The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Release Date: July 2005
Publisher: Disney Press
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 385
Overall:

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.

This is Book One in the Percy Jackson series and I absolutely loved it. It created a Secondary World that existed within modern day America, which is partly why I love the Twilight Saga, and more importantly, the Harry Potter series. The entire series is set in a similar fashion to that of Harry Potter with a few exceptions: Percy Jackson is a demi-god; The Greek Gods are very important to the story; Oh and they go to a summer camp.

I loved the characters. Percy couldn’t be more of a hero as he struggles with his identity, his powers and his people skills. He makes many friends along the way including other demi-gods, nature spirits, and creatures of the ocean. He also makes many enemies with his peers, elders…and maybe a god or two. However, his trusty sidekick Grover and best friend Annabeth are there to help keep him in line. Grover believes in him, giving him courage when he needs it while Annabeth brings logic and wisdom to the group, as is her nature. The other characters are represented in fun ways including Medusa and Ares. No one would expect to see the Greek Gods represented in such a way, and it is enjoyable as Rick does it.

The writing is fun and easy to read. It gives you insight into Percy’s head, and though it can be frustrating at times because it is obvious someone else (Annabeth, typically) knows information vital to the story that he hasn’t discovered yet. It also works well with the age that Percy is, especially since the reader can see a few things coming in the future books when he’s older, Percy is portrayed perfectly at the age of twelve.

This was the first book in a long time where I couldn’t wait to pick up the sequel. I read it in a day without any trouble. It was a great read and I recommend it to anyone who likes to read.

Who Might Like This Book:
Harry Potter Lovers
Mythology Lovers

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In My Mailbox (8)

In My Mailbox is a weekly Meme hosted by The Story Siren



Candor by Pam Bachorz (ARC/Egmont/ September 22nd, 2009)

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town
where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way
to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them
all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved
teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages
to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to
get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape
Candor, Florida before they're transformed into
cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor,
and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (ARC/Little Brown/October 1st, 2009)

Samara Taylor used to believe in miracles. She used to believe in a lot of things. As a pastor's kid, it's hard not to buy in to the idea of the perfect family, a loving God, and amazing grace. But lately, Sam has a lot of reason to doubt. Her mother lands in rehab after a DUI and her father seems more interested in his congregation than his family. When a young girl in her small town is kidnapped, the local tragedy overlaps with Sam's personal one, and the already-worn thread of faith holding her together begins to unravel.

Immortal by Gillian Shields (Hardback/HarperTeen/August 4th, 2009)

Wyldcliffe Abbey School for Young Ladies, housed in a Gothic mansion on the bleak northern moors, is elite, expensive, and unwelcoming. When Evie Johnson is torn away from her home by the sea to become the newest scholarship student, she is more isolated than she could have dreamed. Strict teachers, snobbish students, and the oppressive atmosphere of Wyldcliffe leave Evie drowning in loneliness.

Evie's only lifeline is Sebastian, a rebellious, mocking, dangerously attractive young man she meets by chance. As Evie's feelings for Sebastian grow with each secret meeting, she starts to fear that he is hiding something about his past. And she is haunted by glimpses of a strange, ghostly girl—a girl who is so eerily like Evie, she could be a sister. Evie is slowly drawn into a tangled web of past and present that she cannot control. And as the extraordinary, elemental forces of Wyldcliffe rise up like the mighty sea, Evie is faced with an astounding truth about Sebastian, and her own incredible fate.

Gillian Shields's electrifying tale will dazzle readers with suspense, mysticism, and romance.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors (Paperback/Walker and Company/August 21st, 2009)

From the author of Saving Juliet comes a romantic comedy that is good to the last drop. When Katrina spots a homeless guy sleeping in the alley behind her grandmother’s coffee shop, she decides to leave him a cup of coffee, a bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, and some pastries to tide him over. Little does she know that this random act of kindness is about to turn her life upside down. Because this adorable vagrant, Malcolm, is really a guardian angel on a break between missions. And he won’t leave until he can reward Katrina’s selflessness by fulfilling her deepest desire. Now if only she could decide what that might be . . .

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Paperback/Miramax/April 1st, 2006)

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. Percy's mom decides it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from. 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. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.