VE Schwab’s lyrical prose shines through in her newest release, Gallant. While a seemingly short read, coming in at a little under 300 pages, it does not lack complexity or depth. This book weaves a gothic tale reminiscent of the classics you find being taught in classrooms across America.

Olivia has never had a family. Raised by matrons at Merilance School for girls, she’s always been an outcast. She does not fit in and she does not have a voice to make a sound, making her an easy target for the other girls. What she does have is her mother’s journal, full of secrets more than comforting words. She also has the ghouls. Surrounded by decaying specters most of her life, Olivia is long past feeling afraid.

Her life changes when a letter arrives from an uncle welcoming her home - home to Gallant. But according to her mother’s journal, Gallant is the one place Olivia must never go if she wishes to remain safe. But Olivia sees no choice and she’s immensely curious about the family she’s never had.

When she arrives she’s greeted by a long-defunct mansion and her unwelcoming cousin, Matthew, who’s determined to see her back on her way to somewhere else, anywhere else. Olivia resists and begins exploring Gallant and its grounds trying to uncover the shadowy secrets that haunt its halls and her family. But she finds more than she bargained for when she steps into another world, one hungry to get out and devour more than just her.

Gallant is engaging from start to finish with quick pacing that does not get bogged down despite its more flowery language. VE Schwab is masterful at not overdoing details while still giving readers a full picture of the atmosphere and emotions behind her story. Gallant trends more towards her style in The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue but with a darker twist. It is also more of a cerebral story that goes deeper than just surface level, much like Addie LaRue. It leaves things up for interpretation, for the reader to fill in the gaps in their mind - but in a purposeful way that leaves a reader thinking about it long after the cover is shut.

One thing to note: while the narrator of Gallant is fabulous, the physical book is the superior option due to the illustrations and details throughout that lend themselves to the story in a way that does not fully translate to audio.

Overall, this is a stellar book for any Schwab fan or anyone looking for a quick gothic read. It's appropriate for a younger reader who is looking for a spooky book, and a great jumping-off point for maybe more mature content down the road.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab follows an unusual young woman named Olivia Prior. Olivia has always been perceived as odd by those around her due to her mutism, but what truly makes Olivia strange is her ability to see ghouls— the half-decayed ghosts of people long-gone. She’s grown up an orphan, with nothing but her late mother’s journal as any proof she ever had family at all. The journal is not a happy one— but one that shows her mother’s descent into madness and death, ending with a warning: “The shadows are not real, the dreams can never hurt you, and you will be safe as long as you stay away from Gallant.” And yet, Gallant proves hard to stay away from when a letter from her long-lost uncle appears at the school and she’s forced to leave everything behind to be reunited with her estranged family. But when she arrives at Gallant, her uncle is long-dead and there’s more going on than anyone will tell her— the dreams are becoming more real, the ghouls she sees are of members of her own family, and there’s something hidden on the other side of the garden wall… V.E. Schwab does it again with a perfectly atmospheric and eerie tale unlike any I’ve ever read before! The descriptions toe the line of visually appealing and utterly creepy, and the questions will keep you searching for answers until the very last page. This book may not be for everyone, but if you like books that are spooky but not scary, fantastical but not fantasy, and full of questions and mysteries, then I would highly recommend you check this one out!

While this isn't usually my wheelhouse, it's VE Schwab so I had to read it. The writing is definitely good. It was delivered in a suspenseful way albeit a bit slow. It still would make you want to continue reading the book further. As a whole, I think it was not bad of read!

This was my first V.E. Schwab book. If her other books are that good.... it won't be my last!

I grew up obsessed with gothic literature. I am really happy to reconnect with the genre!

Many many thanks to HarperCollins Canada for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Absolutely marvelous gothic mystery! It was a dream of a book. It's definitely one I will recommend to the teens coming to my programs. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

V.E. Schwab may not be for me anymore. It took me 75% of the book to figure out where we were going here, and a compelling premise turned into a disappointment.

V.E. Schwab never fails to give beautifully written work, and "Gallant" is no exception. The world pulls you in with mystery and shadows that make you search for the full picture throughout the story. Though I was enraptured by the world, I was left wanting more at the end. I felt as though I didn't fully connect to the characters and did not have enough emotional investment in their success. The characters and situations were very interesting and I simply wanted to get to know and relate to them more! Unfortunately, the climactic moment left me wanting becuase I lacked those connections.

V.E. Schwab crafts a beautifully interesting world with incredibly interesting chracters and situations, but I wanted to feel more for them so that I could be invested in them and their cause.

Let’s talk about beautiful prose in today’s #caittalksbooks

I’ve been a fan of @veschwab since I stumbled upon the otherworldly library in THE ARCHIVED. Schwab recently said that she never writes for the same reader, but I must politely disagree as a reader of hers who loves all the stories she pens. From a writing perspective, I completely understand her perspective though because each stories is so different from one another that a reader of one might not love another.

But GALLANT? Who could not love this atmospheric, gothic, SECRET GARDEN-esque story?

Olivia Prior has never truly had a home, until she discovers her family ties to Gallant. Despite her unexpected arrival, her hostile cousin, & the ghouls haunting the halls, Olivia refuses to leave until she learns Gallant’s secrets. Crossing a ruined wall at just the right time propels her into a parallel world where Gallant is crumbling & a shadow man calls to her.

Schwab’s prose is delicious & despite spring’s arrival, I couldn’t help but yearn for the cozy gloom of fall as I lost myself in these pages. Schwab’s vivid prose is a masterclass in atmosphere & setting that will sweep you away to the world of Gallant.

And Olivia. Oh how I loved her. Schwab offers a beautiful representation of a nonverbal character who finds her voice in such a strong way.

Whether this is simply a read to get lost in or one to use in a classroom, it’s one worth reading. And if you’ve yet to pick up one of Schwab’s stories, I highly suggest this one.

A few ways to use this in the high school #elaclassroom are:
▫️independent/choice reading for fantasy & paranormal fans
▫️integrate into lit circles centered around gothic lit
▫️use it as a model text in a creative writing course, specifically looking at setting, atmosphere, characterization, & Schwab’s vivid prose
▫️if using in middle school, pair with a reading of THE SECRET GARDEN & compare protagonists

Thanks to @netgalley and @greenwillowbooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

Wow. That book was so beautifully written and I could picture both worlds of Gallant so clearly. It was so atmospheric and was dark but also had so much life that was given to add color to the world. Victoria’s writing was beautiful and the art added to the story itself.

There are few authors I trust more than V.E. Schwab. Gallant is a beautifully chilling tale, mixing familiar elements of literary fiction with gothic horror to create something that is wholly unique, as Schwab's stories always are. Gallant's narrator, Olivia, is born mute, and yet her personality and heart leaps from the pages. Schwab's passion and mastery of language creates an unforgettable experience in this tale of old blood, the search for belonging, and things hidden just behind the darkest shadows.

I requested this as soon as it popped up on Netgalley and I've been so excited to read it! V. E. Schwab has said that none of her books have ever been written for the same audience, and yet, I have loved every single one of them. I will definitely be purchasing a copy because I want, no, I need to read this book again.

If one loved/liked haunting the hill then they would definitely enjoy this book. I have always loved Schwab’s books and stories. There’s something about her writing and the world that illicit feelings within me. I really loved the whole set up, word building, a never boring and the super engaging plot line. It was definitely a full 5 stars read for me.

I absolutely adore the cover for Gallant by V.E. Schwab and the story inside is just as lovely! Gallant isn't my favorite Schwab book ever, but I still really loved it.

Gallant is about family and legacies and holding back the dark. Olivia is such a fantastic main character. She's angry, stubborn, lonely, and extremely relatable. I also loved the way Schwab handled Olivia being mute and frustrated by the limitations she faces because of it, how easy it is for someone to silence her by turning their back so they can't see her signing. How often she must put in extra work to communicate because those around her don't know sign language. Olivia's mixture of anger and desperation for love and family is perfectly portrayed and compelling.

Schwab's writing is beautiful as always, and this story also features beautiful and haunting illustrations that I adored. I'd highly recommend giving Gallant a read!

This was a delightfully spooky read. If you're a Schwab fan you'll devour this one! The writing is a lush and beautiful as ever and it draws you right in. I felt like the ending was a bit abrupt, but maybe I was just yearning for more!

This is my first V. E. Schwab book, and I have no regrets. Olivia's yearning for a family is what shapes this book, and Gallant is enchanting. It was a quick read masterfully done, which is why I'm sold on Schwab's storytelling. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to reach this book.

Short summary -
Olivia is a nonverbal orphan, trying to piece together where she came from using her mother’s journal and wondering where she really belongs. Where will she go after she leaves Merilance? Then she receives a mysterious letter from a relative who urges her to come home to Gallant. But Gallant is a place that her mother has said she won’t be safe. She has no where else to go and she longs to meet this family that she didn’t know she had. But Gallant is not what she expected at all. In fact, they are surprised when she shows up. Who wrote the letter summoning her to this place and what has become of the long history of Priors who lived and died on the grounds of this place? Moreover, what is beyond the wall?

Overall review -
This book was dark, atmospheric, and macabre. I don’t usually read much YA fantasy, but this one was entertaining to me. I felt like it was a bit of a mash up between Mexican Gothic and Alice in Wonderland. I recommend giving this one a shot.
Overall rating - 4 ⭐️

I picked this book up about a month ago and it was immediately obvious that I would need to emerge myself in a new world. I was not in the place at the time to do that. I could not connect. My life was chaos and I could not immerse myself.

Yesterday, I picked it up again and I was instantly there. I was walking the halls of Gallant by lunch time. Olivia grew up amongst orphans and unwanted. Left there with just her mother’s journal to tell her life story, she never fit in. She is unable to speak, which somehow makes her invisible to everyone else there. So she explores and she plots. Then, she gets a letter from a long lost uncle, asking her to return home.

Her home is magnificent. So why did her mother run away and why does her cousin want her to leave?

My only wish with this book is that we had gotten to the dark sooner. I wanted more time with the inhabitants there. Especially one. But I see why we spent most of our time with the people who were torn between responsibility and free will. And I admired Olivia and her strength.

I feel like this is such a thin review, but I didn’t know how to explain this book half way through and by the time you can you are ruining the experience for the next reader. You are on your own. In will leave you with my favorite quote from the book-“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.” That’s Olivia.

Beautifully haunting and such a fantastic piece of work once again from Schwab. While it takes me some time to get through ya books these days, I devoured this in one sitting, this was nothing short of magical and haunting, mixed with learning about ones self and coming to terms with your past, present and future. I loved this and the main characters involved. Each and everytime Schwab releases a new book I fall in love all over again and this is why. 5/5 very haunting but content stars!

She is turning out to be one of my fave new authors! Her stories are so unique and refreshing since you are never quite sure where it is headed. This one is slightly creepy, but in a good way! I think high school students will enjoy--I know I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this advance reader copy.


Description from NetGalley:
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?
I have recently started reading VE Schwab’s novels and am quite enjoying them, including this one. The story follows Olivia and is definitely a character driven story. The pace is slow to start out but only because you need to really understand who Olivia is and what she has been through in her life before you face Gallant. Gallant very much feels like its own character as well. The story may be short, but the world feels very developed. I felt very much for Olivia.
Overall: 4.5/5