The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
I know I talk a lot about not liking kid's books or fantasy, but I decided to read the Percy Jackson series for a teenager I know who is obsessed. I figured it was something we could talk about. Well....Percy Jackson had two major exceptions to my preferences.
1. Rick Riordan has a son who struggled with learning disabilities in school. He hated reading and he hated school. His father began telling him stories at night about a young kid named Percy Jackson who also struggled in school, but it turns out he was half-Greek god. Riordan eventually started writing the story down and eventually sold the book. Here is the incredible story. For that reason alone, I would have read this series. It tugged at my heart strings.
2. I love Greek mythology! I'm not sure if its because I grew up watching Hercules with my dad (yes, the Kevin Sorbo television series) or if because I studied it in high school and became fascinated, but its one exception to my no-fantasy rule.
The story revolves around a young boy named Percy Jackson who struggles in school. It turns out the reason he struggles so much is he is the son of a god and now he is the only hope to prevent an all out war between the gods.
The story is definitely meant for a younger audience, since there are some obvious plot giveaways right at the beginning. But most of those I could solve because I know a lot about Greek mythology, something Riordan stays very similar too. I wouldn't expect a ten year old to know all that stuff.
The book does have a great sense of humor. Riordan uses a lot of sarcasm (I love sarcasm!) and quick wit with his characters. The story also happens quickly with a lot of of moving parts. This is obviously meant for his ADHD son, but makes the story very entertaining. Its light-hearted and doesn't take itself too seriously.
I will happily be carrying on in this series.
Rating: G
I gave this whole series to my son for Christmas a while back, hoping it would get him more into reading...but nope. So far I'm the only one who has read the books, but I love them!
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across this book accidentally when I was going to Greece. (I was doing a search on the library website for something entirely different and this book popped up.) Only the first two books were out at the time, and I don't remember books very well after I read them so every time a new book came out I had to re-read the whole series. And I just read the Kane Chronicles when I was in Egypt last week, but those weren't as good.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to have to read this series quickly because I already am forgetting some of the key plot points. Luckily my mom, Kelli, Kenna and Kendra all have read them and loved them and can fill in any gaps for me.
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