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hesterzz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
immabehazzie's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. It was like Alice in Wonderland meets Starling House if it was all written by Neil Gaiman.
‘Gallant’ wastes no time in letting you know that this is a gothic fantasy. I found the way that the exposition was given to be unique and a rich way to add to the story. I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book, all I knew was that I adore V.E Schwab’s writing and trusted that this story would be good and it was. It wasn’t the most unique because as I said ‘Gallant’ is very much Alice in Wonderland by C.S Lewis meets Starling House by Alix E. Harrow and the writing itself reminded me of Neil Gaiman. The writing was rich and even if there weren’t random drawings in the book it was very easy to picture what was happening as it was happening7
I found Olivia to be an intriguing character. She’s fourteen and throughout all of the events that she goes through in the book, her frustration at not knowing where she comes from and her ache for a family is palpable and she handles it in, what I think, is a realistic way. Without spoiling the story, at its core ‘Gallant’ is about finding your people and learning what family means to you.
The twists and turns left my jaw dropping. My favorite type of plot twists are when it’s surprising but when you think back all of the clues were there the entire time.
Between the characters, the plot, and the way that it’s written, it’s hard to put this book down once you get into it. Admittedly I did feel like the ending was a tad bit rushed but other than that I enjoyed this book very much and V.E Schwab has yet to let me down.
‘Gallant’ wastes no time in letting you know that this is a gothic fantasy. I found the way that the exposition was given to be unique and a rich way to add to the story. I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book, all I knew was that I adore V.E Schwab’s writing and trusted that this story would be good and it was. It wasn’t the most unique because as I said ‘Gallant’ is very much Alice in Wonderland by C.S Lewis meets Starling House by Alix E. Harrow and the writing itself reminded me of Neil Gaiman. The writing was rich and even if there weren’t random drawings in the book it was very easy to picture what was happening as it was happening7
I found Olivia to be an intriguing character. She’s fourteen and throughout all of the events that she goes through in the book, her frustration at not knowing where she comes from and her ache for a family is palpable and she handles it in, what I think, is a realistic way. Without spoiling the story, at its core ‘Gallant’ is about finding your people and learning what family means to you.
The twists and turns left my jaw dropping. My favorite type of plot twists are when it’s surprising but when you think back all of the clues were there the entire time.
Between the characters, the plot, and the way that it’s written, it’s hard to put this book down once you get into it. Admittedly I did feel like the ending was a tad bit rushed but other than that I enjoyed this book very much and V.E Schwab has yet to let me down.
rhiaintheclouds's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.75
might round it up..
didn't realize i enjoyed atmospheric, vibes books as much as i did with this one. maybe im just a v.e. schwab lover but i didn't rlly mind that not much was happening until the latter half of the book. the atmosphere was great tho, this was definitely well done by the narrator
didn't realize i enjoyed atmospheric, vibes books as much as i did with this one. maybe im just a v.e. schwab lover but i didn't rlly mind that not much was happening until the latter half of the book. the atmosphere was great tho, this was definitely well done by the narrator
jmaronson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
storm_cloud's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ucantcatchme's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
prested's review against another edition
2.0
Olivia Prior has always longed for a family. She grew up in an orphanage with no information about her past, only a journal left by her mother. When a letter from an uncle arrives, inviting her to her ancestral home, she goes where she discovers a too quiet house with secrets.
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I'm so disappointed that I didn't fall in love with this book. I usually love Schwab's work, but this one just didn't hit the mark?
I loved the world and the concept, but it just didn't feel fully formed?
Olivia's characterization was a little wonky?
I don't get Olivia's motivations by the end of the book. In the beginning, it was clear that she wanted a home/family, to live freely and to learn her mother's history, so I didn't get why she did what she did at the end? She didn't bond with Mathew, and there just wasn't enough scenes to make it feel like a found family. I don't get why she decided to stay at the end. There just weren't enough bonding scenes to justify her decisions.
The side characters were just okay? Hannah and Edgar were one-dimensional, and I liked the idea of Mathew, but there just wasn't a lot of scenes to characterize him.
Honestly, I just got bored as I was reading. I didn't really feel the eeriness like I should.
I wish this book bounced perspectives between Olivia and her mom because I was a lot more interested in her mother than I was about what was going on with her. Or even have chapters with Mathew's POV!
I think this book was too slow, and the supernatural plot only kicked off 75% through, and I wish the antagonist was introduced earlier.
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling it.
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I'm so disappointed that I didn't fall in love with this book. I usually love Schwab's work, but this one just didn't hit the mark?
I loved the world and the concept, but it just didn't feel fully formed?
Olivia's characterization was a little wonky?
I don't get Olivia's motivations by the end of the book. In the beginning, it was clear that she wanted a home/family, to live freely and to learn her mother's history, so I didn't get why she did what she did at the end? She didn't bond with Mathew, and there just wasn't enough scenes to make it feel like a found family. I don't get why she decided to stay at the end. There just weren't enough bonding scenes to justify her decisions.
The side characters were just okay? Hannah and Edgar were one-dimensional, and I liked the idea of Mathew, but there just wasn't a lot of scenes to characterize him.
Honestly, I just got bored as I was reading. I didn't really feel the eeriness like I should.
I wish this book bounced perspectives between Olivia and her mom because I was a lot more interested in her mother than I was about what was going on with her. Or even have chapters with Mathew's POV!
I think this book was too slow, and the supernatural plot only kicked off 75% through, and I wish the antagonist was introduced earlier.
I don't know, I just wasn't feeling it.
hmcreading's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
fictionalkat's review against another edition
4.0
What if little orphan Annie could see dead people? And was maybe/probably/definitely cursed? You'd get Gallant.
Some part of me wishes there was a little more world-building or backstory, but it could take away from the fairytale vibe Gallant has. Maybe you don't need to know more, and should just let the story unfold like inkblots on a page.
Spooky vibes do not mesh well with late night reading, btw. A quote directly from Captain Obvious, but did I listen? No.
Some part of me wishes there was a little more world-building or backstory, but it could take away from the fairytale vibe Gallant has. Maybe you don't need to know more, and should just let the story unfold like inkblots on a page.
Spooky vibes do not mesh well with late night reading, btw. A quote directly from Captain Obvious, but did I listen? No.