a book review on percy jackson

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Percy Jackson: A Book Review in Which I Disagree With Everyone Else Who Has a Blog

by Kendra | Feb 25, 2013 | Movie and Book Reviews , Parenting | 13 comments

My ten year old son loves to read.  And though he enjoys the books recommended by our classical curriculum, sometimes he yearns to read something a bit more modern and edgy . . .

or perhaps something a bit more ancient and Greek.  Somewhere, he heard about  The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)  and asked if he could get it at the library.  I looked at a couple of reviews online, and people generally raved about it.  Catholic people.

I figured it would be fine.  I did, however, require that Jack read an actual  Book of Greek Myths  before he read the “fractured” version.  (This is a pet peeve of mine, children reading books riffing off of classic tales about which they know nothing.)

So he started it, and, as I usually like to know for myself what my kids are reading, so did I.  He was ahead of me, which is poor planning on my part.  But I was pleased when he came to me with an early concern about the book.  There were extramarital liaisons.  We discussed that those are certainly a theme of the original myths and that he should keep a discerning eye open to make sure that immoral acts are described non-graphically and shown accompanied by realistic consequences.

I tried to catch up with him, but I’m sorry to say I didn’t and he finished before I did.  He said he enjoyed the action and comedy, but was worried I would think that it wasn’t a good book for kids.

He was right.

I should take a quick moment here to say that I LOVE middle-grade books and fantasy books and books in general.  I have often found myself in the position of defending popular books that other Catholics worry about.  I had every intention of liking and recommending this book.

Also, I’m assuming here that you are reading this review because your child wants to read this book but you don’t  want to, so there will be major spoilers.

I didn’t like this book because of its relativistic approach to religion, its matter-of-fact presentation of extra-marital relationships, and its celebration of Percy’s mother’s murder of her husband.

I am not concerned that reading this book would tempt my children to become polytheists.  But Mr. Riordan seems to be trying to avoid conflicts with Christianity by having one of his characters separate the notion of a “big G” God from the “little g” gods.  It isn’t particularly convincing.  Much more troubling is when Percy sees a scamming televangelist being escorted to the worst part of Hades.  When he questions whether the man wouldn’t be expecting a different type of hell, he is told that people just see whatever they believed in when they were alive.  This is morally relativistic new age baloney, and I won’t have it.

Also, it would be hard to avoid references to sexual relationships outside marriage in a tale about Greek myths.  But in the original myths we see the pain and suffering and inconvenience to gods and men that these dalliances cause.  Not so in this book.  Percy’s father says Percy’s mom is a “queen among women” and she is presented as strong-minded for hooking up with a married god but then refusing his offers of help and instead living unhappily with a smelly, poker-playing new husband.

Percy and his little friends are also sent on a quest into the love nest of two cheating gods (who aren’t there).  Super creepy and inappropriate.  And again, zero consequences.

In the original myth, Aphrodite is married by her father Zeus to the crippled blacksmith Hephaestus, despite her love for Ares.  She continues having relations with Ares after having consummated her relationship with her husband.  Hephaestus sets a trap and catches the lovers in the act.  His agony and the shame of the entrapped lovers are a big part of the story (although the assembled gods find it all rather amusing).  NONE of that happens in the book.  Hephaestus’s trap is foiled by Percy and we can assume that the lovers are free to carry on.

Finally (although there’s more), at the end of the book, we learn that Percy’s mother has murdered her lout of a husband with the severed head of Medusa that Percy has left for her.  Just in case she wanted to murder her husband.  And it turned out she did.

But Percy suspects that he had beaten her.  And the husband smelled really bad and was always quite unpleasant to Percy.  So we are expected to rejoice that although she claimed that she didn’t have the courage to leave him, she has somehow found it in herself to murder him, then sell his statue (which would be his corpse, right?) to a museum for a huge amount of money.  What fun!

I also had all kinds of issues with the writing.  I was annoyed by the undertones of “humans are hurting the gods by pollution and lack of open spaces”.  I didn’t believe the oft-repeated idea that Percy’s ADHD and dyslexia are really just signs that he was a demigod the whole time.   (I have since learned that the author included that aspect for his own son, but still, it was bothersome to me as I was reading.)  I was very frustrated by the 24 -style “flip” of a character from super-good to full-on villain with almost no explanation or foreshadowing.  I hated that the whole cross-country adventure of our hero was necessary because he can’t fly on airplanes because he is the son of Poseidon and the sky belongs to Zeus, so he just can’t fly.  Fine. Got it.  Then, he flies home.  He’s worried, but he does it.  And Zeus doesn’t kill him.  That’s not okay with me.  You can set up the rules of your world, but then you have to follow them.

I guess that’s the bottom line for me.  If I had connected with the writing more I would probably be trying to figure out a way for you to just discuss with your kids the problem areas of the book.  That’s what I did with my son. But I just don’t think the positives even come close to outweighing the negatives on this one.

If your kids have already read it or you plan to let them, you may wish to ask these questions:

• What are the consequences for the people and gods in this book who are involved in affairs outside of marriage?  For instance Percy’s mother, Poseidon, Ares, Zeus?  What about all the children at Camp Half-Blood, none of whom has an intact family?  Do you think this is a good situation for them?
• What happens when we die?  Is it possible, as we read in this book that “Humans see what they want to see” after they die?  Would this be a dangerous thing to believe?
• Poseidon tells his son Percy “I am sorry you were born” and calls him an “unforgivable mistake.”  Do we believe that there are children who should never have been born?  Does OUR God ever make mistakes?
• Percy’s mother thinks that her life wouldn’t “mean anything” if she let someone take care of her.  Do you agree with this?
• Percy decides not to kill his stepfather.  But he leaves the head of Medusa for his mother, and she uses it to kill her husband, since he is very mean and beats her.  Is it morally acceptable to kill someone under these circumstances?  Did Percy help his mother by leaving this weapon for her?

If you don’t want to have these discussions with your child, you should really skip this book.  

