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Gallant

V.E. Schwab,

Victoria Schwab

Start date: March 1, 2022

Finish date: March 31, 2022

Discussion: Book of the Month

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Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Aug 08, 2022 Emma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read

Loved it! Beautiful writing and a timeless story.

20 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2022 Aly rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, 2022, audiobook, fantasy, horror

This is very atmospheric and well written. The book does a great job of creating this gothic mystery vibe and I thought the book was easy to dive into and read in one sitting. If you've liked Schwab's other books, you'll probably enjoy the style of writing and the fantastical elements.

I liked the main character Olivia a lot. She's mute and makes sure people understand her, even if they don't know sign language. I liked how emotionally strong Olivia was and how she yearned for a family to care a ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Apr 12, 2022 Ellen-Arwen Tristram rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, buddy-read

Olivia is an orphan - she thinks. She's been dumped at Merilance School for Girls without much memory of a time before, and her present isn't bright either. She lacks three things: a father, a mother, and a voice. She has her mother's journal - which, despite the writer's clear descent into madness, she knows off by heart - and that's it. She can't even communicate effectively with the others at Merilance because, although she was taught sign language, the only person who knew sign language has Olivia is an orphan - she thinks. She's been dumped at Merilance School for Girls without much memory of a time before, and her present isn't bright either. She lacks three things: a father, a mother, and a voice. She has her mother's journal - which, despite the writer's clear descent into madness, she knows off by heart - and that's it. She can't even communicate effectively with the others at Merilance because, although she was taught sign language, the only person who knew sign language has left, with no one interested in learning. Lonely, alone, angry, grieving, sometimes vengeful - this is Olivia Prior.

Unexpectedly, she receives a letter from her Uncle inviting her to the family home. It's more than she could have dreamed of! But when she arrives, she finds her uncle has been dead for a year and her only relative is her cousin Matthew, who makes it abundantly clear she is unwanted. The servants, Edgar and Hannah, are welcoming (Edgar even knows sign language!) but the family estate 'Gallant' isn't the place of dreams. More like nightmares... Olivia has seen ghouls all her life, but why are there so many at Gallant? And why does her mother's journal warn her to stay away?

I was really excited for this book - I love V.E.Schwab - and the premise sounded amazing: creepy, other worlds, and a non verbal character! I'm also claiming Olivia as asexual because of a part from the first section:
...she wanted the flower more than his attention... She wanted to want it, to feel what the other girls felt.
But she didn't. And yet Olivia is full of want...
So yay for more asexual rep!

But... I just didn't feel this book. Is it me? I knew what atmosphere she was trying to create but I couldn't really get into it. I read two sections in one go and then just put it aside for a few days because, quite honestly, I forgot about it! I wasn't engaged. Olivia didn't seem as old as sixteen, and I would have classed this as MG rather than YA except (view spoiler).

Disappointing - but don't take my word for it, I've read lots of good reviews. Maybe I'll try it again at some point... ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 16, 2022 Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: for-a-challenge, read-on-my-kindle, was-expecting-more, would-rather-watch-paint-dry, 2-stars, young-adult, fantasy, e-book, paranormal, borrowed-from-overdrive

2 stars. Beautifully written and super creepy in its tone and atmosphere but the story and characters were weak and left no impression on me whatsoever and that is extremely rare for a Schwab book. I never did really connect with this book. I saw it being compared to Neil Gaiman. Thee Neil Gaiman and yeah, no. Nowhere near. The pacing of this was awful. Nothing happens until damn near the end. Speaking of the end it felt so rushed and anticlimactic. I’m just disappointed in this book. I really e ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 14, 2022 Ashley Basile rated it liked it

Shelves: gr-choice-winner-read

This was ok. I enjoyed the prose and style of the writing, but I wasn't enamored with the actual story. I found my mind wandering to other things while reading, which is a sure sign I'm just not into it. I honestly just don't have much to say about this book. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review