Avalon High by Meg Cabot

Moving from Minnesota to Annapolis isn't exactly how Ellie Harrison wanted to spend her junior year, but her parents are both medievalist professors and decided to use their sabbatical to do research in the Annapolis area. Ellie's only comfort is that, at least, the house they are renting has a pool.

But, after a summer spent floating on the pool, the runner in her decides is time to start getting in shape so she can get into track team once school starts. One afternoon, a couple of days before the start of school, she meets a guy - at least sees him from afar - and he smiles at her, what's more! she smiles back, feeling an instant connection she can't explain.

Once school starts, Ellie soon finds out that they guy from the park is none other than Avalon High's star QB, Will Daniels. Far from being the typical mean, popular jock, Will is kind, smart and everyone likes him. And he, for some reason and even though he has a girlfriend, likes Ellie.

But there are dark forces at work in Avalon, and pretty much everyone in Will's inner circle are in on it: His girlfriend Jennifer, his best friend Lance, his step-brother Marco and even Ellie...

I've always liked Arthurian legend and Avalon High takes a nice spin to it all, taking a step or two away from the most predictable, typical routes. It's not my favorite Meg Cabot book, but it's a quick, fun read. Ellie is a nice heroine, smart and funny, with her own defined personality, and I absolutely loved the way she refused to be compared to her namesake - Elaine of Astolat - who basically kills herself over a guy. Will was a bit too perfect, and now as an older reader I had a bit of a problem with that (problem I didn't have when I read the book for the first time, about five years ago).

The book has it's highs and it's lows, but it's a good read for any random afternoon when you're in the mood for a feel-good book.

Favorite Quote: "You just wanted to know me. Because I'm so cute, and everything." - Ellie

3/4