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

by Rick Riordan

“That’s the place for heroes.”

So few people did good in their lives.

“You heroes are always the same,” Hades said. “Your pride makes you foolish,

They had done nothing but save me, over and over, and now they wanted to sacrifice their lives for my mom.

Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes.

Every time you raise your blade in battle, every time you hope for success, you will feel my curse.

“Live well, Percy Jackson. Become a true hero.

It’s funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.

I realized Hades must’ve built his palace to resemble this one.

It was like looking at the ocean: some days, you could tell what mood it was in. Most days, though, it was unreadable, mysterious.

The sea does not like to be restrained.

No one can choose your path, Percy. You must decide.”

“Your mother is a queen among women,” Poseidon said wistfully. “I had not met such a mortal woman in a thousand years. Still…I am sorry you were born, child. I have brought you a hero’s fate, and a hero’s fate is never happy. It is never anything but tragic.

Whatever else you do, know that you are mine. You are a true son of the Sea God.

A package. A decision. Whatever else you do, know that you are mine. You are a true son of the Sea God.

But a hero’s story always ended in tragedy.

“He offered to stop the tide for me once. He offered to build me a palace at the bottom of the sea. He thought he could solve all my problems with a wave of his hand.

If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.

“You’ll be a hero, Percy. You’ll be the greatest of all.

I had failed to save my mom, but only because I’d let her save herself, and I knew that was the right thing.

I’m not sure I’d ever felt as happy or sad as I did at that moment. I’d finally found a family, people who cared about me and thought I’d done something right. And in the morning, most of them would be leaving for the year.

Ever since I’d gotten back from the quest, he’d been acting a little distant.

I could imagine him as an old man.

Didn’t you realize how useless it all is? All the heroics—being pawns of the gods.

‘Western civilization’ is a disease, Percy. It’s killing the world. The only way to stop it is to burn it to the ground, start over with something more honest.”

The Olympians are so arrogant;

“You will be a great hero, child.

“I won’t go looking for trouble. I usually don’t have to.

Seaweed Brain,

Wise Girl.