Challenge Corner discussion

Part 5: (view spoiler)[I feel like the plot has been slowing down lately. Can we just get to the ending yet? Lol. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! (view spoiler)[At first I had mixed feelings about the ending, but now I think I really like it. I never got the vibe that Addie and Henry connected as people all that much, just that because of their situations, they needed each other. So I'm glad they both get to live out their lives separately now. As for Addie's deal with Luc, I love how she turned the tables on him. I honestly don't see it turning out well for her, but I'm sure she'll give it her best shot. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 7TH, 2024

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Part One
(view spoiler)[I really love the concept of this book I love that it's such an interesting problem to have that you can't leave any mark on the world even someone knowing your real name and how lonely it is I love that it benefits her so much cause all she has to do is walk through a door and she can steal anything she wants with the same time she can't even like make a mess because someone might remember the mess I really like this book so far (hide spoiler)]

I am a bit late to join you on this, sorry Melany! But I'll hopefully get to it in the coming couple of days.

It's fine take your time I understand

Part Two
(view spoiler)[I feel so bad for Addie she has suffered so much because of her curse, I will say I I don't know how I feel about Henry I feel like he might be related to the Darkness (hide spoiler)]

Starting now

Part one

Honestly this caught me off guard. I was not expecting it.
It took me a minute to get into it, but I think that's simply because it's very different than the style of books I've been reading lately so I was adjusting.

I'm listening to the audibook too, which is something new to me as I am trying the listen while I read method. I have to say the narrator is incredible. Her pronunciation (especially the French to a non-French speaker) is amazing, the different emotions and tonalities for the different people voices, and the entire mood she brings to the book.
I guess it's not surprising with the amount of audiobooks she has narrated.

Now back to the story, (view spoiler)[I am liking this approach and dissection of the Gods and theology. I did read the first chapter in part 2 and Henry having studied theology is kind of interesting.

And it does make you wonder what are we truly leaving here and how is the impact being left, how does that mark look like beyond the physical form. I wonder if her mark will be her ideas through people.

I want to know if this Henry actually looks like the stranger she has drawn. I kinda want him to but also kinda don't want him to, makes it more believable even if the entire idea of the book is not realistic in application, but I want him to be different for realism purposes.

I am sad that she can't draw. I feel this was part of her and I mourn her loss of being able to draw. Could she take someone else's hand tho and draw using their hand, guiding their pen or brush? (hide spoiler)]

The beginning made me want more and know why Addy could not share her name. I am also reading as well as Audio - this is my favorite style of reading - take the educator out of the classroom, but the teaching methods stick with you!! As I read It becomes clearer to why she can not share her name.

Part 2 chapter 10
I am very intrigued, I did not imagine that when the book started honestly.

Quick thought, I wonder if (view spoiler)[Henry has made his own Faustian bargain. This extra attention from people, a kind of face that people cannot resist, and that he found Addie reacting differently to him so that's what made him stop. (hide spoiler)]

Otherwise, the back and forth in the timeline was a bit annoying at first; however the more I read the more it made sense: we were seeing how she was learning to survive with this curse and "live" in the world while still getting the present story. And her past is as important to understand as the current events.

=> Part 3 Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[I KNEW Henry made a deal!
Is that why Robbie is still in love with him?
And it's quite interesting that Luc chose to appear to him in the form that Addie drew, in the form of Luc.

This is a very thought provoking book indeed.

I want to know about the person who had the leather jacket, know how important he was, I am assuming it's a he if I remember correctly. Did Luc kill him?

And I read a review that mentioned Luc, I should have known the dark god was Luc, but still I was surprised.

They're all going to die in the end won't they? Or at least she will. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[I knew there was something wrong with Henry I wonder what deal her made, I hope they can stay togeth but I am getting a bad feeling about this (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 5
I decided I am making my partner read this.
I came across and incredibly beautiful special edition that is illustrated, too bad it's not available in the libraries I have asked in my country.

I'm kinda scared
(view spoiler)[Ever since she said Erydice and I am worried this is a case of Persephone. Where at the end she will be by his side.
It's like they found solace in each other and the ring and jacket, as long as her mentioning "pleasure" in his eyes, it makes me feel they were intimate or they became the weirdest case of enemies to lovers.
And I am scared that after she tells her story to Henry and falls for him, she will decide to surrender so that he doesn't have to live with a ghost.

I wonder if Luc came to visit Henry and Henry didn't tell her about it. (hide spoiler)]

I am recommending this to everyone I know.
I cried, I laughed, I bawled my eyes out.
I knew what was coming but goddamn that was smart.

Part 4
(view spoiler)[I'm so happy that he's going to help her write her story (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I don't know if the author did this on purpose but to make it that Henry's curse was that he would be everything that you wanted him to be because he felt like he wasn't enough when I don't think he would have been enough for Addie. Even with the idea that he's the first person that could remember her name I think she would have gotten bored because he wouldn't have been enough. It kind of perfect the way it ended because she didn't destroy him by showing he wasn't enough. For the brief time they were together he was everything she ever wanted him to be but if it had go on it probably would have ended the way other relationships did for him with him not being enough. I think Addie only loved him because it was the first time in a long time that she had a first and that she felt something new. I don't know if she did it on purpose if she didn't it's a knock against the book but if the author did this on purpose that's genius. But this is also only my opinion (hide spoiler)]

Melany wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

I don't really agree that (view spoiler)[Addie wouldn't have found Henry to be enough. And ofc it's an unconventional relationship and she's immortal while he is mortal.

But they had a lot of fun together, they had common interests, and Addie wanted to keep learning and discovering, while Henry was eager to experience things and try new stuff. And that in itself was a great way for them to connect.
He also had his own approach and vision on theology and the arts which Addie is definitely interested in.
And he is not someone who settles, he will learn and he would have left things and went to have trips and tour the world with her.

What was enough for Addie was for him to see her and remember her, but she took him and loved him the way he is.
She could have fell in love with many other people along the years, and she did, Sam for example and other ones she mentioned who she kept seeing and going back to. So it wasn't about love it was really about him.

On the other hand, Henry obviously struggled with his mental health ever since he was young. That's why Luc easily swept in. Had he allowed himself more healing and affirmation and (maybe some meds bcz obviously there are depressive episodes there), his own sense of sufficiency and self-love and self-confidence would have been different.
People found him enough, he didn't find HIMSELF enough. There's a huge difference,

However, their relationship always had an ending date. (hide spoiler)]

Grace wrote: "Melany wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

I don't really agree "

(view spoiler)[where you're coming from and I think you do have a point but that's kind of what I'm thinking is that it was enough for the time I don't know if it would have lasted. I think the relationship the way it was was perfect for both of them and gave them exactly what they needed at the time but they wouldn't have lasted and I personally don't believe they would have lasted very long. So it's kind of perfect that Luc interfered because how much more painful if he have didnt. Because you're right in the fact that a big part of their relationship was Henry finding worth in himself outside of other people which I don't really know if that happened this could just be the writer not really understanding it (or me) but Henry doesn't feel like enough because he always looks to other people for what's good in him and he did that with Addie. Like not much change for Henry other than he finally feels like he accomplished something and now he finally understands what he's life is worth. I actually appreciate that the author didn't have all his mental health issues solved by this magical relationship but at the same time I don't see it as him finding worth in himself he only feels he accomplished something because of what he was able to be for Addie and do for her. His self worth was tied to what he could be for her. So if she did get over the novelty of him being able to see her he would see himself is not being enough still.
The biggest thing Addie did for Henry was give him a chance and finally let him see the light at the end of the tunnel I don't think she's helping him get there but the fact that he finally knows that there is hope and there is a chance is the big thing she did for him in my opinion anyway
Also sorry if my thoughts are all over the place I'm still thinking through a bunch of the things the book made me feel. Also don't take anything I say too seriously I'm very critical I try not to be but I can't help it lol (hide spoiler)]

Man this was not what I thought it would or was it - Poor Henry having the curse of having it all but not feeling worthy - this hits home - I use to think everyone needed to love me and not want anyone who doesn't love or like me - why do we put our worth on others opinions of ours - this made me rethink this in my life. Man what a book about looking within. I will be sharing hits book with everyone.

