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The Invisible Life of Addie LeRue by V. E. Schwab -- A Review

Trigger Warnings: Death, starvation, suicide attempt, depression,  drug addiction, alcoholism, mentions of sex, mentions of oral sex, mentions of rape, prostitution, emotional manipulation, abusive relationship, war, sexism, grief, homelessness, family trauma, homophobia. 

My Rating 

10/10. My best friend has been telling me to read this for 3 years, and I finally got around to it. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint at all. The way that I felt Addie's pain, joy and fear was incredible, and the little twist at the end was so good. The characters developed and evolved so well. Since Addie has lived 300 years, it does give you a lot to work with, with how she can change, grow and develop. Same with Luc, he was such an amazing character. He is definitely the epitome of chaotic neutral, satisfying his own needs before others, but by no means evil. He has his rules and he plays within them. Luc is neither a villain nor hero. I really love morally grey characters, they are so much fun, and because they are neither good nor bad, you don’t really know what they will do next. 

Overview

Addie LeRue asks for a wish she doesn’t understand the consequences of. Being able to live forever and be remembered by no one, is a sure way to become a living ghost. Still determined to find adventure and love, she wanders around in the big wide, ever-changing world, completely alone. Well, except for Luc, who asks every year if she has had enough, asks if she is ready to rest in exchange for her soul. And every year, Addie declines, continuing on to spite Luc. Their back-and-forth game of lies, testing, and gentle touches goes on for three hundred years, until, someone remembers her. And her once lonely existence is not so lonely anymore. 

My Thoughts 

This whole book revolves around time and feeling like you don't have enough of it. Addie asks for more time saying “... so scared of the years rushing past beneath my feet. I do not want to die as I’ve lived, which is no life at all … I want more time” (pg 46). Luc comments how humans need more time when he is showing Addie how different they are. He states “The vexing thing about time is that it’s never enough. Perhaps a decade too short, perhaps a moment. But a life always ends too soon.” (pg 333). This is something I think everyone can relate to, I’m constantly hearing, ‘Time is flying’, ‘I can’t believe how fast they grow’, or ‘It's already been a year?’. Even for myself, it feels as though every year is passing faster than the last. You always need more time, more time to learn, to love, to live. There will never be enough time “God, what he would give for just another day” (pg. 422). It can be really depressing to think about, how, we as humans only have a little to accomplish so much. But it can also be so invigorating because we don't have a long time we have to do things that matter, that we enjoy. After all, we won't always have the time to do so. 

“Because happiness is brief and history is lasting, and in the end, everyone wants to be remembered” (pg 351) 

Everyone can relate to this quote. No matter who you are or what you do. People want to be remembered. Whether it is through graffiti, books, inventions or art, people want to leave a lasting impression. 

Luc is neither a demon nor a god, Luc has no gender and he is absent of appearance. He simply appears how you want him to appear. For Addie, he is tall dark and handsome. We first meet Luc when Addie feels as though her life is falling apart, she prays after dark and he is the one who answers. When Addie says what she wants, he originally declines “I am not in the business of charity. You ask for too much. How many years until you’re sated? How many, until I get my due?” (pg 47). This deal does nothing to benefit him. It isn’t until Addie says he can have her soul once she is done with it, that he agrees to it. Every anniversary, Luc shows up. Whether or not he makes his presence known, he is always there in the shadows. It originally starts so he can ask if she is ready to give him her soul, to make her cave, saying “Come give me what I want, and the deal will be done, this misery can end” (pg 117) Addie denies him, just to spite him. This continues on for years until it is no longer just to taunt Addie, but it becomes a form of a relationship. Not only is Luc the only person who remembers her and sees her once a year, but Addie is there for Luc. Whether Luc realizes it or not, he desires connection, and Addie has been there for multiple lifetimes, much longer than his normal deals last. 

Henry's curse is for people to see what they want to see. I think that this is something that so many people can relate to. We want to fit in, we want people to like us, and especially, we want the people who we love to be proud of us. Henry goes through his life, before Luc, becomes a disappointment, his brother is a doctor, his sister is an art critic, and Henry dropped out of college. He is the black sheep of the family. His ex-boyfriend, whom he loved and deeply missed, wants him back, Robbie says “You were different, we weren’t a fit … You didn't know what you wanted … You have to know who you are. Back then, you didn’t” (pg. 276), but Henry knows that his feelings are not his real feelings. We all want love, and the things that we will do for love can be drastic, “You want to be loved. You want to be enough” (pg.248). When you know that they don’t love you, they love the idea they have created for you, sure, it feels nice in the beginning. But it doesn't last long, it is not real, and sometimes it can hurt more than not being loved. Because it isn't you. “Henry has no idea who he is, and now, neither does anyone else” (pg 276).  

