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Emily May's Reviews > The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)
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Were you a bit weird in school? Or are you still in school and think you're kinda weird? I mean, everyone is weird, but you know that I mean. Maybe you didn't fit in, maybe people thought you were a bit of a loser. Maybe you had learning difficulties, were a target for bullies, got into trouble a lot, maybe it seemed like your teachers just didn't like you. Maybe you sucked at reading and were even diagnosed with dyslexia. Or ADHD.
Well, don't worry. Truth is, you're actually most likely a child of the gods with secret powers that enable you to zap those bullies and fulfill your true destiny. Screw school, you've got bigger things to deal with anyway.
Lol, this book is amazing. My only regret is that I didn't have it when I was twelve years old because I would have read this until it was falling apart in my hands. Every insecure kid (so basically every kid) should read The Lightning Thief. I would want my hypothetical kids of the future to read this book. It's the ultimate childhood fantasy - discovering that everything people labelled as "weird" or negative about you is actually caused by your secret awesomeness. Pretty perfect message, if you ask me.
I know, I know - this is plain old childhood wish fulfillment at its finest. But who cares? The best kids books are all about wish fulfillment to some extent and it's not like Percy Jackson doesn't have his fair share of enemies and heartache. It's the same idea that we all loved to buy into. The orphaned and neglected Harry Potter discovering he is a wizard. The nerdy loser-ish Peter Parker developing special abilities and becoming Spiderman. Children in the middle of WWII discovering a secret world through a wardrobe door in which they reign as royalty. Percy Jackson finding out he is the son of a god and has his own super powers.
On top of the powerful message, this is a fast-paced exciting fantasy story full of friendships, Greek mythology, magic, mystery, bad guys and girls, and constant adventure. I enjoyed it now, despite me being a good ten years older than the target audience. I would have enjoyed it even more ten years ago. You should definitely go read this. Then, when you're done, give it to a kid to read too.
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Well, don't worry. Truth is, you're actually most likely a child of the gods with secret powers that enable you to zap those bullies and fulfill your true destiny. Screw school, you've got bigger things to deal with anyway.
Lol, this book is amazing. My only regret is that I didn't have it when I was twelve years old because I would have read this until it was falling apart in my hands. Every insecure kid (so basically every kid) should read The Lightning Thief. I would want my hypothetical kids of the future to read this book. It's the ultimate childhood fantasy - discovering that everything people labelled as "weird" or negative about you is actually caused by your secret awesomeness. Pretty perfect message, if you ask me.
I know, I know - this is plain old childhood wish fulfillment at its finest. But who cares? The best kids books are all about wish fulfillment to some extent and it's not like Percy Jackson doesn't have his fair share of enemies and heartache. It's the same idea that we all loved to buy into. The orphaned and neglected Harry Potter discovering he is a wizard. The nerdy loser-ish Peter Parker developing special abilities and becoming Spiderman. Children in the middle of WWII discovering a secret world through a wardrobe door in which they reign as royalty. Percy Jackson finding out he is the son of a god and has his own super powers.
On top of the powerful message, this is a fast-paced exciting fantasy story full of friendships, Greek mythology, magic, mystery, bad guys and girls, and constant adventure. I enjoyed it now, despite me being a good ten years older than the target audience. I would have enjoyed it even more ten years ago. You should definitely go read this. Then, when you're done, give it to a kid to read too.
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Reading Progress
September 30, 2013
– Shelved
May 31, 2014
–
Started Reading
June 1, 2014
–
Finished Reading
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Chantaal
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rated it 4 stars
Jun 01, 2014 10:35AM
I love this entire series (and the sequel series) so, so much. I always try to shove it in kids hands whenever I get the chance to, it's so much fun.
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My teenagers (and pre-teen son) all loved this book and the series, especially my son who, like Percy, is ADD. I think he's re-read this book several times. The only downside is that I have to buy every Rick Riordan YA book in hardback, the day it comes out, but at least the books are seeing a lot of use.
I just fangirled a little bit at the idea that you're reading this. It gets better from here. By the time you get "The Last Olympian" it becomes absolutely amazing. :-) I read them last month (maybe the month before) and literally could not stop until I'd finished all of them and then had to get my hands on The Heroes of Olympus.
I really need to start reading these. At the beginning I thought I am too old but you know what, I don't care :]
Awesome reviewGlad you enjoyed it
I read the entire seris abkut three years ago when I was in eighth grade. I love it so much <3 I love how the author gives a tiny twist to the Greek myths, the adventure, the romance, it's all around great and a perfect read for young readers. Lovely review :)
This is one of the only middle grade series that I will always love. Great review too!
Your review just made me want to read this book. My 12 year old daughter just read it at the end of school and she loved it. Now I'll have to steal her copy and read it for myself :)
Good series.It would be interesting to line up the parallels between it and Harry Potter, but a good number of the differences favor Percy.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this! I loved this series when I was younger (and still do) and love his new Heroes of Olympus series.
I am reading this with a 12 year old boy I teach. He doesn't like chapter books much yet, but he seems to be enjoying these.
This is my favorite series after Harry Potter. Happy to know that you liked it. :D The Heroes of Olympus series is also really good.
I loved this series. Been reading it since I was ten. Glad you liked it :)
I liked the first one, but after that they started to feel sort of the same. I didn't go very far into the series before deciding to move on to something else. I'm glad you liked the first one too.
Lol zap them bullies!
I love this series and its run off, I finally got my younger sister to read the first one last week. Shes hooked now!
