The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1
Published on May 5th 2009
by Disney Hyperion
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Goodreads
Also by this author: The Sword of Summer
After getting expelled from yet another school for yet another clash with mythological monsters only he can see, twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is taken to Camp Half-Blood, where he finally learns the truth about his unique abilities: He is a demigod, half human, half immortal. Even more stunning: His father is the Greek god Poseidon, ruler of the sea, making Percy one of the most powerful demigods alive. There's little time to process this news. All too soon, a cryptic prophecy from the Oracle sends Percy on his first quest, a mission to the Underworld to prevent a war among the gods of Olympus.
This first installment of Rick Riordan's best-selling series is a non-stop thrill-ride and a classic of mythic proportions.
So after reading The Sword of Summer, I knew I had to read Percy Jackson too. And now I did, finally! And what’s the verdict? Well… I really enjoyed it. Did I love it to bits and feel like hating myself for waiting this long? Not quite. But keep in mind that I am quite hard to please these days and mythology is still a really tough genre for me to enjoy.
You know these books and what they’re about, right? Good. So I don’t need to summarize it for you.
This is one of those books where I saw the movie first, and from that point of view I have to say I enjoyed the movie a tiny, teensy bit more because, much like The Sword of Summer, this book seemed to drag a bit at times. There are certain chapters that I feel were not really necessary to further the plot, but then again, I might be wrong. Yeah, the movie changed a lot and while some changes weren’t good and the movie overall wasn’t the best, I did enjoy it and it didn’t feel too long. I wouldn’t have minded to see Mr. D in the first movie too though. Stanley Tucci really is perfect casting for that role.
Sometimes it wasn’t really believable either. I know it’s a sort of fantasy book with mythology and all that, but still. Percy is 12 years old! The things he does in this book are just… Not what 12 year olds do. XD But hey, it’s a MG fantasy book, so I guess that’s fine. I did love the characters, though. Don’t get me wrong! Percy, Annabeth and Grover were awesome, though I’m not shipping Percabeth just yet. I LOVED Mr. D. I loved the humor in this book and I get why this is such a beloved series.
Overall I quite enjoyed this one. Is it the best book ever to me? Not really, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. You most definitely should. I will continue reading the series, hopefully soon.
- {Bee Mini-Reviews} THE BOY WHO STEALS HOUSES by C.G. Drews - April 8, 2019
- FairyLoot February UnBoxing – All The BATB Things - March 22, 2019
- The Return of Bee (part 2) ~ What I’ve Been Reading - March 15, 2019
Twitter: Liza
I read the series before the movies came out and I LOVE this series (it does gets better!) I didn’t like the first movie at all, I feel like they changed a lot. I really liked the world building and getting to know the characters 🙂
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
They did change a lot but it was okay for me 😛
Twitter: Jeann Wong
The movie is actually what made me pick up the series, so that’s a good thing! I’m glad you picked up PJO though and hope you continue the series. Well Percy is a fantasy character so it may seem a bit unrealistic of course hehe.
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Of course, haha. XD Though I do like it when characters in fantasy books are realistic to a certain degree. I get that the powers & stuff are fantasy, but the rest about them should be realistic to me. Relatable. 🙂
These books are so much fun! Each one is better than the last and it’s great to watch all the characters grow up over the series.
You know, I haven’t read The Sword of Summer yet! It’s on my TBR (I’ve managed to acquire three copies of it!) but I keep putting it off! SOON I will get to it. SOON.
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
I hope you do because I LOVED that one! 😀
I wasn’t a big fan of the movies at all, but maybe it’s because I did them the other way around? Actually, the first time I read Percy Jackson I DNFed it and refused to read it for a couple of years despite recommendations. I don’t know why I picked it up again but I am so glad I did because I loved it and binge read the entire series 😀 I really love the characters, the way the Greek Mythology becomes modernly updated and also the humor. The humor is the best bit <3 I am glad you were able to like it somewhat and I hope you keep reading them!
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Of course I’ll keep reading them! 😀
I actually watched the first two movies and then started reading from the third book on. I didn’t have any problems following the story at all, the movies are pretty true to the books imo. It’s nice to hear this one’s a good read though, I’ll probably pick it up eventually after I finish the series! Great review and perfect length!
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Yeah the basic story is still the same so I can imagine you’d have no trouble doing it that way. 🙂
Thank you! <3
Twitter: The Infinite Limits of Love
I haven’t read anything by this author either, but I can’t say I’ve been interested too. I watched the movie and felt meh about it although I loved Logan whateverhislastnameis.
It sounds like you had mixed feelings but hey, at least you read it! 🙂
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Logan Lerman. 😛 I did and I don’t regret it because I loved Rick’s newest book a lot! 😀
I’m glad to see that you’ll be going on with the series Bieke! I totally know what you mean though: I had fun with this book but I didn’t LOVE it like other people did. I did find that the books got better as the series moved forward. My favorite was the fourth one but number five was intense/epic/crazy good too! I’m happy that you had fun with this one! GREAT review^^ 🙂
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
Glad I’m not the only one! I find that most series get better as they move forward. 🙂
I planning to pick this one up tomorrow at the library! Tho your rating a little bit worries me, but I will give it a try I guess 🙂
HannahCassie @ http://psilovethatbook.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
No no, don’t let it worry you! I’ve seen plenty of people that just plain adore this book, so. 🙂
It’s so weird to see this on a blog! I feel like it’s one of those things that everyone’s read. But I’m going to re-read it again soon! I remember reading it in middle school and loving it- I ate it right up. But by now I’ve forgotten all of the details. Glad you enjoyed it!
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
That’s how I feel when I see Harry Potter on a blog. XDD
Twitter: CG Paper Fury
Only 3.5?!?! *GASPS* AND YOU DEMANDED I READ THIS REVIEW?!?! *stomps foot*
hehe, I’m kidding actually totally. XD I basically agree! Although I read this before I saw the movie and I thought it was really cute and I enjoyed it! But I won’t deny it took me 12 months to read the rest of the books. 0_0 A bit of that was just squishing the time in, and some of it was I just wasn’t hooked? NOW I’M HOOKED THO. I’ve read nearly all the Riordan books. xD Percy is adorkable. <3
Twitter: Bieke Paesen
I’M SORRY! I will read the rest of his books. Maybe one each month like I’m doing with the Seven Realms books from Cinda Williams Chima, which you’re familiar with. 😛