So, what to read instead?  I have a stack of newer YA and middle-grade fantasy books that I’m going to read for Jack (and for you guys).  But since I haven’t gotten to those yet, I’m going to have to go with Chronicles of Narnia  and the  Redwall Series .  They are a similar reading level, and are full of quests and adventures that boys love.  They also have a beautiful moral message, and a congruous fantasy world that doesn’t break its own rules.

Update: You might also be interested in this post  Encouraging Discerning Readership in Children (and an update to my Percy Jackson review)

Update #2: I had an interesting discussion with Charlotte from Waltzing Matilda in the comments of her review of this book . I think she may have changed my mind about whether Percy’s Mom killed Smelly Gabe, or if it wouldn’t be more accurate to understand that she has imprisoned him eternally. I still don’t love this book. I still do think it can be read with guidance, but wonder why you would bother. But I really do think Charlotte has a point on the murdering thing.

Want to read more?

Check out my other reviews here, read my posts on:.

• The Problem With Every Movie From My Youth: and ten family movies that won’t teach your kids to swear like a sailor
• A Shortage of Perfect (Chicken) Breasts: Another Princess Bride Birthday Party (with free food tag printables!)
• Family Movie Nights, Are They Even Possible? . . . Our Favorite Movies (Mostly) Appropriate for All Ages

13 Comments

thanks for the thorough review!

I let my son start it too, because everyone else I know let their kids read it and said it was fine . . . luckily he did not like it and stopped after the first chapter.

I've actually read the whole series, and enjoyed it. But it's interesting to read about it from the perspective of a parent reading it to clear it for a child. It probably won't be cool by the time my kids are into YA books (which I also love).

Love all the Narnia books. Haven't read the Redwall series, might need to check it out!

Thanks for the review! All my kids, but especially John (7), love mythology. Some of our favorite greek myths are The Golden Fleece, by Padriac Colum (which we found on CD), Mary Pope Osborne's "Tales From the Odyssey" (good read-alone for 2nd or 3rd grade), and D'Aulaires' "Book of Greek Myths". As you noted, mythology is full of immoral stuff that needs to be discussed with kids, but I these are good options.

ooh ooh. got one…just read aloud "Land of Stories" by Chris Colfer. We really ran up the library tab on that one because it took forever but it was pretty interesting. Being a fairy tale aficionado you may enjoy previewing it. I can't quite remember all the pertinent messages but one was not to judge people by appearances or reputation. The writing wasn't the best, admittedly, and it was hard keeping track of all the voices I had created but the kids were riveted…even my 8 yo boy. My kids never read the Lightning Thief and it is recommended by anyone we come into contact with. My husband always forces kids to read Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller. Sad!

My son has read the entire series, as well as the follow-up series (Heroes of Olympus), and Riordan's Kane Chronicles. He had extensive exposure to Greek Mythology before-hand. He also has ASD and ADHD. I allowed him to read the books because of his enjoyment of Riordan's 39 Clues Series; and finding books that he will actually read is extremely difficult. Does this mean I will allow him to read anything so long as he has an interest in it? Of course not. However we add one more element that helps, similar to your list of questions. We get the books on CD from the library and listen to them in the car. Here I have a captive audience and I control the power button; which means I can pause it at any time and ask questions or have a discussion on a particular part of the story. We have had some pretty good discussions this way (ok, as good of a discussion as you can get with a child who doesn't like to communicate). I struggle frequently to to find books that are appropriate AND that will capture his attention – it is increasingly difficult. I'm hoping I can get him into the Redwall Series, I tried a few years ago, but he wasn't at all interested. Perhaps another attempt is warranted.

Heather, I love that you mention listening in the car. We have really great luck with that too. I'm going to have to update the main post because lovely people like you keep emphasizing the point that this is a book that can absolutely be read and enjoyed with a bit of guidance. I just worry about it as a let your kid read it alone because so many people recommended it kind of book.

The PJO series is actually my favorite. Seeing the lack of fiction/fantasy/adventure/YA lit suitable for Catholics in the market, I think its quite understandable why my choice of books are limited. (Plus, i live outside America, where in book supply is not that many)

I read this when I was 12, and I had no problems with it. Its probably because I was born in a conservative Catholic family and been taught about Her teachings all my life.

I LOVE reading books and i really believe that the main reason why I dont get confused about my faith when I read books such as the PJO is that I separate fiction from what I believe in, which is the Catholic teachings.

And besides, when your kids have some problems/questions about the faith and are afraid to confide it to you, they can always google them. (but they MUST look for answers from fellow Catholics too though, like Catholic Answers website)

I am now 19 and I still enjoy fantasy/YA/fictional books with varying belief system, yet I could still say that Im a Catholic through and through 🙂

Anyway, you are indeed right. This series is actually a decent read, but there should be some guidance from the parents too.

I'm really grateful for this review. I'm a regular reader here, but somehow missed this along the way, or it wasn't pertinent to my readers at the time it was published, I'm not sure. Anyway, today I was thinking about requesting this book from the library for my oldest daughter (10 – and voracious reader), but Googled "catholic review Percy Jackson" on a hunch first. Thank you, Kendra, for the thorough look at this book. I think we'll be skipping it for now.

I am an atheist, so some things in this book that are troubling to a Christian do not matter to me, but I fully agree with you about the murder of Gabe, Percy's stepfather. To me, it was not justified by any means. Percy's mother thought that her marriage was good for her son, so she endured the beatings and other abuse from her husband. She was living in a civilized country, she could file for divorce any moment she liked, but preferred not to. Fine. When, finally, she no longer needed her husband, she could divorce him. Instead, she murdered him and his 3 friends, who had never beaten her, and sold their "corpses".

On the other hand, fictional atrocities impress adults more than kids. Folk tales are full of such absurd revenges by the "good guys".

Yeah, even crazy Catholics support civil divorce in the case of abuse, (we just don't support remarriage afterwards). No need to murder anyone.

A while after I wrote this, a teenager from our homeschool group came up to me and said she thought that the mom hadn't murdered the husband, that it was more of a life imprisonment, like Superman does to the bad guys in the first Superman movie. I've been meaning to go back and read the end with that in mind and see if it works. But we don't own the book and every time we've been to the library in the past, oh, four years or so, I've forgotten.

