⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Gallant by @veschwab is my first and potentially favourite read of 2022.

PUB DAY: March 1st, 2022

I know I’ve said this a thousand times to at least a thousand people but when I was younger I watched the movie Coraline every single day for at least two years. Gallant is definitely different from Coraline in many ways but it emulates a very similar energy. It is dark, gloomy and a bit sinister which I live for! The characters are unusual, and the plot was unpredictable (I didn’t read the synopsis prior to reading this book which may have added to the mystery). I also loved the lyrical writing style, illustrations and pacing of the story. I had the opportunity to attending my first virtual Q & A earlier in December with Victoria Schwab and it was exciting hearing about her inspirations for this book and seeing aspects of those inspirations imbedded throughout this story.

Honestly….. this book had no business being so good!!! After finishing this ARC I pre-ordered the hardback version because I need this on my shelf.

Anyways highly recommend ❤️ and thank you to the Author and @hccfrenzy for a copy of this ARC!

Gallant is a book with a spooky gothic atmosphere and it really pulled me in. The main character, Olivia, does not speak throughout the book - there are aspects to this that frustrate me, but I did like the way it changed how she dealt with the world.

The premise of this reminded me of Coraline - and I did love the general idea. I liked the ending of this the most - it’s what got me to round up from 4.5 to 5 stars.

The writing never dragged and kept my attention the entire way through. The descriptions never felt unnecessary but were important for setting the scene and vibe. I would have liked more information (or more after that ending!) but I think part of this books charm is that it leaves off in such an open ended way.

I liked the theme of family and finding out about Olivia’s parents. I thought the villain of this book was neat! I did like Olivia even though she had a bit of a “not like other girls” thing going on.

This was the first book of V.E Schwab’s that I’ve had the pleasure of reading - and it won’t be the last. It is a uniquely captivating story of life and death and all that we gain - and lose - along the way. The way this story unfolded - with some fascinating illustrations that were significant to the telling of the story - was absolutely incredible! This book was, at times, a bit on the creepy/haunting side as it deals with the paranormal - which is usually not something I’m really into - but I found I had a hard time putting this book down. I have no doubt that this book will fly off the shelves once it lands - and what I will say to the readers who scoop this book up is that this one is worth purchasing a physical copy of just for the cover/illustrations alone - but on top of that, the story will hook you from the outset and you definitely wont be disappointed!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Pubishers Ltd for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

V. E. Schwab has done it again. Although I tend to enjoy the depth and complexities of her adult fantasies more, Schwab weaves a darkly magical tale with Gallant that captured my full attention with its deeply emotional current. Portal fantasies are my favorite kind of fantasy, and this one didn't disappoint. While the story is simple, the lush prose gives the reader an incredible sense of place and atmosphere. Throughout this book, I found I wasn't reading it for the plot so much as for the way the writing made me feel. It has the telltale signs of a V. E. Schwab book, which for me is being told a completely unique story while giving me a sense of nostalgia at the same time; a new adventure with the comfort of a familiar place. Recommended for anyone looking for something creepy, whimsical, heart wrenching, and full of hope all at once.

Immediately the enticing darkness of this novel drew me in. The character development was almost palpable. Olivia is an unusual character that does not appear to connect well with others. She has deep feelings that she does not share. Her inability to speak really compounds her problems in relating with those around her, and thus she is shunned. Olivia is, however, able to take care of herself and fights back. It is not until she is able to leave the orphanage that she finds a "family" and people that understand and care for her.

Gallant is the one place her deceased mother warns her about in her journals, yet that is where she finds home. Her cousin does not want her there initially but the two come to terms with each other eventually. Gallant is a mysterious place full of silent ghouls and shadow people. The caretakers are wary of telling Olivia much about the house and so the ghouls lead her to an understanding of what is happening. The last few chapters of the book are captivating as Olivia begins to discover the secrets of the wall behind the mansion and beyond. She and her cousin fight for their lives and the people of our world.

Although I believe this is a stand alone novel there definitely is room for a sequel. I would gladly gobble the next book up!

This is one of those books that I feel really bad for not loving. I can tell it’s a work of art. I’m just not the right audience.
This book is for those who appreciate beautiful writing, even when it takes first place, and moving the story forward takes second place.
This is for readers who love gorgeous exposition and haunting prose. For whom dialogue doesn’t really matter.
I just wanted to get through it, honestly, because it’s not my type of book. But I think that other readers will adore it.

Olivia Prior was left on the doorsteps of Merilance School for girls when she was very young with nothing but her mother's old journal in hand. She never felt as though she belonged and has always wished someone was out there waiting for her to come home. Then she receives a note from an uncle she never knew she had, calling her to return to Gallant. When Olivia arrives, no one seems to want her there, other than the ghouls in the wall that seem to follow her everywhere she turns. Gallant is hiding secrets, and when Olivia crosses a crumbling wall in the garden, she discovers a replica of Gallant, that houses death himself - and he wants out.

