Epic Fail

Title and Author: Epic Fail by Claire LeZebnik
Type: Modern Day Retelling
Perspective: Elizabeth (Elsie)
Romance Level: Kissing
Recommended: 3 stars Yes, if you like YA
Summary: Elise and her family move to Los Angeles where her parents take jobs at a wealthy private school. Enter all sorts of rich kids with lives different from Elise's. Derek Edwards is one such students whose parent's are famous film stars. When Elise's sister begins to date Derek's best friend, Elise must decide who she thinks he is

Pros:
* This retelling is clean and sweet (unlike many modern Austen retellings).
* The modern characters are still likable and the modern versions of events are (mostly) believable.
* The idea of translating a rich single man in Austen's time to a movie star's son in modern day works well (and explains stand-offishness so well).

Cons:
* The conflict between Chase and Juliana is weak. Two mature(ish) high school students who like each other would probably figure out the source of the problem without friends intervening. (Also, wouldn't Chase have let her know before he left that he wouldn't have his phone and be contacting her--not even a quick text?)
* Since the conflict was weak, it was pretty easily resolved.
* Because it is a modern retelling, many characters are left out entirely (Fitzwilliams, Mary, and almost Georgina). Other characters are sidelined ("Mrs. Bennet" and "Kitty"). 

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