Long live Camp Half- blood

Thank you for sharing. It is very useful for me. My girl is just loving these books and at least I can question her.

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Hi! I’m Kendra.

For twenty years now, I’ve been using food, prayer, and conversation based around the liturgical calendar to share the lives of the saints and the beautiful truths and traditions of our Catholic faith. My own ten children, our friends and neighbors, and people just like you have been on this journey with me.

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THE LIGHTNING THIEF

From the percy jackson and the olympians series , vol. 1.

by Rick Riordan ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2005

The sardonic tone of the narrator’s voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism...

Edgar Award–winning Riordan leaves the adult world of mystery to begin a fantasy series for younger readers. 

Twelve-year-old Percy (full name, Perseus) Jackson has attended six schools in six years. Officially diagnosed with ADHD, his lack of self-control gets him in trouble again and again. What if it isn’t his fault? What if all the outrageous incidents that get him kicked out of school are the result of his being a “half-blood,” the product of a relationship between a human and a Greek god? Could it be true that his math teacher Mrs. Dodds transformed into a shriveled hag with bat wings, a Fury, and was trying to kill him? Did he really vanquish her with a pen that turned into a sword? One need not be an expert in Greek mythology to enjoy Percy’s journey to retrieve Zeus’s master bolt from the Underworld, but those who are familiar with the deities and demi-gods will have many an ah-ha moment. Along the way, Percy and his cohort run into Medusa, Cerberus and Pan, among others. 

Pub Date: July 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-7868-5629-7

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2005

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

From the harry potter series , vol. 5.

by J.K. Rowling ; illustrated by Mary GrandPré ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2003

The Potternaut rolls on, picking up more size than speed but propelling 15-year-old Harry through more hard tests of character and magical ability. Rowling again displays her ability to create both likable and genuinely scary characters, most notable among the latter being a pair of Dementors who accost Harry in a dark alley in the opening chapter. Even more horrible, Ministry of Magic functionary Dolores Umbridge descends upon Hogwarts with a tinkly laugh, a taste in office decor that runs to kitten paintings, and the authority, soon exercised, to torture students, kick Harry off the Quidditch team, fire teachers, and even to challenge Dumbledore himself. Afflicted with sudden fits of adolescent rage, Harry also has worries, from upcoming exams and recurrent eerie dreams to the steadfast refusal of the Magical World's bureaucracy to believe that Voldemort has returned. Steadfast allies remain, including Hermione, whose role here is largely limited to Chief Explainer, and a ragtag secret order of adults formed to protect him from dangers, which they characteristically keep to themselves until he finds out about them the hard way. Constructed, like Goblet of Fire , of multiple, weakly connected plot lines and rousing, often hilarious set pieces, all set against a richly imagined backdrop, this involves its characters once again in plenty of adventures while moving them a step closer to maturity. And it's still impossible to predict how it's all going to turn out.

Pub Date: July 1, 2003

ISBN: 9780439358064

Page Count: 896

Publisher: Levine/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: Nov. 2, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2003

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by J.K. Rowling & illustrated by Mary GrandPré

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SEEN & HEARD

AKIKO ON THE PLANET SMOO

by Mark Crilley ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 8, 2000

Opening episodes of a comic-book series created by an American teacher in Japan take a leap into chapter-book format, with only partial success. Resembling—in occasional illustrations—a button-eyed, juvenile Olive Oyl, Akiko, 10, is persuaded by a pair of aliens named Bip and Bop to climb out her high-rise bedroom’s window for a trip to M&M-shaped Planet Smoo, where Prince Fropstoppit has been kidnapped by widely feared villainness Alia Rellaport. Along with an assortment of contentious sidekicks, including brainy Mr. Beeba, Akiko battles Sky Pirates and video-game-style monsters in prolonged scenes of cartoony violence, displaying resilience, courage, and leadership ability, but not getting very far in her rescue attempt; in fact, the story cuts off so abruptly, with so little of the quest completed, and at a lull in the action to boot, that readers expecting a self-contained (forget complete) story are likely to feel cheated. (Fiction. 10-12)

Pub Date: Feb. 8, 2000

ISBN: 0-385-32724-2

Page Count: 162

Publisher: Delacorte

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 1999

GENERAL GRAPHIC NOVELS & COMICS | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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Book Review: ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’

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Do you remember that feeling when you watched a movie that you really liked, and later you found out it was based on a really popular book? That’s what happened to me after I watched Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief . After taking a long time to find time to get myself into this universe and read books, the perfect occasion appeared with the upcoming Disney+ series.

Before I started reading it, I thought that it was a book for younger readers, but I was wrong. As soon as I started, I was trying to find time every day to finish it quickly. Maybe it wasn’t created specifically for me, but I can gladly say that Rick Riordan gained another fan of his stories.

[Warning: Spoilers from Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief movie and book are below !]

Percy Jackson is just a kid, destined to do great things

The Percy Jackson books are set in a world full of demigods, gods, and other stuff from Greek mythology. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief begins as a tale that resonates not just with the young, but with readers of all ages. As I navigated through the labyrinth of adventures with Percy and his companions Annabeth and Grover, I felt like a kid again.  

Percy Jackson is a twelve-year-old boy from New York City with dyslexia and ADHD who embarks on a life-changing journey. When he goes on a seemingly ordinary school trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, his life takes a mythical turn, changing his future forever. During the visit to the museum, Percy’s teacher, Mrs. Dodds, transforms into a mythical creature called Erinye and attacks him. She accuses him of stealing the Thunder of Zeus and demands that he give it to her.

Thankfully for Percy, another teacher, Mr. Brunner, saves Percy’s life. He gives Percy a magical sword-pen to defend against the supernatural threats that surround him. After everything that happened, Percy’s mother Sally takes him to Long Island. Additionally, his friend Grover discloses his true identity as a satyr and warns Percy of impending danger. They travel to Camp Half-Blood where Percy will be trained. On the way, they get attacked by a minotaur who makes Sally disappear into thin air.

Percy manages to slay the monstrous creature with one of its horns. After this, he faints. This was the pivotal moment for me in the whole book because it was the first moment where Percy had to fight for his life. What also makes it interesting is that it was also the moment when I had to take a break. When I watched the movie for the first time, it wasn’t that emotional scene, but in the book, it felt different.