I love this series and its run off, I finally got my younger sister to read the first one last week. Shes hooked now!
YAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! SO MUCH YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! This is what I come home to Internet to after I eat Percy Jackson food(blue ice cream basically). I hope you finish the series because it only gets more awesome from here. My copy of the second book- the only hardcopy of the series I own, sadly- is actually falling apart. The spin off series isn't that great BUT THIS SERIES IS. SO MUCH. HEARTBREAK AND FUN. I'm going to re-read wheeeeeeee so fucking much!!!!!
Even now, my siblings and I keep making notes of how we are children of Greek gods- only the minor ones so we don't have that much power and monsters(my seventh grade math teacher was evil) rarely trouble us.
Yay! You read it! :D Do you see how you're similar to Annabeth kind of? That's who I compared you to in one of your pictures.
Ok woah I need to read this. I've got the whole hardback box set sitting on my shelf untouched!
ℰmberlynn wrote: "Yay! You read it! :D Do you see how you're similar to Annabeth kind of? That's who I compared you to in one of your pictures."Yes, lol. It was actually your comment that made me finally pick this up - thanks!
I am a big fan of Percy series <3
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Emily! PJO is definitely one of my favorite series. :-D Rick Riordan is really amazing, right? xo
Glad you liked it! I loved these books when I first read it at twelve, and I still do
Really glad you liked it! You'll love the rest of the series (hopefully) :D
Are you going to read the rest of the series? You should! I can't wait to see your reviews. :))
Yep! I have a lot to get through first but I will read them :)
I grew up on this series, just like Potter. The Heroes of Olympus get a bit repetitive, but the Kane Chronicles are worth reading (Egyptian mythology in the place of Greek/Roman).
This book is amazing but I think they botched the movie up, sure it had some funny parts but it was missing SOOO much, Clarrise was also a big deal in this, they "forgot" Mr. D, and didn't even talk about Percy before the furies found him, that being said I loved the movie so much I remember every word
If I had Secret awesome powers that people don't know about and then they get me pissed, I'd stab them with my sword and see the look of surprise on their face. Hopefully, they're monsters so they die quickly. If they're mortal Ha! I'm freaking awesome!
i love the books more than i do the movies ,in the books you get so much feeling almost like you are in the book!Great job Rick!This is not my favorie book by him but it is pretty good, my absolute favorite book by him was "The Heroes Of Olympus"he is my favorite author with the exception if Jeff Kinney did you know Rick met Jeff before he even read any of his astonishing hillarious diary of a wimpy kid books.What i would do to meet either one mainly jeff kinney.Well once again great review!
Thank you, Nathan! :)
you have a good taste in books
how old do you have to be to read ??????? ???????????????
There's nothing unsuitable for kids, so basically as soon as you're able to read it. I think it's actually aimed at 10-14 year olds.
I thoroughly enjoyed your review! I liked how you started it off by describing the main character in a way most wouldn't! It was also cool how you gave kids who do have trouble in school, rather it be dyslexia or ADHD or anything else, a motivation on their life quality! It was really inspirational to see that! The first time I read this book I was around the 12 year old mark, but I recently went back and read it again as a 17 year old and the magic was still there! Comparing Percy to other "story book" characters was something of new to me because it never crossed my mind to compare them to one another. Lastly I liked how you wanted to spread this story to others when you told us to give it to a kid to read when we're done with it. Thank you for this outstanding review!!!
Alex wrote: "I thoroughly enjoyed your review! I liked how you started it off by describing the main character in a way most wouldn't! It was also cool how you gave kids who do have trouble in school, rather it..."Thank you so much, Alex! I'm glad you enjoyed my review :)
Can you believe I haven't read this yet? I can't, LOL. But really, I haven't read many of the books that everyone seems to have read. O_O Great review!
Vane wrote: "Can you believe I haven't read this yet? I can't, LOL. But really, I haven't read many of the books that everyone seems to have read. O_O Great review!"Thank you :) There are still so many popular books that everyone seems to have read but me. Too many books, so little time!
Is this fun?I think I'll like this book when I buy it!!>_<^^
yeah i loved th book i really show relashinship all that stuff th important
u know what ,i actually read this book when I was 12 or 13,I liked it,
ive read the whole series it is excellent I LOVE IT. IM reading the Mangus Chase books thats
i read the whole series at the age of 9 i loved it
the book are awesome i have read the whole series.great reivew
is it weird that i dont know my dad and most the things you said apply to me
tbh I was the biggest nerd in my school lmao
Excuse me but I am not a loser and I am kinda weird but thats not cool with me at all!!! I am a smart kid whosenis good at so many sports and loves to do art and read aswell, and guess what...I CAN READ WHAT EVER I WANT!!!!!!!So maybe you should not follow me anymore because if your just going to say that Percy J is not a good book for me, then you pick someone your size you loser.
And if you are going to follow me on instagram and facebook and twitter well guess what.....THOSE ARE MY MOM'S ACCOUNTS YOU JERK!
so if you are going to tell me that percy j is the book for me well your not the boss of me and i csn read whatever i want
matteo
i great read
i love love love this book so much i read the whole series. when i first hear about this book from my cousin i thought i would not like it i read ot any ways and i loveit so much.for those who have not read this book yet you shoud trust me you wil love it
Percy Jackson books are amazing . Reading it takes me to a different world . I have read the whole series . Rick riordan is one of my favourite writers . I am a percy jackson fan . Most of my friends are too . The books make me feel adventorous . I could read percy jackson hundred times without getting bored .
