Rating: 4.5 Stars Genre: YA/Fantasy Series/Standalone: Standalone How I got this book: Bought 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. 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? TW: Grief, Mild Horror, Murder, Paranormal Fantasy
I didn't actually read the blurb for this book before I bought it. I read the first page, and from that moment I was hooked. "When he opens his hand, there is nothing left but a streak of ash and rot and a few white teeth, little bigger than seeds. He tips them out onto the wasted soil and wonders what will grow." Now, this could be me being an absolute wet lettuce, but I actually found this book really quite scary and creepy. I will admit that I don't read horror at all, and while I wouldn't categorise Gallant as horror per se, it did make me jump a couple of times. The tension in Gallant is palpable, so much so that I found myself holding my breath and quite literally on the edge of my certain at certain moments, and I adored the mystery and ominosity surrounding Olivia's parents, and Gallant and it's inhabitants. I found Olivia's character really compelling. She's strong-willed, independent and incredibly brave, even when she's afraid. Abandoned as an infant on the doorstep of an orphanage for girls, and without a voice, Olivia has to defend herself with her actions. She has such a loud presence and strong inner voice that I felt an instant connection with her. I don't think I've read a book containing, or at least not centring around, a non-verbal character before, and while I can't speak for how accurate the portrayal was, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Olivia and reading a story that was delivered more through visual language and imagery than through dialogue between characters. V.E. Schwab's writing pulled me into the story quickly, and I love the imagery she conjures with her words that sits so beautifully next to the illustrations by Manuel Sumberac. The book itself is incredibly visual with journal pages and ink drawings throughout, which really help bring the story to life. While dealing with bullies, in the form of other girls and the matrons, at the Merilance School for Girls, Olivia receives a letter from an unknown relative inviting her to Gallant, her home, something she's always craved but which her mother warned her to stay away from. Suddenly faced with her hostile cousin and ghouls lining the corridors, Olivia must discover whether this "home" is one worth fighting for when death comes knocking at the door. “Perhaps you are haunting me. What a comforting thought.” I think, for me, the big twist in Gallant was the ending, which I hadn't expected, even though I don't think any other ending would have worked. It's definitely a book that I adored, and V.E. Schwab is quickly becoming one of my favourite writers. Rating: 5 STARS! Genre: YA/Fantasy/Horror/Historical Fiction Series/Standalone: Standalone How I got this book: Bought Seventeen-year-old Aderyn ("Ryn") only cares about two things: her family, and her family's graveyard. And right now, both are in dire straits. Since the death of their parents, Ryn and her siblings have been scraping together a meager existence as gravediggers in the remote village of Colbren, which sits at the foot of a harsh and deadly mountain range that was once home to the fae. The problem with being a gravedigger in Colbren, though, is that the dead don't always stay dead. The risen corpses are known as "bone houses," and legend says that they're the result of a decades-old curse. When Ellis, an apprentice mapmaker with a mysterious past, arrives in town, the bone houses attack with new ferocity. What is it that draws them near? And more importantly, how can they be stopped for good? Together, Ellis and Ryn embark on a journey that will take them deep into the heart of the mountains, where they will have to face both the curse and the long-hidden truths about themselves. Review by Sophie.
TW: Horror. Zombies. Death. I’ve thought about how I’d write this review for quite some time now, and truthfully I’ve kept changing my mind every five minutes, so I’m just going to jump straight in… I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!! The front cover gives you an idea of how utterly beautiful and atmospheric this dark fairy tale is, and I will point out that I picked this book up on a whim, as Zombies really aren’t my cup of tea. But, I can honestly say that Emily Lloyd-Jones quickly worked her magic when it came to me how much I treasured this book, which left me with tears in my eyes. The book itself is, I think, classed as a horror, but it’s certainly not at all on the level of a Stephen King novel, and I’d say it's only mild. I love how the quirkiness of the main character eases some of the tension during the more suspenseful scenes. “I suppose it could have been bandits or maybe one of his chickens got hold of a blade, but I don’t think so.” This story is set in ancient Wales, and first, we meet Aderyn (Ryn). She’s protective and loyal, and I really loved her sarcastic wit and charm. Oh, and did I mention, she is totally badass?! “There was a young woman. She was a fearless creature – a girl who would chase death into the mountains. With only an axe for company…” Ryn lives with her younger sister Cerri, her brother Garreth, (and their pet goat). After the loss of their mother and her father missing, presumed dead, Ryn sets out foraging in the woods, remembering her father's warnings, when she stumbles across Elis, a Mapmaker. Elis is a strange boy surrounded by mystery, not really knowing who he is or where he came from, after being found alone when he was very young with an injury that still plagues him. I really like how the author constantly reminds you of the struggle Elis has when contending with his injury, and highlights the effects of having a disability without making the character seem weak or any less of a real person. As the story progresses, the relationship between the two grows beautifully, and I love how it felt natural rather than rushed, and that both characters, despite being having very different personalities, were very well suited. “She reminded him of an ocean - beautiful, with enough salt to kill a man. He suspected it would take a knight or a hero of legend to impress one such as her.” The writing style was intricate and beautiful, and the pace of the story kept the tale intriguing, with action, mystery and an unravelling romance throughout. I think before I’d even finished the first chapter of the book, immediately I knew I was already being absorbed by it, and how the author describes the devastating heartache of loss and family bonds is truly heartbreaking but beautiful. Another thing I really loved about The Bone Houses was the setting of the scenes and how easily the plot flowed. I loved the Welsh folklore, and the detail surrounding the mines, caverns, village and the mysterious woods; and how the imagery was effortlessly created in my mind. Now, I must say I did struggle to choose my favourite character, as I found quite a few of them to be loveable. So, I’ve narrowed it down to Ryn, who, as I said before, is a total badass…with an axe! “If I come across a problem, I take my axe to it. Or bury it. I'm good at burying things.” But I must say, my all-time favourite character was the legendary bone goat! This strange creature shows true loyalty and is plain awesome. If there’s one reason to read this book, it's definitely the goat! |
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About Kay (She/Her)
Book addict, film mad, music lover, business owner, writer and mum (not necessarily in that order), living in the UK. About Sophie (She/Her)
Sophie loves books (obviously). She has a passion for photography and spotting wildlife, and is interested in anything made with passion and creativity. THIS BLOG IS SPOILER FREE!
Rating system: 5 Stars - AMAZING!! 4.5 Stars - Almost perfect! 4 Stars - I really loved it 3.5 Stars - I liked it alot 3 Stars - I liked it (I don't typically review books that I rate below 3 stars)
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