When he wakes up, he gets to meet other demigods, also learning that he is Poseidon’s son. He meets Luke, son of Hermes, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena. As Percy settles into this new camp life, he learns more about his heritage. What shocks Percy is that Mr. Brunner is actually Chiron, a centaur mentor, and one of the leaders/teachers at the camp.

He explains that the existence of Percy is a violation of an oath among Poseidon, Zeus, and Hades. They promised to not father any more children, because they may become a danger, trying to claim the power of Gods. Percy finds out that Zeus’ Lightning was indeed stolen, and he must find it and bring it back to him. Percy, accompanied by Annabeth and Grover, faces a lot of mythical challenges on the quest to receive the lost Lightning.

They face villains from Greek mythology such as Medusa or Chimera. Not to spoil too much for people who haven’t read the book or seen the movie, but their journey unfolds in many unexpected ways. Their quest leads them to Hades, who accuses Percy of stealing the Lightning and threatens to kill Percy’s mother (because he kidnapped her) unless he gives him the Lightning. Sounds like Percy has to find it before his mother’s life is claimed by Hades!

The huge potential of Rick Riordan’s books and comparisons with the movie

For me, the whole adventure and Percy’s odyssey lie in their ability to evolve these kids into heroes. Letting them experience what it’s like to save the world. While our hero, Percy, has a hard time accepting his true destiny and powers, it’s encouraging to go through this journey alongside him. I believe that Percy’s age was a deliberate choice by Riordan who made it a crucial aspect of the narrative. In the book, he’s a twelve-year-old, who gets thrown into the chaos of Greek mythology while becoming the one who has to stop a war between Gods on Earth.

Comparing The Lightning Thief book with the movie, it’s more developed and at least for me a better way to tell this story. Don’t get me wrong, I like the first Percy Jackson movie, but the book is a perfect example of why it’s better to make this story a series rather than a movie. The moments where we see Percy’s humor, his childishness mixed with maturity, is something I couldn’t imagine seeing in a 2-hour movie. The one-liners, the development of our protagonist, and the evolving friendship are the elements that make the book a better story than the one on the screen.

Other characters like Annabeth deserve praise for their depth and show of intellect in the book. In the movie, she becomes a pretty girl who tries to go over the warrior princess stereotype. She lost the essence of her strategic brilliance and of everything that made her Athena’s daughter. In the book, there is more room for her to show her skills and prove she’s not just another pretty face. I feel that this change in her writing compared to the source material, robbed Annabeth of her place as the Athena among the demigods.

If I had to say something good about the movie, I’d say that the visuals are its better part. The Hydra scene, the Lotus Hotel escapade, and Percy’s duel with Luke are visually stunning. Even now after all these years, I think that they deserve praise (but I’d prefer to see the original fight from the book, instead of the clash with Luke). However, those visuals and effects come at the cost of narrative and writing in the script. The plot is cut and changed, important details are removed, and character development is too quick. It left me with a visually impressive yet narratively lacking experience.

Final thoughts on Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a book that is a treasure that transcends all ages, making it a book for everyone. It tells an amazing story that doesn’t feel too immature, or childish. The movie, while visually impressive, falls short of capturing the essence of the source material. Each version has its positives and negatives (with the book having more positive things), and appreciating one doesn’t remove the value of the other. 

My Rating: 9/10

Whether you’re a demigod in training or just a regular mortal, the book invites you to a world full of monsters, gods, and iconic moments being an easter egg to mythology moments. It’s a story that proves age is just a number, and the magic of mythology, adventure, and good teenage drama is timeless.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is available now!  Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or in The Cosmic Circus Discord if you plan on reading the book before the new series’ arrival on Disney+!

Guide to the World of Percy Jackson

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and The Olympians  is the Adaptation We’ve Been Waiting For

Wiktor Reinfuss

Big fan of all sorts of pop culture stuff. I also enjoy ambitious cinema. Games, music and graphics are all within my interests. I have a great fondness for the Arrowverse series, especially The Flash.

Wiktor Reinfuss has 146 posts and counting. See all posts by Wiktor Reinfuss

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 | Book Review

Book Review of  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 The Children’s Book Review

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

Written by Rick Riordan

Ages: 9+ | 377 Pages

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books | ISBN-13: 978-1368051477

What to Expect: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, and Mystery

Rick Riordan’s inspiration for  The Lightning Thief  (now also a major motion picture)   began from stories based on Greek myths that he used to make up for his son, who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. Riordan had taught Greek mythology to middle school students so he could recall many of the myths to tell his son. When he ran out of myths to share, his son asked him to create new stories using the characters from the Greek myths. And so, Percy Jackson was born.

The Lightning Thief  is the first captivating book from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. This novel follows Percy, a twelve-year-old boy with dyslexia and ADHD, as he navigates through a world of Greek gods and monsters. Through his journey, he discovers his true identity and learns the importance of loyalty and friendship.

Percy Jackson is about to get pulled into a dangerous, exhilarating scene where the action never subsides. When he goes on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and stands up for a friend who is being bullied, his life changes forever. He ends up on a perilous mission across the United States to prevent a major war between the gods—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—by catching a thief who has stolen Zeus’ thunderbolt. With the help of a demigod and a satyr, Percy must defeat many mythological monsters that will stop at nothing to keep him from his task.

From start to end, the whole story will have your heart racing, leaving you desperate for the next book. Exciting, gritty, and funny are just a few words that describe this fantastical action-adventure novel that combines the world as we know it with Greek Mythology. Written in a style that is easy to follow, with a clear and engaging plot that will appeal to kids and adults alike, the well-developed characters are relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them and become invested in their journey.

The Lightning Thief  is an excellent read that is highly entertaining. It not only provides a thrilling adventure for readers but also teaches valuable life lessons that promote personal growth and self-discovery—highly recommended to anyone looking for a fun and insightful read.

Buy the Book

About the author.

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.

For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children’s fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.

Today over 35 million copies of his Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus books are in print in the United States, and rights have been sold into more than 35 countries. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller.

Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons.

