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sarahweyand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thanks to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing me a physical ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
When I first started this book, I thought it was just a version of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE that just didn't live up to its predecessor. However, as I look back on it, I'm enjoying it more for its own merits.
I really enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this book, and I'm okay with the fact that we didn't really get an explanation for any of it. I really enjoyed the role that books and libraries played in the plot as well. I thought the premise was unique despite what it's being compared to. I thought the stories that were told and the characters we met were well-executed and interesting to read about. There were a couple of things that weren't my favorite that I'll list real quick:
When I first started this book, I thought it was just a version of THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE that just didn't live up to its predecessor. However, as I look back on it, I'm enjoying it more for its own merits.
I really enjoyed the fantasy aspects of this book, and I'm okay with the fact that we didn't really get an explanation for any of it. I really enjoyed the role that books and libraries played in the plot as well. I thought the premise was unique despite what it's being compared to. I thought the stories that were told and the characters we met were well-executed and interesting to read about. There were a couple of things that weren't my favorite that I'll list real quick:
- Even if it was purposeful, the jumping timeline was very confusing to place and organize mentally
- Pacing was a little slow at times and plot points felt repetitive
- Because of the nature of the plot, we don't get a lot of relationship building or depth to the characters we met.
- Most of the plot points covered during Aubrey's journey were based around male love interests, and I find that a little disappointing given that she's travelled the whole world and met countless people.
Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I'd recommend it to people who find the synopsis interesting. I don't know if I'd recommend it over THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE, but it was still a fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Chronic illness
Moderate: Body horror and Domestic abuse
gondorgirl's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
nukie19's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a delightful, page-turning adventure. It was a great amalgamation of world traveler, mysterious magic, and pure library fantasy setting. Following Aubrey through her exploits, almost always in how she related the stories to others she meets along the way, kept the story progressing not quite always linearly but certainly in a way that keeps the reader engaged. This is absolutely a book you’ll stay awake too long reading.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, Confinement, and Murder
minniepauline's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was hooked from the first sentence. The description from the publisher likening it to Addie LaRue and Life of Pi is apt. But this book is also very different from those. It takes on philosophy, illness, time. What it means to live and what a life is worth. Aubry Tourvel develops an illness at nine years old which makes her unable stay anywhere for more than a few days, and yet she manages to find love, over and over, and to lose it over and over. She manages both to be surprised and to expect the kindness of strangers. To both marvel at and take for granted the magic she finds. To expect grief and to be floored by it, over and over and over again.
This book has affected me in a way that few books have. (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is another.) Aubry will stay with. I will want to read her story again.
This book has affected me in a way that few books have. (The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is another.) Aubry will stay with. I will want to read her story again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, and Violence
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: War and Xenophobia
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