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A review by foxo_cube
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a really fun read. I was never a big one for YA series growing up, but some friends of mine recently(ish) insisted I just HAD to read the Percy Jackson books, so I bought the series when I was able to.
Even if I didn't have the whole series on my bookshelf, I'd have wanted to get hold of the second book, because I enjoyed this one more than I'd expected to!
The way that Riordan incorporates modern elements into Greek myth and vice versa is really funny and nicely done. The story is told from Percy's perspective and feels convincingly like a confused, slightly angsty 12 year old. His friends, Annabeth and Grover, fulfil the role of Brains and Comic Relief without it being grating. I'm really fond of Grover and his occasional goatiness.
The twists in the story are good and it overall makes for an enjoyable adventure.The bit at the end with Luke's betrayal and connection with Kronos felt a little tacked-on, but it does give the story much more opening to continue. The bit at the end where Percy's mum uses Medusa's head to dispose of Gabe, however? Impeccable. The Medusa's head seemed like a Chekov's gun that wasn't going to be fired, but it was fired perfectly.
One criticism I think is worth mentioning is that there's a tendency for antagonistic characters to be ugly (and often, but not always, fat). It's a common trope but I'm not a fan of that.
Even if I didn't have the whole series on my bookshelf, I'd have wanted to get hold of the second book, because I enjoyed this one more than I'd expected to!
The way that Riordan incorporates modern elements into Greek myth and vice versa is really funny and nicely done. The story is told from Percy's perspective and feels convincingly like a confused, slightly angsty 12 year old. His friends, Annabeth and Grover, fulfil the role of Brains and Comic Relief without it being grating. I'm really fond of Grover and his occasional goatiness.
The twists in the story are good and it overall makes for an enjoyable adventure.
One criticism I think is worth mentioning is that there's a tendency for antagonistic characters to be ugly (and often, but not always, fat). It's a common trope but I'm not a fan of that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, and Alcoholism