Reviews written by Gabbi Calabrese

14 results - showing 1 - 14
Ordering
June 15, 2013 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Quite the Adventure

I'll be honest, I had no frackin' idea what to expect going into this book. I really enjoyed Hawkins's Hex Hall series. Though the Brannicks actually made an appearance in Spell Bound, they didn't make an enormous one. Still, I got good vibes from Izzy, so I was incredibly curious...

June 15, 2013 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Original + Meaningful = GOLDEN

It is so hard to explain this book. Sometimes there are those adorable contemporary novels that tell a good story and provide a good distraction for a few hours. Golden is not like that at all. Kirby has told this incredible story, with such an authentic feel to it, about...

June 15, 2013 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
She Done It Again

Katie McGarry absolutely blew me away with her stunning debut, Pushing the Limits. Now, after reading Dare You To, she has thoroughly won me over. I don't feel near as strong about this one as I did PtL, but Dare You To is emotionally charged, brimming with tension, and loaded...

June 15, 2013 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Hello Motorcycle Hotness

Well it looks like my first Sarah Ockler experience was a success! I was definitely captivated by the motorcycle hotness, absurd oath, and the touching father-daughter relationship. This is a book that will stick with me for a while. Protagonist: Jude is a character I had...

July 05, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
A roller coaster that only goes up!

The Fault in our Stars was my first John Green Experience. It was life altering. I'm not kidding. I will never be the same after reading this. John Green has written a novel so far beyond the ordinary. It's poignant and highly addictive, with a unique cast of characters, meaningful...

June 22, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
An education you don't want to miss!

This may sound strange, but I knew the moment I saw one of Eileen Cook's books that I would love her. Still, I was shocked by how much I adored this book. The Education of Hailey Kendrick is a contemporary that perfectly balances funny and serious, life lessons and good...

June 22, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Took me by surprise in the best way possible!

This book shocked me in the best way possible. I don't know what is up with me in artsy contemporary books, but I just fall in love with each one I read. Zero by Tom Leveen is real. It covers the self-deprecating insecurities that come with being a teenage girl,...

February 04, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
OH. MY. GOOSENESS.

HOLY FRAGGLEZNIPF. Why am I so surprised that Cassandra Clare has completely wowed me once again? But, uh, WOW! Three dimensional characters, stunning prose, and a swoon-worthy love triangle--Clare brings it BIG in the newest installment of The Infernal Devices. So much happens in this book....

January 31, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
3.3
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Cute and Quirky!

Pyxis was a quick and quirky read, something light to pick up and read to take your mind off of important things. And though it was far from perfection - like many things are - I still really enjoyed it! As a person who loves to...

January 31, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Young Adult Fiction
A fabulous twist on a timeless classic

I had no idea what to expect from Cinder. I am not too familiar with the original Cinderella tale, and I know pretty much nothing about cyborgs, but despite my extremely limited knowledge, Cinder has the most kickass premise I've read about in a long time. Add to that the...

January 31, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
3.0
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
3.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
A touching read that proves the power of friendship

Upon hearing the premise for The International Kissing Club, I was extremely intrigued. A book focused on kissing? Yes, please! As far as contemps go, I thought it had a pretty unique little twist to it and I was really happy to get the opportunity to read it. However, the...

January 31, 2012 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
2.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Worth a Shot!!

I'd heard amazing things about this book before starting it, and I've really been into incarnation and reincarnation lately. So as you can imagine I was really excited to start this book, though I still didn't really know what it was about. I can't say that I am head over...

October 03, 2011 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
One of my favorite books of 2011

My experience with Delirium was kind of like eating chocolate cake. It's delicious and while you're eating it, you think, well this might be the most wonderful thing I've ever eaten. You want to devour the whole thing, but savor each fabulous bite. You hope you never run out of...

August 21, 2011 (Updated: June 12, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
Unexpectedly delightful!

It took me a good 100 pages to get into this book. Now, mobster-like stories aren't exactly my thing, but after hearing so many good things about the TITHE series, I had to give this book a shot. I could tell immediately that the writing was great. It is told...

14 results - showing 1 - 14