The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab was released in 2020 and was hugely popular. It was such a big hit that it’s also going to be made into a movie!
The Addie LaRue book was an international bestseller and was nominated for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, whilst the film is set to be directed by Augustine Frizzell.
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Plot
Back in the 18th Century, a young Addie LaRue is being forced to marry a man she does not love. She longs for freedom, for a life that is her own. She longs for more time.
On the night before her wedding, Addie makes a deal with the devil, and she trades her soul for immortality. Addie may now be immortal, but she is also now cursed, as everyone she ever meets, instantly forgets her the minute she leaves their sight.
Her parents don’t remember her, nor her best friend. Not knowing what to do or who to turn to, Addie flees her small French village in search of somewhere she can call home.
This journey spans centuries and takes her across the world as she meets people and falls in love. And yet, over 300 years, not one person remembers her. She exists only as a muse for artists throughout history.
Her only companion over all those years, is that devil with the hypnotic green eyes. Luc, as she names him, visits her every year on the anniversary of their deal. Each year Luc tries to convince Addie to give up and gift him her soul. Each year, Addie refuses.
Their battle continues throughout the centuries as Addie attempts to understand him and hopes, in time, to beat him.
We join Addie in the present day, as she lives in New York City. She is now used to being alone and forgotten, until one day, in a second-hand bookshop, Addie meets someone who remembers her.
Neither she, nor Henry, realise this meeting will change the course of both of their lives.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue Book Review
This book definitely wasn’t my usual preferred genre but I’m so glad I decided to branch out a little and try something different.
I really enjoyed this book. While it is fantasy novel, with the immortal main character and frequent dealings with the devil, it is also so much more than that. It was a great blend of both historical and contemporary fiction, along with the more fantastical aspects.
For me, when a book is predominantly following one character, it needs to be a character I can connect with. That was definitely the case with Addie. I loved her. She was an unforgettable character with an unforgettable story.
I was mesmerised by the whole story and loved the glimpses into the past, as we were introduced to famous faces such as Beethoven and Sinatra.
I also enjoyed the romantic aspect, but it was so much more than a love story. This was Addie’s story. It’s a story of survival and morality. Her strength, tenacity and determination not to give up were what made this story so gripping.
Henry was another endearing character and I loved the juxtaposition between him and Luc. Henry symbolised the light, while Luc was very much the darkness. It was interesting to read how Addie was drawn to them both.
No spoiler alerts here, but I did really love the ending.
I will now definitely be reading more books by VE Schwab!
What to read next
If you enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I’d suggest reading more V.E. Schwab books, such as Gallant or The Near Witch. I would also recommend A Love Song for Ricki Wilde which had surprising similaries to Addie LaRue.
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