Oh how I loved this book, this made me feel so good and warm while reading. This is a book about longings and what it means to belong and to have a home. This book reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman's writing, especially books like The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which can be read both by younger and older readers, this type of fiction that exists in this liminal place where you're never too old or too young to read it because each age can interpret different things and give different meanings to what they read. Stardust also crossed my mind, with the whole Wall thing where if you cross there are different, darker things on the other side. The other comparison that cannot go unmentioned is obviously Coraline, the mysterious door that leads to a place just like the one you came from, but slightly different. I adore the eeriness and creepiness that stems from this type of plot and I think the author managed to work this really well. All of these inspirations made me love this book, even more, I was just super excited the whole time I was reading, especially in the first half when we are still being introduced to things and I just got that feeling of expectation about what was gonna to happen next and the anticipation was amazing. If you've followed me for a while you might already know that I did not enjoy Schwab's last book, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. No one was sadder than me because of that, and it made me question: how would I fare in her next book? Well, thankfully I was hooked from start to finish and Gallant became a new favorite book. All is well in the world of literature for me. Something I really appreciated and was one of my favorite aspects about this book was the writing, and how much WORK you can actually see in each sentence. It feels like those types of writing where you know each word has been carefully thought of and minutiously constructed, so that each sentence can convey its meaning. Kind of like the writing from Shirley Jackson. Gallant is not a tome, nor does it need to be. It constructs, develops, and delivers in a little over three hundred pages, showing off Schwab's pure craft. I've said this before but the gothic tradition in literature is once again popular, and I'm here for all of it! Gallant is definitely a gothic fantasy and I loved all the descriptions and constructions of the atmosphere of the place, it all felt real and so tangible, I could see it all in my head and lose myself in the hallways of the house. The ghouls that live in the place reminded me a lot of the movie Crimson Peak (2015) and I started to picture them kind of like the effects from the movie. These ghouls are so creepy and unsettling but at the same time, they hold a tenderness to them, each having their own longings and sadness from being torn from life. I loved how the author managed to imbue all these feelings to these creatures from darkness and thus was able to humanize them for us readers. I adored our main character, Olivia, she is so sweet and fierce. I just connected to her on so many levels. I also loved the representation, since the character doesn't speak, and I think the author inserted this really well into the story, making Olivia communicate in other ways that are non-verbal. I don't know if I said all I wanted to say about this book, I still feel like I can't quite put into words what I feel about it. I do know that a part of my mind will always have a door open to Gallant because this story will not leave me for a long time. I cannot recommend this book enough. This is one of the best books I've read in 2022 so far. Thank you Titan Books so much for the ARC! My first ever Schwab arc and she is one of my fave authors so... Well, I am on the moon right now.

I was so nervous to read my second V E Schwab book. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue set the bar so high, but I didn't need to be worried. Schwab's writing is as beautiful, moving, and atmospheric as ever. Eerie and heartbreaking, Gallant tells the story of Olivia Prior's need for power and autonomy and home. A letter summons her from the miserable grey existence she's always known at Merrilance - a finishing school for abandoned girls - to the family she always dreamed was waiting for her. But all is not as it seems... She is fast drawn into a secretive family history more dangerous and strange than she could have ever imagined. Beautifully told through dual perspective that features a collection of gorgeous illustrations, this story is so poignantly told. The longing jumped from the pages and I was completely sold by Olivia as a character. Content warnings: Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Bullying

As someone who doesn't read too much horror (because I am an absolute wimp) I was surprised to find myself intrigued by the description of this book. I would definitely say this was more of a Fantasy-Horror rather than an actual horror (I didn't chance reading it at night, but I also managed to sleep without the light on so it can't have been that scary). I thought Gallant was unique, intriguing and filled with twists and mystery that I absolutely loved. I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know what would happen next. Gallant kept me right at the edge of my seat and for anyone looking for a story like that, this is the one for you. Although don't go into it thinking this will scare the life out of you, because (thankfully for me) it won't.

Have read a few Schwab books and each one is different.. She is ingenious! Will be looking out for more to read.

How did this shadow gallant estate come about? What's the story behind the master of the shadow estate? I wish I knew, perhaps he had a sad story of his own that made him that way. Although, these questions and many more are not answered in this book there is still a need to read on. I particularly liked the ending, tragic and victorious at the same time but also back at square one. Strange and addictive writing regardless of a back story. I felt the frustration of Olivia not being able to speak throughout this book and it made me want to scream. Still, a good read and like I said addictive as I finished the book the same day.