Review: Gallant
Given the circumstances and my terrible health, I am beginning to wonder if I'll actually be able to do the 18 books before 18 by the 16th. Of course, it doesn't hurt to try, but to be honest, I'd like to actually be able to do it. Also, I was told that I'll be finding out whether my application was accepted on my birthday. Some gift I'd say.
Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home—to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home, it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways.
Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.
Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?
Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from.
Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him?
QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 4.6/5, I SHOULD REALLY DO A V. E. SCHWAB BINGE AT THIS POINT.
Possible Trigger Tags:
1. Death
2. Gore
3. Child death
4. Suicide
5. Minor instances of bullying
6. Animal death
WHAT DID I FEEL ABOUT THE BOOK'S:
1. Writing Quality: V. E Schwab has the writing style that could be really studied in Creative Writing classes for studying you know, other than Neil Gaiman. I really love Schwab's writing style and at this point I am convinced that her books have gritty beginnings because most of them have this ominous vibe which I absolutely dig. There is this eerie vibe all around the book from the beginning and I can feel that something bad is really about to happen. And I love that seriously. It's been a while since I actually had a very good book in my hands, considering last month was a month full of disappointments and DNFs for me.
2. Setting: The setting sort of did remind me of Mexican Gothic , because most probably it involved a hugeass house with ominous people. And the vibes too reminded me of it. Except that there wasn't any damsel in distress and that Olivia was actually badass. But in some sense I did feel like that Mexican Gothic and Gallant were quite similar in a number of ways.
3. Character Development: I have some opinions about the characters.
I think Olivia might have been the only well developed character in the whole story because, firstly, the story actually revolves around her, and also secondly because the main characters aren't developed properly. Also Olivia might be the first mute MC that I have actually seen in literature. I've read a lot of books [I can proudly say that now] but I think I was yet to come across a character who didn't speak at all. That too as a main character. We've all seen them in shows as side characters but never as main characters. But, despite not having a voice, Olivia knows how to speak up her thoughts and also knows how to take actions for them. She's just simply proving the fact that despite having a single setback, there is nothing that would be stopping her from actually doing anything to save herself and others.
I think Olivia might have been the only well developed character in the whole story because, firstly, the story actually revolves around her, and also secondly because the main characters aren't developed properly. Also Olivia might be the first mute MC that I have actually seen in literature. I've read a lot of books [I can proudly say that now] but I think I was yet to come across a character who didn't speak at all. That too as a main character. We've all seen them in shows as side characters but never as main characters. But, despite not having a voice, Olivia knows how to speak up her thoughts and also knows how to take actions for them. She's just simply proving the fact that despite having a single setback, there is nothing that would be stopping her from actually doing anything to save herself and others.
Other characters though, I can't say much about them. They seemed very underdeveloped for me, even for side characters. They do appear for smaller moments of time but it's not long enough for me to be able to draw out an analysis for them. Even for the antagonist, I kind of would have loved to know more about him or more about how he created Olivia's father and all. It would have been so much better.
4. Couldn't put it down- Ness: 8/10, single sitting. Man I missed finishing reading in a single sitting. Too much work these days yaknow.
5. Plot Twists: Schwab never fails to disappoint when it comes to plot twist and she hasn't disappointed here either. I kind of don't know what to say considering all of my life and energy has left me completely. Perks of being sick hehe, your energy leaves you like anything. Anyways, yeah, I really love the plot twists in this book, especially when I found out that Olivia's dad was like the first shadow of the master of the house. Whew.
6. Plot: I really like the plot and it increasingly reminded me of a mix between Mexican Gothic and Coraline. Good god, I loved Coraline. Even though that is a movie that should be strictly kept away from the kids. I wonder why some people show it to children calling it a kid's movie when it clearly never is. Anyways, yeah, the plot reminded me of Coraline a lot, especially the part where a shadow/mirror world of the original world exists. Like a lesser known, darker version of the world you live in and the concept is real wow to me. Because I am curious as to how my mirror world would be. Like seriously.
okayy.. putting this one in my list
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