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cnannery19's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
liesthemoontells's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
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.
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,
Overall there was nothing ground breaking about this book, but I found it entertaining, moving, and well-written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
peachceke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent
ibvandersluis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is one of my dark horse reads this year. My expectations were low but I found this to be an enjoyable book and a good distillation of gothic fiction.
The plot is uncomplicated but moves quickly in a very visual way; I always found it easy to picture what was happening. The writing style is pleasant to read. Overall a very accessible entry point to gothic/macabre fiction for most age groups, covering familiar gothic themes of darkness, death, loneliness, grief, and sacrifice, mixed with the common YA themes of self-discovery and belonging.
The plot is uncomplicated but moves quickly in a very visual way; I always found it easy to picture what was happening. The writing style is pleasant to read. Overall a very accessible entry point to gothic/macabre fiction for most age groups, covering familiar gothic themes of darkness, death, loneliness, grief, and sacrifice, mixed with the common YA themes of self-discovery and belonging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
brandolon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
kiaras's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Mental illness, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror and Death of parent
florapatricia's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
It's a claustrophobic work with beautiful writing and interesting characters.
I didn't find the conclusion of the story satisfying enough to justify the rest of the book.
The narrator did a wonderful job, even if I don't understand why it was a man.
I didn't find the conclusion of the story satisfying enough to justify the rest of the book.
The narrator did a wonderful job, even if I don't understand why it was a man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
sannesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is more of a middle grade than a YA story. Be aware of that when starting this book.
This is a short book with some ilusstrations
I loved that the representation of someone who can't speak. But, I didn't enjoy this story that much. I was bored and read this really slow. I was debating to DNF but something kept me going. It was atmospheric, eerie and creepy, but I still should have DNFd this one.
This is a short book with some ilusstrations
I loved that the representation of someone who can't speak. But, I didn't enjoy this story that much. I was bored and read this really slow. I was debating to DNF but something kept me going. It was atmospheric, eerie and creepy, but I still should have DNFd this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
karydiazc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What was that ending?
I have to admit I was expecting more...
I mean, it was a fitting ending to the story, but at the same time I felt it rushed.
And my question is... What is going to happen to Gallant once Olivia is not there anymore? What if she decides to have children?
I liked Olivia as a character, she was interesting to read, how she could picture and feel the world around her. She felt real, a curious girl who has always wanted something and is finally getting it, although not as she expected.
Matthew was very human. He was afraid and tired of everything. You can definitely see how that shaped his actions throughout the book.
Edgar and Hannah were mostly side characters, and didn't have much relevance to the actual plot, but I liked them.
This book was dark and I was expecting some closure at the end, however, as I mention at the beginning, the ending was fitting for the type of story and the information given to Olivia. We as readers know the same about Gallant as she does. Therefore making her actions understandable and not childish or rash, since Olivia was filled with curiosity for a world she did not know anything about.
I would have liked to rate the book higher, but I was expecting a bit more of action at the end and I would have liked more information about her parents. Still, in real life we don't always get the answers we seek.
I have to admit I was expecting more...
I mean, it was a fitting ending to the story, but at the same time I felt it rushed.
And my question is... What is going to happen to Gallant once Olivia is not there anymore? What if she decides to have children?
I liked Olivia as a character, she was interesting to read, how she could picture and feel the world around her. She felt real, a curious girl who has always wanted something and is finally getting it, although not as she expected.
Matthew was very human. He was afraid and tired of everything. You can definitely see how that shaped his actions throughout the book.
Edgar and Hannah were mostly side characters, and didn't have much relevance to the actual plot, but I liked them.
This book was dark and I was expecting some closure at the end, however, as I mention at the beginning, the ending was fitting for the type of story and the information given to Olivia. We as readers know the same about Gallant as she does. Therefore making her actions understandable and not childish or rash, since Olivia was filled with curiosity for a world she did not know anything about.
I would have liked to rate the book higher, but I was expecting a bit more of action at the end and I would have liked more information about her parents. Still, in real life we don't always get the answers we seek.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
_pauline's review against another edition
dark
1.5
I felt like nothing happened, which tbf objectively isn’t true
however, if you love horror just for the vibes, maybe you’ll like it; I realised I prefer mysteries & thrillers. Gallant includes a lot of stuff like this:
however, if you love horror just for the vibes, maybe you’ll like it; I realised I prefer mysteries & thrillers. Gallant includes a lot of stuff like this:
Behind her eyes, she sees the corpses of small creatures rising at her touch, feels herself dragged into the darkness by dead hands, watches two dozen dancers turn to ash, bits of bone rattling on the ballroom floor as they skitter back to their master.
just not my genre I guess
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, and Blood
Minor: Suicide