The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians 1

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Average customer rating 4.7 (32 comments)

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Absolutely love this book. My husband has read the whole series and loved it. I am now reading this for the first time to my 9 year old daughter who is entranced by it. We both love the story - a 12 year old boy finds out that the Greek gods are real and he is the son of 1, he's then sent on a quest to find the stolen master lighting bolt while the monsters of Greek mythology chase him and his cohorts. I also love it because 1) Rick Riordan does a great job incorporating the Greek myths into modern day while still remaining true to the original myths & 2) Percy and the other demi-god children have diverse abilities that actually give them special abilities. I've never read a story, for kids or adults, where different abilities were presented as a positive. They're usually an obstacle to overcome but for Percy and the other demi-gods it's what makes them special. Now that I've seen it in writing I'm wondering why more authors aren't doing this. My 9 year old loves it because it is an exciting story about kids on a quest. She has been recommending it to everyone we've spoken to since we started it.

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Percy Jackson's world seems to be a target for weird creatures. Then he discovers why. The old Greek gods are real, and one of them is his father. At times, it does feel like a Harry Potter rip off, but there are some pretty fresh twists as well. I completely enjoyed it. And I discovered I've had one of his mysteries on my shelf for a while now. It's moved up my to be read list.

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This book is a quick, funny, fast-paced read great for all ages! If you like Adventures and/or Greek mythology, you will absolutely love this book. I (16 years old) am currently rereading this book to my little sister (10 years old) and my mom overheard and has been avidly listening along to it too (45 years old) and it's just as wonderful as the first time reading it!

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* Paperback: 416 pages * Publisher: Disney-Hyperion; 1 edition (March 21, 2006) * ISBN-10: 0786838655 * Author: Rick Riordan * Cover art: Love it! * Overall rating: **** out of 5 stars * Obtained: My personal bookshelf. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews QUICK REVIEW Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves. (Synopsis provided by goodreads) This was a re-read. I really liked this, I forgot how good of a story it was. In someways the movie is close to the book, but for the most part it's very different. You can enjoy each as their own separate thing. I really like how Riordan weaves his stories. Yes, the book has elements of Greek Mythology, but it's not Greek Mythology. I love the idea of camp half-blood! I also loved the interaction between Percy, Grover and Annabeth. The dialog was great and the character development was fantastic. If you have a hard time reading books and find yourself feeling bored this is the series for you, it moves very fast and there is always more action around the corner. It's such a fun and fast read, people of all ages can really enjoy it. I really liked the descriptions of the camp and each of the cabins. In short, if you love Greek Myths and want a fun fast paced read, then pick up Percy Jackson today!

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To be completely honest, this was an amazing book. The protagonist, Percy Jackson finds out he is a demigod to a powerful god, and must go on a quest to find Zeus's master lightning bolt with friends, Annabeth and Grover. The whole time, I was on the edge of my seat, inching to find out more. I instantly became in love with this series! Being in Percy's point of view, the book is quite witty and humorous, while still being adventurous and exciting! It adds a modern twist to Greek mythology. I would definitely recommend this to anybody who thinks of buying it. Reading this books have literally changed the way I think!

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This is the only book I read in this series, but I really enjoyed it. It is meant more for children, but I read this as a senior in high school and enjoyed it. I would recommend reading it before seeing the movie. I thought the characters were fun, as was the plot line.

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I always loved things that were science fiction and fantasy. I also find Greek myths fascinating. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is and amazing book for just about anyone as long as there 5+. This book would also work as a bedtime story for young children, especially since PJO was first a bedtime story for Rick Riordan's son. Love this book.

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Gotta love Rick Riordan. I've read all his books except for the 39 clues series. I keep coming back to the Lightening Thief. I've probably read this book 3-4 times and I love it everytime. I highly recommend reading it if you haven't already.

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Nothing too surprising here, but this cute children's story showcases heroism and strong moral character traits, if not a little spunk. The main character is likable and the danger an acceptable level for 6th grade readers. I am not sure, but I find that this book geared more toward young men and think that encouraging your tween boy to pick this up is probably a good idea. Overall, I am gonna stick with the series. I can probably read a book a night if I tried hard enough.

