The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #1)

I’m sure we all have that book on our to-be-read lists, a book that you constantly stare at thinking, “I really need to read you,” but the timing is just not right. The Lightning Thief is that book for me. I think this novel has been on my TBR list longer than any other and I finally forced myself to read it after finding it at my local library. On a whim, I borrowed it and fell in love with the incredible world and characters Rick Riordan has created.

I’m sure almost everyone is familiar with the story, but if you aren’t, the book follows 12-year-old Percy Jackson, an ADHD and dyslexic boy who is constantly kicked out of school due to regular mishaps and bad behaviour. On a class excursion at his newest school, Percy is attacked by a teacher who turns into a horrible monster and he discovers a truth about himself: he is a demi-god, half-human half-god, and the son of the sea god Poseidon. The Greek gods are alive and real and living in New York City. Percy is taken to Camp Half-Blood where he meets more of his kind, including Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and Grover, a satyr. Not too long after he arrives, Percy discovers that he has angered the gods, especially Zeus, who believes that Percy has stolen his lightning bolt. Percy, Annabeth and Grover are sent on a quest to find the bolt, as well as Percy’s mother who was kidnapped, and the mysterious lightning thief.

Perhaps I read this novel at the right time in my life or maybe it was just that good, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was entertained from the first page, right until the very end. I am completely enchanted by the world Riordan has effortlessly created. It is such an amazing concept. I’ll admit, I was a little sceptical that the gods would simply just be there with no explanation aside from, “Yeah, they’re still alive,” but that was not the case. Riordan eloquently described how the ancient Greek gods are still kicking it. The gods, as well as Olympus and anything else attached to their realm, had followed the natural progression of Western Civilisation, becoming the central deities of whichever country or Empire happened to be in charge at the time. They started (obviously) in Greece, moved to Rome where the Romans deigned them with different names; then to Western Europe and the Renaissance, kept alive through the rebirth of classical literature and artwork. Today, the gods have settled in the current most powerful country in the world: America. Olympus can be found on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building and the entrance to the Underworld is in L.A.

The world-building is amazingly complex, detailed and well thought out. Everything makes perfect sense as Riordan divulges certain pieces of information and history into the text at precise moments. Riordan’s writing was a little elementary and simple, but considering his protagonist is 12 years old and the novel is middle grade fiction, that’s understandable. The writing matched the tone of the novel – fun, witty and comical.

I found the story-line engaging and I would frantically flip the pages, so excited and intrigued to discover the truth and what will happen next. I loved the inclusion of so many of my favourite characters from Greek history and mythology. Each time a new, recognisable character was introduced, I practically squealed in excitement.

The Lightning Thief was a delightful series-starter that left me wanting more. This novel was so fun and entertaining it was impossible to put down.

Honestly, was disappointed. So much hype, but that's the problem with hype is you begin to believe it after a while and then the actually book can't live up to the promise. I won't read any of the others.

I'm finally getting around to this series. I found this first book enjoyable enough, and I'll continue reading. I think I would have gobbled this up when I was younger, and I'm glad to see my daughter doing so now. I especially love how the stories expose her so thoroughly to Greek mythology. I've heard that the writing gets better as the series continues, and I look forward to experiencing that. Lastly, I'm very impressed with Riordan's imagination. This was a ripe idea for a series, waiting to be plucked, and Riordan harvested it masterfully. I believe he deserves the success that he enjoys.

Perfect for a 9-14 years old public, I think. That’s why I regret not having read it earlier, I would have appreciated much more. I’m not saying I didn’t like it, because I really did enjoy reading it, but it’s not the same as reading this book as a child. The writing is really clear, and you are taken by the action. The plot is good, it felt a little like Harry Potter at some points, some of you certainly have seen it, but it’s not that obvious.

However, I was shocked at the beginning of the book when I read that Percy was 12 years old and in his first year of middle school! I couldn’t stop imagining Logan Lerman who was absolutely not 12 years old in the movie. It changed everything, it’s not the same reading the adventures of a 12-year-old little boy as reading the adventures of a 17-year-old teenager. I really don’t understand why they changed this in the movie. There are quite a lot of changes in this movie, of course the plot is still the same: Percy is accused of having stolen Zeus’s lightning, and he goes to find it with Annabeth and Grover, but there are HUGE differences in the story. I think I preferred the book.

I really love the story, the ideas, the way it is written, the book really easily grabs your attention and you can read it really fast. I loved the chapter’s titles, they made me laugh, here are a few of them: “I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher”, “I Become Supreme Lord of the Bathroom”, etc. It’s nice to have the protagonist telling us the story from his point of view, he always tells us how he feels about the other characters and what’s happening to him with a funny and sarcastic tone, but he’s really young and sometimes he looks naïve, and sometimes stupid (with Medusa, or Crusty). I really appreciate the fact that he doesn’t look like any Greek hero, he’s just a child dragged into this world of Greek Gods and heroes. And it’s good for your general knowledge to learn a little about Greek Gods, and, trust me, Percy will help you to learn all about them.

Seriously, a really good children’s book, and you can still appreciate it as an adult.

The Lightning thief is about Percy Jackson having to save his mother after the god Hades takes her.Hades thinks that Percy has Zeus lightning bolt. And he wants it. Now to save her his friends Annabeth and Grover are going on a journey to save Percy s mother and they will save have to avoid many obstacles to get to her. I have thought that the characters were well detailed and the plot very well explained.

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I loved Percy Jackson for a four reasons:

1. I think that the characters were simply divine. They were written amazingly and described perfectly, so well I just got a perfect picture of them in my mind.

2. Percy Jackson. Now that is a winning character. I loved his personality and that he was the son of Poseidon. Poseidon is my favorite greek god, don't know why, but he just is. With his connections to the Sea God, I just fell in love with Percy. He seemed like a great guy who I wanted to meet.

3. The chapter titles. The chapter titles are funny little phrases that made me laugh my head off. They were great jokes that actually were pretty accurate with what was happening in that chapter.

4. Last but not least, was the idea of a book that is based on Greek Mythology. Instead of writing a boring textbook with lame facts that bore people to death, Rick Riordan changed it and bought it to a whole new level.

This book has hidden jokes that I were hard to find, but once found, you would wonder why you didn't see it earlier. This book is well written and it simply blew my breath away.

Greek mythology is fascinating but Rick Riordan made it fun and up-to-date in this story. I had to read it several times to catch all the inside jokes about the mythological characters. But that kind of richly layered detailing makes for a fantastic book that works on multiple levels for all ages. Bravo!

Greek Myths met the modern world

The Lightning Thief is the first book of Percy Jackson and The Olympians series.
Percy is a young boy trying to find his way in the world while discovering his best friend is a satyr and his father is a god. When he discovers his true nature everything changes for Percy. He embarks in a difficult quest to stop war and redeem himself after been wrongly accused of thievery. The quest becomes a metamorphosis for Percy; he discovers a new inner force, new abilities and affinities, stronger friendships and finds a new kind of empowerment to change his life and his mother’s. At the end of this hero’s quest we find a different Percy. His experiences have changed him but also all those around him.
This young adult fantasy draws from Greek mythology in an innovative way. It proofs an excellent choice for readers of all ages. Riordan made a great job creating this world of adventure for Percy. The book is surprising, entertaining and well written. We will see what else brings this hero’s saga.