Who is your favorite young adult author and what is your favorite book by them? What makes it stand out from their other works?

All in all if you’re in mood for something different, I recommend it. If not read “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by her, from what I noticed even people who aren’t into fantasy liked it :-).

My favorite YA author is Victoria V.E. Schwab. She’s most famous for “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”, but their other works that are part of series (“Shades of Magic” and “Villains”) are also appreciated. But for reason that I’ll mention later my favorite is stand-alone that most people didn’t like which is “Gallant”.

Honestly after “Shades of Magic” which was brilliant in every way possible and beautiful writing from TILOAL, I was skeptical about reading book with such a poor rating. But I found her by chance (or it found me xD) when I visited another city and a local bookstore as a tourist. I bought it as souvenir even though it was quite expensive because it was so pretty. I never do that by the way. Anyway it also came in perfect time because I was obsessed with gothic genre and “Gallant” is sorta in it. I’ve read it not long after that and I absolutely loved it.

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Published in 2022, after fresh hype from booktok and bookstagram about TILOAL, I remember how everybody couldn’t wait for new stand-alone by Schwab (not many people like getting into series, especially those that are unfinished which I understand) only when the book came out, well reviews weren’t so good.

This also brings me to what makes this book stand out from the rest of their work is it had very little or better said no romance and focus was on family and secrets they keep. Illustrations and clippings from the diary fit the vibe perfectly and as I’ve said I loved it. Sure when it comes to plot and writing, TILOAL and SOM are definitely better, but because “Gallant” is so different from everything I’m used to in reading (not only by Schwab) it’s my favorite.

P.S. Schwab uses she/they pronouns so that’s why I used both.

I’m wondering about attachment and transference with the therapist and the idea of escape and fantasy? How much do you think your strong feelings, constant thoughts, desires to be with your therapist are a way to escape from your present life? I wonder if the transference serves another purpose than to show us our wounds and/or past experiences, but is a present coping strategy for managing what we don’t want to face (even if unconsciously) in the present—-current relationships, life circumstances, etc. Can anyone relate to this concept of escape in relation to their therapy relationship? How does this play out for you?