Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Lightning Thief (Movie Tie-In Edition) by Rick Riordan

73 reviews

sammymilfort's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, and Alcohol

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, and Grief

Minor: Domestic abuse and Death of parent

kimschouwenaar's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The sea does not like to be restrained.

Why in the gods' name did it take so long for me to start the Percy Jackson series? I want to hate y'all for gatekeeping it, but honestly, I only have myself to blame. I try to live without regret, but I truly regret not reading this as my 12-year-old self.

I've often heard people compare this to the Harry Potter series, and I can kinda see it: young boy realises he's a magical being, is swept off to a camp/school for magical beings, and ends up being involved in an event that involves the whole magical world. But you know what, Percy Jackson is a much better person than Harry Potter ever was, and I actually enjoyed this a lot more than the first HP book.

That being said, I don't just want to compare this to another, similar series. Overall, it's very well written, has great representation, and has relatable characters – yes, even to a 26-year-old adult. It's a great introduction into Greek mythology, and had I read this as a kid, I totally would've been one of those Greek mythology nerds. Hence, I will be diving into The Iliad and The Odyssey early 2024. 

Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes.

Moreover, Annabeth and Grover are literally the BEST side characters you can wish for in a novel. They portray my favourite kind of duo as the insanely smart girl and the much needed comic relief. Grover reminds me so much of Styles I might have to rewatch Teen Wolf... again.

Finally, I would like to close with my absolute favourite quote from The Lightning Thief:

I'd love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my oen mortality, laughed in the fave of death, et cetera.
The truth? My only thought was: Aaaaggghhhhh!

Didn't I tell you Percy is super relatable? DIDN'T I???

Now please go enjoy this book before the long-awaited TV series airs.

If you have come this far, I am very much looking for more book friends! You can find me on:
IG: kimschouwenaar
TT: _kimschouwenaar
Goodreads: Kim Schouwenaar

I am also in the midst of creating an IG account specifically for my reading, writing and art journey, which you will be able to find under the username @shelvesofsanity! And I'm obviously on here, so feel free to send me a friend request! (:

- kim <3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Grief, and Death of parent

rxanne5's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I definitely loved this book. Turned me into a huge nerd.

I found this book very funny, as Percy jackson is the main character. 
(It does really give away itself as being a what, 2006? book, but in my opinion that is fine with how the author goes on with criticism and betters himself. I'm not here to talk about the author tho.) 
I think this book also gives *some* sort of education on Greek mythology. Yes, things were made a little more 'child friendly' and you are not an immediate expert on Greek mythology when having read this but I do think it gives a fair amount of information.  I liked the plot twist at the and, as it sets the other books up pretty well. This book also got me back into reading. Loved this one<3. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship

refrejarator's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm so glad I went back to read this. As an AuDHD adult, this is exactly the kind of story I wish I had access to as a kid. A super fun read and action packed, and also gave me the representation I always wanted!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail

raisinbrann's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The way Mr. Riordan describes both his characters and the scenes is somehow both evocative and elusive. While I can see exactly what he describes when a character does or feels something, I appreciate that he leaves the actual physical description of his characters (and the gods) to his readers. I spent my childhood reading books where every single person is presumed white unless explicitly stated, it’s been fun to put my own ideas of what Grover and Annabeth look like (they’re both Black, argue with your mother)! This is a fun start to a very formative experience for mythology kids everywhere! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

eyescanbecruel's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and War

Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse

thaliareads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've always been a fan of this series, this is probably close to the fifth time I've re-read the first book and it always scratches the right itch in my brain. I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology and the world developed in this book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail

I've included content warnings just in case, but to be aware that this was very well written for a middle grade audience and remains very appropriate despite the high stakes.

theyummydish's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I love love this!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and War

Minor: Cursing and Gun violence

nellienelson's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is my second-time read of this book and I loved it just as much. There’s a lot of foreshadowing I hadn’t picked up on before and I love the humor and the sass Percy has as a freaking 12 year old. In short, I loved it! I’d definitely recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Physical abuse, and Violence

Minor: Death, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and War

annaofjesup's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Car accident, and Death of parent

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, and War