Gabriella Saab

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Gabriella Saab

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United States
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Member Since
February 2021


Gabriella Saab is an acclaimed author of historical fiction. Her first two novels, The Last Checkmate and Daughters of Victory, have been published in multiple languages and various countries. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor of business administration in marketing and lives in her hometown in Alabama. Connect with her online at gabriellasaab.com; Instagram: @gabriellasaab_; Facebook: @GabriellaSaabAuthor; X: @GabriellaSaab_

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Gabriella Saab Thank you so much! The inspiration for Daughters of Victory came about when I was researching my debut, The Last Checkmate, and I stumbled across a yo…moreThank you so much! The inspiration for Daughters of Victory came about when I was researching my debut, The Last Checkmate, and I stumbled across a young Soviet partisan named Zina Portnova, who joined the resistance during World War II. You can learn more about her in my historical note in Daughters of Victory (after you read the book - no spoilers!). She fascinated me and made me realize how little I knew about Russian history in general, aside from the usual topics discussed back in my days at school. I wanted to write a novel inspired by Portnova's life, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to educate myself further on Russian history during World War II and also on another fascinating time that I knew only the basics about: the Russian Revolution. I learned so much and came away with a much deeper appreciation for Russian history and culture, and I was so fortunate to have culturally authentic insights from friends and fellow authors who educated me further and were so willing to answer my questions and correct my mistakes (though if any remain, I apologize and those are totally on me ;) By developing this story, I hoped to bring more attention to these lesser-known aspects of history and to some of the real women who lived during these times and inspired my characters. And, as with all my books, I hope to encourage my readers to learn more for themselves.(less)
Gabriella Saab THE LAST CHECKMATE is a work of adult fiction set during WWII, a dark and horrific time in history, and thus will not be suitable for all audiences an…moreTHE LAST CHECKMATE is a work of adult fiction set during WWII, a dark and horrific time in history, and thus will not be suitable for all audiences and will be disturbing. I attempted to portray this time as realistically and delicately as possible while being sensitive to readers. The following are mild but non-specific spoilers. Some contain more specific references but should not impact your reading experience. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.




-strong language (in multiple languages)
-strong violence/gore
-on-the-page physical and psychological abuse/torture (one scene includes a strip search down to undergarments against a female minor)
-ableism, ageism, and sexism
-antisemitism and anti-Polonism (including racial/ethnic slurs)
-pro-Nazi rhetoric
-mild burns (cigarette burns inflicted for the purpose of torture)
-beatings, including floggings and severe scarring
-concentration/extermination camps
-forced nudity
-mention of rape/sexual assault/prostitution (not witnessed by the reader)
-one scene of sexual assault/attempted rape witnessed by the reader (rape of a female minor is intended but not carried out, and the scene is handled as delicately as possible)
-discussion of conception through rape (assault not witnessed by the reader)
-dehumanization
-tattooing for the purpose of incarceration/dehumanization
-murder (including children, though children's murders are not witnessed by the reader)
-gas chambers and crematoria (mentioned)
-corpses and mass murder
-starvation/emaciation
-smoking
-arson (mentioned but not witnessed by the reader)
-severe illness (typhus and mention of dysentery)
-hypothermia/freezing to death
-drinking/intoxication
-depression
-suicidal thoughts and actions
-severe PTSD(less)
Average rating: 4.07 · 7,768 ratings · 1,304 reviews · 6 distinct worksSimilar authors
The Last Checkmate

4.17 avg rating — 5,774 ratings — published 2021 — 27 editions
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The Star Society

3.81 avg rating — 1,001 ratings — published 2026 — 6 editions
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Daughters of Victory

3.74 avg rating — 984 ratings — published 2023 — 11 editions
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The Survivors Guild

4.38 avg rating — 8 ratings — expected publication 2026 — 3 editions
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La chica que jugaba al ajed...

liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating
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The Star Society: A Histori...

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More books by Gabriella Saab…

Newsletter and a Sneak Peek!

Hi friends! We're less than 4 months away from my next book, THE STAR SOCIETY, hitting shelves - which is so crazy! To celebrate, my publisher has generously released a sample of first THREE chapters, so I wanted to share them with you! Check those out here: https://substack.com/@gabriellasaab/p...

And, as you'll notice from that link, I've joined Substack, so if you'd like to follow along, I'd lov Read more of this blog post »
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Published on September 19, 2025 10:21

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The Forgotten Pages by Madeline  Martin
The Forgotten Pages
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The Forgotten Pages by Madeline  Martin
"June 8, 2026 Update

It is happening - the writing has officially begun!! After eleven months of research and creating characters and plotting, I am in the drafting phase.

This is where I write my book in a month. I do this because it lets me live in t" Read more of this review »
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An Artful Dodge by Karen Odden
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The Star Society by Gabriella Saab
"This historical fiction is about estranged sisters whose paths cross as they struggle with their own pasts/truths. One sister is working undercover trying to prove her sister’s innocence, the other is so reclusive that it’s hard to know where she sta" Read more of this review »
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The Star Society by Gabriella Saab
"Great read mixing old Hollywood and historical fiction! My favorite read of 2026 "
The Survivors Guild by Gabriella Saab
" Thank you so much for this beautiful review, my friend! It means the world to me! "
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The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott
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Quotes by Gabriella Saab  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Be patient, but don’t be good. Life is too short to behave yourself.”
Gabriella Saab, The Star Society

“History is the grand master, and only by studying his game can the pupil learn and improve.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

“When she [Hania] produced a sedative and offered it to me, I shook my head in refusal. I wanted to allow myself to cry, to live fully in this moment, because as painful as it was, it meant my walls had come down in a way I hadn't permitted in a long time. The ache of love and loss pierced me to the core of my soul. And it reminded me that I was still human.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

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“History is the grand master, and only by studying his game can the pupil learn and improve.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

“What is life after war? Returning to the lives we left is impossible, yet creating a life anew feels nearly as insurmountable. We live, fight, and survive while the memories--and the past--endure.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

“Maybe we aren't meant to leave the past behind. Maybe we're meant to bring it with us so we can join others weighed down by the same burdens, and we can carry them together. Maybe that's how we find peace.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

“True freedom comes from bravery, strength, and goodness. The only one who can take those from you is you.

[Aleksander Florkowski]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

“When she [Hania] produced a sedative and offered it to me, I shook my head in refusal. I wanted to allow myself to cry, to live fully in this moment, because as painful as it was, it meant my walls had come down in a way I hadn't permitted in a long time. The ache of love and loss pierced me to the core of my soul. And it reminded me that I was still human.

[Maria Florkowska]”
Gabriella Saab, The Last Checkmate

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