Book #14: Avalon High by Meg Cabot

To newcomer Ellie, Avalon High seems like a typical American high school, complete with jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, and even the obligatory senior class president, quarterback, and all-around good guy. But it doesn’t take Ellie long to suspect that something weird is going on beneath the glossy surface of this tranquil hall of learning. As she pieces together the meaning of this unfolding drama, she begins to recognize some haunting Arthurian echoes, causing her to worry that she has become just a pawn in mythic history. A powerful novel by the author of The Princess Diaries.

Okay, so I’ve been trying to read this book a few times now. Not sure how many attempts I’ve made, but this one was the longest I’ve lasted (about halfway) and I am officially saying I will not continue this read. I will not try again.

What was my problem with the book? Well, first I will say that the audiobook is annoying. I don’t know if the narrator herself is (this is the first book I’ve listened to her in), but this was definitely not the book for her. The voices were annoying and I didn’t feel like I was in the book.

Cabot’s writing itself isn’t bad. She writes well and the book does have a younger YA or middle grade feel to it. Avalon High is the Mediator series, but the writing isn’t too bad.

That said, the story does lack, in my opinion. Ellie is only subpar as the main character. She doesn’t seem to get into the groove of the story and only seems to think about A.Will Wagner. Will, on the other hand, is too special. He’s the all American guy. He’s the guy you see in the 40’s and 50’s tv shows who is “aw shucks”. There really isn’t a bad thing about him. It’s disgusting.

For the whole first half of the book, we are met with Ellie and her high opinions on A. Will Wagner. The King Arthur storyline is more like an afterthought instead of the focus. I likened the book to a contemporary romance that just mentions some kind of fantasy to it. Not the fantasy book it is making itself sound like.

So, if you’re looking for a contemporary romance, it’s fluffy enough you might like it. If you’re looking for a bit of magic and fantasy, it fails. In truth, I actually love the Disney movie adaptation to the book (which has a completely different storyline to the book). If you want the contemporary, read the book. If you want the fantasy, watch the movie.