Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief






The Lightning Thief
by: Rick Riordan
ISBN: 142313494X





Once again, I chose to venture into the Young Adult section of the bookstore to find my next read. I began this book prior to the movie coming out, because I am notorious for not wanting to see a movie if it is based on a book, until I have read it.

Enter Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

This was actually a really fun read considering the age in which it was written for. Not as well written as JK Rowling, but even so, written well enough. The storyline is great and makes you want to keep reading.

The son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, Percy Jackson only finds out his true origins as a pre-teen when monsters come looking for him. Taken by his mother to the only safe place, Half-Blood Hill, a camp for half-blood children becomes his home.

The adventures flourish throughout the book as Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover search for the thief of the Lightning Bolt that is owned by Zeus. Contending not only with monsters, Percy is looked upon poorly by the gods.

This story is definitely a little more modern and hip than Harry Potter, but I was actually surprised and a little dismayed by the amount of close similarities between the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson books:

* Each story has 2 boys and 1 girl
* Harry, Hermione and Ron
* Percy, Annabeth and Grover

* Each story has the hero at a "special" facility for their talents
* Harry - Hogwarts
* Percy - Half-Blood Hill

* Each features a guard dog with three heads

* Harry has the invisibility cloak
* Annabeth has the invisibility hat

* Each story speaks of a way in which humans cannot see the magic
* Harry Potter - a spell
* Percy Jackson - a "mist"

* Each story calls those that are half human something similar
* Harry Potter - Mudbloods
* Percy Jackson - Half-Bloods

Another positive to this book is the case that it can actually assist in teaching the basic stories of Greek Mythology. I loved the incorporation of some of the old Greek stories and characters, such as Medusa and the Fates.

Overall, I thought that this was a good read. I would, as a Christian mother, though, speak to your children prior to reading the book to talk about the underlying beliefs portrayed in the book. Although the Greeks truly did believe in multiple gods, as did other cultures, I would be adamant to make my children understand that there is only one true God and that the rest spoken of throughout the book are false.




Comments

Yes there are similarities between harry potter and percy jackson. which is why it's as popular i suspect. In my opinion the percy jackson series is actualy written better than potter.

Popular Posts