Written by V.E. Schwab
Reviewed by Diana Iozzia
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue asks and challenges the ideas ever present in human mortality: would you want to live forever, what would you give to be liked by all, and what would it mean to be forgotten? Partially inspired by mythology, The Invisible Life, introduces the eponymous character, Addie LaRue, as a woman has made a devil with the devil, the darkness, or as she calls him, Luc. Luc gave her everlasting life, but he cursed her to never be remembered.
The mythology that was represented in this story is of the Persephone / Hades myth and Orpheus / Eurydice, the later actually referenced in the tale. As a fan of Greek mythology, I always tend to enjoy other media that plays upon it, personally being a large fan of Moulin Rouge, Hadestown, the Percy Jackson series, and more.
The plot itself follows Addie in two different narratives, from the past to the present and one purely set in the present. Addie's story starts in a little village in France, Villon, where we meet her as Adeline. Adeline has agreed to wed a man she has no interest in. She does not want to marry him or spend her life with him, so she denies her parents and prays to the gods at night to help her. She had been warned by a family friend, Estele, that if she contacts the night gods, that they may trick her instead of help her. The darkness, Luc, binds Adeline to be forgotten by anyone she meets. We learn how quickly or slowly this could happen, after waking up the next day or if the person she meets has just left the room.
Addie's modern day story takes place in 2014, when she has been living in New York City. She steals and tricks to keep alive, not needing to be nourished by food but feeling the negative effects of not eating. Her appearance does not change, as has been shown by great art works in which the artists remembered her face but not her. As we continue to read the story, we learn of many ways that Addie adapts to the curse as she learns along the way. In 2014, she walks into a cute little Brooklyn book store, called "The Last Word", where she meets kind and sweet, Henry. When she returns the next day, she is mystified that he remembers her.
The Invisible Life conquers many tasks, thanks to the brilliance of its writer. Victoria, V.E. Schwab, is prolific, boasting many bestsellers for teens and young adults. I have heard her name a thousand times or more, but I knew this plot appealed to me. Schwab breathes such life into the fatalist idea of everlasting life, her story reminiscent of Tuck Everlasting, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Age of Adaline. She creates fully developed characters with such heart and strength, that we, the readers, feel so heavily for each character. Additionally, we fear the sacrifice that often follows stories of devilish casting.
Wholly, I believe that this is the best book I have read this year so far. Addie's scrappy little character charmed me in so many ways, reminding me of Anastasia and of Eponine from Les Miserables. I fell in love with Henry and was repulsed by Luc. The final choices that each characters made will stick with me, in a sad but fearless fashion, as I await a sequel, or imagine it in my mind.
Schwab's writing style must be addressed. Her perfect ability to balance 'show and tell' allows her to develop characters, reveal exposition, and hint at possibilities, while not overtly clueing in the audience or bombastically performing the story. I find that many authors tell too much detail or not enough, while Schwab secures her balance in excellent form. Also, her dialogue is great, feeling realistic, while not dating itself with too many pop culture references or young adult slang. In comparison to many other writers in the young adult genre, Schwab feels supreme. Figurative language on every page, gorgeous scenery, and her attention to detail create such a fully formed novel.
This magically realistic story charmed my heart. I found myself wanting to savor every line, often putting down the book when my concentration level was not right. I could easily read one or two more books if the author chose to make this a duology or series. I feel that the story could be complete as is, but I'd love to see our Persephone rise up to our Hades.
I was incredibly luckily to receive an advance copy to read and review, but I fully plan to keep this in my collection. I also enjoyed the novel so much, that it is a new favorite. I know I'll re-read this novel and love it for years, so I am sure I will be buying multiple copies. I fully know that I need to read V.E. Schwab's other works.
I rate this novel at 5 out of 5, but it really feels like a 10 out of 5. Every expectation was met and succeeded more.
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