Victoria Schwab is a master of words. Gallant, her latest work, lives up to the hype. It's lush, vibrant, and dark in a way only she can achieve.

This book was amazing. Victoria Schwab is one of my favorite authors so I went into this book with high expectations. It didn't disappoint.

Once again, Schwab is masterful at weaving a magical story. I found myself captivated by the unraveling of the many mysteries presented in this book. Gallant, itself, proved to be even more fascinating than I could have anticipated.

Olivia is a great main character. It was unique to have a main character that does not speak. And yet, Olivia was able to make herself heard when she wanted to be.

My only complaint is that this book didn't feel long enough. The plot didn't really pick up until about halfway through, which led to the ending feeling a bit rushed. I also found myself frustrated to still have some lingering questions unanswered (or at least not answered as fully as I would have liked.) I would definitely read another book in this story's universe!

Holy cow, Victoria Schwab can write a story. I think I say that at the end of all of her books, but time and time again, I am shocked at how her stories unravel. There was so much to love about this book - the main characters, the villains, the secret garden, the journal, and all of the twists and reveals. Just so good! The beginning starts a little slow as the main character, and the reader are on the same foot, but the story takes off once we get the first big reveal.

I was very sad at the end of this book. I was sad because it was over, because of some characters' fates, and because I want to know what happens next! I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this early.

Gallant is a dark, melancholy, and gorgeous tale of ghosts, family, and belonging, and it's easily my favorite of Victoria's young adult works. Our mute and determined heroine, Olivia Prior, is one of Schwab's most memorable protagonists and the lush, bloody world of Gallant is one that I would love to see more from. With its family history, beautiful artwork, and a mirrored world but a step away from our own, this story feels timeless in the way that many fairy tales do, and while the comparisons to The Secret Garden and Crimson Peak were dead on, Gallant's quiet ferocity makes it stands out not only against other stories of its kind, but against Schwab's own impressive backlist as well. This one is perfect for fans of Coraline, The Near Witch, and Mexican Gothic, and I can't wait to see where Schwab's young adult fiction takes us next.

The book begins with a note from Victoria Schwab about her interest in doors throughout her life. As a person who as always been fascinated with keys and doors, I was already excited to see where this was going.

I would say, it's like a very dark Secret Garden (which was also one of my favorite stories growing up). What if what was on the other side of that hidden door wasn't an amazing magical place, but a terrifying one? What if there's a curse on a home you've finally found and the only place you've ever felt you belonged?

It's fascinating and haunting and I wasn't able tp put it down.

I've been thinking long and hard about what to write or what to say about Gallant. Each and every time I think of what I can say about the time I spent curled up inside these pages I fall short.

To me as well as many other millions of readers books are more than just books. They are a leaf that carries us away through gentle streams into another world, another time.

That is how it was for Gallant and me. I felt as though I held a dream of Victoria Schwab's in my hand. Gallant starts with a dream of family and home and gives us much more than we could have ever hoped for.

If you have ever dreamt of home, of magic, of monsters than please do me a favor and spend some time inside this dream. Like a leaf on a steady stream of water, let the words carry you and your imagination away.

Wow. This was a very unique book. I definitely didn't know what to expect going in, but I really liked it. It was dark and lovely.

Although this one is entertaining, it seems maybe too dark for kids in the classroom who might be a bit sensitive. I know that sounds silly, but that’s what I thought of as I read it.

Olivia Prior has no family and no voice. Her only tie to her mother is an old journal with a G on the cover, the ramblings of a woman going mad, and seemingly bizarre sketches.
Olivia grew up in Merilance School for Girls- an orphanage where she endured bullying from both the other children and the teachers. When she receives a letter from a long lost uncle asking her to come home, Olivia hopes things are about to turn around for her.
Gallant certainly moved fast enough to keep my attention, but it has a kind of slow burn feel to it. I loved the way the story of Gallant and of Olivia's parents unfold. There is a dark, creepy vibe to the whole thing, but that feeling doesn't overwhelm.
Schwab's writing style shines through here. Every word is purposefully chosen, every turn of phrase elicits imagery. She is a MASTER storyteller.
I would recommend this book for all ages. It is appropriate enough for the YA readers, and has enough depth for the adult readers.
Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Greenwillow Books, and HarperCollins Childrens for the opportunity to read for review.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC version of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This book was, in a word, masterful. I could see the parallels right away between The Secret Garden, and it was done so well. I loved Olivia, and her uniqueness, and the importance that gives to her story. I loved the history of Gallant, the secrets hidden in its walls. The ghouls were an especially nice touch. I wish I could read this one for the first time again.

