Book Review: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Olympians the Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan

Release date: July 1, 2005.

Read: 2009, and three times since.
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: Paperback, 375 pages
Series: Book #1 in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Description from Goodreads: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

Review: "Blaa-ha-ha!" Just imagine. Your best friend is a satyr and you are only part human. Honestly, that'd be awesome. Who wouldn't want a little excitement in their lives? (And yes, I do realize that I would be constantly hunted.) You'd have supernatural powers and automatically be a pretty good fighter. That's the dream.
     The Lightning Thief is a well thought-out book. Rick Riordan took information, myths, and stories from textbooks and created an enchanting new world. He used prior knowledge and added an exciting twist. From Percy Jackson's point of view, you emerge into a camp filled with magical creatures and people to meet. Everything, from the climbing wall that spills lava to the appearances of monsters, is detailed, except for the characters. Only a few characters have backstories. How and when did Clarisse get to camp? When was the camp built? These are questions I'd love to have answers to. Although we don't learn much about some demigods other than their appearances, I still adore this book, and I understand that it is meant to have a sequel.

Favourite Quotes:

•  "It's funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality."- Chiron, Rick Riordan
•  "The real world is where the monsters are. That's where you learn whether you're any good or not."- Annabeth, Rick Riordan

Rating: 6.5/10

Recommended if you like: greek mythology, gods, supernatural worlds, adventure books, or the Kane Chronicles

A recipe for disaster,

Lauren