What to Read Next if You Love The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

• The Sea of Monsters , by Rick Riordan
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , by J. K. Rowling
• The City of Ember , by Jeanne DuPrau
• Artemis Fowl , by Eoin Colfer

Bianca Schulze reviewed  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 . Discover more books like  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy , Mythology , Adventure , and Mystery .

What to Read Next:

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• The Fowl Twins Get What They Deserve, by Eoin Colfer | Book Review
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• The Wizenard Series: Season One, Created by Kobe Bryant | Book Review

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Book Review

The lightning thief — “percy jackson and the olympians” series.

• Rick Riordan
• Adventure , Fantasy

• Miramax Books, a division of Hyperion Books for Children
• School Library JournalBest Book of the Year, 2005;The New York TimesNotable Children's Book, 2005; Young Adult Library Services Association (YALTA) Best Book Award, 2006

Year Published

This book has been reviewed by Focus on the Family’s marriage and parenting magazine . It is the first book in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series.

Plot Summary

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, is about to get kicked out of another boarding school when monsters start chasing him. His mother and best friend, Grover, rush him to a summer camp called Half-Blood Hill. A half-man/half-bull attacks him as he prepares to cross the property line, and Percy wakes up in the camp, knowing the creature has either taken or killed his mother. Grover (who turns out to be a satyr, or half man/half goat) and others nurse Percy back to health with ambrosia and explain that he and the other campers are children of Greek gods.

The gods of mythology are alive and well, ruling over the current center of the universe, America. They still have affairs with humans, creating children with special powers, who often struggle in the human world. Many of these kids stay at Half-Blood Hill to hone their demi-god skills and avoid the monsters that attack them outside of the camp. Percy learns he is the only living son of Poseidon, the sea god, and that he possesses many powers that are enhanced when he comes in contact with water.

Because of a misunderstanding between Poseidon, Zeus and Hades, a war seems imminent. Half-Blood Hill administrators send Percy (along with Grover and another camper named Annabeth) to the Underworld to retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolt from Hades, who supposedly stole it. The modern-day Underworld exists beneath the city of Los Angeles, while the modern Olympus is above New York City. The kids travel cross-country by train and bus. Along the way, they encounter numerous creatures and gods who strive to prevent them from reaching California.

After a tour through the Underworld and a meeting with Hades, the kids realize Kronos, king of the Titans — and father of Zeus, Hades and Poseidon — is trying to pit his sons against one another with the help of Ares, god of war. Percy visits Olympus (via an elevator inside the Empire State Building). He meets his father for the first time, as well as Zeus, and explains Kronos’ plan. Percy, Grover and Annabeth return as heroes to Half-Blood Hill. Hades restores Percy’s mother to life, and Percy decides to put up with monster attacks in order to try living with her again outside of Half-Blood Hill.

Christian Beliefs

In the Underworld, Percy and his friends see a televangelist who raised millions for orphanages but got caught spending it on his mansion and cars. Grover says really bad people like him get special attention and torture from Hades.

Other Belief Systems

The premise of The Lightning Thief is that the gods of mythology exist today and control world events with their magical powers. For example, Percy says the visits of agriculture goddess Demeter, not the tilt of the planet, create the seasons. As in the ancient myths, the gods and goddesses still have affairs with humans. Their children, such as Percy, are powerful demi-gods. Children of the Big Three gods (Hades, Zeus and Poseidon) have greater powers than other demi-gods and also have a stronger aura that attracts more monsters.

When Percy asks whether there is a God, Chiron tells him that God with a capital G is a different than the Greek gods, and he doesn’t want to address the metaphysical. He says that gods — the immortal beings that control the forces of nature and human endeavors — are a smaller matter, but they are real. He tells Percy that the concept of Western Civilization is a living force that was heavily shaped by the influence of the gods. As the centers of power have moved throughout history, so have the gods, who now live in, above and below America. The gods cannot be held responsible for the actions of mortals, so they always operate through humans.

Many famous people in history, including George Washington, were demi-gods. The monsters that pursue them are primal forces without souls so they cannot die, only re-form themselves. The Oracle of Delphi (a spirit that lives in the attic at Half-Blood Hill) provides prophesies concerning what the demi-gods will or must do. The oracle has given Chiron prophesies about Percy, which Chiron keeps mostly to himself. When Percy arrives at the camp, Annabeth believes it is an omen that she’ll finally get to go on a quest. Prior to his quest, Percy visits the Oracle and is met with the nightmarish image of a powerful spirit in the form of a mummy’s body. When Percy says he doesn’t believe in gods, the camp director says he’d better start believing before they incinerate him. Later, when he does believe, he says that as a half-blood, he knows that a bad day isn’t a result of simple bad luck but of the intervention of a divine force. Grover calls Pan (god of wild places) the satyrs’ lord and master. Evenings at Half-Blood Hill include camper rituals such as toasting the gods and giving the best part of their dinner as an offering. Later, they sit at the campfire and sing songs about the gods.

Percy visits the Underworld to retrieve Zeus’ thunderbolt from Hades, also called Lord of the Dead. Percy first encounters desperate souls in a waiting room. Then, as the spirits ride the down elevator toward the Underworld, their modern clothes turn to grey hooded robes. Percy and his friends pass the heavily polluted River Styx and see people tortured as they’re chased by hellhounds, burned at the stake, forced to run naked through cactus patches and worse. People who don’t want to face judgment can plead “no contest” and be sent directly to the Asphodel Fields. Percy describes the fields as a gigantic stadium packed with millions of fans, but there are no lights and no noise, and people just mill around forever. A small section of the Underworld called Elysium is beautiful and inviting, similar to a resort in the Bahamas. It is reserved for people who have been reborn three times and have been good and heroic.

Mainly, Percy describes the Underworld as a place with evil and deathly scents, skeleton guards and images on the walls of various earthly disasters and wars. Hades, who possesses an intense evil charisma, such as that seen in pictures of Hitler, sits on a throne of fused human bones. When he moves, his robe shows tormented human faces. He tells Percy that if Percy crosses him, he will let the dead pour back onto the earth, and Percy’s skeleton will lead them.

