This is an brilliant book. I read it pretty much in one sitting (which is always the mark of a great read). I have a few by this author on be tbr pile but this one sounded really intriguing. This is such a great book on so many levels. the illustrations are thought provoking and the story moves forward at a fast pace yet never losing its interest. To say too much wold spoil the plot. If you are a fan of this author you will be rushing out to read it - if not you should be. A true giant in the genre. grab a copy as soon as it comes out.

From the atmosphere to a fresh main character, Gallant had a dark magic that truly captures the gothic/Grimm tale. For fans of V. E. Scwabs other work like The Near Witch or other books like The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert or Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, OR you lived the film Crimson Peak this is a must read!

Haunting and beautiful, The Secret Garden meets Coraline in this stunning new release from V. E. Schwab. The meaning of home and belonging weaves through the story and your heart aches for Olivia as she tries to understand her family’s past and her place within it. V. E. Schwab’s writing is as lyrical and beautiful as always, and the gentle pace of this book gives you a chance to fully appreciate every word. The illustrations are works of art in themselves, both mysterious and stunningly beautiful. This book spoke to me in a way few have before and the story will stay with me for a very long time. Thank you so much to Titan for sending me a proof of this title.

...she runs her fingers over the graphite and thinks of dreams. The kind that reach through the folds of sleep and into your bed. The kind that can caress your cheek or drag you down into the dark. As soon as I started reading ‘Gallant’ I knew that I was in for a treat. V.E. Schwab has such a wonderful way with words that utterly beguile a reader immediately. ‘Gallant’ is incredibly different from the author’s other book that I’ve read, ‘Addie LaRue’, but both novels have gloriously unique characters and deliciously unexpected plots. Over the course of the year I simply cannot wait to devour more of the author’s works as so far both that I’ve read have left me utterly in awe. Olivia was an unexpected gem of a character. I truly adored that the author decided to make her central character mute – something that could be seen as risky, considering how much some books tend to rely on speech. She was truly fascinating with one hell of a complex backstory which fascinated me to no end. I adored the oddly macabre way that ghouls featured in this world. The residents at Gallant were superb and the Master Of The House chilling to say the least. Scattered throughout, introducing each part of the book, are segments from his point of view and I adored these. Seeing inside darker minds is always chilling when reading a good book. All in all ‘Gallant’ actually had a rather unusual layout which worked wonders for the story inside. There are diary extracts and illustrations throughout. Around the centre you get to read a large chunk of these extracts and in all honesty they almost made me cry. And I am not someone who tends to tear up at books so it’s safe to say that I was blown away. Truthfully this book was quite different than I imagined but, in a way, I’m not entirely surprised. I remember feeling the same way about ‘Addie’ yet adoring it. I think, maybe with this author’s books, you’ll never truly know what to expect. Personally I would have loved to have seen a little more of the other Gallant or learn a little more of some of the Prior’s pasts. Yet simultaneously I’m not entirely sure if it would have fit this novel? Every word feels like a piece of a jigsaw, perfectly fitted and creating a glorious image overall. So wanting more is hard when everything feels so polished, placed and perfected. Needless to say I recommend this book. It’s a gloriously dark and oddly macabre fairytale style story with a heroine that’s impossible to forget. If I end up enjoying the rest of the author’s books as much as her latest two then she’s definitely going to end up being an auto buy author for me. As a final note I got the Waterstones special edition and it’s absolutely divine and well worth purchasing. The colour scheme is simply breathtaking with vibrant end pages and some of the prettiest sprayed edges that I’ve ever seen.

This is the perfect introduction to V. E. Schwab - if you've never tried any other books by her this will have you hooked on her lyrical and lush prose. The character of Olivia is so effortlessly real, her place in the world so fragile and yet she herself so strong - determined to be a force to be reckoned with. And boy does she get the chance to prove her worth when she reaches Gallant...