Epic Fail

Epic Fail is a contemporary young adult retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice set at a private high school in Los Angeles. The story centers on Elise Benton, who moves to L.A. with her three sisters when their mother becomes the principal at Coral Tree Prep. At school, Elise meets Derek Edwards, the son of Hollywood A-list celebrities, and Webster Grant, a charming aspiring musician. The dynamics between the socially reserved Derek and outgoing Webster mirror the classic Darcy-Wickham relationship, while playing out against a backdrop of social media, paparazzi, and high school hierarchies. The novel follows Elise as she navigates new relationships, family pressures, and the complexities of life at an elite private school. Her initial judgments and misconceptions about Derek and Webster drive the central conflict of the story. The story explores themes of class differences, snap judgments, and the challenge of seeing past surface appearances - updated for a modern teenage audience. LaZebnik's adaptation demonstrates how Austen's insights about pride, prejudice, and social dynamics remain relevant in contemporary settings.

Readers rate Epic Fail as a light, fast-paced modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in a Los Angeles high school. Readers appreciate: - The relatable high school dynamics and family relationships - Quick pacing and humor - The respectful adaptation of Austen's themes to a modern setting - Clean content suitable for younger teens Common criticisms: - Characters lack depth compared to the original - Plot feels rushed and predictable - Writing style described as "basic" by multiple reviewers - Some found the Hollywood setting cliché Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 3.9/5 (30+ reviews) One frequent comment from readers: "A fun, light read but forgettable." Several reviewers note it works better for readers unfamiliar with Pride and Prejudice, as direct comparisons to Austen's work highlight the simplified characterization.

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🎭 The novel is a modern retelling of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," set in a prestigious Los Angeles private school. 📚 Author Claire LaZebnik has collaborated with Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel on several books about autism, drawing from her personal experience as a mother of a child with autism. 🎬 The book explores the dynamics between old-money Los Angeles families and Hollywood celebrities, mirroring the class distinctions in Austen's original work. 🌟 The main character's love interest, Derek Edwards, is the son of a famous celebrity couple - a clever modern adaptation of Mr. Darcy's wealthy and prestigious background. ✍️ LaZebnik has written multiple Jane Austen modernizations, including "The Trouble with Flirting" (based on "Mansfield Park") and "The Last Best Kiss" (based on "Persuasion").