Percy “prays” a number of times. Sometimes he prays to his father (Poseidon), and other times he seems to be making a wish more than praying to anyone. The three-headed dog in the Underworld tells Percy and his friends that they can pray to the god of their choice before he eats them. When Percy learns he’s being sent to the Underworld, he is overcome with a desire for revenge rather than being afraid.

Sally tells Percy she doesn’t want him to save her from Gabe. She says that if her life is going to mean anything, she has to live it herself and not let a god take care of her.

Authority Roles

According to myth, Kronos kept five of his children prisoner in his stomach until they got out, sliced him to pieces and scattered his remains in the darkest part of the Underworld. In The Lightning Thief, Kronos (though still in pieces) is alive, regaining some of his power and using demi-gods to help him bring disunity among his sons. Luke, a counselor at the camp, is one of Kronos’ pawns. Luke trains Percy to use a sword and pretends to befriend him, but ultimately tries to kill him.

Percy’s mom (Sally) tells him he was born from an affair and that his father was an important man who was lost at sea. She does her best to protect Percy from the monsters, even to the point of marrying Gabe, a man so rude, mean and foul smelling that his stench covers Percy’s demi-god scent. (This keeps the monsters away.) Gabe hits Sally, drinks a lot, smokes cigars and constantly plays poker with his buddies, while demanding that Sally makes them food. Sally rids herself of Gabe in the end by turning him to stone with the severed head of Medusa. In the beginning, Percy’s boarding school English teacher (Chiron) challenges him to excel and refuses to let him use his learning disabilities as excuses.

Percy later learns Chiron is a staff member at Half-Blood Hill. At camp, he continues to support and encourage Percy. Poseidon reveals to Percy and the campers that he is Percy’s father, but this may be because he needs the boy’s help in his feud with Zeus and Hades. When Percy meets Poseidon, the god shows some level of pride in his son’s actions but makes no particular effort to bond with him. Many of the demi-god kids are resentful toward their Olympian parents, who are busy and ignore them.

Profanity & Violence

The Half-Blood Hill crowd uses phrases like Oh Styx, Olympus knows…, Di immortals!, gods forbid, by the gods, oh my gods, and may the gods curse him. Heck, darn, suck, and butt each appear a time or two, and a few characters curse without profanity appearing in the text. Percy thinks about how he’d like to kick Gabe in his “soft spot” and make him sing soprano.

Percy is injured and bloodied when he’s cut with a sword then attacked by a hellhound in a capture the flag game that gets out of control. Though many battles rage, particularly between Percy and various monsters, the scenes are rarely graphic. Mortally wounded people and creatures vaporize into dust or crumble into sand rather than end as bloody, broken bodies. When Percy decapitates Medusa, he sees and feels drippy green juice and little snakes coiling around his feet, but he can’t look at the head or he’ll turn to stone.

Sexual Content

None, other than a brief explanation that gods and humans have had relationships resulting in children

Discussion Topics

Get free discussion questions for this book and others, at FocusOnTheFamily.com/discuss-books .

Additional Comments

Lying/Cheating: Percy lies to his mom about his school activities so she won’t worry. On their quest, Percy, Annabeth and Grover lie repeatedly to those who ask what they’re doing, where their parents are, etc. Percy also deceives his friends by not telling them the entire prophesy he received from the Oracle. Percy admits to turning in a paper he copied off of the Internet while in boarding school.

Alcohol: The camp director is Dionysus, the god of wine. His father, Zeus, tortures him by forbidding him to have alcohol and making him work at Half-Blood Hill.

Environmental stewardship: Grover, as a satyr who hails to the god of wild places, notes several times that humans have done devastating things to the world and its creatures. His point is proven when the kids encounter and help some mistreated animals in a truck marked “humane zoo transport.” In the Underworld, Percy’s guide says that the horrible pollution of the River Styx has been caused by poor human waste management.

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The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson: Book 1)

Percy Jackson is just a normal twelve year old boy. Sure he's got problems with school, bullies, and authority but at that age who doesn't?  Getting kicked out of school after school does have a way of making one think he's a screw up though.  One day though on a seemingly innocent visit to the beach with his mother Percy's life changes forever.  Finding out his best friends is a satyr and being chased by the Minotaur into a camp for demigods is only the beginning of Percy Jackson's new life.  Here he makes friends with children of similar parentage and finally finds himself a place where he belongs.

Peace can only last for so long though once it is discovered which god has fathered Percy.  Monstrous attacks begin and Percy is sent on a quest to retrieve Zeus's stolen master bolt (the lightening bolt from which all other bolts are made) and return it before the summer solstice to stop an all out war between the gods.  Along the way is more adventure than one boy can handle danger at every turn, and new heights of treachery.

An absolutely fantastic tale marvelously woven by the author Rick Riordan.  As a book written for young adults I didn't expect it to be as fun and engaging for an actual adult as it was.  Move over Harry Potter because Percy Jackson could kick your butt.  Smart mouthed, practical and fun Percy doesn't go looking for trouble but he was born a hero, a combination of mortal and god parentage that he can not control.  In a world where hero's are sent on quests all the time and spent their lives training Percy is a rare breath of fresh air. 

I often fear reading young adult books because the main characters can be whiny and immature (as their audience) which can get on the nerves of any adult.  Amazingly Percy seems to be mostly free of self pity and angst while still staying young and believable.

A fantastic book for sure that has me thanking the gods I bought the series. Definitely worth the read!

• Buy on Amazon

Review by Preita Salyer

39 positive reader review(s) for The Lightning Thief

74 positive reader review(s) in total for the Percy Jackson series

Rick Riordan biography

Percy Jackson

• The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson: Book 1)
• Percy Jackson and the Sea Of Monsters (Percy Jackson: Book 2)
• Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson: Book 3)

Wesley Prescott from New Zealand

OMG, such a radical book. So groovy and hilarious that I read it again immediately. Word of warning however do not, under any circumstances, watch the horrible, retch worthy, made me throw up my blue pancakes, sorry excuse for a movie duology. It's trash in case you didnt get my message.

Shrikar from India

It's an amazing book, there all kinds of emotion in the series, ones who can't pass their time they can start reading this series.

