March 2022 Standalone BOTM - Gallant, by V.E. Schwab

[Alaina]

Everything casts a shadow. 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 has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home—to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.

Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.

Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?

**This BOTM thread will be open until April 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

That master of the house: (view spoiler)[ooooo I'm excited for this one! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[What the. This part moved by so freaking quickly. I'm intrigued in Olivia for sure and just need to know more about her. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Okay, yes, she still intrigued me. I also want to know why she doesn't talk. Maybe we will get more information about that. Then there's the journal that leaves me creating so many questions. Heck, this whole book just intrigues me right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 3: (view spoiler)[Uh, I am scared. I wish I had the ebook or physical so I could read the journal parts with my eyes. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 4: (view spoiler)[I mean... they have a right to be mad. Just saying. Also, the whole 'olivia olivia you will stay safe if you stay away from gallant' has me thinking things. Mostly because how could you stay away from it? It's so mysterious! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 5: (view spoiler)[

MY BRAIN DOES NOT COMPUTE. SO MUCH IS HAPPENING. WHAT THE WHAT?!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Part 6: (view spoiler)[No no no no.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[This book freaking flew by and I'm so shocked that it's over. Also, how is this a standalone!?!? I want so much more. (hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Chapter 1&2
(view spoiler)[
What?! I don’t even know where to start as to how to figure out this book. Haha or rather; to guess as to where this book will go. Olivia is interesting. I’m curious as to why the matrons assume she’s hard of hearing instead of mute?! Why is she not given more help? Why is she outcasted and bullied?

And her mother?! Was she really crazy or just struggling?
(hide spoiler)]

[Cindee]

27%(view spoiler)[This book is interesting a great start to my first V.E Schwab book it is really intriguing. I am really liking Olivia in the way she expresses herself even if she cannot talk she is prickly but is a really interesting character to read about. I am liking the plot it tells about her bleak life at the girls school before moving to the strange place she was invited to although when she gets there she is not welcomed the place is strange so I am interested. (hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Chapter 3-4 ( end of part one )
(view spoiler)[
She, who wanted to scream, not in pain but sheer exasperated fury that there was so much noise inside her, and she could not let it out.

Man. Poor Olivia. She just wants to be heard. Literally.

Whoa. An uncle? And gallant. Her mother told her to never go there. Was that just her madness talking? Or was her madness from gallant?!

Also - what’s up with her seeing ghouls?

Soo - the woman in the yard….is it a statue? Ghoul? Person?
Who answers the door!?

(hide spoiler)]

I am so happy. I am so scared. The two, it turns out, can walk together, hand in hand.. Love this quote.

[Kade]

Alaina wrote: "Part 2: [spoilers removed]"

I feel like there has to be some sort of trauma that caused her to be mute? if not that - then does she have / or is she some sort of supernatural being and it's linked to that?

[Ellen-Arwen]

How have people finished this?? It hasn't come out yet! I'm guessing you had arcs - seriously jealous

[Cindee]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "How have people finished this?? It hasn't come out yet! I'm guessing you had arcs - seriously jealous"

It came out on the 1st of this month

[Cindee]

54% (view spoiler)[ I am really loving this book in its mysteriousness and I really love the world and the MC Olivia. I love Olivia she is such a great character the way she sees the world is interesting she wants to understand what happened to her mother and she does not want to leave the first place that feels like home to her. The other characters are interesting I look forward to reading about this other Gallant. I am really loving the plot Olivia is learning more about Gallant wanting to find out more about her mother I just am loving this book will continue it soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Cindee wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "How have people finished this?? It hasn't come out yet! I'm guessing you had arcs - seriously jealous"

It came out on the 1st of this month"

Ah, not in the UK I guess then? My copy is due to arrive on the 10th and I'm super jealous!

[Cindee]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Cindee wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "How have people finished this?? It hasn't come out yet! I'm guessing you had arcs - seriously jealous"

It came out on the 1st of this month"

Ah, not in the UK I..."
ah I guess not

[Cindee]

81%(view spoiler)[ I am loving this book the further I get the more intriguing and mysterious everything gets. I love the characters so much especially Olivia she has finally unraveled so much about herself and her mother and now she wants to fight for the place she wants to call home. I am loving the plot I liked how the mystery slowly unraveled I like how the Prior's are holding back a demon from unleashing terror on the world and how she is connected to this demon I am looking forward to reading how it ends. (hide spoiler)]

[Cindee]

100%(view spoiler)[ I loved this book so much it was amazingly written every word was so interesting along with being mysterious and very intriguing all at the same time. I still love the characters especially Olivia for all her uniqueness and her want to find a place to belong for somewhere to be home she finally found that. I loved the plot I really enjoyed how everything unraveled along the way she found out why things are this way she managed to stop the demon although there were sacrifices for this to happen the ending was pretty good too I do want to read more books by this author for sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Alaina wrote: "That master of the house: [spoilers removed]"
Yes! That was suitably creepy & intriguing!

