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A review by jkreads
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I can definitely see why people love this book. The writing is beautiful, the imagery both illustrated in the book and conjured by the words is vivid and intriguing. I think this was just a case of ‘not for me’. I read for fun and to escape to another world or another life for a while, and although I can handle and even enjoy depressing plots this one was just a bit TOO depressing for me. It wasn’t dark or sad necessarily just…bleak.
I felt that the first half of the book leaned too heavily on the ‘depressing’ elements of the MC’s backstory and although I understand that the book is supposed to be dreary in tone as a whole, it kind of just made me want to put it down and stop reading it. Some parts felt like they were miserable just for the sake of being miserable, rather than actually adding to the plot or the character. I felt sorry for Olivia, but I didn’t feel particularly attached to her as a character. I also felt like there wasn’t much connection between any of the characters, even by the end. Although again I assume this was somewhat intentional on the author’s part to show Olivia’s loneliness and difficulty in forming relationships due to being unable to speak, it also made the ending feel a bit flat and hopeless to me.
I really enjoyed V.E. Schwab’s writing style overall though, so I will definitely be checking out some of her other works!
I felt that the first half of the book leaned too heavily on the ‘depressing’ elements of the MC’s backstory and although I understand that the book is supposed to be dreary in tone as a whole, it kind of just made me want to put it down and stop reading it. Some parts felt like they were miserable just for the sake of being miserable, rather than actually adding to the plot or the character. I felt sorry for Olivia, but I didn’t feel particularly attached to her as a character. I also felt like there wasn’t much connection between any of the characters, even by the end. Although again I assume this was somewhat intentional on the author’s part to show Olivia’s loneliness and difficulty in forming relationships due to being unable to speak, it also made the ending feel a bit flat and hopeless to me.
I really enjoyed V.E. Schwab’s writing style overall though, so I will definitely be checking out some of her other works!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide