Review: Epic Fail by Claire LaZebnik

Epic Fail
Claire LaZebnik
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: August 2, 2011
Trade Paperback {p.295}
Source: Personal Library
Genre: Young Adult
Characters: Elise Benton, Derek Edwards
Challenge: 100+, YA Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon

Will Elise’s love life be an epic win or an epic fail?

At Coral Tree Prep in Los Angeles, who your parents are can make or break you. Case in point:

As the son of Hollywood royalty, Derek Edwards is pretty much prince of the school—not that he deigns to acknowledge many of his loyal subjects.

As the daughter of the new principal, Elise Benton isn’t exactly on everyone’s must-sit-next-to-at-lunch list.

When Elise’s beautiful sister catches the eye of the prince’s best friend, Elise gets to spend a lot of time with Derek, making her the envy of every girl on campus. Except she refuses to fall for any of his rare smiles and instead warms up to his enemy, the surprisingly charming social outcast Webster Grant. But in this hilarious tale of fitting in and flirting, not all snubs are undeserved, not all celebrity brats are bratty, and pride and prejudice can get in the way of true love for only so long.

Epic Fail was a light, fun read that kept me engaged throughout. Elise's instant dislike of Derek and how she was always willing to believe the worst of him was a bit off-putting. But that is how the story is supposed to go. Derek on the other hand, I liked from the start. Although Derek seemed rather closed off, upon a closer look it was more a protective mechanism.

Don't take that to mean I disliked Elise, because I didn't. I just did not like her unwillingness to give Derek a chance. Plus her instant trust and acceptance of Webster, who had done nothing to deserve it, but agree with her dislike of Derek.

When I discovered this contemporary take on Pride and Prejudice I was excited to read it. The story stayed true to character, with the annoying little sister Layla and the overly sweet sister Juliana.

Although I did enjoy this quick and breezy read, it felt liked it ended rather abruptly. I found myself turning the pages at the end expecting there to be more to the story. But indeed it was. The whole thing left me with unanswered questions about the progress of Elise and Derek's relationship.