[Andrea]

Chapter 2
Already intriguing, and the writing is beautiful.
(view spoiler)[I didn't really read the blurb, so didn't know Gallant was a place! Loving the creepy vibes with all the ghouls, and the mystery surrounding her parents' death/disappearance. (hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Part two. Chapters 4-10
(view spoiler)[
Okay so she’s at the house. Clearly no one knew about her which feels weird. Why is Matthew so mad about her existence?

The uncle has been dead a year - did the Home hold it thay long or is this a trick of Gallant and why her mom told her to stay away?!

It seems that a lot of the ghouls she sees are warning her of something. Seems gallant isn’t good right?
Oh no. Her mom is a ghoul there?! Did someone kill her? Or kill herself?

And now we know you livr and die in the house because the ghosts drive them mad. Is Olivia different / not prone to the same fate sinxe she’s been seeing them her whole life?

OHHHHHH did Edgar send the letter?!?!

(hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Part three and master of house . Chapters 11-15
(view spoiler)[
Whoa whoa wait. Is master of house matthew?!? Or is it some master of the ghouls feeding on the priors leading to their deaths?

Poor Matthew and his nightmares. I’m assuming he witnessed his dad dying?


Whatttttt. Is the shadow man Olivia’s dad!?!!
And he couldn’t talk, which is why Olivia can’t talk?
But how did he become what he was?

(hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Part two
(view spoiler)[I have so many questions! Really enjoying the mystery!
So the Priors are guarding the 'wall' between our world and the master's? But it's obviously weakening them, potentially driving them crazy?
And based on Grace's journal, I guess the master can somehow end up possessing them? Or do they get trapped in the other wirld?
But what happens at night, why do they need to stay indoors?

I hope we (and Olivia) will start getting some answers now. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[Oh wow, so is her father one of the master's shadows?! I guess that would then make her a child of both worlds, which would make sense. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[Well, not a surprise that she crossed to the other Gallant, but I really hope this will have a happy ending and that Olivia can stop the master 🥺 (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Part 4
(view spoiler)[That was tense! I do find Matthew really frustrating, though. I feel sorry for him too, but wish he would talk to Olivia instead of blaming her for things she didn't really understand. But what are the odds of the boy in the fountain being Thomas?
Have to say, I really feel Olivia's frustration at not being able to talk or communicate. So well illustrated by VE Schwab! For some reason, I thought she would be able to talk in the other world. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Part 5
(view spoiler)[Those secret passages really came in handy.
I don't really understand the purpose of the shadows, to be honest. Why did the master create them?

This last chapter actually made me think of the confrontation scene in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, when Voldemort asks Harry to join him and they can bring back his parents, but he refuses and uses his hands to harm Voldemort's servant.
Not sure how I feel about it. Not very original, but then I guess hero being tempted by villain is a common theme, as is orphan hero, so makes sense that family would be the temptation. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Finished
(view spoiler)[A bit disappointed by that ending.
It felt a little rushed and I was disappointed that they didn't really seem to achieve anything, compared to where they started.
I mean, a Prior is still guarding the gateway, the demon is probably stronger now, since it had a few moments to feed on the life in the garden. And Matthew's gone...
I guess it's just not what I expected. I hoped they would somehow manage to restore the wall (ideally without either one of them dying for it).

Very atmospheric and very well written, but I'm not in love with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Part four - chapter 16-21
(view spoiler)[

I still don’t understand some of it. So the master is death. But what were the smaller shadows like Olivia’s dad. And how was he able to create a child. 😂
And why he had the masters molar?!

So she crossed through the door and saw the ghouls. The ghouls helped her. But they’ clearly don’t want to be there with the master, Rivht?

I’m so confused.

(hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Part five. Chapter 22-27
(view spoiler)[
Finally Matthew is telling her what she needed to know.
And now they know his younger brother is still alive somehow.

It’s admirable that Olivia treats Matthew so kindly and is willing to sacrifice to help save him.

Soo Thomas is actually alive?

(hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Part six. - the end.
(view spoiler)[

Man. I knew matthew would die. But I didn’t think I’d feel so sad about it. I loved that his father came out to welcome into death almost.

It’s sad to know Olivia will meet the same fate as Matthew and the others. And the question is will death die with Olivia?

(hide spoiler)]

[Kade]

Alaina wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Right! It left me with so many questions!

[Kade]

Andrea wrote: "Finished
A bit disappointed by that ending.
It felt a little rushed and I was disappointed that they didn't really seem to achieve anything, compared to where they started.
I mean, a Prior is stil..."

Yes! I was hoping they’d both make it through and save the wall. There was so much room for them to bond and learn from each other. I also wish the book touched more upon her “powers/gifts.” She didn’t tell anyone about them, which seems like a waste?

[Kade]

while reading through y’all’s posts, I have questions I’d love to hear everyone’s input on.
(view spoiler)[
The book never touched upon why she’s mute. Is it medical? Trauma based? Because of who her dad is? I’m leaning towards the last one; because clearly he didn’t speak. And that leads into - could her mom hear him in her mind too?

