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Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
42 reviews
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Somehow, I'm very late to this PJO party, but now that I've arrived, I get the hype. This book was great! It was filled with all the adventure and fun I would've craved in a fantasy book in middle school. My almost 30-year-old self is a little sad that my 12-year-old self didn't get a chance to enjoy it during that time. But, the great thing is that it's appealing even as an adult.
I'm finally diving into this series in anticipation of the upcoming adaptation. Yes, I watched the first movies, and no, I didn't hate them - namely because I didn't know at the time that they were adaptations, so I wasn't aware of all that I was missing. But considering the fact that I've seen them a handful of times, reading the book opened my eyes to all the things that were missing - so I understand why avid readers were upset.
This opening book was so much fun. The characters were likable and creative. I appreciated the fact that there were learning disabilities too and that they were normalized. Sure, for Percy, some of that had to do with the fact that English isn't actually his native language, but for the most part, it was really neat to see how those things played into who the characters were.
I think the thing I had the toughest time with was how quickly Percy adjusted after his mom was taken - or in the reader's eye, killed. It seemed like he bounced back pretty fast, even before he had decided to believe she was only in the Underworld and perfectly capable of being saved.
I loved the sass, humor, and creativity of the characters. I can't wait to see how their stories unfold in the following books.
Also, side note: considering how many years ago these were written, I was greatly impressed with the lack of problematic topics or themes. For the most part, this seemed like it aged really well!
I'm finally diving into this series in anticipation of the upcoming adaptation. Yes, I watched the first movies, and no, I didn't hate them - namely because I didn't know at the time that they were adaptations, so I wasn't aware of all that I was missing. But considering the fact that I've seen them a handful of times, reading the book opened my eyes to all the things that were missing - so I understand why avid readers were upset.
This opening book was so much fun. The characters were likable and creative. I appreciated the fact that there were learning disabilities too and that they were normalized. Sure, for Percy, some of that had to do with the fact that English isn't actually his native language, but for the most part, it was really neat to see how those things played into who the characters were.
I think the thing I had the toughest time with was how quickly Percy adjusted after his mom was taken - or in the reader's eye, killed. It seemed like he bounced back pretty fast, even before he had decided to believe she was only in the Underworld and perfectly capable of being saved.
I loved the sass, humor, and creativity of the characters. I can't wait to see how their stories unfold in the following books.
Also, side note: considering how many years ago these were written, I was greatly impressed with the lack of problematic topics or themes. For the most part, this seemed like it aged really well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: War
Minor: Death of parent
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Ableism and Toxic relationship
smsam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse
tintinmd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'd heard of this book here and there but it didn't catch my attention as a kid. But the past few years, I started looking forward to reading this book since there's this thing that a lot of people who liked the Percy Jackson series turned out to be queer😅 Also, a friend of mine is a big Percy Jackson fan.
Also note, I've marked this book as medium-paced but honestly, I feel this book was more slow-paced for me. That's also because I spent a lot of time looking up words and characters mentioned since I'm new to Greek mythology.
This book scared me a lot!ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
How is this a middle grade book?!
But then, maybe middle
graders look at things differently.Monsters at every other step! I lost a lot of sleep over those monsters, especially Echidna. But thankfully, things aren't scary on the return journey.
Also, this book felt queer coded right in the first para! But after that I lost track coz so scary!ðŸ˜
Percy can be so funny! Love the way he describes things. Eases the tension.Grover and Annabeth are such sweethearts!🥺 And I liked the bit where Percy meets Hades. Hades' ranting somehow makes him more human?/relatable/less terrifying. Also the decision Annabeth makes of contacting her dad, giving things a chance - that was heartwarming.
I think once I get over the fear this book caused me, I'll be able to appreciate more. Percy is a protagonist who has ADHD and dyslexia and I think this is the first time I'm reading a book that has these explicitly mentioned and incorporated in the narrative. I don't know if they're good descriptions but from what limited knowledge I have, they seemed to be so. I'll try to check on the quality of these descriptions.
Other than all this, I was slightly disappointed that I could identify elements of a middle grade story centering a young hero. Kept finding parallels with Harry Potter. But maybe that's okay.
