The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel (Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels #1)

This is the first instalment in the bestselling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The first two books have even been made into movies, though the books are very different and much better.

This book focusses on the adventures of Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Being the son of a god and a mortal makes Percy a demigod, referred to in this book as half-bloods. Half-bloods are constantly hunted by various monsters and live in the only safe place for their kind, Camp Half-Blood. Designed like an extraordinary summer camp and full of activities such as monsters fighting, archery and sword fighting, this place is awesome!

The three oldest and most powerful of the Olympians are Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. After World War II the three made a pledge not to have any more children with mortals. But clearly, this promise didn't hold. The fact that Percy is a son of Poseidon makes him more powerful than any other half-blood, including enabling him to control water. However, it also makes him a target for the worst of the worst, even some of the gods would like to see him dead.

Percy's friends include his fellow half-blood Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and the satyr Grover. They join Percy on his quest and help him overcome various challenges. Annabeth is smart and clever while Grover is funny and kind. Without their skill and knowledge Percy wouldn't be able to defeat his various foes. They are some of my favourite characters of all time.

This book is fast passed and filled with adventure, humour and mythology. I loved this book and couldn't wait to read the next Percy Jackson book!

This graphic novel is pretty good for graphic novels. I read it with my friend while we were in the school library waiting for the bus home. We finished pretty quickly but it was enjoyable. I didn't like how it was different to my idea of what the characters looked like, but it turned out all right.

The comics were well drawn and I enjoyed this short view on the first Percy Jackson book. It was much better than the movie, which sucked really bad. This graphic novel is quite good and is worth reading if you enjoyed the series.

Reader reviewed by ShaneyMN

Okay...

So most people who have seen the movie version would probably choose not to read the book anymore. But to everyone who have seen the movie and thought it was pretty good (well actually, even to those who didn't think much of it), I advise you to read the book as well. Why? Because, (to those who have seen the movie), despite the many similarities among the characters and some scenes, the storyline is actually quite different. Which is expected, considering that most screenplays come out different from the book it was based on. Some examples include Twilight, Harry Potter, even A Walk to Remember. I love all these movies, but with Percy Jackson, I'd say I appreciate the book version better. It was very interesting, humorous, and incredibly refreshing. Some parts even made me laugh out loud. Now, I realize that not all people are into all that Greek Mythology type of stuff--I'm not either! I'm not very interested or even knowledgeable about the Olympians, their children or the monsters. But I enjoyed the way they were presented in the book. I loved the way every character, and the explanations on their existence were presented simply, but in a way that was neither confusing nor boring. And the plot will keep you guessing till the very end. The book is full of adventure, mystery and a budding puppy love romance--combine that with funny and fascinating--and you've got yourself something which can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike!

Reader reviewed by heidi

I read the book the Lightning Thief from the series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians by rick riorden. This adventrous and mysterious book is about a boy named Percy Jackson who is son of Poisiden, the god of sea. Percy didnt know his dad was poisiden until later in the book. Percy is a half-blood which means his mother is a mortal and his dad is a god. percy lives with his mom and his stepdad. Percy goes to camp half blood to recieve a quest to bring back the stolen lightnng bolt that belongs to Zeus, the god of the sky, and find the theif. He has many monsters that try to kill him on the way to the underworld.  They go to the underworld because they think Hedes stole it. Before percy goes on his quest he has been told a profecy by the oracle. The oracle said "You shall go west and face the who has turned. You shall find what is stolen and have it safely returned. You shall be betrayed by the one who calls you friend, and fail to save the thing that matters most in the end." On his journey he is occomponied by two friends. The first one is named Grover, who is half man half goat and percy`s protector. The second one is named Annebeth, who is duaghter of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. They help percy the whole way through hid journey.

        This book is a great book because it always leaves you hanging. The auther could have done a better job at making the descriptions less confusing. I give this book 5 stars.

Reader reviewed by Linda L

*previously posted on my book blog, Most Important Letter*

The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher:  Hyperion Books
Release date:  July 1, 2005

Age genre: Youth fiction
Sexual content: None. Come on, hes only 12!
Profanity: I dont know any fictional twelve-year-olds that curse. Its just not that popular with the audience.
Violence: Well, he does behead a few monsters with a shiny sword and stuff&
Other notables: No, all good!

Genres: Greek mythology, adventure

L: Percy is funny in a very-uncool-guy kind of way, which in my eyes makes him cooler. After all, anyone who can laugh at himself is awesome.

So we follow Percy into the world of the Greek gods full of demigods, satyrs, nymphs, Cyclopes, hippocampi, pegasi, centaurs, enchantresses, giants & and so much more. We see him develop from the bullied, dyslexic twelve-year-old boy to a potential warrior.

Rick Riordan wrote The Lightning Thief beautifully.

Copy: Paperback, borrowed from friend
Rating: 4 out of 5 letter blocks