Who are the original ghouls Death has? How did he get them, especially Olivia’s father. They almost not be priors right? And also / how does a ghoul have sex and procreate when no one touch them?! 😂

Why didn’t Olivia tell anyone about her gifts? The ending did seem a tad rushed, and so much left unsaid. What happens from there? Death is obviously still alive and thriving with Olivia there. Will she remain single? Have kids ? Continue the Prior family line / legacy in the house or will the house “die” with her?

Was it said all Priors could see ghouls? Or can only Olivia because of who her father is?

Why didn’t her uncle or the others send for Olivia sooner? Besides the fact Matthew wanted her to stay away. They knew she was an orphan / in an orphanage…it doesn’t seem right they’d rather she be alone like tbat?

Most of that is just me reading too deep into a literal fantasy book. 😂.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alicia]

I'm starting now!

[Alicia]

I am loving the pictures in here. They work really well in black and white. Whoever decided adults can still enjoy illustrations has my thanks.

[Alicia]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[Okay, so I went in thinking Stranger Things upside down based on the cover, and nothing is changing my mind yet. Also, can we talk about how creepy the ghouls are? Just parts of people lingering behind that don't neccessarily build to anything. (hide spoiler)]

[Alicia]

Side note: I am loving how this is centred around a house. I went to an author talk once with her as the speaker years ago, and she described how she creates her fantasy worlds with a house analogy. How she designs this world as a house with everything in, but closes everything up so no one else knows. Then she lets readers walk past to see the outside shell, or peek in a window to see some of the details, then later on how she might open a door or pull back some curtains so the reader can see further into the house and uncover just that little bit more. And honestly, it's just a perfect memory to go along with reading this book about a fantasy house.

[Alicia]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)["I want to ask her if she sees that she belongs to that other place, but she is too young to speak." Is this why Olivia can't talk? 🧐 (hide spoiler)]

[Alicia]

Okay, I got distracted reading and forgot to post updates. Overall, very atmospheric and sufficently creepy without being graphic horror or nightmare inducing.

[Alicia]

End (view spoiler)[Heads up: this will mostly be rambling questions at this point.
Random thing to fixate on, but why didn't the ghouls stuck on death's side come through the gate and help fight? And then they could stay with their family instead of trapped apart. They're obviously still sentient and able to make choices.
And when they fought and removed bones, why didn't she at least try to crush them under her boot or something? She knew her mother's diary off by heart, only destroying the bones keeps him from recovering.
I did think there was going to be a twist where the seal had to be spoken out loud to activate and that would be the end of the world right there. Which would have sucked and been too harsh in my opinion. Rubbing an inability in someone's face is not cool, so I was glad it didn't happen. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[oooo Olivia might be ace! I don’t know if that comment about her not wanting the boy was confirmation or just a throw away thought. Imma keep my eyes peeled 👀 (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 (view spoiler)[this house is for sure creepy but I’m really curious about how everything works. I’m curious about Olivia and this manor (hide spoiler)]

[Alicia]

Kade wrote: "while reading through y’all’s posts, I have questions I’d love to hear everyone’s input on.
Hmmm. I'll tackle some, but there might just be more questions. (view spoiler)[Can the mum hear him. I think in the journal entries it mentioned him talking and her not being sure whose voice it was, so he must have been able to talk. Maybe when he crossed over, or as the favourite he was given the ability.
Death made four soldiers from body parts (very Adam and Eve style) who were shades, not ghouls. So they can touch because they have different rules. (She runs into one trying to escape and they sword fight them. So those four and Death are corporeal when they need to be.)
Olivia is not really close to anyone or very trusting. She doesn't have anyone to tell. She and her cousin have very limited communication, and I guess before the end fight when everyone was brainstorming it wasn't an advantage so she left it out.
Not sure why she didn't just grab the shades and explode them all though, or try it out on death.
I don't think all the Priors could see ghouls as much as Olivia could (guessing because of who her father was) because they didn't know her mother was dead. I did think they assumed she was with her mother/not know of her existence, but then they had a list of all the palces she might be, and so that could all be wrong. If they did know they were probably trying to spare her. Even a miserable orphanage is better than being basically tortured until they die young. (hide spoiler)]

[Andrea]

Kade wrote: (view spoiler)[ Yes! I was hoping they’d both make it through and save the wall. There was so much room for them to bond and learn from each other. I also wish the book touched more upon her “powers/gifts.” She didn’t tell anyone about them, which seems like a waste?..." (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Agreed, would have like to see them become friends.
Forgot to write this at the time, but I was so surprised Olivia didn't just drag him through the gate into the side of the world where she could restore life! I thought she would save him that way 😕 (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Part 1 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Olivia stood up for herself to that bully and now she's getting out of that place.
Seeing ghouls would be super creepy but she handles it well. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Part 1: [spoilers removed]"

Very quickly

[Aly]

Cindee wrote: "27%[spoilers removed]"

Olivia definitely knows how to get her point across