The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by best-selling author V.E. Schwarb is a captivating novel following Addie LaRue, a young woman who bargains to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. 

The book starts in France 1714 and centers around the mystical Addie LaRue who tries to find her way out of an impending marriage. To escape her dreaded wedding, she foolishly makes a deal with the god of darkness to forever free herself from belonging to anyone. He grants Addie immortality and freedom in exchange for a price she desperately and hastily agrees to. 

Addie soon learns the consequences of dealing with darkness. As the god had promised, she belongs to no one and is truly free and immortal. What she does not anticipate is that this bargain comes with a curse of being forgotten by everyone she meets. Her parents and friends immediately forget her after she makes the deal, and everyone she encounters or tries to befriend does not remember her the next day. 

Then, after three hundred years with darkness and isolation being her only company, the impossible happens. Addie meets a man who does not forget her. 

This mesmerizing story unravels in multiple timelines and points of view as Addie moves through centuries, continents and art, learning more and more about the curse, herself, and how to leave a lasting mark on a world set out to erase her.

I had very high expectations going into this book, after reading an abundance of raving reviews and gushing comments on how it was not only amazing but a new all-time favorite book for many people. 

A very unique addition to this book was its relation to art. Different sections of the novel were delicately interrupted with images of paintings and descriptive texts as if being auctioned off. In the blurb describing the painting, Addie LaRue’s influence was seen. Her trademark seven star-shaped freckles, dark hair, and reminders of her were visible in portraits as it showed how she tried to imprint herself into the artist’s head, longing to be remembered by someone. These works of art resemble Addie’s need to leave an impression on the world. 

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, even if fantasy is not your go-to genre to read. 

I am not a big reader of fantasy books, but V.E. Schwab’s intricate and lyrical writing style compelled me to keep reading this novel and change my opinion on the fantasy genre. 

This novel is a dazzling masterpiece of love, art, and history, and a story crafted so beautifully that it is both timeless and timely.

Addie LaRue may have been cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets, but I know that I will never forget her character and this book.