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A review by readwithbre
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Disney+ PJO series announcement inspired a re-read/1st-time audiobook listen.
I didn’t think it was possible to love this series more until I recently learned that Rick Riordan’s inspiration for Percy Jackson was his son’s reading difficulties and love of Greek mythology. And that inspiration comes out in the best of ways in Percy’s character. It was such a delight to reacquaint myself with these characters and this world more than a decade after its conclusion. And it still holds up!
This first installment of the series covers the themes of identity and belonging, family, and friendship really really well while also challenging the virtue of “normalcy.” I love that what is a considered a weakness or a disadvantage (ADHD and dyslexia) in the neurotypical mortal world becomes a strength in the god world. Riordan seems to use Percy’s coming to terms with his demigod status as portal to reinterpreting “normalcy” as relative to circumstances and environment. What a great message for adolescents wrestling with what it means to belong and accept themselves.
Grover’s discovery of the heroism that had been inside him all along after spending so much time feeling like a failure is heartwarming. Anna Beth learning how to trust herself and her friends is inspiring. This cast of characters is just lovely, even in their honest flaws, all around.
As far as the audiobook narration, typically listening to an adolescent white boy ramble for 10 hours non-stop would drive me insane. But it works well for this narrative and the style is actually quite endearing, even if a tad irritating at times.
The only reason I give this a 4/5 stars instead of 5 is for some of the tropes (some heavy-handed fatphobia for instance) that really just didn’t age well.
I didn’t think it was possible to love this series more until I recently learned that Rick Riordan’s inspiration for Percy Jackson was his son’s reading difficulties and love of Greek mythology. And that inspiration comes out in the best of ways in Percy’s character. It was such a delight to reacquaint myself with these characters and this world more than a decade after its conclusion. And it still holds up!
This first installment of the series covers the themes of identity and belonging, family, and friendship really really well while also challenging the virtue of “normalcy.” I love that what is a considered a weakness or a disadvantage (ADHD and dyslexia) in the neurotypical mortal world becomes a strength in the god world. Riordan seems to use Percy’s coming to terms with his demigod status as portal to reinterpreting “normalcy” as relative to circumstances and environment. What a great message for adolescents wrestling with what it means to belong and accept themselves.
Grover’s discovery of the heroism that had been inside him all along after spending so much time feeling like a failure is heartwarming. Anna Beth learning how to trust herself and her friends is inspiring. This cast of characters is just lovely, even in their honest flaws, all around.
As far as the audiobook narration, typically listening to an adolescent white boy ramble for 10 hours non-stop would drive me insane. But it works well for this narrative and the style is actually quite endearing, even if a tad irritating at times.
The only reason I give this a 4/5 stars instead of 5 is for some of the tropes (some heavy-handed fatphobia for instance) that really just didn’t age well.