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RESTARTING JANUARY 15TH, 2025

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Not reading again but I am here for the comments

Started reading this yesterday.
Part 1
(view spoiler)[I really didn't know what to expect from this book. I didn't know anything about it before starting, except that everyone seemed to love it.

So far, I'm really enjoying it. Although I'm typically not a fan of time jumps in books, there are exceptions, and this one seems to be one of them. It did take a minute to get into. I was certainly confused at the beginning, but it started to make sense fairly quickly, and I became more and more intrigued as the book went on.

I really feel for her, not being able to leave her mark on the world. I thought the gods were a really interesting aspect of this story. I'm excited to learn more about it and see how it progresses. Will she be able to "live" a real life and leave a mark? Truly, I can't believe she's made it this long. It would be incredibly lonely not to have a loved one or friends who remember you.

Obviously very excited to learn more about Henry and how this has happened!

When I think of leaving a mark on the world in this short life we live, I often think it needs to be substantial, something significant, but it really doesn't need to be. There's something to be said about the small things.

The book seems to be broken into several parts and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

I'm pleasantly surprised by this book.

I'll send you pictures from my illustrated edition!!

And yes, I totally feel you and what you were thinking.

Part 3 - Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[Ok so the back and forth was getting to me a little in this part but I can see why it's necessary. We get to see how she learned to navigate it and why she's not willing to break first.

Henry is interesting. I think he's made his own deal of sorts. He must be related to the darkness in some way. I was initially thinking that it was darkness that bumped into him but now I don't think so as there have been other odd occurrences. The people bumping into him and the constant attention, I just can't figure out quite what it would be. It was interesting when they went on their date and he panicked in the movie theatre, not wanting to waste any time. I'm curious if he's the opposite of hers. Perhaps he was lonely and all he wanted was to be seen, to be able to leave a mark on the world.

I'm very curious to see how they discover each other. At some point, he's going to notice that people forget her I imagine. I'm assuming this is noticed the next time she goes into the bookstore and the girl doesn't remember her, or perhaps they run into her or something.

Excited to keep reading. (hide spoiler)]

Part 6 - Chapter 6 - I keep forgetting to put in updates. This book is going fast!
(view spoiler)[My heart is hurting. I can't believe he agreed to a year. I'm not surprised by him making a deal but ONE YEAR! He now has only 35 days.

Will she surrender her soul at the same time? Luc and Addie have come to like each other in some weird way. Will he actually take her soul and allow her to die? Now that she has gotten what she's wanted for so long would she consider making another deal of sorts? Perhaps sacrifice herself and allow Henry to continue living? Maybe take away the curse on him?

Ugh...this is so sad.

I recently finished reading Harry Potter and Dumbledore says something to Harry about 2 people who have been living for over 300 years, who have now chosen to die and it makes me think of this for some reason.

"[Death], it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” I imagine this is what it would be like for Addie. Not sure why that stuck with me but here we are haha.
(hide spoiler)]

I know I've already said it, but, this book is surprising me in such a great way.

Finished - I did not expect to cry.
(view spoiler)[This was beautiful and really resonated with me in many ways. This human desire to leave a mark on the world, the loneliness they both felt, one being invisible while the other is almost the opposite and her desire for freedom, to live her own life. It was incredible.

Henry and Addie were exactly what each other needed at that moment. He needed to truly be enough for someone without the influence of the curse and she needed someone to remember her. She was worth remembering. He helped her leave her mark on the world and she helped him see that he is enough to the right person. (Fuck Tabitha by the way). In some way, maybe he's her mark. I love that he wrote her story.

I'm unsure what I expected from this book but this was not it.

While I saw the ending coming to some extent it still got me. It feels like one of those books that will likely stick with me for a long time. (hide spoiler)]

I am so glad this is how you feel.
This was phenomenal and I cannot shut up about it, and seeing you added it to your favourites and said you will not stop recommending it makes me so happy.