Gallant
Author: V. E. Schwab
Published by: Titan Books
Pages: 310
Format: Uncorrected Bound Proof
My Rating ★★★1/2
Published by: Titan Books
Pages: 310
Format: Uncorrected Bound Proof
My Rating ★★★1/2
Sixteen-year-old Olivia Prior is missing three things: a mother, a father, and a voice. Her mother vanished all at once, and her father by degrees, and her voice was a thing she never had to start with. She grew up at Merilance School for Girls. Now, nearing the end of her time there, Olivia receives a letter from an uncle she's never met, her father's older brother, summoning her to his estate, a place called Gallant.
But when she arrives, she discovers that the letter she received was several years old. Her uncle is dead. The estate is empty, save for the servants.
Olivia is permitted to remain, but must follow two rules: don't go out after dusk, and always stay on the right side of a wall that runs along the estate's western edge. Beyond it is another realm, ancient and magical, which calls to Olivia through her blood...
But when she arrives, she discovers that the letter she received was several years old. Her uncle is dead. The estate is empty, save for the servants.
Olivia is permitted to remain, but must follow two rules: don't go out after dusk, and always stay on the right side of a wall that runs along the estate's western edge. Beyond it is another realm, ancient and magical, which calls to Olivia through her blood...
My thoughts:
There was so much to unravel in Gallant. Vividly written with a creepy, atmospheric style that was completely absorbing to begin with. From the haunted corridors and ghoul-infested dorms of Merilance, to the mysterious and equally haunted halls of Gallant, an isolated mansion belonging to her family, Olivia crosses a delicate landscape filled with fantastical imagery and monsters of man and nightmare.
Olivia Prior makes for a fascinating protagonist. She is resilient, tough and is a pure joy to read. This isn’t a coming-of-age tale; Schwab writes Olivia battled hardened and determined from the outset.
Olivia is mute. I wasn't quite sure how this would work and yet somehow, I didn't miss the lack of dialogue at all. There were some conveniences, of course, as this is fantasy and there are certain characters who manage to find their way around this but otherwise a few characters do sign with her and she manages to get by using other forms of communication.
This was incredibly easy to read and get into, with a lingering sense of eeriness and tension. I enjoyed the dark atmosphere and how that ratcheted up to a level of heightened tension towards the end. I was intrigued by the author’s take on the whole concept of the ghost realm, and I enjoyed the way that she took traditional fantasy elements yet managed to create something fresh.
Schwab’s magical writing remains consistent; with gripping world-building, well-rounded characters, and an intriguing premise, but for me there was a spark of something missing from this book that kept it from fully capturing my heart. I enjoyed the beginning very much, but as things continued, I found the story a little underwhelming.
I was hoping for a more mature tone and a much darker plot. The first half of the book was fantastic, keeping me on the edge of my seat and hopeful for what the story was building towards, but I thought this was going to be a portal fantasy and this part of the plot doesn’t come into play until much later. I know I will always enjoy Schwab’s storytelling, but I think I tend to enjoy the content and plot of her adult books more.
Overall, I find myself rating this at three and a half stars with an interest still in reading more from this author. .
Gallant is an enjoyable and engaging YA read. I received an advanced proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks again to Titan Books for the beautiful early paperback edition!
Overall reaction:
There was so much to unravel in Gallant. Vividly written with a creepy, atmospheric style that was completely absorbing to begin with. From the haunted corridors and ghoul-infested dorms of Merilance, to the mysterious and equally haunted halls of Gallant, an isolated mansion belonging to her family, Olivia crosses a delicate landscape filled with fantastical imagery and monsters of man and nightmare.
Olivia Prior makes for a fascinating protagonist. She is resilient, tough and is a pure joy to read. This isn’t a coming-of-age tale; Schwab writes Olivia battled hardened and determined from the outset.
Olivia is mute. I wasn't quite sure how this would work and yet somehow, I didn't miss the lack of dialogue at all. There were some conveniences, of course, as this is fantasy and there are certain characters who manage to find their way around this but otherwise a few characters do sign with her and she manages to get by using other forms of communication.
This was incredibly easy to read and get into, with a lingering sense of eeriness and tension. I enjoyed the dark atmosphere and how that ratcheted up to a level of heightened tension towards the end. I was intrigued by the author’s take on the whole concept of the ghost realm, and I enjoyed the way that she took traditional fantasy elements yet managed to create something fresh.
Schwab’s magical writing remains consistent; with gripping world-building, well-rounded characters, and an intriguing premise, but for me there was a spark of something missing from this book that kept it from fully capturing my heart. I enjoyed the beginning very much, but as things continued, I found the story a little underwhelming.
I was hoping for a more mature tone and a much darker plot. The first half of the book was fantastic, keeping me on the edge of my seat and hopeful for what the story was building towards, but I thought this was going to be a portal fantasy and this part of the plot doesn’t come into play until much later. I know I will always enjoy Schwab’s storytelling, but I think I tend to enjoy the content and plot of her adult books more.
Overall, I find myself rating this at three and a half stars with an interest still in reading more from this author. .
Gallant is an enjoyable and engaging YA read. I received an advanced proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks again to Titan Books for the beautiful early paperback edition!
Overall reaction: