I love a Gothic novel and had this on my to-read list for ages. While the concept wasn't as original as Addie LaRue (think Rebecca, Crimson Peak, Fall of the House of Usher with a dash of Coralline), I found it a more enjoyable read. 

Schwab's descriptions of place in the book are immediate and visceral. I particularly loved the use of colour, nature and decay to immediately situate you between Merilance, Gallant, and the not-Gallant. The slow reveal of Olivia's parents' story and the mystery behind the house at Gallant was well paced, with diary entries and images used to good effect (although I wonder if they would have had even more impact if I weren't using an e-reader).

I particularly loved the description of the ghouls; it was creepy and horrific to imagine a small child seeing flashes of of hovering body parts and half-people out of the corner of her eye. The use of the word ghouls instead of ghosts also differentiated them and their relationship to Olivia; it made them seem more real and tangible than if the word "ghost" was used.

I enjoyed Olivia as a character; she was relatable, resourceful, and charming without being cloying. Although I have no lived experience, I also thought the portrayal of disability and ableism was strong. Olivia is constantly underestimated by others due to her inability to speak, which has significant consequences on her happiness and wellbeing, but she is never treated with pity by the text; instead, the reader shares in her frustration with the limited thinking of the people around her.

I was expecting a happy ending at the end of the book from the way the story had framed Olivia as embarking on a hero's journey,

and I was surprised and a little bit cheated to not receive one. However was also impressed with Schwab for not pulling her punches, and I admire how the melancholy ending stayed true to the Gothic tradition.

Overall there was nothing ground breaking about this book, but I found it entertaining, moving, and well-written.

This was a fun read - I've not read any YA by Schwab before so this was a fun experiment. The plot was solid, but it felt really rushed at points. There was so much build up getting to Gallant and adjusting to life there and then suddenly a bunch of information was revealed and the book kind of just ended. I was excited to read this because it seems to be a standalone (or at least doesn't have a sequel attached to it at the moment), but it felt like it ended really suddenly and without a proper ending. So I'm not sure whether that was Schwab's intention or if there will eventually be a sequel. Anyway, it was decent, I just wish it had been paced better. 

Humble. Heartfelt. Haunting. 

Gallant is my second Schwab book that I have read and it did not disappoint. Gallant is a book that had my heart throughout. As a protagonist, Olivia is daring, passionate, and felt so real despite the setting being a completely different time. The side characters also had their own arcs; I did wish for a little more from Hannah and Edgar at the end but am satisfied with what I got. For a small cast of characters and the limited setting the book has a complete and satisfying story. Schwab’s formatting strays a bit from the usual book; something that was in Addie LaRue as well. Being broken up into sections/parts seems to be a consistent theme; felt like the titles gave a sneak peek to what was to come and set the tone well. I also love intermingling the drawings and the extra POV was beautifully crafted and executed. It felt like I was with Olivia! The worldbuilding – both the history and the spooky magic – was so well put together. Revealed in an intriguing and engaging pace, I kept wanting more.

I also loved the representation within; both Olivia’s disability, Matthew’s and how their accessibility needs conflicted. Schwab made Olivia’s disability relevant but not the only interesting part about her; a perfect balance between it being part of her identity while not consuming her as a character.