Great premise. Presented interesting ideas but tedious storytelling. The repetitive descriptions such as "the dark curls and green eyes" would do you in if you had to do a shot each time. You end up pretty annoyed by each character. If you can't figure out how to have fun with a curse that makes everyone love you - are you worth giving up your sole for? ( )

V.E. SCHWAB. WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT AND THE WRITING SKILLS TO GO ALONG WITH IT?
This entire book is a masterpiece cover to cover, each occurrence in Addie's life thoughtful, planned, and emotion evoking.
Every stage of grief and every stage of love all combined into one. ( )

1.5, slow ( )

“...it is sad, of course, to forget.
But it is a lonely thing, to be forgotten.
To remember when no one else does.”

I loved this and I'm so glad I read it. I was skeptical, never sure if a few select authors can make me love them over and over and over again. I should have known the answer for V.E. Schwab is, of course, YES! She's moved to the very very small list of autobuy authors for me.

This book is about so much more than a desperate girl on a lonely night, who called on gods, any god really, to help her, save her from the life that'd been forced on her. It's a look about love and friendship and connection, and even what it means to be human. It also lightly touches depression and loneliness and how strong the words "I remember" or "You are enough" are from the people in our lives. It's to realize that who we are is a mix of what we've done, what we'll do, but also the strands that others hold around us as they remember you and the things you've done together - you are yourself but also a little their reflection of you - or are you?

Ugh, such a great story that I started and, honestly, never put down. It was beautiful and I loved every word. Is it open for a book 2? I will bury important things to the gods of the night and hope the darkness accepts my offer. ( )

Fantastic story of survival, full of pain, neglect, and sometimes love. I enjoyed Addie's endurance. "...there is no question she has lived." And Henry... oh Henry. Great book. ( )