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A review by jpanslabyrinthofbooks
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Alongside a gripping fantasy-horror remix narrative, there are some compelling illustrations inked within the pages detailing the story in an eluding format.
Schwab has crafted a unique, short, novel that hones in on the familial household of the Priors and our protagonist Olivia; an orphan with only her mothers journal to remember her heritage. But as a mysterious letter from her Uncle arrives, she is delivered to Gallant - a place her mother's warns of. There she meets Matthew, an heir to the household and member of the Prior family; a haunting shell of a man, and cousin none the less. However, as Olivia explores the home and is tormented by the Ghouls that seek to disturb her dreams, she realizes soon enough that Gallant is both within light and shadow.
A truly fascinating element was explored in this novel with the construct of the Gallant House model; crafted to show the shadow dimension that exists amongst reality. The general notion being that everything has a shadow, and sometimes those shadows take sustenance and become something more than just a direction of light.
Olivia was a diverse representational character with her non-verbal communication and only able to converse through sign or with the projection of thought. It made the story more powerful to have such a presence when not being able to speak and show emotion in audio. Rather the emotion came through in gestural approaches and action. A powerful description.
Schwab is a master at inventing narratives unique, an author who has been on my radar for a time, and as this is the first novel I read - it did not disappoint.
Schwab has crafted a unique, short, novel that hones in on the familial household of the Priors and our protagonist Olivia; an orphan with only her mothers journal to remember her heritage. But as a mysterious letter from her Uncle arrives, she is delivered to Gallant - a place her mother's warns of. There she meets Matthew, an heir to the household and member of the Prior family; a haunting shell of a man, and cousin none the less. However, as Olivia explores the home and is tormented by the Ghouls that seek to disturb her dreams, she realizes soon enough that Gallant is both within light and shadow.
A truly fascinating element was explored in this novel with the construct of the Gallant House model; crafted to show the shadow dimension that exists amongst reality. The general notion being that everything has a shadow, and sometimes those shadows take sustenance and become something more than just a direction of light.
Olivia was a diverse representational character with her non-verbal communication and only able to converse through sign or with the projection of thought. It made the story more powerful to have such a presence when not being able to speak and show emotion in audio. Rather the emotion came through in gestural approaches and action. A powerful description.
Schwab is a master at inventing narratives unique, an author who has been on my radar for a time, and as this is the first novel I read - it did not disappoint.