2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Gallant by V.E. Schwab.

Pages: 334 pages

Length: 1 month (August)

Participants: Rachael, Sunny, Caterina

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

I'll join you guys for this one!

I'm reading this now. It's great book. I need to have it back at the library in a few days.

Mind if I join too?

Ana wrote: "Mind if I join too?"

Of course! The more the merrier :)

Just started the book earlier today! It seems like a pretty quick read.

So far, I like Schwab's writing and the way she draws you into the story.

Hi everyone, I will be starting Gallant in a few days.

Hey, y'all =D

I have read parts 1&2 (10 Chapters)

(view spoiler)[
The Master kills a rat. Has 3 shadows. Is he good or evil? The only other Master I know of (from Dr. Who) is a bit on the evil side.

Gray, dusty --how Olivia sees the school, the people, and everything around her. I wonder why she can't speak? Is it physical? A curse? A spell? She sees ghouls, which I think of as evil beings. But surely some of the beings she seeing are not evil. So maybe ghosts/ghouls are the same to her.

What gate do the Prior's guard?

Olivia sees her mother's ghoul/ghost; as well as her uncle's. I wonder how/why they died?

Is Matthew jealous of Olivia or is he trying to protect her?

Did the ghouls write the letter that brought her home? (hide spoiler)]

This is good stuff! Looking forward to seeing how things pull together and come to a conclusion.

Caterina wrote: "Just started the book earlier today! It seems like a pretty quick read.

So far, I like Schwab's writing and the way she draws you into the story."

I'm finding it to be a really quick read, too. Rachael always recommends some good books/authors.

Ive just caved in and bought this so I hope its ok to gatecrash your buddy read?! Ive only read the first couple of chapters but its very readable.

Emma wrote: "Ive just caved in and bought this so I hope its ok to gatecrash your buddy read?! Ive only read the first couple of chapters but its very readable."

The more the merrier Emma =D Welcome!

Has anyone who has started got any idea when this is meant to be set? I first assumed Victorian but its more modern than that though unspecified as far as I can tell..

Emma wrote: "Has anyone who has started got any idea when this is meant to be set? I first assumed Victorian but its more modern than that though unspecified as far as I can tell.."
It feels Victorian but maybe it is supposed to be unspecified

Sunny wrote: Rachael always recommends some good books/authors
Aw, thank you! I have read a few VE Schwab books and she hasn't let me down yet.

Caterina wrote: "Just started the book earlier today! It seems like a pretty quick read.
So far, I like Schwab's writing and the way she draws you into the story.
Yes, I've just got to the end of Part 2 and I have been drawn into the story too. I have lots of questions I hope get answered.

finished and loved it! Beautiful writing. I finished the second half in one go because I was enjoying it so much.

I finished on Monday. I was so blown away by the narrative, that I didn't keep notes. I just read it straight through and when I finished, I really couldn't think of anything I could add. It was a brilliant ride! And the highest compliment I give a book is to say that I will read it again one of these days.

I finished this yesterday. I really enjoyed it. It is such a beautiful story and I will be reading it again

I'm on chapter 7 and I'm digging the ghosts and gothic atmosphere.