Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

106 reviews

kathrynleereads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I really enjoyed this book. I haven't ever read a book where the main character was unable to speak, and it was really enlightening to be able to visualize and better understand the struggles Olivia was going through.

I've always enjoyed reading a story with a static clue that twists and morphs throughout the story, just as the journal did in this book. The context and meaning of the journal entries and drawings shifted as the story went on and as Olivia began to understand her mother better and better.

I do believe that the story ended a bit abruptly and could have used a bit more at the end.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Abandonment

stormeno's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Blood, and Abandonment

Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

charlottx's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I wasn’t too fond of our protagonist in the beginning but I greatly enjoyed all of the side characters/ villains! I look forward to reading more of Schwabs works and hopefully I can find some that have more horror elements as that’s what I thought I was missing in this book! 
Loved Matthew <3 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body horror, Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

iane_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gore and Physical abuse

lildawnprince's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Abandonment

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Animal death

luxxltyd's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body horror and Child death

Minor: Abandonment

abbyschalupa's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Felt very flat, while the premise is enticing the writing and plot heavy story with lack of character development made it feel on the young end of YA. I can understand some people thinking it could be shelved as middle grade- I just don’t think the addition of suicide was necessary for the story but besides that the writing felt incredibly simplistic and juvenile. The atmosphere could be fun but a large portion of the book was slow until the end. I was left disappointed after the climax and wanting more of a resolution. Glad to cross it off the tbr, though I won’t be revisiting this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Abandonment

keya_caivalur's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

A beautifully written haunting story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Violence and Gaslighting

bailey_the_bookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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? No

4.0

I’ve found that Schwab’s books are always hit or miss for me—Addie LaRue was a miss, but Gallant was more of a hit. It’s atmospheric and dark, spooky, and well-written without being as precious as some of her other books feel. 

Olivia is a fun character to get to know—passionate and stubborn and a little mean. 

I don’t love books written in the present tense, but it’s not bad here. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment

missjeann's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Bullying