Best book I’ve read in 2021. Highly recommend.

Spooky, enchanting, and makes you want more!
I loved Olivia’s story and this book is much! I can’t wait to put a copy in my classroom.
This gave me spooky vibes and will be a fun read around Halloween.

Gallant is a story about an orphan who finds out she has a family. In discovering her family, she also finds out about herself and a century’s long duty her family must uphold. Schwab is a masterful storyteller that makes you feel like you are in this story. The main character, Olivia, is mute, and I could feel her frustration in being unable to express her thoughts and ideas she wanted to convey. I do wish Matthew’s character would have been more developed. When he died I felt no remorse.

I was provided an E-ARC for this book by Netgalley and this review will contain no spoilers.

I love all things Victoria Schwab, so I was very excited to receive an E-ARC for Gallant. Gallant is GORGEOUS. Schwab continues to give us lush worlds and build atmospheric places for us to sink into. The characters are interesting and well developed, but what really struck me about this book is how it all comes together. Schwab masterfully weaves pieces she's already given us together to create an even more beautiful whole and gives us the chance to view things from another perspective, much like the characters do in the book. This was gorgeous and I can't wait to buy a physical copy because I think it will one I come back to over and over again.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book! V. E Schwab is one of my all time favorite writers and this book did not disappoint!

Gallant tells the story of a girl named Olivia Prior. The story opens with her at an orphanage and shows how she struggles to keep her head above water in a ruthless environment of bullying girls and hostile matrons. Olivia was left on the steps of the orphanage when she was two and the only clue she had about her mother is a journal that has a letter 'G' engraved onto the cover, and which is filled with letters and pictures she assumes was written by her mother.

The story only starts when a letter comes for Olivia, calling her back to her family home - one she was not aware existed - Gallant.

Gallant falls into an odd age bracket where everyone from Middle Grade to Adult could read it and enjoy it. It does deal with the duality between life and death and is definitely written with a horror genre in mind. However, the type of horror in the story is very human. And while things like ghouls are mentioned and described a lot, it makes the reader sympathetic to the beings. This book does drag the reader into it, albeit a little slowly at first, but completely at the end.

I would definitely recommend this book to any customer looking for something slightly creepy but with a lot of heart. The advanced copy also included the absolutely stunning illustrations done for the story. The entire book truly is a work of art!

Gallant is a deliciously horripilating book of ghouls and curses; a careful, dark, poetic tale of life and death, of family, of fate and choice, and of both realizing and deciding where we belong.

A perfect story to read on a dark, chilly evening with a good blanket, a mug of tea, and a plate of toast.

nother book from Victoria Schwab for readers of all (or at least most) ages!

Olivia Prior is all alone and living most of her life (from what she can remember) at Merilance School for Girls. Her only company is a journal of her mother’s filled with thoughts that don’t quite make much sense but that still bring comfort to her in the midst of a lonely life without much love or feelings of belonging.

One day, unexpectedly, a letter arrives from a supposed uncle asking Olivia to come home to Gallant, where she has a family who loves her and people waiting to welcome her back. But upon arrival, Olivia feels less than welcomed and over time begins to discover that there’s a lot more to Gallant than meets the eye and more to her mother’s journal than she initially realized.

Something sits and waits behind a gate on Gallant’s grounds, and it is hungry. What will Olivia discover beyond, and can she muster the courage to save the something (and someones) that she’s only just found, or will she be too late?

