Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Gallant by V.E. Schwab

5 reviews

diana_raquel'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

4.0

"Home is a choice."

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Animal death, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Pregnancy, Bullying, Body horror, and Violence

marareading's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.75

Alright, I get it. I finally understand why everyone was falling over themselves to get to this book. It's great. An orphan who sees ghouls, and finds her way to Gallant. An estate with a sorted history. She is mute and the adventure that is coming, so one could prepare her for. 

It is beautiful, Gothic, mysterious, and atmospheric. I devoured this book and will probably do it again. Highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Confinement, Murder, Blood, Bullying, Animal death, Terminal illness, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Violence

jesselopod's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• 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

This novel is like a dark and creepy fairytale for adults without the morality twist. It wasn’t deep tale but it was entertaining and enjoyable although

Spoiler

I would have liked a more conclusive ending, a greater resolution or even a better hook where my imagination could have run wild with what may have happened next

. It was exactly what I wanted to read right now, an easy to read, fast paced story which isn’t an epic multi-book journey but instead a self contained plot. The descriptions and atmosphere in the book are beautifully crafted, and I enjoyed it for the vibe more than the plot itself. The perfect thing to read after binge watching Sandman and then listening to the Stardust audiobook. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Death

Moderate: Abandonment, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Terminal illness, Blood, Child death, Chronic illness, and Confinement

Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Bullying, Death, and Forced institutionalization

Content warning: sleep/nightmare/insomnia related themes

relearning2read's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I found it overall enjoyable, but the ending strangely unsatisfying compared to the potential of the elements that were introduced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Terminal illness

tarynlannister's review

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

I gobbled this book up. I can't remember the last time I found a book where all I wanted to do in my free moments, no matter how short, was get in a few pages, where in the tense parts my eyes were racing over the pages almost faster than I could understand the words. It's a lovely, reflective little book. It's dark, but more in a Gothic way than a depressing way. Death is a major theme, but the persistence of our spirits and our connection with those we love beyond death is too, and definitely mitigates that. I wish it had resolved a little differently in some ways, but otherwise I really loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Violence, Blood, Suicide, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Terminal illness, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death