Reviews

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

books_tea_and_fantasy's review against another edition

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3.0

3 ⭐️

Characters: 5
Atmosphere: 6
Writing: 5
Plot: 5
Intrigue: 6
Logic: 5
Enjoyment: 6

prettryeisst's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring relaxing sad tense 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

4.5

heddas_bookgems's review against another edition

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4.0

Jumping on the mythological rollercoaster known as Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief feels like crashing a party I’ve heard about but never attended. With "Mythology March" in full swing, I figured it was high time to get on the celestial bandwagon and crack open the series for the very first time.

Our protagonist, Percy, is a certified misfit who seems to attract trouble like a magnet. Seriously, the guy has been expelled more times than I've hit the snooze button. But fear not, because Rick Riordan, a.k.a. the self-proclaimed "storyteller of the gods," is here to guide us through the chaos.

In Riordan's version of the mythological realm, the ancient gods have set up shop in Manhattan. Why, you ask? Well, it’s a bit patriotic, but it's the epicenter of divine power. Move over, Mount Olympus! Olympus traded its laurels for Stars and Stripes! But hey, who can blame them, even the gods are after a slice of the American Dream.

However, reading this book is like finding a secret stash of Greek myths disguised as entertainment, introducing readers to a colorful cast of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. Who knew you could learn so much about Greek mythology while being thoroughly entertained? It's like sneaking veggies into a smoothie – you don't realize you're getting a history lesson until it's too late.

Sure, there are moments when the moral lessons feel a tad heavy-handed, and the pacing hits a speed bump or two in the middle. But when you're on a quest with Percy, those little hiccups are easily overlooked. This story isn't just about battling monsters and dodging lightning bolts; it's about Percy's journey of self-discovery and acceptance and making friends!

Now, let's talk about the elephant – or should I say, god – in the room. The sheer number of demigod offspring running around at camp Half Blood makes you wonder if the Greek gods have heard of birth control. Seriously, it's like a divine daycare center out there. Are we to believe all these demigods were born out of genuine affection? Call me skeptical, but it seems like the gods might be treating mortal flings like a celestial dating app. And don't even get me started on Percy's absentee dad. Did Poseidon miss the memo on fatherhood from the divine deadbeat handbook? Talk about daddy issues.

That set aside, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a wild ride from start to finish. It's a thrilling adventure filled with mythology, mischief, and maybe a few unanswered questions about divine family planning. But hey, it’s still darn entertaining.

booknooknorth's review against another edition

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4.0

Honestly, wasn't as bad as I feared, and definitely way better than the movie

I can't think of what this book didn't do well, though at the same it's not perfect.

The description of POC is dated, Riordan described people as "chocolate colored skin" instead of just saying they were brown is a bit of a yikes. I hope for Riordan's sake, it changed over time.
Each chapter sorta felt like a TV episode that could technically be played off and not useful to the plot.

All that being said, this is a book that you shouldn't think too hard about and just enjoy the ride. Which I did!

4/5

chaylilee's review against another edition

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

4.0

kxtie303's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.5

alexx_22's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

haruviss's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring 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

4.5

Incrível e nostálgico!!

cirriform's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny 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? Yes

4.25

gsuhadolnik's review against another edition

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5.0

5/21/20:
... yep.