About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is navigating the transition between childhood play and adolescent responsibilities, or when they are obsessed with legends and 'what if' scenarios. This story blends the modern high school experience with Arthurian mythology, following Ellie as she discovers that her boyfriend might be the reincarnation of King Arthur. It explores the weight of expectations, the courage required to believe in the extraordinary, and the importance of loyalty. While it deals with mystical dangers and the pressure of a great destiny, it remains grounded in the relatable world of track meets and school dances. It is an ideal choice for readers who want a fast-paced mystery that balances romance with an empowering message about finding one's own place within a larger legacy.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The story includes scenes of supernatural peril, including a character being threatened with a sword and a near-drowning incident. The book maintains a tone of high school romance appropriate for the target age group.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old reader who loves mythology but wants it grounded in a contemporary setting, or a student who feels like they are 'waiting for their life to start' and needs to see that everyone has a hidden strength.
Parent Prep
This can be read cold. Parents might want to brush up on basic King Arthur characters like Merlin, Guinevere, and Lancelot to help the child spot the modern parallels Meg Cabot has hidden in the cast. The protagonist's struggle with feeling overshadowed by her boyfriend's legendary destiny.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the magic and the 'cool factor' of being a knight, while older readers will pick up on the romantic tension and the psychological pressure of living up to a legendary identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many high fantasies, this brings the legend to the American high school hallway, making the 'chosen one' trope feel remarkably accessible and contemporary.
Read plot summary
Ellie is a track star at Avalon High whose life takes a supernatural turn when she suspects her boyfriend, Will, is King Arthur reborn. As members of the Lady of the Lake's prophecy begin to emerge among the student body, Ellie must navigate high school drama while protecting Will from those who want to stop the Merlin Prophecy from being fulfilled. The story focuses on the realization of their mythical roles and the danger that comes with ancient magic entering the world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
If you found out you were the reincarnation of someone famous from history, would you want to know? Why or why not?
2
Ellie is a star on the track team. How does her athletic discipline help her when she faces magical challenges?
3
Will struggles with the idea of being 'King Arthur.' How would you feel if everyone expected you to be a perfect leader because of a prophecy?
4
Which character in the book do you think shows the most loyalty, and what specific action proved it?
5
The Merlin Prophecy is about an 'age of enlightenment.' What changes would you make to the world if you had the power to start a new age?
