stoola_pz's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.5
nostalgic but that’s about it
acerosalina's review against another edition
5.0
(reread) talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it
fictionalkate's review against another edition
2.0
I’ve seen the movies and loved them so I thought it was about time I saw where everything began for Percy, Grover and Annabeth. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan tells the story of how twelve year old Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod. Son of Poseidon, Percy has never quite been like other kids. Hidden in the mortal world to protect him from those with grudges against his biological father, Percy has always known that he was different. When Zeus’ lightning bolt is stolen, Percy’s existence comes to light and his paternity is revealed. If Percy is to find the bolt (and consequentially save his mother and become a hero) – he needs to overcome monsters and battle gods. Not alone in his quest, his best friend Grover and one of Athena’s daughters, Annabeth, tag along to give Percy the best chance against the powerful immortals.
For the right audience, I believe this book would be perfect. There’s action and adventure. A great take on classic mythology and characters I could fall in love with.
The problem is – I’m not the right audience. I’m in my twenties and unlike a lot of other young adult and middle grade books I’ve read – this one made me feel old in a way no other book I’ve read before has.
The characters, as entertaining as they are, read a little young. I liked that they are true to their character. I believe that Percy is twelve despite him having to try and take on challenges that would terrify people many times his age. And the author is consistent with the the trio’s skill levels. I just think that I’m not the right person for this book. The mythology is amazing. I love how much Riordan packed in. There’s all sorts of gods met and mentioned with places and stories being inserted into the plot all over the place. Journey wise – it didn’t feel very planned all the time. Like the trio were sort of stumbling upon where they were supposed to go next. But in the end they got to where they were meant to be so it all worked out for the best I suppose.
I’ll still watch the movies (provided they make more! Fingers crossed!) but this series isn’t for me.
For the right audience, I believe this book would be perfect. There’s action and adventure. A great take on classic mythology and characters I could fall in love with.
The problem is – I’m not the right audience. I’m in my twenties and unlike a lot of other young adult and middle grade books I’ve read – this one made me feel old in a way no other book I’ve read before has.
The characters, as entertaining as they are, read a little young. I liked that they are true to their character. I believe that Percy is twelve despite him having to try and take on challenges that would terrify people many times his age. And the author is consistent with the the trio’s skill levels. I just think that I’m not the right person for this book. The mythology is amazing. I love how much Riordan packed in. There’s all sorts of gods met and mentioned with places and stories being inserted into the plot all over the place. Journey wise – it didn’t feel very planned all the time. Like the trio were sort of stumbling upon where they were supposed to go next. But in the end they got to where they were meant to be so it all worked out for the best I suppose.
I’ll still watch the movies (provided they make more! Fingers crossed!) but this series isn’t for me.
breaklikeafish's review against another edition
4.0
When I first read the book I had already seen the movie, but despite that fact I loved it
philautia's review against another edition
5.0
August 2023 reread:
Every time I dive back into the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, I'm amazed. I truly believe this is one of the best book series you can get your child to read, and I'm incredibly thankful I got to read it when I was twelve.
How does The Lightning Thief manage to have everything in the right measure? Here we have this book for children that manages to adapt the Greek myths, often violent and complicated, in a way that is completely appropriate for a middle grade audience. There's silly little jokes, but it also tackles serious subjects with the gravitas they deserve: parental neglect, childhood trauma, domestic violence, death.
Seriously, the scene where Percy forces himself to take a step back and let his mother handle the situation with her abusive husband herself means more to me now than it ever did as a young child. I found the way Rick Riordan makes sure that Sally Jackson is the one to have agency over her situation to be incredibly mature and a great example of why this book has aged incredibly well.
As I grow older and change, I find a lot of comfort in the fact that my love for this book series has remained constant. It got me through a lot back when I read it, and it still brings me so much joy and manages to amaze me for different reasons every time. Percy Jackson is a series that proves that good middle grade books are for everyone.
June 2020 reread:
Buddy read with lena!
First of all, let me say that I WAS THRIVING. This is my fourth (fifth?) time reading this book, and it makes me feel at home!! This book series has meant so so much to me for almost six years now, so I'm definitely a) very biased in my opinions, and b) very EXCITED about this whole thing.
