Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Released: March 1, 2022
Received: NetGalley
Warnings: Family death, ableism, bullying, decay, animal bones

Fans of Victoria Schwab have almost certainly been counting down the days for her latest release, Gallant. This is a story very much fitting in with popular demand – haunted legacies and houses, gothic vibes, and determined souls.

Her whole life, Olivia Prior thought she was alone. An orphan with no voice and no family. No one in Merilance School for girls knows sign language anymore, so she has been forced to keep to herself this whole time. Well, mostly. The ghouls haunting the halls occasionally keep her company, whether she wants them to or not.

One day, Olivia’s life is changed forever. She receives a letter – one that indicates that not only does she have family, but that family desperately wishes her home. How could she not follow? Her family’s home is known as Gallant, and Olivia quickly realizes that there is more than meets the eye here.

“When people see tears, they stop listening to your hands or your words or anything else you have to say. And it doesn’t matter if the tears are angry or sad, frightened or frustrated. All they see is a girl crying.”

I recently fell in love with Victoria Schwab’s writing, but I am so lucky to have found her before Gallant was released. This was a fantastic read with dark paranormal elements that I just absolutely fell in love with.

Holy cow. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how to feel going into Gallant. I am still feeling a little enthralled by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and thus really wasn’t sure how this next novel would compare. I needn’t have worried.

Gallant is very much a vibrant gothic read that had such a unique twist on the world. Honestly, I would love nothing more than to see an adaptation of this beauty – it would be striking. Everything from the characters to the world had me on the edge of my seat, right up until the end.

Olivia’s personality is fierce, despite everything else going on in her life. Perhaps I should say in spite of? I would not have any character other than her lead us through this journey, as she is the story as much as the plot itself.

The best part about Gallant is that it is a shockingly approachable and atmospheric read. In that sense, I think a slightly younger audience would appreciate this read as well (mind you, not too young! There is a lot of death within these pages, among other things).

Part of me really wants to set aside some time to sit down and reread Gallant. I think that is precisely what I will do. And knowing me, I’ll also celebrate the release by rereading it, because why not?

Thanks to Greenwillow Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.