Anonymous from United States

Percy Jackson is AMAZING!!!!! It not only is SUPER fun to read, but it's also relatable... not the magic part but the school part. Percy getting kicked out of school after school just makes me feel better about my elementary times. Anyways, THE BOOKS ARE JUST AMAZING!!! It's so detailed you feel like you're traveling with Percy. Whenever I reread the books I STILL get emotional and super hyped up. I would REALLY suggest this series to ANYBODY!!! It's amazing!!!!

Saad from Pakistan

Huh, I think this series is capable enough to leave all the other books behind. There is one thing for certain, Rick Riordan sure can write books.

Someone from Vietnam

A good book, the characters are really endearing and their adventures are enjoyable, though I feel this book doesn't expand on aspects of the plot, world and characters as well as later books (except for that twist at the end, which really had me in as a little kid). Overall, I would recommend this book to those searching for a fun series with certain memorable characters and moments.

Amiya from India

I love fiction books and this is the fantastic fantasy book I have read till now, and I swear it was the best starting of any book's series,thats why I love Rick Riordan books of fiction the most.

Zeus from Mt. Olympus

The king of the sky thinks that this is a great book! Packed with humor, and yet teaching kids about me and Greek mythology, it's a definite WIN! Highly recommend!!

Luis from Texas, USA

It is a good book, I like the things it has and the message it gives to people.

Adrian from Mexico

Just amazing.

Denis from Russia

I really liked this book because it is based on greek mythology, which i like a lot and because of its unpredictible plot. In my opinion it is the Best fantastic book ever. I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy greek mythology. This story isn't only for children and teenagers. I think adults would be crazy about this book after reading it. So people of all ages, don't ignore this book if you see it in a bookshop - just buy it. You'll definetly like it!

Anon from USA

When I was in fifth grade my teacher recommended the books to me. Being the young impatient kid that I was read the first page and decided it was boring. I thought it was like Harry Potter and didn't even give it a chance. (I'm mad at myself for thinking that now) A couple years later I picked back up the first book and decided to give it a chance. After reading it I loved it. It makes me mad that I didn't give it a chance sooner. I recommend this book to everyone I know. People who don't like it, well I think your missing out. That's all I really have to say. It's a great book and people should definitely read it.

Ella from Sydney

Loved it, best book ever. I would compare it to HP and say it is 10000x better!!!!!!!!!

Anon from UK

The book is so interesting and NOT BORING AT ALL!

Elizabeth from USA

I loved this book because it is adventurous and also has greek mythology.

Jasmine from Canada

Loved the book!!! If you are a reader who loves magic,fantasy world and of course, mythology: this should be the first book to pick.The book is totally based on action and adventure.I loved the characters. If you get confused by the mythology,keep a note and surf through the internet!! THE UNPUTDOWNABLE !!

MC from France

This is the first of Rick Riordan’s five books on Percy Jackson, the hero who lost his mother at a young age and tries to find her in the underground world. While looking for her, he dives into the Greek mythology and takes up all kinds of challenges. With his two accomplices, Percy has the best protection against his rivals. When you start reading this fabulous book, you will not be able to stop. The author makes this mysterious story interesting by having Percy Jackson chase a special stone. Over 400 pages, the author manages to make the story thrilling by adding events that keep the reader intrigued throughout the book. I strongly recommend this book to every person of ten and above who likes enigmatic and adventurous stories. Adults shouldn’t hesitate to read it, if you enjoyed Harry Potter, you will also love the story of Percy Jackson. MC, 12 years old

Cutie from India

Amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing book!!!!I had to say it was worth reading

Aishalina from UK

The sardonic tone of the narrator’s voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship, and loyalty.

Simra from India

The best book by the best author. All the books are very nice but I don't like the movies. I have read all the books of Percy Jackson series.

Farhan from India

Amazing mythology book.

Sophie from US

AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZZINGGG!!!

Sreevishnu from United Arab Emirates

Finn from Northen Ireland

Fabulous. If it wasn't limited to ten stars I would give it 1,000,000!

Ethan from Indonesia

Absolutely awesome. Words cannot describe how fun and attention-grabbing this book is.I read the rest of the series right away!

Amber from Canada

This was the best book I've ever read. A need to read for 12+. It is an awesome book. Great job Mr Riordan!

Austin from London

Great book but could have been better.

aarush from india

An ultimate book with lots of action and adventure. Far better than Harry Potter.

Shree Vaarshini from India

This book has a way of transporting you into its setting, each word makes to starve for the next. Percy Jackson is a must read series to know each one is a hero. Hands off!!!!!

Zach from USA

Best book I've ever read and I read it under two hours.

Aiyana from Florida

I could not stop reading it. Finished in a day.

Sherin from Tamil Nadu, India

I like how the whole book is revolving around Greek Mythology and mystery twisted together. I loved reading it...

Sharon and Vanessa from Belgium

FAAAAAAAAB BOOK!!! WORTH OF READING IT!!##!! LOVED IT### :) :) :)

Amira from England

I thought it was amazing. It is one of my favorite books in the series.

Chris from USA

The characters are realistic (as realistic as half-bloods can be!) and the action is non-stop. I have seen student after student get excited to read these books, and I always start my year with Lightning Thief. The humor and fast pace make it worth the read each year, and the kids can't get enough of Percy Jackson. I have had to restock the rest of the series several times because they just keep walking off!

Paul from Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Definitely the best book you will ever read. I recommend it for all young adults everywhere.

Alokabho from India

Awesome!!! A must-read book. When you read it you feel like you are one of the characters.

Kellie from Iowa

This was a great book but the mythology would confuse me at times...

Lugee from California

Very good book kept you reading all the way through:)

Dmitri from Lubliana

It's a great book but 1st of a series of 5 and then comes a linked series of probably 2. There are lots more Rick Riordan books out there!

Soria from London

This book is so cool. It was recommened to me by my friend Serkan. At first when I read it, I thought this book is boring, but when I got the book myself and read the first chapter, that's when I realised this is my type of book. It was full of action and adventure. It also taught me a lot about Greek gods. After reading the whole book in 3 weeks I really wanted to get the second book Sea of Monsters. I absolutely fell in love with it. I really thank my friend Serkan for recommending it to me, and really recommed all the children my age to try it.

