In the past 200+ years of living, she has made it her personal mission to spit on a vengeful god and live her life to the fullest—and she’s seen a lot. Though Addie has learned to make due with the cards she’s been dealt, once she meets someone who remembers her everything changes once again. Can Addie hold on to what she’s found and finally have her life remembered?

Spoiler-free Thoughts: This book lives up to the hype you guys. I really love a number of books by V.E., but this one may take the cake. It was so inventive that I could not recommend it more. One thing I loved about this book is that Addie, with her limited abilities, plays the game to the fullest and finds a way to leave her mark, despite it all. It’s no changing the course of history or anything—like not Forrest Gump—but she does things in her own fashion. It’s definitely an interesting take. That said, there are a few qualms, namely that I didn’t love the story structure totally. Each part was strong on its own, but once you hit the twist they feel disjointed IMO.

Characters: There’s really only three characters I think that are worth talking about due to the nature of the book. Let’s start with titular character Addie. She is a boss ass bitch and really, truly does that best she can possible do. There’s some things I’d like to think I would have handled different, but she has time (haha). Then there’s Henry, a human. Henry is the only person IN CENTURIES who has been able to remember Addie and, as mentioned, this is a boon. That said, I personally don’t relate to Henry so love him for her but not necessarily someone whose motivations I understood. Finally, Luc—the aforementioned god—who is to die for (literally and figuratively). Honestly I was kind of rooting for him on and off. He’s a god who pops in and out so you don’t get too much, but I really wish we got to explore them more.

Plot: Honestly I had some issues with the pacing, especially the perspective switch mid-book that really throws you back. And I thought, in both stories, some aspects were more interesting/important than others. Also, as a historical fic fan, I would have liked to see more historically significant events and where/what Addie was doing at the time, but I get that’s not what the book was about.

World Building: i have some questions about the god system and the rules in place for everyone who is not Addie, but overall enjoyed the lore.

Writing Style: It might be too spoiler-y to describe tbh

Drink Pairing: Absinthe all the way.

Rating: 4.5/5

xxxo Minda