I kinda wish I'd read this as a middle grader, would I be less scared then? Anyways, I'll take some time before I read the next book in this series, and I hope I'm not as scared then😅
Also note, I've marked this book as medium-paced but honestly, I feel this book was more slow-paced for me. That's also because I spent a lot of time looking up words and characters mentioned since I'm new to Greek mythology.
This book scared me a lot!ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
How is this a middle grade book?!
But then, maybe middle
graders look at things differently.
Also, this book felt queer coded right in the first para! But after that I lost track coz so scary!ðŸ˜
Percy can be so funny! Love the way he describes things. Eases the tension.
I think once I get over the fear this book caused me, I'll be able to appreciate more. Percy is a protagonist who has ADHD and dyslexia and I think this is the first time I'm reading a book that has these explicitly mentioned and incorporated in the narrative. I don't know if they're good descriptions but from what limited knowledge I have, they seemed to be so. I'll try to check on the quality of these descriptions.
Other than all this, I was slightly disappointed that I could identify elements of a middle grade story centering a young hero. Kept finding parallels with Harry Potter. But maybe that's okay.
I kinda wish I'd read this as a middle grader, would I be less scared then? Anyways, I'll take some time before I read the next book in this series, and I hope I'm not as scared then😅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
Moderate: Death and War
Minor: Domestic abuse
itshardizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
percy jackson is the book that had the most influence on me, so this reread was a huge deal. it was because of percy that i started to read and being able to reread it now, i've realized that no matter that has been almost 7 years since i last read this, it remains as good as it was and it has the same effects on me.
percy is more brave than i remembered and having now the mentality of a 18 y/o really made the plot richer, bc now i can see these subplots that i hadn't noticed it before. uncle rick really did well by introducing how bad the gods are as parents and how this have affected their kids.
percy has this need to have poseidon's approval, this need that grover sees but percy himself won't accept. he want this fatherly blessing and he wants it so bad to have a father figure in his life. the same thing happens with Annabeth and even Luke (even grover!). they want their parent blessing, and it's what shapes them into doing the things they chose to do.
i'm so happy with this reread and with being able to understand the intricacies that uncle rick gave us. the story itself was already amazing for me as a young teenager, now as a young adult is even more with the details <3
(i now will proceed to make headcanons about this story)
percy is more brave than i remembered and having now the mentality of a 18 y/o really made the plot richer, bc now i can see these subplots that i hadn't noticed it before. uncle rick really did well by introducing how bad the gods are as parents and how this have affected their kids.
percy has this need to have poseidon's approval, this need that grover sees but percy himself won't accept. he want this fatherly blessing and he wants it so bad to have a father figure in his life. the same thing happens with Annabeth and even Luke (even grover!). they want their parent blessing, and it's what shapes them into doing the things they chose to do.
i'm so happy with this reread and with being able to understand the intricacies that uncle rick gave us. the story itself was already amazing for me as a young teenager, now as a young adult is even more with the details <3
(i now will proceed to make headcanons about this story)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
lunep'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? Yes
5.0
I can't be unbiased when it comes to Percy Jackson, sorry. I decided to re-read TLT to have it fresh before the show release, but then I packed all my books in boxes in November due to Real Life Things and forgot to keep it out, so I couldn't get it out until January 🥲
There were so many things I didn't remember, it was kinda like reading it for the first time. I love Percy, Annabeth and Grover sm, my silly little kids.
There were so many things I didn't remember, it was kinda like reading it for the first time. I love Percy, Annabeth and Grover sm, my silly little kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and War
rachel_kay5853's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent
despoena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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
3.5
The book is very interesting because the plot is inspired from the Ancient Greek myths but it is presented in a modern version that makes it very fresh.But the book has some flaws the world-building in this book doesn't exist. The author doesn't spend any time building his world so that the reader can be attached to it. The book has a very fast pace and sometimes some events are not mentioned in detail. He could have cut down in adventures and spend more time in world building and in details.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Blood
luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
This will forever be one of my favorite books. It is so captivating, has such lovable characters, and does a great job of integrating Greek mythology into the story. I love Rick's writing and Percy as a narrator. I have reread this many times and I never get tired of it. Also, it has great representation for kids with ADHD and dyslexia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Car accident