The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) in The Dusty Bookshelf

May 03, 2011 Kevin Xu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I like this book, being very fun and readable with a great journey across America. Most of all a great idea. On the other hand certain parts was too much like Harry Potter.

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Feb 04, 2012 Rachel rated it liked it

Shelves: youngadult, fantasy-sci-fi, book-club-reads, books-made-into-movies, greek-mythology

This book reminds me of the Harry Potter series but The Lightning Thief seems to move faster and is an easier read. I think part of the reason this book moves faster is that Rick Riordan doesn't go as in depth as J.K. Rowling does in explaining the world you are encountering. However, since the background stories, places and characters in Percy Jackson are based on stories in Greek Mythology it makes sense that the author doesn't have to take up space describing every detail when the reader can ...more

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Jun 05, 2009 Jane(Janelba) rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2009

I enjoyed this book alot but it doesn't compare to J K Rowling and her Harry Potter Series in my humble opinion. It's characters are not as developed nor is the setting as interesting or compelling, but a good worthwhile read. ...more

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May 24, 2013 Karen rated it it was ok

Shelves: middle-grades-reading-list, spring-23-recommendations

Let me start off my review with my main reasons for reading this book. I did not pick it up because it, in and of itself, looked intriguing or appealing. I picked it up because so many of my students have read it and it felt wrong for me to have been side-stepping it for so long. I have way too many friends and students who think this series is like sunshine out of Zeus's. . .well anyhow, I thought I'd give it a try.

The story revolves around idiotic Percy Jackson. Whose real name is Perseus. And Let me start off my review with my main reasons for reading this book. I did not pick it up because it, in and of itself, looked intriguing or appealing. I picked it up because so many of my students have read it and it felt wrong for me to have been side-stepping it for so long. I have way too many friends and students who think this series is like sunshine out of Zeus's. . .well anyhow, I thought I'd give it a try.

The story revolves around idiotic Percy Jackson. Whose real name is Perseus. And he had noooooo idea he was even vaguely connected to this ancient Greek world. But seriously, Percy is amazingly thick. Perhaps because it's written for the early middle school age range, the author thought the kids as well wouldn't pick up on these things quickly, so why not make its hero a bit slow? All well and good if you're ten. At my age, I just want to thump Percy. And he needs some serious lessons in how to play nicely with others. However, if he played nicely he wouldn't be as interesting. I have other problems with Percy, though. He is quite a defeatist. Except when it's inconvenient. He's so quick to blame his bad grades on his dyslexia and his ADD/ADHD (seriously Rick Riordan -- they are actually very different. Pick one and stick with it). He's so quick to blame his less-than-happy life on his inability to get along with his stepdad. He can't seem to work through his problems on his own. This becomes even more apparent when he needs sidekicks. His sidekicks are not much better. They consist of a satyr who teeters between tears and fits of rage at humans (nasty polluters) and can't seem to get anything right, and a young girl who should be way more bitter, resentful, and bad-tempered than she is. As it is, she seems downright kind and sweet. She's almost too willing to just let years of in-bred prejudices, tough times and a virtually orphaned life behind.

Frequently, people complain about the similarities between this and Harry Potter. I really don't think it's so much a similarity to Harry Potter but just simple use of the Hero's Journey (which Potter also employs). The basic plot touchstones of Percy Jackson are the same as Harry Potter, as the same as Gregor the Overlander, as the same as Lord of the Rings, as the same as the Epic of Gilgamesh. It's just a Hero's Journey, get over it.

Having said that, Rowling is a far superior author to Riordan. Where Rowling challenges, stretches, and creates, Riordan just sort of falls flat. It's not just the noticeable lack of tough vocabulary words -- it's Riordan's attitude. Instead of taking a third-person narration, which allows Rowling to elevate her tone, Riordan gives the narrator the voice of his main character. Which only does favors to the ten- and eleven-year-old crowd. Yes, it's cutesy fun. But am I challenging my brain at all? Nosireebob. But the voice of a kind of slow-on-the-uptake albeit inquisitive young boy should make for exciting action, right? Not so much. I'm not being pulled along by the story. More, I'm wading through it like muck. At this point, I'm continuing because I want to watch the movie tonight and now I've challenged myself to finish reading it by dinnertime. But I got so bored I took time out to start writing my review.

After a while, I manage to go back to it and finish slogging my way through the rest of the book. I was left feeling distinctly dissatisfied. None of the climactic scenes had any kind of punch or oomph, to the point where I was left wondering if there was a climax. Nothing was really that exciting. Oh, and there's a twist bad guy at the end. Which really isn't that much of a twist. In fact, it's kind of hit-you-over-the-head obvious, and I would imagine it might still be so for a ten-year-old.

My overall impression is not great. This was a lackluster attempt at reworking ancient ideas. Cool in theory, poorly executed. I really don't want to read another, but everyone says the next one is better. But everyone said this one was great, too. Until then, I'll merely lament the fact that this book more or less just wasted my afternoon and move on to the next book on my reading list. ...more

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Aug 15, 2009 Hannah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed-on-blog, fantasy-magic, 12-and-up, mystery, adventure, books-i-own, favorite, series

I just loved this book. It was gripping from literally the first page. The idea is totally clever and original, with plot twists and surprises that make you never want to put this book down. It's well written, and reading from the protagonist Percy's POV(point of view) is totally fun. It's hard not to fall in love with Percy and the world that Rick Riordan has so masterfully created and crafted. You also learn about Greek Mythology along the way. Very fun and enjoyable by all pre-teens, teenager ...more

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May 05, 2009 Celeste rated it liked it

Shelves: reread, nook

I know I'm weird, but I just thought this book was ok and I don't think I'll be reading this others

After a reread I did enjoy it more the second time around better than the first. The Greek Mythology research Rick did is incredible and he built really good characters. I guess I'm just missing I certain Ms. Rowlings, which isn't fair to this series of books or to there author. ...more

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Aug 19, 2009 Jessica (Books: A true story) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, blog, amazon, 3-stars, content-mild

It's like Harry Potter meets Ancient Greece (but not as well written) with a mix of Bruce Coville's "My Teacher is an Alien."

This book is also reviewed on my blog Books: A true story ...more

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