Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a complicated book for me to review, as I am not the target audience. I am aware it’s a children’s book, while I am in my late twenties. All of my thoughts and feelings in regards to this highly respected story come from a more mature mind, so my thoughts are perhaps a little more varied than they might have been, if I were coming into this story from a more nostalgic point of view, had I first read it in my childhood. Ultimately, I’ve tried to be fair, with all this information in mind.
I would like to start off by saying that, overall, I enjoyed the story which The Lightening Thief was trying to tell. Though I didn’t always enjoy the ride.
Percy, a somewhat troubled boy, bouncing from boarding school to boarding school, starts to realise something isn’t quite right about himself after an altercation at school where he accidentally vaporises his teacher. Then, late one night, after being whisked off by his mother to the beach, is thrown headfirst into a whole new world when he comes face to face with the legendary Minotaur. Percy is sent to find safety at Camp Half-blood where he finds out he is a half-blood, half human & half God.
It is at camp where he learns who his father is, one of the twelve Olympians, and is given a quest. His father has been accused of stealing Zeus’ famous lightning bolt, and Percy must clear his name to prevent war.
All in all, this is a very interesting plot, the mystery defiantly kept me turning the page. I loved the idea of taking these old myths and legends and creating something new, adapting ancient Greek texts to fit a modern American setting in a way that felt familiar but fresh.
What let the story down, though, in my option was the use of so many coincidences.
At times, the story felt disjointed, sometimes all over the place. Each of chapters within themselves, the mini stories they told, were great; a tad childish at times, but that’s who the story was aimed at. My main issue was that the chapters were woven together in a weak way. So many of the events taking place, considering they were part of a villain’s plan, were held together by coincidence. Too many answers, and too many of the obstacles, Percy, Annabella, and Grover just happen to stumble upon. Aunty Em, The Lotus Hotel, and The Mattress Shop, to name just a few. How could the villain have planned them stumbling into all these places?
Despite the weak narrative structure, the author did do an amazing job of bringing these old characters to life in his own way. Each legend was told in a way that felt authentic to the time and the setting. I loved the combination of ancient life and modern life, how, in some scenes, they seemed to blend into one.
Although my review is mixed, I will continue onto the next book in the series. I’m excited now that Kronos has been introduced, absolutely can’t wait to see how he is used.
I would recommend this book to any parent looking for an exciting way to get their children into reading.
I’d give this book a solid 3 our of 5 stars.
Writings Of A Queer Mind 