Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

28 reviews

abbyynormal's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Abandonment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, and War

bndean's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I've been rereading this book 3-5 times a year for fifteen years now, and I still pick up on something new every time. There is something for everyone in this book, whether it's the mythology, the adventure, the friendship and found family themes, the humor, the positive ADHD representation, etc. 

I've never encountered another author who understands and writes middle schoolers as accurately or with as much respect as Riordan does. I guess it's the teacher in him. Every one of these characters feels like a real person you could meet any day of your life, which is quite an accomplishment when half of them are immortal gods and monsters. Riordan isn't afraid to shy away from the darker parts of life, he but portrays them in an age-appropriate way that respects his young readers without either condescending or traumatizing. 

This is genuinely my favorite novel of all time, and I recommend everyone read it at least once.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Murder

keejaymarie02's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The first book to an amazing coming-of-age story with a godly twist! I absolutely love this book and it really sets up an incredible and immersive universe for the whole series. I've always been fascinated by ancient gods and demi-gods and this story brings it all in a modern light. Fantastic and fun read! Plus I highly recommend the Disney+ show! It's pretty accurate (much more so than the movies since the author was actually involved lol) and modernizes it all even more! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Car accident, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Gaslighting

r0_24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I read this over three days (crazy right?) and loved it. Percy is so witty and his comments make me laugh. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Blood

Minor: Gaslighting

paperbackmoth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I've read this years ago. I remembered how I liked it so I reread it this year. I still liked it. This story is timeless and fun. I liked Percy, Annabeth, Grover and the gods. Even gods have problems, huh? I picked this up again after hearing about the series by Disney. I hope it's great. On to the next one✨

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

jpt007's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

With the new series coming out I quickly started to reread this wonderful book. I think it’s been 6 years since I’ve read it and I’ve missed it. It’s like hugging an old friend and picking up where I left off. It’s always interesting rereading a book different things stick out to you and that was really fun.

Characters- 5/5*

Rick didn’t have to get so deep with this book meant for young teens but he did. So much motivation and 3D’ness to each character it was lovely. This is the reason why everyone loves these books.

Conflict- 4.5/5*

I am a sucker for a conflict inside a conflict so this book was great. I felt like some of the earlier monster fights staged on but once we got passed the casino it picked up.

Plot- 4.5/5*

This book has just the right amount if everything. Just enough exposition so you knew what was going on. The point if no returns was creative and clear. I think the rising action was a hair too long. But once we got to the climax I was good with everything. Also a lovely resolution.

Setting- 5/5* 

The world building is immaculate. I could really visualize the locations in my head. That’s how you know the author is good.

Theme- 5/5*

So many good themes from this book. This time I took away bring on the real world I’ll survive because I am stronger than I think I am. I also took away this idea of things coming to an end but they are also starting. You have to keep moving on because you change and you won’t be happy in the same place forever. The sea doesn't like to be restrained.

Overall Score: 4.8/5⭐️

I recommend this book to people looking for a new obsession.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and War

hedyharper's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

cadence99's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I can certainly see why this is such a well loved series; lovable characters, tons of action, and emotional depth all packed into an easy to read bundle. What lowers my experience, reading this as an adult, are things I probably wouldn’t have picked up on if I had read this when I was still the intended audience. There were numerous instances of the author using ableist language: the words

cripple

and

lame

both appeared multiple times. In addition, in true early 2000s fashion, every fat character was a bad guy, clearly intending readers to see them as gluttonous and repulsive. 

I might continue the series at some point, as I felt the strong points of this book still made for an overall positive reading experience, but i’m not chomping at the bit

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

tiddlerrr's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I first read this book when I was like 9 and I still adore it and the universe Uncle Rick has created 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying and Violence

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting