Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Gallant

The book was a lot slower for my taste, especially when it comes to fantasy novels. I had a difficult time getting into it, especially in the beginning-I switched to audio every once in awhile. Luckily it picked up more in the second half, and I didn’t want to put it down after that. It’s definitely a slow burn fantasy horror/mystery, that’s more character driven!

Beautiful descriptions and enjoyed Schwab’s writing style. I loved the concept and the creepy/gothic vibes; it’s a perfect fantasy novel for October! 💀

I felt like we didn’t get to know the characters super well, like I really wanted more about Matthew and Olivia’s parents. The climax felt so rushed especially with how quickly it was solved. I wanted more time with the characters and the conflict resolution! Despite its short length though, the world building was amazing. I felt like I was there with Olivia and was especially grabbed in the second half!

The ending was well done. Even though the climax was rushed, it does still wrap things up nicely. But it also left it slightly open in a way to imagine what the future of Gallant could hold!

Overall I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a creepy but not scary autumn read; whether you’re a big fantasy reader or not (like me)!

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maggieoc_x's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

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lavenderdolmeh's review against another edition

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

4.75

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rondasue27's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

5.0

This is such a great YA fantasy read. It’s a little bit horror mixed with Secret Garden inspo. I thoroughly enjoyed it after I hit about 150 pages in. It hit its stride and just sucked me into the story. I couldn’t put it down. The writing was so good. I felt myself speeding up with her nerves or her running just by the way the sentences were structured. And a mute character as the main character/protagonist was written so well. The little glimpses into her past interspersed in the story really rounded her out as a character and showed her desire for a family from a very young age. Merilance was so vivid in my mind just as much as Gallant and the other Gallant. Just such good writing.

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kaitieg97's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-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? No

5.0

I really enjoyed this story! It's rare to have a main character with a disability that isn't "goody-goody" all the time! I enjoyed watching Olivia struggle with her disability, AND BE MAD ABOUT IT!

Plus there's ghosts which is pretty cool!

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_haggis_'s review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

Atmospheric and intriguing. The world building was really compelling and it was hard to put down! I found Olivia a little unlikeable at first but she definitely grew on me and I really liked the other characters. It was really lovely having a main character who communicated entirely in sign language and I thought V E Schwab did a good job in making you feel Olivia's frustration at people not listening to her/taking her seriously/silencing her.

The thing that stops me rating this 4 stars is that although the world building and mood are gripping, the climax is very fast and abrupt (only about 20 pages in total)

and the fight is too easily won/just not engrossing enough

.

The story about Olivia finding out who she is and what she can do is really intriguing but told at the cost of the parallel plot - the family secrets, death and the wall. I think it feels a bit underwhelming and the plot potential & villain never quite fully realised.

Having said that, Schwab really trusts her reader and doesn't spell everything out - she gives us hints and things to ponder -

perhaps that's why Matthew dies - although it' tragic and feels like it was all for nothing, it points to bigger questions of death and meaning.

All in all, a really quick read with plenty of spook. 13 yr old me would have adored it.

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fionamatilda's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

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