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

Reader reviewed by Jonah

The Ligthning Thief  is the first book of the amazing series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" by Rick Riordan. The Lightning Thief is a must read book if you haven't read it yet.  Once you start reading you can't stop, trust me. Rick Riordan does the best job that I've ever seen in a book describing the setting and characters. For example, he describes Percy's best friend, Grover, as someone who is an easy target for bullies, scrawny, cries when he gets frustrated, and much more. Another reason this is my favorite type of book is because it's written in first person.

One of the things the author could've done better is to make the endings of events less predictable. The author practically tells who Percy's father is. For example, Percy's mother eats blue food,  the Poseidon cabin smells like Montuak (the place where Percy's mom met his dad), and Percy makes pipes burst without hitting himself. But I can see that the author most likely does this on purpose but he should make the clues a little harder to piece together.  In conclusion, Rick Riordan does an awesome job of storytelling in The Lightning Thief.  Even though some of the events are predictable, you won't be able to put this book down and will really enjoy reading it.

Reader reviewed by Ananya

12 year old Percy Jackson life is flipped around when

a. his mom dissolves into yellow light

 b. he finds out hes a half blood

 c. he discovers that his father is Poseidon

d. all of the above

If you guessed d, you have probably read the book, a riveting novel by Rick Riordan. Percy Jackson The Lightning Thief is a story about a boy who has to go on a quest to find a lightning bolt he is accused of stealing.

The book is humorous and I also like the adventure parts.

Reader reviewed by Victoria Morris

After several months of not reading, as I was head deep in a story of my own, I picked this up at the bookstore in preparation for the movie coming out this month.

Reader reviewed by Nikki aka SpunkiiReader

The first time I head about this series I wrote it off as a childrens book.  I didnt think I would enjoy it because it was targeted for the younger reader, but I finally convinced myself to read it and I loved it. Even though Percy is only 12, I still found myself interested in his struggles and choices. I didnt know much about the Greek gods before I read this, but that wasnt a problem Riordan does a great job of explaining each myth as it comes along. I find myself extremely anxious to read the next book in the series and find out what happens next.

Reader reviewed by Katie

This book is great if you like Greek mythology, and if you don't you will soon! The author brings together all the myths and says, "What if the Greek gods were real? What if they were your parents?" Percy has never fit in, and when his math teacher tries to kill him he knows he's not normal. This book will keep you laughing from 'Chapter One: I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher' to the end!

Reader reviewed by Crimin

. . .then this is the book for you!! (Review may have spoilers.)

Percy Jackson, the troubled, misunderstood boy with below-average grades and horrible dyslexia. Sure, the kid tries to do the right thing but is mostly punished whenever he throws a punch in the name of his friend Grover or tells on the girls picking on them. If that isnt bad enough, he has to go home to a horrible step-father that treats him and his mother like dirt.

Can a kid get a break?

He sure does.

After a rampaging Minotaur (but, shhh! Dont speak its name!) wrecks his step-fathers car and murders his mother, Percy finds himself, his best friend Grover by his side, at the Half-Blood Camp grounds. And he finds that he isnt so bad after all, just misunderstood. Turns out, every child there is a the son or daughter of a God or Goddess of Olympus. Including Percy.

This story of a boy finding out about his heritage and learn, above all else, that nothing is impossible should be dubbed the next best think to Harry Potter. I enjoyed each minute of it and I cannot wait to purchase and read the second, third, fourth, and fifth books in the series.

Reader reviewed by Apple

Percy Jackson's sixth grade year makes a huge turn around when he makes a shocking discovery. He's not exactly 'normal'. He discovers that his father is actually a greek god. Now, in order to save his mom and clear his name, Percy must find and return Zeus's master bolt before the summer solstice. With the help of his two best friends, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood, his quest will hopefully be easier...won't it?
This book is a great mix of modern times and myth. For someone who studies greek myths, this will most certainly be something to enjoy. Action packed with plenty of tense moments and close call, this book is worth 10/10.   

Reader reviewed by aria

percy has been kicked out of every school he's been too. he caused a flood. he shot the scoolbus with a cannon. he's perfectly used to getting expelled.

but this time his math teacher turns into a monster and tries to kill him.

imagine having a minotaur chase you down in the middle of the night.
imagine your mother being taken from you in front of your eyes.
imagine being told....

that you are the son of the sea god poisiedon.

percy is claimed by poisiedon, and immiadeatly blamed for a theft he did not do. so to stop the gods from creating world war 3, percy must set out on a quest across the US, with only a beautiful 12-year-old girl and an satyr in 6th grade to help him.

will he suceed? come on people read it and find out. hint: he will fail to save what matters most in the end.

uh-oh.....

Reader reviewed by co-chan


Percy Jackson has always had problems at school. The doctors diagnosed him with ADHD and dyslexia, the main reasons why he is kicked out of every school he ever goes to. But Percy's Latin teacher, a.k.a. Chiron, the centaur, has another explanation: Percy is a demi-god. And the son of none other than the sea god, Poseidon.

The book is very funny and easy to read. Once again I think it would appeal more to middle-school boys though anyone can enjoy the book.

Riordan is very creative and original with all the Olympian gods. The characters are nicely developed and flawed, making them very much human (or demi-godish, whatever). I read this book in one sitting.

Reader reviewed by Mina


This book was so good you would probably love this book if you like greek mythology. This is way less serious and so much funnier.

This is about a guy who thinks he's normal but really he is a half-blood (half greek god)and his life changes forever.

This book is one of my favorite books!