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alibrarymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It’s modern gothic, catharsis in its own way, but—at the same time—fantasy offers a twist I think would have made for a better ending. Schwab has realism going for her at least.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
a_alves00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Abandonment
diana_raquel's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Talk about impulse buying! I was browsing the shelves of a bookshop when I noticed this book! I have read other books by V.E. Schwab but didn't know what to expect from this book. But it was a pleasant surprise, mainly because I actually liked a story with horror elements. Usually, horror isn't something that I tend to gravitate toward, but I really liked this book. Maybe because the horror elements are mixed with other elements that I like, such as mystery elements and a darker tone. The characters are well-developed and well-written. The story has good pacing and is well structured. I also liked the fact that the illustrations themselves are also part of the story and not only accessories, a means to show the scenes. To tell the truth, I think that V.E. Schwab was the potential to become a must-read author to me since I really liked every book that I read by her.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Suicide, Violence, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
marareading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It is beautiful, Gothic, mysterious, and atmospheric. I devoured this book and will probably do it again. Highly recommend.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
saurahsaurus's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Medical content, and Alcohol
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Self harm, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder and Suicide
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
jesselopod's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Content warning: sleep/nightmare/insomnia related themesbookswithlauren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gallant was well written and kept me intrigued. Every word is carefully chosen, and every turn of phrase conjures up images that I am rendered speechless. Gallant is such a visual story and would make a fantastic TV series adaptation. I was also very impressed with how the character of Olivia was written as non-verbal as it is not the type of representation seen in many books and I do feel that the usual stereotypes are avoided. The absence of Olivia's voice will force you to hunt for answers outside the characters. It keeps the visual aspects of things in Gallant going strong. Growing up with family members who used sign language, I was also pleasantly surprised to find the character of Edgar able to sign and give Olivia that recognition and communication that she needed.
Some of my favourite quotes include:
“But the truth is, death is everywhere. Death comes for the roses and the apples, it comes for the mice and the birds. It comes for us all. Why should death stop us from living?”
“It is the difference between a language spoken and one signed, the mouth shaping words while the hands shape more, words and thoughts and feelings.”
The main reason I did not rate this book 5 stars was because I felt the ending was too quick. Schwab is by far my favourite author and I am used to her novels having a slower build and quicker ending but even for her, I felt this was just a little too quick. Nevertheless, I still really enjoyed reading all about Olivia Prior and would definitely like a prequel all about the first battle of Gallant and the Priors.
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail