The Lightning Thief

It's always weird reading books from almost 20 years ago and realizing how much things have changed. I know that this is a kids book from the early 2000s, but oh man, some of the words used to describe the characters. Anyone that Percy didn't really care for got a heafty heaping of harsh critiques on physical appearances.

Overall, though, found this to be enjoyable. The story moved along at a good pace and nothing really slogged. It became a little predictable, but it was written for children and not adults, so I didn't hold that against it.

Overall, I think my kiddos would enjoy this as they are both very much into Greek gods at this time, and I wanted a fun series that they could dive into that's not Harry Potter because I can't let them think it's ok to support the atrocity that is JK Rowling. This should be a good replacement for that niche and I'll be continuing with the rest of the series to see how things go.

This middle grade book would have been one of my absolute favorites in my youth, and I loved it now too. I love Greek mythology, and this is basically Greek mythology meets modern urban fantasy.

Perseus Jackson, short Percy, is a problem student who can never settle down anywhere. His mother lives with his detestable step-father in New York, and he gets moved from boarding school to boarding school. But one day something changes, when his math teacher turns into a Fury and tries to attack him. He eventually finds out that he is actually a demi-god, the offspring of Poseidon with his mortal mother, and that there's a whole camp full of children like him.

But war is brewing amongst the three major gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades because Zeus' bolt was stolen, and Percy is sent on a quest with Grover the Satyr, and Athena's daughter Annabeth, to retrieve said bolt before the summer solstice.

The story is fast-paced, pretty fun, lots of monsters, and I read a beautifully illustrated edition. Would recommend for any child that shows a hint of interest in mythology. I'm not a child, but I'll keep reading too. :-)

The Percy Jackson series was one I had always meant to read, that I knew I would like but if I am honest, I was wary of being judged for reading middle-grade books until I began my Bookstagram last year and realised that reading is something for pleasure and there should be little judgment for choosing to read a book that you would enjoy just because you're too old for it.

I mean come on, Greek Mythology is incredible! Why wouldn't you want to read books about Gods and their children and the way Rick Riordan has woven a world where Mythology is no longer the past but present? Is an incredible idea and I am so damn glad I gave in because I just loved Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief. I'm going to tell you now, that you will become addicted to this series, that once you begin to read this introduction to Gods, Monsters and the children who attend Camp Half-Blood with Percy Jackson. I couldn't put the book down, had the rest in the series ready to go and devoured The Lightning Thief in a day and didn't want it to end. It has everything you could want, adventure, mystery, torment, and of course the allure of Mythology.

I'm now firmly an addict, and I truly love Riordan's writing so much because it's just so well done.

The characters are well written and I loved the diversity of each of the Gods' children and their personalities, even those who are designed to infuriate are ones you cannot help but like in their own way. Each has their own story to tell, and I am looking forward to learning about them and how as the children of the Gods affect their day to day lives.

I don't want to ruin the story for those who are like myself, late to the party? But I will say that this book will make you occasionally choke up with emotion, so be warned.

If you want magic, and a wonderfully well-written characters and a world that us both set in the real world and one of magic and myth, get yourself the Percy Jackson series now and prepare to be addicted no matter your age.