Schwab's books often revolve around worlds within worlds and portals (such as her Shades of Magic books), and Gallant is no different. She is also constantly underestimated by everyone around her, and I could feel her dark anger and I kind of revelled in it. Her frustration and anger is palpable, and it gives the reader an intimate look into her world as you feel you are the only one privy to her thoughts. The fact she is a mute really added to the story and was handled extremely well. Olivia is an excellent character, and was instantly likeable. It is filled with sentences that make you stop and read them again for their beauty. This is a shadowy story filled with ethereal pictures and bright prose. It has many secrets of its own, some of which might just answer the questions she has about her family, and the darkness that enveloped them. There is a family there, but they are not what she expects, and she soon realises that things are not what they seem at Gallant. When she arrives, Gallant is a giant mansion filled with spectacular things. Then one day, Olivia receives a letter at school from an uncle she has never met, inviting her to his estate, Gallant.

It is filled with mysterious entries and inky illustrations that show her mothers descent into madness. Olivia has always wanted a family and a place to call home, but the only thing she has of her family is an illustrated diary from her mother.

Gallant schwab