Literature & Fiction
![V. E. Schwab - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B00MLKA3WM.jpg)
Gallant
AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A KIRKUS BEST BOOK
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER
"A bone-chilling standalone . . . which fuses Shirley Jackson's gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Gripping worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, and fantastic horror."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Unsettling and intriguing."-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.
#1 New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab weaves a dark and original tale about the place where the world meets its shadow, and the young woman beckoned by both sides. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak in this stand-alone novel perfect for readers of Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.
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?
New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab crafts a vivid and lush novel that grapples with the demons that are often locked behind closed doors. An eerie, stand-alone saga about life, death, and the young woman beckoned by both. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Melissa Albert, and Garth Nixwill quickly lose themselves in this novel with crossover appeal for all ages.
A KIRKUS BEST BOOK
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER
"A bone-chilling standalone . . . which fuses Shirley Jackson's gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Gripping worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, and fantastic horror."-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Unsettling and intriguing."-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source.
#1 New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab weaves a dark and original tale about the place where the world meets its shadow, and the young woman beckoned by both sides. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak in this stand-alone novel perfect for readers of Holly Black and Neil Gaiman.
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?
New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab crafts a vivid and lush novel that grapples with the demons that are often locked behind closed doors. An eerie, stand-alone saga about life, death, and the young woman beckoned by both. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Melissa Albert, and Garth Nixwill quickly lose themselves in this novel with crossover appeal for all ages.
Editorial Reviews
"A haunting and beautifully tilled garden of darkness, V. E. Schwab's Gallant unearths the shadows-webs of family history, the price of deadly bargains, and the secrets we guard-plunging readers into a triumphant tale that can't be missed." - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times–bestselling author
"Seeking a place to call home, Olivia uncovers long-buried secrets after arriving at Gallant. . . . Olivia unravels the ominous secrets of both her family and the house, where ghouls lurk around every corner and the dilapidated garden gate calls to her. The evolving relationships between Olivia and her found family shine, and themes of freedom, the self, and belonging are well depicted. . . . The gripping writing and effective incorporation of horror elements, including haunting, inky artwork, are satisfyingly spine-tingling." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Olivia is elated to receive a letter from her uncle Arthur, inviting her to come live at Gallant, the Priors' estate. Upon arriving, however, Olivia learns that Arthur is dead, and neither her ill-tempered cousin, Matthew, nor the manor's kindly caretakers are expecting her. . . . [But] she's determined to uncover the truth regarding her family's past in this place. Evocative prose, eerie [black and white] artwork by Šumberac, and superbly rendered characters . . . elevate this affective, bone-chilling standalone from Schwab, which fuses Shirley Jackson's gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Fourteen-year-old Olivia is grateful, if a little shocked, when she receives a letter from a previously unknown uncle inviting her to his manor estate, Gallant. . . . This story strikes just the right balance between menace and melancholy, and the undercurrent of grief running beneath the suspense and horror brings emotional nuance and deep sympathy for each character . . . Schwab's exquisite prose is rich . . . A surefire hit . . . [for] any reader looking for a dark read on a stormy night." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
"Schwab uses a blend of Gothic, fantasy, and horror to create an unsettling story that reads like a cautionary folktale to beware the shadows. . . . There is so much grief in this story: over losing family, home, and the way things were. . . . A must-...
"Seeking a place to call home, Olivia uncovers long-buried secrets after arriving at Gallant. . . . Olivia unravels the ominous secrets of both her family and the house, where ghouls lurk around every corner and the dilapidated garden gate calls to her. The evolving relationships between Olivia and her found family shine, and themes of freedom, the self, and belonging are well depicted. . . . The gripping writing and effective incorporation of horror elements, including haunting, inky artwork, are satisfyingly spine-tingling." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Olivia is elated to receive a letter from her uncle Arthur, inviting her to come live at Gallant, the Priors' estate. Upon arriving, however, Olivia learns that Arthur is dead, and neither her ill-tempered cousin, Matthew, nor the manor's kindly caretakers are expecting her. . . . [But] she's determined to uncover the truth regarding her family's past in this place. Evocative prose, eerie [black and white] artwork by Šumberac, and superbly rendered characters . . . elevate this affective, bone-chilling standalone from Schwab, which fuses Shirley Jackson's gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Fourteen-year-old Olivia is grateful, if a little shocked, when she receives a letter from a previously unknown uncle inviting her to his manor estate, Gallant. . . . This story strikes just the right balance between menace and melancholy, and the undercurrent of grief running beneath the suspense and horror brings emotional nuance and deep sympathy for each character . . . Schwab's exquisite prose is rich . . . A surefire hit . . . [for] any reader looking for a dark read on a stormy night." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
"Schwab uses a blend of Gothic, fantasy, and horror to create an unsettling story that reads like a cautionary folktale to beware the shadows. . . . There is so much grief in this story: over losing family, home, and the way things were. . . . A must-...
Readers Top Reviews
PatL. BrownSkyler
This would be a great October read. It is spooky but not over the top. The setting is interesting and kind of has a Stranger Things meets Stardust by Neil Gaiman vibe. I don’t think it should have been the Goodreads choice best YA Fantasy over Bloodmarked (which was SPECTACULAR) but this was a very good read and I do recommend it.
Diane Scott Lewis
For a young adult novel, this is a scary premise. The writing is beautiful, as are the ink drawings. It's quite the spooky and dangerous adventure for young Olivia, who just wishes for a home and family, but gets a haunted house instead. Everyone is under siege in this book. The parallel houses were a clever ploy. The descriptions evocative. I wish the ending had been different, but I was relieved to leave Gallant.
Michelle M.Diane
First of all, this book was excellent. It was beautifully written. The story feels like a classic gothic novel with an orphan, ghosts, a haunted mansion, mysterious journals, plenty of time spent in old libraries and music rooms, a melancholy garden and a creepy garden wall. But all these things are written so beautifully and vividly that I really found myself absorbed into the story, and afraid to look under my bed. The creepy aspect was perfect. Just enough to make for a great gothic story without being TOO scary that you can’t sleep (unless you can’t sleep because you’re staying up reading this!) Second. It absolutely drives me crazy when people complain that an author is “just writing this for the money”. What an absolutely idiotic take. I HOPE authors are writing for money! Making money means they get to keep writing books. And especially when a writer as diverse as V.E. Schwab tries something a little diffident for them. I love to see those things succeed so they can keep trying new things. I hate it when people read one book they love and then complain that every other book isn’t that book. (ever notice how this is mostly done to women and minority authors?) VE Schwab writes a lot of different styles and kinds of books. But their writing is so vivid and beautiful and their story telling is so captivating. That’s what makes them such a fun author to read. Anyway. This book is really good and a perfect October, creepy season, read. It is a younger YA to upper Middle Grade novel so it’s not as complex as some of their other, more adult, books. The physical book is gorgeous with beautiful illustrations that really help the story come to life. I also listened to the audio book, Narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt, which really well done. I am happy I own both. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re in the mood for a gothic book or as an introduction to gothic style literature.
JaisaMichelle M.D
It was a great little spooky story. One I can see myself reading again!
Pookie143JaisaMic
This book is so beautifully written because it makes me so happy and feel so emotion at the same time. But maybe I’m biased because this author is one of my favorites
