Is it all coincidence, or are dark forces at work? Ellie, the new kid who is starting her junior year at Avalon High, lives with parents, medieval scholars who named her for the lamentable Lady Elaine, aka the Lady of Shalott. Sure there are a few connections to Arthurian legend--similar names, bitter relatives, even an illicit affair--but high-school math teacher Mr. Morton, who belongs to a secret society dedicated to the return of Arthur, believes the Round Table is about to be reenacted in Ellie's present-day Washington, D.C., suburb. If that's so, then Ellie has fallen for the wrong guy. Forget that; Ellie has no intention of letting the past write her future. Using a selection from Tennyson's classic Lady of Shalott to set up each chapter, Cabot delivers a clever modern take on Arthurian legend, which moves swiftly along to a satisfying, tender conclusion. An entertaining novel that will attract new Cabot readers and as well as the author's devotees.

Ellie starts junior year in an unfamiliar high school because her parents, medieval studies professors, are on sabbatical. She finds herself reenacting Arthurian legend--complete with a Guinevere and Lancelot, and Ellie herself as the Lady of Shallot. While the plot stretches credibility, Ellie has trouble believing it, too, and readers will thoroughly enjoy the story's twists and turns.

The author of the Princess Diary series tackles a royal family of more ancient and mythical lineage in this fun, suspenseful retelling of the King Arthur legend. Elaine is the daughter of two medieval scholars. Named after the Lady of Shallot, Elaine immediately finds herself in with the "in crowd" at her new high school and hopelessly attracted to Will, all-around leader, football hero and wonderful guy. When she learns that Will's girlfriend Jennifer is cheating on him with best friend Lance, parallels to the Arthur legend immediately spring to Elaine's mind. Worse, the school's English teacher insists that Will, his friends and even Elaine are reincarnations of the medieval figures, and that it's already too late to save Will from the forces of darkness. The prose and story gallop along with a style that will easily appeal to fans of both fantasy and realistic fiction alike. Very nicely done. (Fiction. 12+)

Cabot (the Princess Diaries) brings the Arthurian legend to modern times in this clever novel. Ellie's parents are medieval studies professors on sabbatical in Annapolis, where Avalon High's senior class president tells her he feels a strange connection to her. Will seems like a golden boy, but Ellie soon hears strange rumors: Will's father had his best friend killed and married the man's wife, leaving Will with a troubled stepbrother. Plus, Ellie discovers Will's girlfriend cheating on him with his best friend. Readers will enjoy making the connections to the real Arthurian legend, puzzling out—as Ellie does—that girlfriend Jennifer is sort of like Guinevere, and Will's best friend, Lance, Lancelot. It will likely come as no surprise to readers when Ellie learns that Will's first name is really Arthur. But could it be true, as one teacher (and the Order of the Bear to which he belongs) believes, that Will is King Arthur reborn, destined to "lead the modern-day world out of the Dark Ages and into a new age of enlightenment"—unless his brother kills him? Ellie cannot deny the similarities in their stories, but she refuses to believe she is Elaine of Astolat (aka the Lady of Shalott), who killed herself over Lancelot. If that's the case, she thinks, why is she crushing on Will? Readers will be swept up in the fantasy framework (and likely be willing to accept some delectably outrageous plotting, such as when Will learns that his stepmother is actually his true mom). There is plenty of suspense here to hold their attention, as they, like Ellie, try to fit together all the pieces. Ages 12-up. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Jan.)

Gr 7 Up-Elaine's parents are on sabbatical and she has to spend her junior year in Annapolis, MD, far from her Minnesota home. While running in the park, she meets Will, and she finds her life intertwined with a familiar story. Too many coincidences, like being named after the Lady of Shalott, and Will's complicated family life make her feel as though she is living in modern-day Camelot. Even her teacher believes that King Arthur will be reincarnated. The author weaves together fantasy, romance, and history. Although the story lacks the humor of Cabot's previous novels, it is well done with good characters and a good dose of style. It will fly off the shelves.-Amy Patrick, formerly at New York Public Library Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Elaine Harrison is starting her junior year in a new high school in Maryland instead of with her friends back home in Minnesota. Her parents are on sabbatical, and both are working on projects about their passion for the Medieval period. Ellie has spent her life inundated with Arthurian folklore and is ready to step into a high school named after an island in the legend of Avalon. But that is not the only Arthurian reference she finds. To her growing horror, characters from the legend seem to be emerging among her new friends and acquaintances, especially in her new crush A. Will Wagner, who is donning all the characteristics of King Arthur. His beautiful blond girlfriend, Jennifer, and best friend, Lance, are also growing into their ancient roles. But Elle, as Will calls her, refuses to be the Lady of Shalott from Tennyson's poem. She will not pine over Lance and just float away on heartbreak. The darker characters of the legend start appearing, and Elle learns that Will is in danger, just as Arthur was. Can she prevent him from being killed? This story has suspense, although it is somewhat predictable, and offers much of Cabot's usual humorous narrative. Elle feels like another version of Princess Mia, but the plot idea is original here, and Cabot fans will devour it as with her other stories. Minor characters such as the history teacher who becomes Merlin are well developed and add to the quality of this work. The history angle might bring in some new fans as well. It is recommended for public and school libraries.-Amy Alessio.