Title: Gallant
Author: VE Schwab
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: March 1, 2022
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Summary
All her life, Olivia Prior has pretty much been on her own, with only her mother’s journals to keep her company. Growing up at Merilance School for Girls wasn’t the happiest childhood. When she gets a letter from a long lost relative inviting her to come home to a place called Gallant, she takes the chance to get out.
However, the welcome at Gallant isn’t as warm as she thought it would be. Her cousin Matthew especially doesn’t seem to want her there. But Gallant is hiding secrets, and Olivia is determined to figure out what they are. Even if it means imminent danger. Olivia is ready to find somewhere she belongs. Because she’s tired of being left out.
Review: Gallant
Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! While I haven’t read all of VE Schwab’s work, I’ve read a good chunk of it. So, this is definitely an anticipated release for me! And I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint.
Let me start off by saying that I wasn’t expecting this to get as spooky as it does? For that reason, I felt like it’s better suited for a fall release rather than a spring release. But I digress! Schwab does an excellent job setting the eerie tone for this book. It’s incredibly atmospheric, and there’s almost always a sense that something’s off when Olivia enters Gallant. You can almost feel the tension in the air as she tries to find her place in this new house.
However, I did want a bit more out of the characters. Olivia is pretty well fleshed out, but the rest of the cast of characters felt pretty one dimensional to me. I specifically wanted some of the house members to be a bit more rounded out, which would have added even more to the overall atmosphere of the book.
The ending also felt a bit abrupt, and I don’t know if that was just me or if it was a pacing thing. I just wanted a little more resolution at the end, something that helped bring a little more sense of closure to the Gallant house.
All in all, if you’re ready for a spooky read in March, I’d definitely recommend checking this out! Especially if you’re a fan of VE Schwab; this is a great addition to her ever growing list of works!
4/5 stars