Grace from Oklahoma

Full of action a great read aloud and fun for Everyone! Thank you so much, my class loved it!

Kayla from Florida, USA

These books are amazing! Delve into a world where regular kids find out that they have a human (mortal) parents and... a god parent. Yep. Greek gods. They're real. And they're in New York. Percy Jackson goes to the summer camp, Camp Half-Blood. It's where all half-mortal, half-god kids go. It's a safe haven. Percy goes on a quest because all the Greek gods are looking at him for a crime he didn't commit. The theft of Zeus' all-powerful lightning bolt. This series is amazing! LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Perfect for anyone who is interested in Greek mythology!

9.7 /10 from 43 reviews

All Rick Riordan Reviews

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• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (graphic novel)

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Parent reviews of, the lightning thief: percy jackson and the olympians, book 1.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 60 Reviews
• Kids Say 477 Reviews

Parents Say

Based on 60 parent reviews

Parent Reviews

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Entertainment with a grain of salt, it was amazing, amazing book, good, action-packed, amazing book really worth reading, when i was 8 this book was released, its a really good book i like it.

• Too much violence

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The Scarlet

• Entertainment Reviews
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“Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” Book Review

It was my 8 th birthday when I first discovered the new world of learning and imagination, which was Percy Jackson. That year was a tough year for me — my best friend had moved down to Florida, and I found myself retreating into the world of books and reading. The first series I discovered at that time was Rick Riordan’s most notable series, detailing a trio of neurologically atypical kids as they delved into the world of Ancient Greek myths and monsters, becoming heroes in their own right as they protected the world from an onslaught of insane creatures and Titans. I quickly devoured the books, which comprised Riordan’s first pentalogy, his second sequel series “The Heroes of Olympus,” the Norse Mythology-inspired “Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard,” the second sequel series “The Trials of Apollo , ” and even the not-so-good movie adaptations of the first two books, released in 2010 and 2013 respectively.

“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” opened my mind to mythology and history for the first time. Even after I recovered from that 3rd-grade social slump, I still would reread the series that got me into history for many years to come. Recently, reflecting on my eventual decision to major in European History, as well as in anticipation of the recent TV adaptation, I embarked on a more critical rereading of my favorite book series. While I again found myself engrossed in this rich world, finding myself transported back to my childhood imagination, I also found the book to be a perfectly adequate example of worldbuilding — enough to work for a child audience while leaving some essential information to be desired from a more adult reading audience. Nonetheless, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is a practically perfect book.

Now that the emotional appeal is out of the way, let us get to why this book is not perfect. “The Lightning Thief” is a fantastic opening book for this series, comparable to the first “Harry Potter” book in worldbuilding and introducing young readers to this magical world. It has by far the best worldbuilding of any other books in the series, which is simply down to how the world can subvert itself in the first couple of chapters and throw its hero into the literal deep end of the plot. What starts as a simple school field trip to an art museum results in a demonic math teacher, mysterious water powers, and Percy finding out that he is a half-blood, a child born of human and Greek god, as he and his friends Annabeth and satyr Grover embark on a quest to retrieve Zeus’ missing Master Bolt. Mythological objects are treated mysteriously in this book, not explained right away by a hyper-knowledgeable Annabeth as would happen to an annoying degree in later books. The buildup to Poseidon being revealed as Percy’s father is perfect, working well as an enigma for uninitiated readers while providing subtle clues for those aware of the reveal. Unlike in later books, magical elements are set up in the plot so that the foreshadowing itself is hidden from the reader until the final possible second. In later books of the series, plot points only happen; here, reveals such as the winged shoes trying to drag Grover into Tartarus and Luke’s betrayal of Percy do not explain themselves, having no clear context in this book at all. It is very good storytelling, while simultaneously working as a delightful tale for kids.

But I hear you asking, “Hey Jacob, you just wrote that this is by no means a perfect book, yet you’re also saying it’s the best book in your favorite book series.” I know, I hear you. Even a god-like Janus is no match for my ability to talk out of both sides of my mouth. The truth is, I based my personality on these books. You just have to compare my humor to the humor Riordan writes for his characters to see this. But while I love the dialogue and especially the funny titles to each of the chapters that go towards adding to the level of wit Riordan writes with, sometimes it becomes obvious just how barebones some chapters are based on these titles. One chapter that has always jumped out to me for this reason was chapter 12, “We get advice from a poodle.” Yeah, yeah, funny title and all, but the chapter doesn’t do much. Three “important” things happen in this chapter: one, Grover’s reverence for the great god Pan is established, two, some weird foreshadowing happens for what amounts to be a plot twist at the end of the book, and three, it is established that Grover can talk to animals. Of these revelations, the search for Pan is barely touched on for the rest of this book, the misdirect on Hades’ involvement with the quest is unimportant for the series storyline and Grover’s ability to talk to animals is for a storyline only marginally related to his Pan-searching which ultimately goes just about nowhere. All this adds up to a nothing chapter that goes nowhere at all (hence its absence from the excellent TV adaptation). Other pointless efforts include Ares’ entire involvement in the story (the idea of a god being tricked by Kronos is an intriguing one, though it’s never brought up again for the entire rest of the series), as well as the deus ex machina of an airplane allowing the entire journey back home to be skipped entirely. Other gripes might include the lack of specific diversity in this book, which isn’t nearly as bad as it seems given the fanbase that co-opted it to bully the television adaptation stars. Still, issues are issues that stop this book from achieving the absolute perfection I feel like it should deserve.

Despite its flaws, “The Lightning Thief “is a fantastic jumping-off point for Riordan’s mythological universe. It took me until my most recent readthrough of the series to view it with a somewhat critical eye, and even so, I was able to better imagine and gain an appreciation for the series, especially for this first book (which had never really been my favorite). And even though there are certainly some structural flaws which I’m glad the TV adaptation has gone out of its way to rectify and add deeper meaning to, the world of children’s mythology would have been far poorer had it not been for Riordan’s excellent quest into the world hidden from us all.

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