What I Loved:
- This has Victoria Schwab’s writing style all over it. The phrases she strings together to describe feelings and sometimes small, but momentous and meaningful events … chef’s kiss. No one writes like she does.
- I loved the gloomy atmosphere, but it wasn’t too stifling and it didn’t overwhelm, it just was. While the story wasn’t super crystal clear on a historic timeline, it felt very Victorian era but I imagine it might’ve been a bit more recent than that (early ish 1900s?). It almost gave me “A Little Princess” vibes in regards to atmosphere and setting.
- There were so many fun elements to the house, Gallant, that I loved, like secret passageways and hidden doors leading to other places. It was easy to get wrapped up in the adventure of exploring spaces.
- I loved the story of Olivia’s parents that is slowly revealed.
- The premise was really interesting and had scenes that were slightly reminiscent of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell as well as Shades of Magic.
- I loved the “friendly ghost” aspect that was really key to the story and their abilities to interact with Olivia in the way they did.

What I Didn’t Love:
- While this book did end on a positive note, there were plenty of little moments of sadness (though they were all part of the story and well done and necessary, etc., etc.)
- Aside from that, I only wish that there had been more.

Overall:
I really loved this book. There was something about it that was soothing to fall into. I always picked it up at night before bed and felt like I was reading myself to sleep with a good middle grade novel. There were some fantasy, horror, and sort of paranormal elements to this story, but it wasn’t too creepy, though for much younger readers there might be a character or few that an active imagination could run away with. I think it’d be a great read for middle graders and up. (And yes, definitely adults!)

Content Warnings:
- Loss of family members (grief, coping)
- Death of a relative
- A tinge bit of violence but nothing wild

Other Notes:
- Free of language
- No mature content
- Potentially a character or two that might be deemed a bit scary for younger readers

Thank you to Netgalley and Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins for an e-ARC of this book!

This title combines the wonder of discovering a hidden world in a vein similar to "The Secret Garden", but with a darker twist. It also incorporates the same sense of stumbling upon a doorway that feels akin to Seanan McGuire's "Wayward Children" series. Therefore, the book is perfect for anyone that likes being a little lost in worlds that only seem to be one step away from our reality.

Abandoned at the Merilance School for girls, Olivia Prior only has her mother's journal, which is filled with strange illustrations and rambling entries. This all changes when Olivia receives a letter from her long-lost uncle inviting her to come to Gallant. Desperate for a place to belong, Olivia heads to the Gallant and uncovers secrets about her family. For next to Gallant, exists a parallel world, where a dark lord resides and rules over ghouls and other shadows. Olivia decides to stay behind, but she must decide between picking up the Prior mantle or joining the Master of the House.

Schwab delivers a darker version of a lost child coming home and ultimately finding their place in the world. Olivia's story is enjoyable and rewarding as she progresses from being an unwanted child to discovering her purpose as she fights back against the shadows in her newfound home. However, this book felt like it was directed at a younger audience and as a result, did not delve into darker themes, but instead treaded in the spoopy territory. I would have loved to see more complex world-building and character arcs, but this was a solid standalone for those who love a haunted manor story.

I...wow, is all I have to say right now.

Gallant is full of mystery and wonder. It's equal parts horror and exquisite prose, unsettling yet impossible to put down. It remains one of the more difficult books for me to pin down, genre-wise. It's as if literary fiction and horror and YA combined to have this utter beast of a book. And it worked so, so well.

The family history and dynamic was addictive; the prose made me feel as if I were with Olivia at Gallant, watching her look towards the garden wall, wondering what's just across the way.

As always, Schwab is a powerhouse of an author, and this book doesn't disappoint.

I'm unable to read this copy as I need a kindle version. I will edit and update my feedback as needed once I'm able to download a copy onto my kindle and read it. Thank you.

Thank you so much to publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!!

I don’t even know what to say. Ms. Schwab has done it again and I’ve fallen in love with another one of her books. I’m obsessed with the darkness, the way she ties sadness and strength together. Just ahhhh loved it so much!

Olivia, an orphan at a school for orphan girls, only has vague memories of her mother, but she has her journal. And when a mysterious letter comes from an uncle she never knew she had, she takes the opportunity to escape the orphanage. She arrived at Gallant and realizes the house and everyone in it is full of secrets. Determined to discover them, she realizes she may not want to know Gallant’s secrets. Full of shadows, death, and darkness she crosses over to an alternate world, a shadow world, and sees where she truly came from.

This book is just…. Oh em gee. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, dark and light, full of hopelessness and promise. The juxtaposition of everything is so well done and I loved original content that felt like a new fairytale. This has definitely become a new favorite of mine.