The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue | By V E Schwab | Book Review

My thoughts

Narrative and Plot

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is an immersive tale that has your attention from the beginning till the end. The narrative jumps back and forth between timelines, past and present, which keeps things on the edge. Over the course of time, you are able to see how the past affects the present.

With a strong plot, and a fairy tale vibe to it Addie LaRue is hard to forget. It leaves you wishing for more.

Characters and Conflicts

The entire life of Addie LaRue is a cat and mouse game between her and the darkness. The darkness has the upper hand at first but Addie is patient. She learns and she grows. Despite the fantastical element in the story, Addie and her zest for life is quite relatable. Beneath all that grandeur she is a free spirit born in the wrong time but patient enough to live beyond it.

And then comes Henry. Their relationship is simple – boy meets girl – yet so complicated. If anything, the only thing I could point out is that Henry felt like a plot device. Yes, he was layered and nuanced. But things were never about him. That is fitting too but, the importance of Henry in the story makes you wish he was more fleshed out. Or, perhaps any character next to the towering life of Addie would feel small, except for the foe. The antagonist in the story deserves special mention because he was someone you would either totally love to hate or even root for in that weird way where some people justify Thanos. 

Conclusion

Overall, I loved the story and the premise. It had me thinking what I would be willing to give up for freedom. That is a sign of a great book when it can get into your head like that. If you’re looking out for an immersive fairy tale like book, you’re in for a treat.

About the Author