Percy Jackson and the Great Read!

By Upasana I.

   The Lighting Thief by Rick Riordian is the first book of the Percy Jackson series and portrays a wonderful representation of Greek mythology in a fictional tale. The sequel to this book is named The Sea of Monsters and is also part of the series. The genre of The Lightening Thief is a combination of fantasy and fiction, and beautifully includes Greek myths to create a entertaining and educational book for young adults. 

    Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old boy, is unaware of what his life is truly worth and proceeds to figure it out over the course of the book. A struggling middle school student, Percy has a hard time fitting in and is kicked out of school...for the sixth time. A useless step-father who treats his mother poorly doesn't help Percy but only makes his situation worse. But when Percy discovers he is the son of the Greek god, Poseidon, he is in shock. Giving him little time to heal from the news, he is soon pushed into a conquest when he is accused of stealing Zeus's master lightening bolt. As the prime suspect, Percy is determined to clear his name and takes off to find the lightening bolt and the original thief, along with his best friend, Grover, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena.

     Riordian's book is classy and detailed. Using Greek mythology, he nicely weaves several classic myths and a fictional story together. The book is filled with detail, bringing the story to life, as if one were not reading about it but living it. The book includes a lot of action and mystery, which makes for a great combination. Percy's character starts of as a kid who doesn't care about school or anything but as the book moves on, the character picks up and becomes into a person that the reader cannot resist liking. Riordian gives the character so much life, the reader seems to be learning about Percy's life just as Percy does. 

     Initially, the book has a very slow pace. Things are explained in detail but the book seems to be taking too long to get to the main part of the story. But after a point, it picks up and is great from there.

     I was always told by my friends and family to read this series but never actually took the time to. Now that I have read the first book, I can understand why they kept telling me. The book is captivating and makes you want more. It's is definitely a good read and I recommend you read it. Go check it out yourself and I doubt you will be disappointed!

The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordian, Hyperion Books for Children, 2005, 375 pages