I became engrossed in this story right from the first page. I really loved Olivia as a main character, although she never talks, she is so expressive and interesting to read about. The supporting characters of Hannah and Edgar were wonderful, and I loved how quickly they accepted Olivia into Gallant. The overall spooky and gothic vibes of Gallant was so fun to read, and I loved immersing myself into the two houses and the mystery within them. The ghouls were definitely my favourite part of the story, I found them so interesting and wish we could know more about them all.

I ended up giving it 4/5 Stars because the ending was so abrupt, I was left wanting more in the end.

Hmm, I am really conflicted on this.

I think that I needed to read this in one sitting, with the physical illustrations, in front of a fireplace on a dreary rainy day. I just don't feel like I got the full dose of atmosphere?

Writing-wise, this was very classic Schwab and I love how she evokes so much atmosphere, but I just felt like they didn't get the chance to build enough suspense in a stand-alone fantasy like this.

That said, I'd like to give this another try in the above mentioned conditions and see how I feel and I do think most people will enjoy it!

Fans of Victoria Schwab have almost certainly been counting down the days for her latest release, Gallant. This is a story very much fitting in with popular demand – haunted legacies and houses, gothic vibes, and determined souls.

Her whole life, Olivia Prior thought she was alone. An orphan with no voice and no family. No one in Merilance School for girls knows sign language anymore, so she has been forced to keep to herself this whole time. Well, mostly. The ghouls haunting the halls occasionally keep her company, whether she wants them to or not.

One day, Olivia's life is changed forever. She receives a letter – one that indicates that not only does she have family, but that family desperately wishes her home. How could she not follow? Her family's home is known as Gallant, and Olivia quickly realizes that there is more than meets the eye here.

“When people see tears, they stop listening to your hands or your words or anything else you have to say. And it doesn't matter if the tears are angry or sad, frightened or frustrated. All they see is a girl crying.”

I recently fell in love with Victoria Schwab's writing, but I am so lucky to have found her before Gallant was released. This was a fantastic read with dark paranormal elements that I just absolutely fell in love with.

Holy cow. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to feel going into Gallant. I am still feeling a little enthralled by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and thus really wasn't sure how this next novel would compare. I needn't have worried.

Gallant is very much a vibrant gothic read that had such a unique twist on the world. Honestly, I would love nothing more than to see an adaptation of this beauty – it would be striking.
Everything from the characters to the world had me on the edge of my seat, right up until the end.
Olivia's personality is fierce, despite everything else going on in her life. Perhaps I should say in spite of? I would not have any character other than her lead us through this journey, as she is the story as much as the plot itself.

The best part about Gallant is that it is a shockingly approachable and atmospheric read. In that sense, I think a slightly younger audience would appreciate this read as well (mind you, not too young! There is a lot of death within these pages, among other things).

Part of me really wants to set aside some time to sit down and reread Gallant. I think that is precisely what I will do. And knowing me, I'll also celebrate the release by rereading it, because why not?

Gallant is a wonderfully crafted fantasy (no surprise from Schwab) that will make you want to come back and visit Olivia's story again and again to pick up on all the nuances and layers, from the gorgeous illustrations to the haunting story. The Secret Garden was one of my favorite books as a child, and I love how this story is reminiscent of it, yet totally unique, with a dark edge. I particularly love how she has chosen to portray Olivia. From many other writers, this character's silence would make for slow, uninteresting scenes...but not so with Olivia at all. She is fierce, she is clever, and you just long for her to get the love she so desperately deserves. And it's wonderful to see more representation in our main characters. Schwab's mysterious, compelling world will stick with me, as will Olivia.

Gallant was one of the most refreshing reads I was able to get to this year. I absolutely loved Schwab's writing style! Olivia's character is so unique and I was amazed at how well the author was able to make her appear so vibrant on the page. I really appreciated the way Schwab wrote a non-verbal character. It didn't feel insulting or insensitive, and I would love to find more books that are similar.
World-building wise, I love how fleshed out and mesmerizing the world was. The two Gallants didn't feel restrictive, and the prose added strong thematic tones that helped to make them distinctive.
I loved the illustrations! I love that they were able to be tied into the story (though I would have still loved them if they were simply text adjacent). Reading this book, I felt a bit like Olivia Prior must have whilst trying to decode her mother's journal. I knew there was something I was missing, and I love that the entries were written in a way that conveyed there was something weird at play, but didn't give it all away before it was time.
I'm looking forward to this book's release! I already have it in mind for recommendations for both young and older readers!

I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia Prior has grown up in an orphanage, filling her surroundings with as much noise as she can muster to make up for her inability to speak. All she has is her mother's journal to keep her company, pondering the mysteries inside over and over again until, one day, she receives a letter in the mail from an unknown uncle, asking her to come to the family estate--Gallant.

