Avalon High

This book combines the traditional Chick Lit. books written by Cabot with the genre of Fantasy. The main character Ellie Harrison, named after Elaine of Aslot, moves to Avalon High when her parents go on sabbatical. Her father is studying an ancient sword and her mother is writing a book on Elaine of Aslot. In Ellie's mind her parents are just medieval freaks who are obsessed with the story of king Arthur. At her new school Ellie meets a cute boy, A. William Wagner, who she feels like she's met before. Soon she is falling in love with him and he seems to feel the same way. Unfortunately like the typical star quarterback he is dating the schools prettyest cheerleader Jennifer. Unbeknownst to Will though there is a very Arthurian affair going on between his seemingly perfect girlfriend Jennifer and his best friend Lance. As the story of King Arthur begins to unfold itself in this very modern setting, tension spikes with the emergence of the modern Mordred, the half brother responsible for killing Arthur. Ellie is faced with the difficult task of finding a way to protect Will from the rising threat to his life, while attempting to come to grips with the fact that they all may very well be the reincarnation's of history's most well known and complex characters. This story is great because it has all the funny and romance qualities of traditional Chick Lit. but it also has the action and suspense of a first rate action story. Mix that with a bit of Arthurian trivia and you have this great read. - Carmen

The Princess and the Hound

In the kingdom of Kendal, people with animal magic are hunted down and burned alive. Prince George has animal magic, a gift his mother also had, and has always had to hide it from his kingdom. He does everything for the kingdom, thinking that will make him a good king, even his bethrothal to Princess Beatrice. Princess Beatrice is from Sarrey, a former enemy of Kendal, and has a very mysterious bond with her hound, Marit.

This book reminded me of The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale, but it isn't written in the same style. The story is told in George's point of view, and is more of a fantasy/adventure story than a romance because of this. I loved this book, it was in a faerie tale style, but it isn't a retold faerie tale. At the end of the book I felt like I knew George. This is a book that all book lovers will enjoy.