Epic Fail: Book Review

Rating: ★★★★★/★★★★★

After enjoying Prom & Prejudice, a contemporary young adult novel based on the Jane Austen's classic work, Pride and Prejudice, I am ready to dive into this type of book. Thus I have selected Epic Fail as my next read as I came to know the novel through a review on Austenprose.

The Benton clan made up of four school-going girls has recently moved from the East Coast to the glittering city of Los Angeles after their parents accepted a job there. Coral Tree Prep, an exclusive high school popular with wealthy kids, is where the three eldest sisters will be studying. On the first day at their new school, Elise (Elizabeth) and Julianna (Jane) encounter a different kind of world from their upbringing where students here dress to kill and drive fancy cars. Being from Amherst, a small town in Massachusetts, Elise certainly feels out of place.

However elder sister Juliana has no such problems as she befriends Chase Baldwin (Bingley) who really likes her. Together both sisters are introduced to Chase's best friend, Derek Edwards (Darcy), the son of Hollywood celebrities. Unlike the friendly and easy going Chase, Derek is quiet and does not interact much with other people although others love to hang out with him because of who his parents are. Not so for Elise who dislikes his attitude as she thinks Derek feels superior to the rest of his company. Before long, Elise gets to know Webster Grant (Wickham) and prefers his friendship but has to endure Derek's presence at lunch for her sister's sake. But there is definitely tension between these two guys that Elise can't quite fathom. Why did Derek intentionally hurt Webster when the latter was greeting him and why did the arrogant Derek gang up with other guys to throw him out of the party?

Friends are not the only trouble Elise and Juliana have to face. Dr Gardiner, their mother and the principal of Coral Tree Prep, often embarrass them in front of their friends especially towards Derek with her starstruck behaviour which really made their group uncomfortable. Then their fourteen-year-old younger sister Layla (Lydia) could be mixing with the wrong crowd in school. Back at home, Layla's occasional outbursts with her three sisters constantly drives Elise crazy and the only consolation for Elise is talking with Juliana and spending time solving crossword puzzles with her father. There are also strict house rules to contend with such as no texting or make calls using handphones at home. How will Elise survive in a different environment surrounded with new friends?

Epic Fail is a fun read which bring back fond memories of growing up. Anyone who have experience high school can certainly relate to the characters that populate this novel. I can understand Elise's awkwardness in a new situation as I am most like her in terms of looks, fashion sense and thinking. Derek can be hard to know because he seldom open up his mind just like his original counterpart Darcy. Like Elise, I totally get it when she finally came to the right conclusion about why he behaves the way he does. And who does not have parents who have one time or another embarrass you in front of your peers?

In my opinion, author Claire LaZebnik has done a great job transporting the characters and important plots to twenty-first century high school setting. Even the Lydia storyline receive a good makeover where her problems now involve what current teenagers have to deal with such as peer pressure, drugs and sex. Juliana is just like the Jane from Pride and Prejudice — sweet, kind and always believe the best in people. Chelsea (Caroline) is as bitchy as ever when she does not get her way and her brother Chase is not to be trifled with when it involves a misunderstanding with Juliana. Apart from this, I would like to see more scenes of Mr Benton with his family and in school because he is barely mentioned in the book. Several characters are missing from the original but I'm not complaining.

All in all, anyone of any age group should just read Epic Fail and not necessarily confine to Austen lovers only. As for me it is a pleasant and entertaining excursion to walk down memory lane and revisit my school life.


This is my first selection in The Pride & Prejudice bicentenary challenge 2013 organised by Laurel Ann Nattress on Austenprose.