Schwab feeds the reader an ever-growing list of people that act as surface ornaments with no real stake in Addie’s life of centuries. Because of this, keeping track of important characters proved to be a challenge. The result is a plethora of underbaked characters, introduced but not developed, mentioned across three pages and then never to be heard of again.

Because of the plot’s primary focus on Addie’s invisibility, the novel introduces multiple characters that flit in and out of the story these include Addie’s string of lovers as well every single person she meets for 300 years. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue starts off with a shaky stride. Instead of soaring high it fell rather flat for me. Unfortunately the weight of its expectations sank this novel. Many also said that it perfectly tied up philosophical themes of existentialism and free will with romance and adventure in a big, pretty bow. In other words, the next YA romance sensation. For the first time in centuries, somebody remembers her.Įndlessly praised by bibliophiles on TikTok (or BookTok), this novel rose to popularity among young adults with many claiming it to be the next The Fault in Our Stars.

That is until she meets a man named Henry in a dusty New York bookshop. Despite the devil’s constant nipping at her heels, Addie lives for centuries, melting into seas of faces. Addie becomes immortal, but no-one she meets can remember her. Initially desperate to be free from an arranged marriage she soon realizes this price is one too steep to pay. On a reckless night in 1714, Addie signs away her soul to the devil, Luc. Some might mistake immortality for a dream come true but for Adeline LaRue immortality is agony at its worst. After all, what more would you expect from the devil? Rapt with beauty, this novel imagines a world beyond kindness. Would you ever make a deal with the devil? While you may hope desperation never forces your hand, Addie of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is not so lucky. Schwab, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue “Never pray to the gods that answer after dark.” -V.E.

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