When Olivia arrives, it is not to fanfare, but to anger and despair. Her cousin, Matthew, demands she leaves, but Olivia refuses, even as the ghouls that haunt the estate warn her to stay away.

The past and Death haunts the grounds of Gallant in more ways than one as Olivia rushes to discover its secrets, determined to make space for herself like she always had to.

I saw some reviews that talked about how the pacing of the book was very slow, that nothing seemed to be wrapped up at the end of the book, or how the "whole plot" was in the synopsis... They're all a bit true, but this book was based on Gothic horror and that's what the genre is about. Watch movies like Crimson Peak and see the comparisons.

There were moments described that were utterly creepy--the way the ghouls presented themselves to Olivia; the way the gate to another dimension was always trying to break its way into Olivia's world; or how Olivia had narrow escapes while trying to protect those she's come to care for.

I'm not a person who seeks out horror, so this was just the right amount of spooky for me. I enjoyed the book and its gothic atmosphere.

I received an ARC of this at work and I can’t wait to see the finished copy. The illustrations and the overall format of the book were so interesting and I’m sure the artwork will only be cooler in the finished edition! I liked Olivia as a protagonist and Victoria Schwab created an interesting world and physical space in Gallant. A creepy story about doorways, curiosity, and the things that might lie on the other side. Definitely going to hand sell this at work once it’s released in March!

I love V.E. Schwab’s writing, and this book just continues my admiration of her craft. Her word choice is always *chef’s kiss* and she never fails to draw me in to the story.
Gallant is about Olivia, an orphaned girl with no memory of her parents beyond the strange journal her mother left her. She receives a letter from her uncle asking her to come live with her family at Gallant. She quickly discovers that there is a parallel Gallant, and the master of that Gallant is hungry to come into our world and devour life.
Things I really liked: I particularly thought the way the ghouls were described and the part they played in the book worked really well. As mentioned before, I also just love Schwab’s writing in general. The story kept me engaged and I found myself frequently thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, which I always take as a good sign!

I'm not sure I can say anything to even bring this book justice. It was stunning, from beginning to end.

This is the story of mute orphan Olivia Prior, who has only her journal to connect to her to her parents. She cannot make noise with her voice, and has always felt like an outsider at the orphanage where she has lived for most of her life. She receives a letter from a long-lost uncle inviting her to come stay at Gallant house, the place her mother's journal always warned her against. But Olivia has never had a family, so she sets off to get to know these relations who seem so excited to welcome her home.

Once she arrives, however, she is not greeted warmly. Her cousin, the now head-of-household wants her gone for reasons he will not explain. Olivia will not go without cause, however, and begins to explore Gallant house, discovering that death lies not too far away, and should it be released, will eat everything it comes across. Only Olivia can help lift the darkness that has settled over Gallant house, and she hopes to understand something of her family along the way. There are ghosts and ghouls that only she can see. The writing is beautiful. I think there's something for everyone in this gorgeous novel, and I'm so thankful that I've read it.

A sweeping story about a girl trying to find her place: about family loyalty and what one would do to preserve everything you have. This book looks at the other side of life and what might be on the other side of the wall. This gripping tale will have you feverishly turning pages to see what will happen next and when you come to the end, you will feel like you have run a race, but not everyone wins. I discovered VE Schwab through Addie LaRue and the Shades of Magic Trilogy. She has quickly become my must-buy author, and I look forward to exploring her previous books as well as her upcoming works.

I didn't finish it.

I was so excited to read it, and I really loved the premise, as well as a main character who doesn't speak. But halfway through and the book really wasn't engaging me. The pace was incredibly slow and I don't think I'd be able to interest a kid in this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The heroine in this book doesn’t even cross that garden wall until about 60% in, but it never felt like it dragged. I caught some very Gaiman-esque vibes here, which, if you know me, you know that is high praise. It’ll my biggest issue here was how quickly the plot actually resolved after it had picked up. It felt a tad rushed. But it was an enjoyable ride, nevertheless.

“You will be safe as long as you stay away from Gallant.”

Gallant presents a journey of belonging and sorrow. Of family lost and found. Of exploring darkness and overcoming it. I found the gothic atmosphere mysterious and curious rather than frightening and scary. However, it’s creepy enough to spook younger middle-grade readers (says the girl who devoured Stephen King as a child). Olivia is resilient, unconventional, and stubborn as could be. She doesn’t seek to confirm with the girls at the orphanage. She’s a wonderfully rounded character whose journey feels natural. The pacing of the first half of the book is slower but lays a lot of groundwork for an exciting later half. My heart broke for the Priors and Matthew. The world is small, but it’s beautifully built, unlike a certain wall at the edge of a garden. I wanted to stay there longer, and I’m honestly saddened to know this is a stand-alone. VE Schwab is a master storyteller, and Gallant is no exception. She has a way of reeling her readers in and not letting them go.

Schwab does middle grade well, and I think fans of her Tunnel of Bones series will like this one as well.