Review: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

[marta_monteirinho]

One day during Winter Break, I was like “I should watch Percy Jackson”, and so I did. I didn’t have great expectations for the movie as I had for the book but I loved the movie (probably because I hadn’t read the book yet and didn’t know that Percy was supposed to be TWELVE), so I did some research. I didn’t know that Percy Jackson was that popular. I immediately added the whole series to my “to be read” list and, while in New York City this past April, I bought the box-set. This week I finally had the change to start exploring the Percy Jackson world and I’m so glad to have read the book. I swear to God, Rick Riordan had me addicted from the very first page.

So, if you don’t know already…
Percy Jackson is a troubled kid. Gets into fights at school, has bad grades and problems with his teachers. That is, until he finds out he’s a demi-god. Demi-gods are the result of a relation between a human and a god. Lately, monsters have been after Percy, so he goes to the only place that is safe for him: Camp Half-Blood. The thing is, Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the number one suspect. So, he goes on an adventure with his friends, in order to find Zeus’ stolen property and return it back. But while he’s searching for the lightning bolt, he is also discovering facts about himself.

I loved Percy. He has everything that a main character needs. He’s hilarious, kick-ass and kind, plus he has freaking awesome underwater powers (since he is Poseidon’s son). Percy is a perfect narrator for this wonderful story, having such a strong voice and making you laugh every time he opens his mouth to say something. He is an underdog and people never really expect much from him, which made me root for him all the time.

The trio was something I enjoyed so much. We have Percy, son of Poseidon, Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena (the goddess who doesn’t have that nice of a relationship with the god of the Sea) and Grover, you know, your usual friend who is half human, half goat. The relationship between all of them was so nice and they quickly became friends and constantly have each other’s backs. Percy and Annabeth are only twelve, so, um, that says it all: they are pretty freaking awesome for such young protagonists. I also sensed that they possibly will turn into something more than friends as they get older. *winks*

Camp Half-Blood was also such a highlight. Rick Riordan sure takes a twist on your average summer camp. It is the place where the children of gods, like Percy and Annabeth, go to in the summer or year-round. It has got twelve cabins, each of them dedicated to a certain god, so Percy stays in Poseidon’s Cabin, while Annabeth lives in Athena’s. I loved the activities they did at the camp and their meals together and how they’d burn the food in honor of the gods. I wish I could go to a summer camp like that.

The mythology aspects were great and accurate. Considering that I personally am a mythology lover, I was over-the-heels excited to dive into the story and reading about gods and their awesome powers, since I have never read anything like the Percy Jackson series before.

This book was just great. It’s perfectly paced, hilarious and amazing. If you have not read it yet, then I don’t know what to say because, honestly, you’re missing out a fantastic story. If you have watched the movie but have no interest in reading the book, I pity your poor soul. Go read the book (maybe buy yourself the entire box set) so you can enjoy and fangirl over the awesomeness that it is.

[gali]

Duplication

The Lightning Thief