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Amazing book! All my friends were reading this book ! Percy Jackson and the the lightning thief was the book I recommended to everyone to read! Outstanding book!

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This was by far THE BEST book I read in 2010... I am not a big fan of fantasy books but I was hooked on the Percy Jackson series. The adventure and suspense is thrilling and I had a very hard time waiting to buy the next book after I finished one...

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I saw the movie first,and then I read all 5 books from the series.I liked Greek Mythology when I was a kid,so this new twist on the old tales was right up my alley! I tend to like fantasy novels,and this was one of the best ones I read all year

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Even though this book is written for youth, It got me interested enough to read the rest of the series! Very entertaining!

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I think that the book was more detailed then the motion picture movie. It was more thrilling and always makes you curious of what will happen next. It also keeps you wondering if he's going to make it or not and also helps you learn greek mythology more than you might ever learn in your life.

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This was an exciting read, the characters were great (I ADORED Grover, the klutzy but earnest satyr) and my seven-year-old loved it to pieces. BUT I found myself rolling my eyes a lot as I was caught up short by the holes in the fabric of the story and Riordan’s manipulation of his characters. Specifically, Mr. Riordan makes it clear that these kids are smart. They're smart enough to figure out that there's a spy in the demigod summer camp, for example, and Our Hero, Percy Jackson, spends the length of the book wondering who that spy is. But though he's fed increasingly clear clues as to the identity of that spy, he never stops to figure it out—he just continues to wonder. Moreover, when he and his companions have completed their mission and returned to camp, the question of the spy’s identity and role in Grover almost meeting an untimely end are completely forgotten. Time drags by and no one so much as mentions the spy or is the least concerned that they might still be a threat--which, of course, they are. Since I'd figured it out long, long before (because of the numerous unsubtle hints), this was more than a little frustrating. Most frustrating of all was the way Riordan literarily forces the reader to look away by simply not addressing the subject. The nature and powers of gods and other supernaturals are also vague and inconsistent. Sometimes characters knew things in detail that they had no reason to know and other times things took place right out in front of mortals and gods alike that the gods seemed to take no notice of despite the fact that Percy's movements were supposedly of dire import. I was continually wondering, “Well, if they know THIS how can they possibly NOT know THAT?” The characters seemed to know what the writer needed them to know, and not know what he needed them NOT to know regardless of the situation. It made me doubt that Riordan had a clear picture of the powers and nature of his supernatural characters. I also found the end of the book disappointing emotionally. Percy's mom, who is married to this nasty piece of work for reasons that become clear, finally has every reason to leave the buffoon. Riordan makes a big point of the idea that though Percy could take care of this for his mom through supernatural means, she shows courage by electing to do it herself. But in the end, she offs the guy (off-stage at that), employing the same supernatural device that Percy was going to use, thus sidestepping the issue of personal courage entirely. And I have to ask if the punishment fit the crime. Without divulging too much, there’s also a logistical problem in Riordan’s solution with regard to Percy’s step-father. The mom does him in using a device that would have had the same deadly effect on everyone in the room. We know he was playing poker when he, er, folded, and poker is not a solitary pursuit. But there's no mention of the other guys at the poker table. I will buy the rest of the books for my daughter, 'cause like I said, they're fun to read with lots of cliff-hangers, and I love the kid characters. I’ve also heard from several readers that the series improves with regard to Puppet Master Syndrome. I hope those readers are right and Mr. Riordan has come up with plots that don't require so much manipulation of the characters AND the reader. 

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Percy Jackson is a compelling Everyboy kind of character. He’s always in trouble. He and his step-father don’t get along. He doesn’t get good grades. He suffers from ADD. And then, after surviving a couple of harrowing attacks, he finds out (as every child hopes to one day) that he is more extraordinary than he ever could have hoped. And his real adventures begin. Compelling, exciting, and both character- and plot-driven — exactly what a young adult novel should be. Exactly what any novel should be. I couldn’t put it down and couldn’t wait to read the next one. It deserved every bit of praise it received — and then some.