I hadn't forgotten about many things, except for the amount of foreshadowing. Like, a scorpion was mentioned at some point before the incident and I LITERALLY GASPED...
I missed Annabeth Chase SO MUCH. Fun story, I admired Annabeth so much as a 12 year old, that I developed a fear of spiders! Yay! The end! (Jk, I was kind of afraid of spiders, it just got worse)
I missed Percy and his narration. He is hilarious in a way that only 12 year olds are. Like, when you speak to a 12/13 year old, they say some really funny shit sometimes when you least expect it. That's how I felt reading from Percy again. HE IS HILARIOUS, AND SAD, AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! I just want to make him a cup of tea and tell him it'll be okay!!
I MISSED THE TRIO AND I MISSED THEIR MISSION AND I MISSED THEIR CHILDISH BANTER AND I CANNOT WAIT TO REREAD THE SEA OF MONSTERS!!!
Every time I dive back into the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, I'm amazed. I truly believe this is one of the best book series you can get your child to read, and I'm incredibly thankful I got to read it when I was twelve.
How does The Lightning Thief manage to have everything in the right measure? Here we have this book for children that manages to adapt the Greek myths, often violent and complicated, in a way that is completely appropriate for a middle grade audience. There's silly little jokes, but it also tackles serious subjects with the gravitas they deserve: parental neglect, childhood trauma, domestic violence, death.
Seriously, the scene where Percy forces himself to take a step back and let his mother handle the situation with her abusive husband herself means more to me now than it ever did as a young child. I found the way Rick Riordan makes sure that Sally Jackson is the one to have agency over her situation to be incredibly mature and a great example of why this book has aged incredibly well.
As I grow older and change, I find a lot of comfort in the fact that my love for this book series has remained constant. It got me through a lot back when I read it, and it still brings me so much joy and manages to amaze me for different reasons every time. Percy Jackson is a series that proves that good middle grade books are for everyone.
June 2020 reread:
Buddy read with lena!
First of all, let me say that I WAS THRIVING. This is my fourth (fifth?) time reading this book, and it makes me feel at home!! This book series has meant so so much to me for almost six years now, so I'm definitely a) very biased in my opinions, and b) very EXCITED about this whole thing.
I hadn't forgotten about many things, except for the amount of foreshadowing. Like, a scorpion was mentioned at some point before the incident and I LITERALLY GASPED...
I missed Annabeth Chase SO MUCH. Fun story, I admired Annabeth so much as a 12 year old, that I developed a fear of spiders! Yay! The end! (Jk, I was kind of afraid of spiders, it just got worse)
I missed Percy and his narration. He is hilarious in a way that only 12 year olds are. Like, when you speak to a 12/13 year old, they say some really funny shit sometimes when you least expect it. That's how I felt reading from Percy again. HE IS HILARIOUS, AND SAD, AND I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! I just want to make him a cup of tea and tell him it'll be okay!!
I MISSED THE TRIO AND I MISSED THEIR MISSION AND I MISSED THEIR CHILDISH BANTER AND I CANNOT WAIT TO REREAD THE SEA OF MONSTERS!!!
bubbajones1221's review against another edition
5.0
Fun and fast-paced. I wish I had read in middle school and not merely seen the 2010 movie.
benedettal's review against another edition
4.0
I mean this is an iconic series, but I found the writing particularly childish, or maybe it’s just dated in a way that is cringey. Either way, great concept, gets point for nostalgia, but not the best of the series.
loslibrosdelupita's review against another edition
3.0
I was overwhelmed by the amount of things happening at the same time. It was very fast, but I liked it and I'll read the next one :)
marineb09's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to read this series for quite some time now and I am glad I picked it up ! Nothing compare to the movie obviously. I just watched it haha
The story is good, too much is happening at the same time but the writing is nice and funny and you want to read the next chapter to see how it goes.
I am enjoying it so far so let's see what book 2 has in store for us =)
The story is good, too much is happening at the same time but the writing is nice and funny and you want to read the next chapter to see how it goes.
I am enjoying it so far so let's see what book 2 has in store for us =)
scoundrella's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0