Schwab’s other stories, and fans of Holly Black and Garth Nix.“A bone-chilling standalone. Gallant is a gorgeous book that is incredibly well written by an experienced author. I also liked the ghosts/ghouls, and how they weren't over the top. They made it feel so real, and I like how the main character tries to figure out their meaning too. I think the illustrations between the chapters really added to the story and I spent a lot of time looking at them, trying to decipher their meaning. And although it was scary, it never really crossed the line of being too frightening to read for its intended audience. I loved this original gothic story about an orphan girl finding what family and duty means as she discovers her place in the world (and another slightly darker world, but I don't want to give too much away). Some might find it on the slower side, but I didn't feel any space or words were wasted. It was incredibly atmospheric with some fantastic cinematic scenes I could picture so clearly in my head it was almost like being at the theatre. Schwab's books often revolve around worlds within worlds and portals (such as her Shades of Magic books), and Gallant is no different. She is also constantly underestimated by everyone around her, and I could feel her dark anger and I kind of revelled in it. Her frustration and anger is palpable, and it gives the reader an intimate look into her world as you feel you are the only one privy to her thoughts.
The fact she is a mute really added to the story and was handled extremely well. Olivia is an excellent character, and was instantly likeable. It is filled with sentences that make you stop and read them again for their beauty. This is a shadowy story filled with ethereal pictures and bright prose. It has many secrets of its own, some of which might just answer the questions she has about her family, and the darkness that enveloped them. There is a family there, but they are not what she expects, and she soon realises that things are not what they seem at Gallant. When she arrives, Gallant is a giant mansion filled with spectacular things. Then one day, Olivia receives a letter at school from an uncle she has never met, inviting her to his estate, Gallant. It is filled with mysterious entries and inky illustrations that show her mothers descent into madness. Olivia has always wanted a family and a place to call home, but the only thing she has of her family is an illustrated diary from her mother.
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