Gallant

Olivia Prior grows up in an orphanage with only her mother's journal as a connection to her past. The journal contains disturbing drawings and cryptic entries that hint at supernatural forces, while Olivia herself cannot speak and communicates through sign language. When Olivia receives a letter from an uncle she never knew existed, she travels to her family's estate called Gallant. At the mansion, she encounters her hostile cousin and the house's mysteries, including shadowy creatures that seem to lurk in mirrors and doorways. As Olivia searches for answers about her family history, she discovers a parallel version of Gallant that exists on the other side of a ruined garden wall. This dark reflection of her ancestral home holds secrets about the Prior family's connection to death and the supernatural. The novel explores themes of belonging, inheritance, and the boundaries between worlds - both literal and metaphorical. Through gothic imagery and haunting atmosphere, it examines how family legacies shape identity and how silence can speak louder than words.

Readers praise the gothic atmosphere, haunting illustrations, and lyrical writing style. Many note the book reads like a dark fairy tale, with one reviewer calling it "The Secret Garden meets Coraline." The unique format combining text and artwork receives frequent mentions. Common criticisms include the slow pacing, minimal plot development, and lack of character depth. Multiple readers express disappointment that the story feels incomplete despite beautiful prose. One Goodreads reviewer notes: "All style, no substance - gorgeous writing that goes nowhere." Major reader complaints focus on: - Underdeveloped world-building - Too many unanswered questions - Short length for the price - Marketing as YA when it reads more middle-grade Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (50,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) The book seems to resonate most with readers who prioritize atmosphere and prose over plot-driven narratives.

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🌟 Victoria Schwab wrote Gallant during the COVID-19 lockdown, drawing inspiration from her own feelings of isolation and being trapped between worlds. 🏰 The gothic mansion in Gallant was partially inspired by the Winchester Mystery House in California, known for its bizarre architecture and endless construction. 📚 The book's unique visual elements include illustrations by Manuel Šumberac, making it a hybrid between a traditional novel and an illustrated story. 🎨 The black-and-white illustrations throughout the book were specifically designed to mirror the protagonist Olivia's inability to speak, serving as another form of communication. 🌑 The concept of parallel worlds in Gallant draws from the author's fascination with "The Secret Garden" and "Coraline," creating what Schwab calls "a conversation between those beloved stories."