Throughout Henry and Addies time together, Henry made a point to record Addies life. So people could remember her and speak her name. A year after Addie's disappearance, Henry published her biography as a work of fiction. Not only was he able to keep the memory of Addie alive, so people could, in a way, know her, but he also found something to do. Instead of feeling like he is existing for no reason, just taking up space. I thought it was such a cool idea to have us read the whole book, looking at it as if it was all fantasy. And having that reveal that it was a biography. It really makes us as the audience feel as though we could be part of this world, as we would never remember seeing Addie, and this is a book we just read. And we can really resonate with Bea’s anger at the end of the book when Addie just disappears, we also feel that anger/loss that Addie and Henry are not able to stay together. 

Conclusion

I loved this book. I thought it was so interesting how it jumped around from times. Sure it was a little confusing at times, but it was able to make us understand why Addie would react a certain way, or how it affected her. I think this would be a great first book for someone new to fantasy, as it is low fantasy. Meaning it takes place in our world, with our history. You should definitely read this.

You should share this for people in DC and close to you!!

Black Community we have to be careful. Protect our Girls! Spread this! 

*hears noises at night*: well this is it this is the end for me I had a good life

*gets shampoo in my eyes*: I guess I'm blind now how am I ever going to see my first born child

*heart is beating fast*: I think I am having a heart attack is this what cardiac arrest is

*a cop walks by*: here I go about to get arrested I probably murdered someone

*taking a test*: don't take your eyes off of this paper you will get caught cheating and get kicked out of school and amount to nothing

*gets a sunburn*: great now I have skin cancer how will I tell my parents

*tripping over something*: I guess my leg will have to be amputated why did this happen to me

*period is late*: shit i'm pregnant i'm the next virgin mary

Masks

You look beautiful in your fancy dress

And your elaborate mask.

You talk to those around you

With such confidence.

Your head held high

As you saunter into the room full of people.

An air of confidence surrounds you.

Diamonds, sapphires and gold

Are all bursting with extravagance

A drink elegantly held in your hand

As you take delicate sips.

But, as soon as the affair is over

All confidence is gone.

The elaborate mask falls

And all is left is the fabricated elegance

And the forced confidence.

The dress now loses its beauty

The diamonds, sapphires and gold

Lose their meaning,

Now nothing more than rocks.

All of this is a well portrayed façade

Brought on with ease for each event.

All of your masks are a little different,

Though they share one similarity;

They are never the same.

The only thing that remains constant,

Is the fact that it is all fake.

And no one knows.

||

I wrote this a little while ago, and I honestly don’t really think it is that great but I was urged to share it. Also, when it says “affaire” it means a get together, not what messing around behind your partners back.

— Angel 😇❤️

The help line for Canada is 1-833-456-4566. You may think no one cares, but there is always someone. Please get help.

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b-eat youthline (for under 25’s with eating disorders): 08456347650 (open Mon-Fri 4.30pm - 8.30pm, Saturday 1pm-4.30pm)

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FREE 24/7 suicide hotlines:

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(Source)

Diamonds in her eyes, Taylor Swift polishes up real nice in one of her most delightful works yet - Bejeweled!

Coming soon to a theatre near you!

Bejeweled imagined as an old movie, poster designs by me

(please do not repost, thank you!)

“The fruit was never an apple”

Max Svabinsky, (1873-1962)

“In Paradise” circa 1918

when are they not soft for each other?

you don't understand, I'm Aromantic

You'll always have me.

That's what you say,

You don't understand

You'll always have me,

But I won't have you,

You'll get married and have a life with someone else,

Sure I'll be there on the sidelines of life,

Watching you grow.

but I won't always have you.

You can wake up in their arms,

And kiss them good morning.

I will wake up to the limp arms of my bedsheets tangled around my body,

In a mock sort of hug.

You'll grow old together,

Experience life together,

And I can watch.

Growing old with no one but myself.

Sure,

You'll always be my friend,

And I will always love you,

but I will never be with you.

Some bodies

Some bodies are big,

Some are small.

Some are littered with scars or stretch marks,

And some have freckles.

Some bodies are plump,

And some are thin.

Some have knobby knees,

And some have back rolls.

Some have extra arm flab

And others big thighs.

Some have flat tummies,

And some have tummy rolls.

Some fingers are crooked,

So are some noses.

Some are dark

Some are light,

And some are in the middle

Some have oily skin,

And some with dry.

Some have wrinkles and smile lines,

And some are as smooth as porcelain.

But every body is unique and charming.

Every body is perfect.

Everybody has a tummy and thigh.

And everybody has scars or stretch marks or moles or pimples or freckles.

If we didn’t,

Then no body would be as extraordinary and beautiful as you are.

||

Every body is beautiful and unique. If you can’t see how beautiful you are now I wish that you can in the future!!

- Angel 😇 ❤️