The Once and Future Geek (Camelot Code #1))

Sophie, 12, and her best friend, Stuart, are avid players of Camelot's Honor, an online video game based on Arthurian myth. Several centuries earlier, Arthur, 13, wants nothing more than to marry his best friend, Princess Guinevere, and become a knight. Then Guinevere accidentally drops Uther Pendragon's magical scabbard into the Well of Dreams, sending it into Sophie's timeline. Sophie receives a strange text urging her to download the Camelot Code, which sends her back in time to help Arthur and Merlin. Meanwhile, Arthur decides to retrieve the scabbard himself, travels to the present day, and discovers that he likes it there, leaving everyone's future at risk. Mancusi (Princess, Inc.) impeccably incorporates contemporary and video-game elements into the original King Arthur story, creating an enjoyable and seamless narrative that leaves room for additional adventures. Ages 8-12. 

Copyright 2018 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-7-Middle schooler Sophie and her best friend Stu love the multiplayer video game Camelot's Honor. Along with their online friend Melvin, they have reached almost all of the game's highest levels. Alternating with the modern-day narrative is a parallel storyline featuring a young Arthur, Merlin, and Princess Guinevere. When Guinevere accidentally sends an important artifact to the future, the two stories converge, with Sophie and Stu ending up in the past while Arthur and Guinevere explore the 21st century. Mancusi maintains the structure of the time lines, tying them together as skills learned in life and the game prove valuable to the characters. Although the initial premise is humorous, the novel moves into emotional depth as Stu navigates a new family structure following his father's remarriage, Sophie reconciles her feelings about her mother's disappearance, and Arthur realizes his life may not have a "fairy tale" ending. All of the characters discover unexpected capabilities within themselves as they attempt to defeat the sorceress Morgana and to keep history from imploding. Dashes of romance, bullying, social anxiety, family stresses, commentary on middle school social structure, and bits of history and Arthurian lore all combine to create a thought-provoking adventure story. VERDICT Blending elements of several genres, this story will be appealing to many different types of readers.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.