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Best book to read with your child!

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Excellent series of books - plenty of suspense and humor. Good choice for when one has exhausted the Harry Potter series.

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The success of Harry Potter contributed to three outcomes: Derivative and opportunistic works; books the publisher retitled "[Silly Name] and the X of Y"; and a chance for good middle reader/young adult authors to be considered more seriously for publication and promotion. These Percy Jackson books (and Michael Scott's Alchemyst series) have little in common with Harry Potter except what Harry has with the genre he entered: Young heroes using magic and medieval-y weapons to defeat evil on their quest. It could be argued that Riordan and Scott do a much better job than Rowling of making mythology an integrated and self-consistent component of the story. Certainly there is Potteresque resonance. Instead of following the protagonist through the school year, the opening volume begins in the school year but its focus is the summer vacation. I love the idea that Percy and other children like him have ADD or ADHD and dyslexia and can't sit still is because their brains are structured for Ancient Greek. Percy might do well take heed of Virgil's sentiment (that's Έλληνες, ακόμη και όταν φέρνουν δώρα to Percy and "I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts" to you), but instead undertakes a cross-country quest, accompanied by a young woman and a satyr. Unlike Rowling's generally covert and episodic use of mythological material (e.g., Fluffy/Cerberus), Riordan's is the overt focus rather than the backdrop. Middle readers should identify with Percy and enjoy the ways in which his boring schoolwork in Latin and classical culture suddenly become relevant. Adults who studied Greek long ago may marvel that once upon a time, they knew what an aorist optative was and wish that their brains, too, were hardwired for classical languages. Φεῦ, Φεῦ.

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I zipped through this book and enjoyed every page. It was great seeing all those Greek myths and characters I learned about in middle school reworked and updated in this well-plotted adventure. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

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This book is absolutely amazing. As a Greek, it really taught me things that people believed in back in the day. This book really highlights history, although none of it is true. It helps us understand the Greek myths but in a more fun and exciting way. I really like how Rick Riordan put the Greek myths down and really makes you think and wonder, "is this real?". I find this book utterly convincing because the main character, Percy Jackson, is just an ordinary boy. One of my favorite book series ever.

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This book is AWESOME, and for a wide age range. When I heard how great it was from my younger cousin who was reading it, I was unsure, eventhough he was POSITIVE I would like it. But when my best friend ALSO recommended it, I couldn't resist. I'm glad. This series is full of exciting adventures, frightening monsters, and friendship. I highly recommend it to kids of 10 or 11, up till young adults of 15 or 16. I am sure you will love it.

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amazing. I loved it. you will never be able to put it down. there's a movie coming out in the fall of 2009.

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Amazing book! Rick Riordan is great at focusing on one person, but still following the others. He never has the need to explain what's going on, cause actions speak louder than words, and there's LOTS of action in this book! Greek Mythology is a great subject for him, and to think, this book started as a bedtime story for his daughter! You're sure to have fun in this fast-paced, fantasy book!

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This is a great book! It is action packed and also teaches you about mythology. You wont be able to put it down!

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I loved this book im on the second book.

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This book is for anyone who loves greek mythology and lots of action. Overall it is a good book.

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I loved the book! I remember making my mom take me to the book store every weekend to see if the second one had come in. I didn't even know the third was out yet until I chanced upon it at Target. I'm anxiously awaiting the fourth one. Can't wait!

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'The Lightning Thief' by 'Rick Riordan' IS A GREAT BOOK!!!!! IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love mythology, and this is the perfect combo of mythology and action!!!!!!!! And, NO, this book is not just for boys!!!!!!!!!!! And don't miss the next two in the series!!!!!!!!

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You know what's going to get the next generation of kids reading classical mythology? Snark, that's what. Exactly how bad *do* you have to be to get woven into Hades' underwear? This is a great new take on the classics, and since I've already given my copy to my best friend to read (and to read to her kids), I'm going to need another copy.

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This book was AMAZING. It mixed in myth with modern and it made you think. I stayed up till three in the morning to finish it and it mde me want to read more.

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This is a very interesting book.