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

by Rick Riordan

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.

But if you recognize yourself in these pages—if you feel something stirring inside—stop reading immediately. You might be one of us.

You should’ve seen him run when it was enchilada day in the cafeteria.

Grover tried to calm me down. “It’s okay. I like peanut butter.”

“Well, half credit, Mr. Jackson. Zeus did indeed feed Kronos a mixture of mustard and wine, which made him disgorge his other five children, who, of course, being immortal gods, had been living and growing up completely undigested in the Titan’s stomach.

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, I thought. And make you sing soprano for a week.

“Oh, nobody much,” Grover said, obviously still miffed about the donkey comment. “Just the Lord of the Dead and a few of his blood-thirstiest minions.”

“You drool when you sleep.”

iconic

Her hand drifted toward her pocket, as if she were afraid I’d stolen something.

Her hat?

“Poseidon,” said Chiron. “Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God.”

seaweed brain,”

First seaweed brain!!

wise girl?”

First wise girl!!

“So far so good,” I told Annabeth. “Ten miles and not a single monster.” She gave me an irritated look. “It’s bad luck to talk that way, seaweed brain.”

In the front seat, Argus smiled. He didn’t say anything, but one blue eye on the back of his neck winked at me.

“Braccas meas vescimini!” I yelled. I wasn’t sure where the Latin came from. I think it meant “Eat my pants!”

most people might think that’s just really bad luck; when you’re a half-blood, you understand that some divine force really is trying to mess up your day.

“Look, I…” Her voice faltered. “I appreciate your coming back for us, okay? That was really brave.” “We’re a team, right?” She was silent for a few more steps. “It’s just that if you died…aside from the fact that it would really suck for you, it would mean the quest was over. This may be my only chance to see the real world.”

“You’re pretty good with that knife,” I said. “You think so?” “Anybody who can piggyback-ride a Fury is okay by me.” I couldn’t really see, but I thought she might’ve smiled.

“Your head is full of kelp.”

first seaweed brain

Do not be a pawn of the Olympians, my dear.

You’re glad your dad is alive. You feel good that he’s claimed you, and part of you wants to make him proud. That’s why you mailed Medusa’s head to Olympus. You wanted him to notice what you’d done.”

I tried not to drool in my sleep, since Annabeth was sitting right next to me.

“Isn’t that a kind of anteater?”

“If you are the son of Poseidon,” Echidna hissed, “you would not fear water. Jump, Percy Jackson. Show me that water will not harm you. Jump and retrieve your sword. Prove your bloodline.”

I felt like drowning myself. The only problem: I was immune to drowning.

Even strength has to bow to wisdom sometimes.”

“On my mark,” I said. “No! On my mark!” “What?” “Simple physics!” she yelled. “Force times the trajectory angle—” “Fine!” I shouted. “On your mark!”

“Because you’re my friend, Seaweed Brain. Any more stupid questions?”

“Obedience school,” she said breathlessly, and I was surprised to see there were tears in her eyes. “When I was little, at my dad’s house, we had a Doberman.…”

“Good dog. I’ll come visit you soon. I—I promise.” Annabeth turned to us. “Let’s go.”

Even here in the Underworld, everybody—even monsters—needed a little attention once in a while.

I thought about that as we waited for the ghouls to pass. I pretended not to see Annabeth wipe a tear from her cheek as she listened to the mournful keening of Cerberus in the distance, longing for his new friend.

What horrible things would you have to do in your life to get woven into Hades’s underwear?

I felt like my heart was being ripped in two. They had both been with me through so much.

“Reconciliation,” she said. “Athena and Poseidon together.”

“Your mother is a queen among women,” Poseidon said wistfully.

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