The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #1)

I’m sure we all have that book on our to-be-read lists, a book that you constantly stare at thinking, “I really need to read you,” but the timing is just not right. The Lightning Thief is that book for me. I think this novel has been on my TBR list longer than any other and I finally forced myself to read it after finding it at my local library. On a whim, I borrowed it and fell in love with the incredible world and characters Rick Riordan has created.

I’m sure almost everyone is familiar with the story, but if you aren’t, the book follows 12-year-old Percy Jackson, an ADHD and dyslexic boy who is constantly kicked out of school due to regular mishaps and bad behaviour. On a class excursion at his newest school, Percy is attacked by a teacher who turns into a horrible monster and he discovers a truth about himself: he is a demi-god, half-human half-god, and the son of the sea god Poseidon. The Greek gods are alive and real and living in New York City. Percy is taken to Camp Half-Blood where he meets more of his kind, including Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and Grover, a satyr. Not too long after he arrives, Percy discovers that he has angered the gods, especially Zeus, who believes that Percy has stolen his lightning bolt. Percy, Annabeth and Grover are sent on a quest to find the bolt, as well as Percy’s mother who was kidnapped, and the mysterious lightning thief.

Perhaps I read this novel at the right time in my life or maybe it was just that good, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was entertained from the first page, right until the very end. I am completely enchanted by the world Riordan has effortlessly created. It is such an amazing concept. I’ll admit, I was a little sceptical that the gods would simply just be there with no explanation aside from, “Yeah, they’re still alive,” but that was not the case. Riordan eloquently described how the ancient Greek gods are still kicking it. The gods, as well as Olympus and anything else attached to their realm, had followed the natural progression of Western Civilisation, becoming the central deities of whichever country or Empire happened to be in charge at the time. They started (obviously) in Greece, moved to Rome where the Romans deigned them with different names; then to Western Europe and the Renaissance, kept alive through the rebirth of classical literature and artwork. Today, the gods have settled in the current most powerful country in the world: America. Olympus can be found on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building and the entrance to the Underworld is in L.A.

The world-building is amazingly complex, detailed and well thought out. Everything makes perfect sense as Riordan divulges certain pieces of information and history into the text at precise moments. Riordan’s writing was a little elementary and simple, but considering his protagonist is 12 years old and the novel is middle grade fiction, that’s understandable. The writing matched the tone of the novel – fun, witty and comical.

I found the story-line engaging and I would frantically flip the pages, so excited and intrigued to discover the truth and what will happen next. I loved the inclusion of so many of my favourite characters from Greek history and mythology. Each time a new, recognisable character was introduced, I practically squealed in excitement.

The Lightning Thief was a delightful series-starter that left me wanting more. This novel was so fun and entertaining it was impossible to put down.

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I loved Percy Jackson for a four reasons:

1. I think that the characters were simply divine. They were written amazingly and described perfectly, so well I just got a perfect picture of them in my mind.

2. Percy Jackson. Now that is a winning character. I loved his personality and that he was the son of Poseidon. Poseidon is my favorite greek god, don't know why, but he just is. With his connections to the Sea God, I just fell in love with Percy. He seemed like a great guy who I wanted to meet.

3. The chapter titles. The chapter titles are funny little phrases that made me laugh my head off. They were great jokes that actually were pretty accurate with what was happening in that chapter.

4. Last but not least, was the idea of a book that is based on Greek Mythology. Instead of writing a boring textbook with lame facts that bore people to death, Rick Riordan changed it and bought it to a whole new level.

This book has hidden jokes that I were hard to find, but once found, you would wonder why you didn't see it earlier. This book is well written and it simply blew my breath away.

Greek mythology is fascinating but Rick Riordan made it fun and up-to-date in this story. I had to read it several times to catch all the inside jokes about the mythological characters. But that kind of richly layered detailing makes for a fantastic book that works on multiple levels for all ages. Bravo!

Greek Myths met the modern world

The Lightning Thief is the first book of Percy Jackson and The Olympians series.
Percy is a young boy trying to find his way in the world while discovering his best friend is a satyr and his father is a god. When he discovers his true nature everything changes for Percy. He embarks in a difficult quest to stop war and redeem himself after been wrongly accused of thievery. The quest becomes a metamorphosis for Percy; he discovers a new inner force, new abilities and affinities, stronger friendships and finds a new kind of empowerment to change his life and his mother’s. At the end of this hero’s quest we find a different Percy. His experiences have changed him but also all those around him.
This young adult fantasy draws from Greek mythology in an innovative way. It proofs an excellent choice for readers of all ages. Riordan made a great job creating this world of adventure for Percy. The book is surprising, entertaining and well written. We will see what else brings this hero’s saga.

This is a brilliant read. I love mythology, so I was excited to read this one. In honesty, I only knew about it because I heard about the film, so I wanted to read it before the film came out as I can't watch a movie and then read the book. Just doesn't work that way. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. It was a non-stop adrenalin rush. I went out and got the other four books. This is a must read.

Reader reviewed by Wolfgang Bail

         The Lightning Thief 
 Percy Jackson is an ordinary kid& until he figures out what he really is: son of the Sea God, Poseidon. As he trains at camp, he figures out that the Greek god Zeus is blaming him of stealing his master bolt. Now Percy and 2 of his friends go on a journey to save the master bolt and see it safely returned. Percy really wants to go to the underworld and save his mom. Will he save his mom and see the master bolt returned safely? Read to find out.                    

         I would recommend this book to whoever is willing to read this great action packed adventure. One reason would be that it is greatly known and well liked by many people around the world.

                 An adventure quest with a rip edge- School Library Journal

                 Packed with humorous illusions to Greek mythology along with rip snorting action sequences, this book really shines-The Horn Book

                 New York Times Notable Book of 2005

                A Child Magazine Best Book of the year

               A School Library Best Book of the year

           Another reason would be the action and power of the book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and wondering what will happens next. The book will blow your mind .Every page has something exciting to keep you going.

Percy is static because it does not tell much about him. He is round because his personality, thinking, and more changes in and about him.           

Reader reviewed by Reading Angel

"I had been putting of this series for awhile now. Although I normally love YA, I just thought this one would be more along the lines of a children's book and wouldn't keep my attention. And, I was wrong (and someone better record this, because I don't say it often...hehe). This was a very engaging read from the beginning to the end.

I really love reading about Greek mythology and this book really went in depth with it, there were several times that I wrote down names just so I could look them up later, made me feel NOT smarter than a 5th grader!! Percy is a great charcter, he's a scared kid who still stands up for what he believes is right, even when it would have been alot safer for him to run away. Percy meets some great characters along the way, some destined to be his friends, some destined to be his enemies. And sometimes the ones he thinks are friends don't turn out that way.

It's a perilous world that Percy finds himself thrown into, and I was glad to go along for the ride with him. I dug through this book at lightning speed and I'm really excited to read the rest and see what trouble Percy and the crew find their way into next time!"

Reader reviewed by Ashley K.

          The Lightning Thief is a fictional greek mythology book with a maze of twist and turns. Percy Jackson is a twelve years old with an odd past that is the result of being the son of a greek god. When he goes to Camp Half-blood he gets a quest. Zeus, Percy's uncle, loses his master boltand every one thinks Percy is the thief. Now Percygoes on an adventure with his satyr friend Grover and Annabeth Chace, daughter of Athena, and battle monsters and gods.