The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
brenscoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
starklinqs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Just an overall fantastic book. I read this back in middle school, so I was a bit worried about it not holding up, but I still loved it! While there's some things I wish were written more in depth, the book is amazing and I had such a blast reading it - and there's a lot of tough things that our characters have to deal with. I love that this book doesn't shy away from things like domestic abuse, or death, or try to dumb anything down for the children who had been reading. This series is great and I can't wait to continue on with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Gun violence
theresejanosky's review against another edition
5.0
Is a lot of my love for this book tied to nostalgia? Probably yes. Do I still think this is a genuinely good middle grade book? Also yes.
I really do love Percy. I wish there were more characters like him carried over into YA books, rather than the brooding bad boy we constantly see. Percy gets to brood sometimes and still gets to be fun! He's smart and confident but also a little bit dumb and impetuous.
This first book is good, definitely not my favorite of the series, but I think it does a good job of introducing the characters and establishing the plot of the series as a whole. Riordan is good at writing fun action scenes and also at writing softer, sweeter moments between characters that still feel true to the way 12-year-olds behave. Percy and Annabeth mutually crushing on one another and also being annoyed by one another from the start? Delightful. Adorable. I love them.
A side note, every time I reread these, I am shocked all over again at how much the movie said, "Thanks for the idea and title, but we're gonna do something just completely different." I hope the Disney+ show finally gives this series the adaptation it deserves.
I really do love Percy. I wish there were more characters like him carried over into YA books, rather than the brooding bad boy we constantly see. Percy gets to brood sometimes and still gets to be fun! He's smart and confident but also a little bit dumb and impetuous.
This first book is good, definitely not my favorite of the series, but I think it does a good job of introducing the characters and establishing the plot of the series as a whole. Riordan is good at writing fun action scenes and also at writing softer, sweeter moments between characters that still feel true to the way 12-year-olds behave. Percy and Annabeth mutually crushing on one another and also being annoyed by one another from the start? Delightful. Adorable. I love them.
A side note, every time I reread these, I am shocked all over again at how much the movie said, "Thanks for the idea and title, but we're gonna do something just completely different." I hope the Disney+ show finally gives this series the adaptation it deserves.
acidicbruises's review against another edition
4.0
i never got to read these as a kid because i was a harry potter kid (regrettably) but i'm so glad to get into the percy jackson & the olympians series now!!! loved the adhd, dyslexic, and (loosely) mixed kid representation so much <3
melissatrew's review against another edition
3.0
Read this one as a bedtime story with my kids. I found it to be formulaic and predictable, in terms of the story’s framework. The actual events of the book felt disjointed, as though they were included for the sake of convenience, rather than for authentic narrative value.
The 3rd and 4th grade boys I’m raising, however, couldn’t get enough. Looks like this one is another case of “I clearly wasn’t the target audience.”
The 3rd and 4th grade boys I’m raising, however, couldn’t get enough. Looks like this one is another case of “I clearly wasn’t the target audience.”
rotten_flesh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
tellie's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely adore this series! Have read it multiple times since I was a teenager and now am turning 21!
ditalion's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading The Lightning Thief! ❤
The greek mythology is very interesting and I love that so much in this book. I don't know why but Percy was an instantly likeable character for me. Annabeth was also amazing. I thought the plot was nice and it read on a good pace. Somethings were a little predicable but most things weren't. I thought this book was really exciting. Would totally recommend!
Started reading The Sea Of Monsters as soon as I could.
The greek mythology is very interesting and I love that so much in this book. I don't know why but Percy was an instantly likeable character for me. Annabeth was also amazing. I thought the plot was nice and it read on a good pace. Somethings were a little predicable but most things weren't. I thought this book was really exciting. Would totally recommend!
Started reading The Sea Of Monsters as soon as I could.
beckykeister's review against another edition
4.0
I read this having heard great things from middle schoolers about it. Aside from the narration sometimes being annoying, I enjoyed it a lot. Having a background in some Greek Mythology definitely helped me enjoy it more than if I had none. I liked Riordan's twist on classical characters, adapting them to modern places and times. The book served as a great refresher from some of those stories that had faded in my memory. I wouldn't hesitate to continue this series when I need a quick, fun read.