Scan barcode
justsmileandread's review against another edition
Had no motivation to keep reading this at the moment
hsecen's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled so hard reading this book. It sounded interesting when I read the blurb, plus I’ve seen it hyped so much on social media. I’m gonna be honest, I think it was overhyped. I did not enjoy this book. There are a lot of flashbacks in this book, because she leads such a long life. Since we know the basis of the plot and what’s going on in her present life, I really didn’t care to read about her past that much. It bored me. And as much as there were some sweet moments in Addie’s present, I just got the complete sense that it wasn’t going to wind up ending the way I wanted it to. And I was right. That ending was so unsatisfying for me and so unfair. I liked nothing about it. And yes life is unfair, but I don’t read books to be reminded of that. I gave it more than one star because the writing and prose is certainly well done but I don’t recommend this book.
isabellesuurland's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
chaosdemonmonster's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.5
This is my second time reading this (both times via audio book) and I think I enjoyed it more this time than I did the first time. I had forgotten a lot of what happened toward the end of the book and really enjoyed the conclusion of the story. The fact that, even on a second reading, I was sucked in and wanted to keep listening to it all the time is a testament to how well written this book is and how good the story is.
sashapasha's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Very artsy, hipster, Brooklyn-esque, and trying a little too hard to be all those things, which contributed to my lack of emotional connection to the characters and writing for most of the book. I didn't became invested until the last 20%, and by then it was a little too late to change my overall feelings about the book. I'd say the reading experience slowly improved, starting with 2 stars, progressing to 3 around 60% and reaching 4 around 85%. I'd give the ending (the last chapter) a solid 5 stars. My favorite thing about the book was definitely the ending.
Characters
I was pretty neutral about Addie for most of the book and thoroughly uninterested in Henry (sorry boy), but Luc was intriguing, as devils usually are. In particular, I liked that he stayed true to his character. I’ve read a number of these “girl falls for devil” stories and I appreciated that this one didn’t overly humanize or romanticize the devil. Even after he’s “fallen” for Addie, his love isn’t true, it’s a selfish love that’s more about him, his loneliness and need to possess, than it is about her. And she understands that and acts accordingly, which is one of the things that sets this book apart from all of the other new adult fantasy about girls falling for wicked creatures (e.g. Kingdom of the Wicked, and most SJM and JLA books). It was much less a story about a great and all-consuming love and more a story about female strength, endurance, and cleverness.
One thing that did make me roll my eyes was Addie's role as a muse to countless artists, which was really more about her hotness than anything else. Good thing she wasn't immortal, forgotten, and also plain -- what would she have done then, if her face didn't inspire practically every person to want to get to know her and/or immortalize her in some medium of art?
Anyway, I'd say this will appeal to readers who are fans of Schwab's writing. I am bumping my 3.5 star rating up to 4, but that is purely because the ending was a delight of upturned expectations and girl power.
Very artsy, hipster, Brooklyn-esque, and trying a little too hard to be all those things, which contributed to my lack of emotional connection to the characters and writing for most of the book. I didn't became invested until the last 20%, and by then it was a little too late to change my overall feelings about the book. I'd say the reading experience slowly improved, starting with 2 stars, progressing to 3 around 60% and reaching 4 around 85%. I'd give the ending (the last chapter) a solid 5 stars. My favorite thing about the book was definitely the ending.
Characters
I was pretty neutral about Addie for most of the book and thoroughly uninterested in Henry (sorry boy), but Luc was intriguing, as devils usually are. In particular, I liked that he stayed true to his character. I’ve read a number of these “girl falls for devil” stories and I appreciated that this one didn’t overly humanize or romanticize the devil. Even after he’s “fallen” for Addie, his love isn’t true, it’s a selfish love that’s more about him, his loneliness and need to possess, than it is about her. And she understands that and acts accordingly, which is one of the things that sets this book apart from all of the other new adult fantasy about girls falling for wicked creatures (e.g. Kingdom of the Wicked, and most SJM and JLA books). It was much less a story about a great and all-consuming love and more a story about female strength, endurance, and cleverness.
One thing that did make me roll my eyes was Addie's role as a muse to countless artists, which was really more about her hotness than anything else. Good thing she wasn't immortal, forgotten, and also plain -- what would she have done then, if her face didn't inspire practically every person to want to get to know her and/or immortalize her in some medium of art?
Anyway, I'd say this will appeal to readers who are fans of Schwab's writing. I am bumping my 3.5 star rating up to 4, but that is purely because the ending was a delight of upturned expectations and girl power.
lori_vols's review against another edition
5.0
I am completely in love with this book. The prose is beautifully written, each word a cherry blossom floating carefree in a still-moving pond. The story is breath-taking, documenting the life of women spanning three centuries. How easy it has always been to be a man, who has always been able to follow his dreams and forge his destiny. To the contrary, women almost had to sell their soul to escape the shackles of a life of forced marriage, child bearing, crippling hard labor, and a complete loss of identity and dreams. Their curse, also, is to be forgotten, their names and stories erased as their homes decayed and the forest ate their gravestones, years after their deaths. This book is about a woman who dared to follow her dreams, to live each day as her own. The price was steep... to be completely forgotten, to never leave a mark on this world. And yet, she inspired centuries of artists and musicians. She both lost and built her own identity in her deal with darkness. She found love, and ultimately learned to rule in a male-dominated world.
isabell_elaine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
marshmellowhello's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give this five stars so badly but around the 60% mark I could feel myself getting a bit bored with it. Don't know how Addie managed to live her entire life like this but I love her for it.
janelplouffe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
5.0