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A review by keziamichela
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
"Everything casts a shadow," he begins. "Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source."
Olivia Prior, an orphan with her eyes open to the world of ghouls and shadows, is brimming with wants. Desires for freedom, choice, a family, and a home. Olivia's only tangible connection to the family she never knew is a journal with the letter "G", spiralling words, and beautifully strange works of art. The journal seemingly spells out her mother's gradual descent into madness. When a letter arrives inviting Olivia to return home to Gallant, Olivia is filled with hope, curiosity, and dreams of finally knowing where she belongs. But on arrival, Olivia immediately discovers her presence in Gallant is neither expected nor wanted. But despite a cold reception from her cousin, all the grave warnings, the secrets, and many ghouls, Olivia refuses to leave, not when she finally feels as though she might have a place to call her own. Rather, Olivia is determined to uncover the mystery of Gallant and the Prior mandate to protect the world and guard against what lies beyond the wall.
Firstly, immense praise for the dedication.
To those who go looking for doors, are brave enough to open the ones they find, and sometimes bold enough to make their own.
Sometimes I honestly believe I look forward to the book dedication above all else. A beautiful and inspiring dedication always gets my heart fluttering and amps up my excitement for the magic awaiting beyond the next page turn. V.E. Schwab is a marvel in every way, a true master with words, and her dedication for Gallant warmed my heart and fed my magic-and-adventure craving soul.
Writing Style: 5/5
Breathtaking. Gallant is so poetic and devastatingly beautiful. I was a completely captive audience and at one point even my six-year-old cousin quieted for an hour and listened as I read aloud to her from its pages, transfixed. Astonishing, as talking happens to be her favourite pastime.
But the truth is, death is everywhere. Death comes for the roses and the apples, it comes for the mice and the birds. It comes for us all. Why should death stop us from living?
Characters: 3.5/5
Olivia Prior was a terrific and interesting main character, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her inner turmoils and frustrations. A young girl fighting to be heard while lacking an audible voice. I felt every moment of indignation as she was silenced by heads simply turning away.
Each character had a purpose and a distinctly different personality, and I was intrigued by most, I just wish the book had been longer so that these characters could be further developed and explored.
Olivia lifts her hands, even though she knows it's futile...it doesn't matter what Olivia says. No one knows how to listen.
Plot 4/5 and concepts 5/5:
Parallel worlds and the bridges between, the points where they intersect, are V.E. Schwabs specialty for a reason. What lies beyond, what stoppers the way through, and why the worlds must remain separate. All queries with elaborate and wonderfully conveyed answers that make your hands go still. Your toes curl till knuckle white, and your eyes trip as they struggle to keep up with your desire to know, your thirst for more. Gallant had me completely transfixed. Confined to two houses, and two gardens, the world is small, yet vast in possibility. The players within, primed for tragedy and horror. My only qualm with the plot is that, although shrouded in mystery and tinged dark with horrific details, there was a lack in complexity that usually exists within Schwab’s works. Meaning it was predictable, the world and characters not explored enough for there to be any question as to what would next occur. But this did not detract from the pure enjoyment of the thrilling narrative.
I have lived at Gallant all my life. But home is meant to be a choice. I did not choose this house. I am tired of being bound to it.
And finally, the ending. I can think of alternative endings that might have made the me who began reading Gallant happier. But the me who turned that last page and read those final words cannot imagine it ending any other way. Perfectly.
Overall: 5/5 because despite what might be improved upon, the sheer amount of enjoyment Gallant gifted me was immense, and I tend to rate books predominantly on how much I love/d them.
Olivia Prior, an orphan with her eyes open to the world of ghouls and shadows, is brimming with wants. Desires for freedom, choice, a family, and a home. Olivia's only tangible connection to the family she never knew is a journal with the letter "G", spiralling words, and beautifully strange works of art. The journal seemingly spells out her mother's gradual descent into madness. When a letter arrives inviting Olivia to return home to Gallant, Olivia is filled with hope, curiosity, and dreams of finally knowing where she belongs. But on arrival, Olivia immediately discovers her presence in Gallant is neither expected nor wanted. But despite a cold reception from her cousin, all the grave warnings, the secrets, and many ghouls, Olivia refuses to leave, not when she finally feels as though she might have a place to call her own. Rather, Olivia is determined to uncover the mystery of Gallant and the Prior mandate to protect the world and guard against what lies beyond the wall.
Firstly, immense praise for the dedication.
To those who go looking for doors, are brave enough to open the ones they find, and sometimes bold enough to make their own.
Sometimes I honestly believe I look forward to the book dedication above all else. A beautiful and inspiring dedication always gets my heart fluttering and amps up my excitement for the magic awaiting beyond the next page turn. V.E. Schwab is a marvel in every way, a true master with words, and her dedication for Gallant warmed my heart and fed my magic-and-adventure craving soul.
Writing Style: 5/5
Breathtaking. Gallant is so poetic and devastatingly beautiful. I was a completely captive audience and at one point even my six-year-old cousin quieted for an hour and listened as I read aloud to her from its pages, transfixed. Astonishing, as talking happens to be her favourite pastime.
But the truth is, death is everywhere. Death comes for the roses and the apples, it comes for the mice and the birds. It comes for us all. Why should death stop us from living?
Characters: 3.5/5
Olivia Prior was a terrific and interesting main character, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her inner turmoils and frustrations. A young girl fighting to be heard while lacking an audible voice. I felt every moment of indignation as she was silenced by heads simply turning away.
Each character had a purpose and a distinctly different personality, and I was intrigued by most, I just wish the book had been longer so that these characters could be further developed and explored.
Olivia lifts her hands, even though she knows it's futile...it doesn't matter what Olivia says. No one knows how to listen.
Plot 4/5 and concepts 5/5:
Parallel worlds and the bridges between, the points where they intersect, are V.E. Schwabs specialty for a reason. What lies beyond, what stoppers the way through, and why the worlds must remain separate. All queries with elaborate and wonderfully conveyed answers that make your hands go still. Your toes curl till knuckle white, and your eyes trip as they struggle to keep up with your desire to know, your thirst for more. Gallant had me completely transfixed. Confined to two houses, and two gardens, the world is small, yet vast in possibility. The players within, primed for tragedy and horror. My only qualm with the plot is that, although shrouded in mystery and tinged dark with horrific details, there was a lack in complexity that usually exists within Schwab’s works. Meaning it was predictable, the world and characters not explored enough for there to be any question as to what would next occur. But this did not detract from the pure enjoyment of the thrilling narrative.
I have lived at Gallant all my life. But home is meant to be a choice. I did not choose this house. I am tired of being bound to it.
And finally, the ending. I can think of alternative endings that might have made the me who began reading Gallant happier. But the me who turned that last page and read those final words cannot imagine it ending any other way. Perfectly.
Overall: 5/5 because despite what might be improved upon, the sheer amount of enjoyment Gallant gifted me was immense, and I tend to rate books predominantly on how much I love/d them.