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 | The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
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 2008-08-26 - Where are the honest reviews of this book?
Don't believe the reviews that call this book a masterpiece or a classic. Where in the world did this over the top hype come from? I bought the first three books based on the overwhelming claims it was so good but the books are absolutely horrible.
Of my four kids, not one finished the books. That speaks volumes for how awful this is. I was the only one to keep going as I was certain there had to be something. There wasn't.
Riordin's writing is sophmoric. At times it seems English is his second language. His reuses the same or similar phrases. He uses many unnecessary modifiers. He adds extraneous words for filler. The dialogue rings false almost in its entirety. To make matters worse, the story is derivative and cliche. Anyone who's read about Hercules and Greek myths knows where the story was taken from, and the concept has been done to death already.
I know it's a matter of taste, but nearly anything would be better than this.
 2008-08-25 - Happy I read it
It was a good book. I am waiting to read the 4th book. I am on the wait-list at the library!
2008-08-23 - My 6th grade son couldn't put it down till he finished it!
My 6th grade son, who isn't much of a book reader, recieved the first 3 books in this series. He read this book in 4 days and the 2nd book in 3.
It was awesome when he would finish a few chapters and then rush to tell me all about it. I loved to see the enthusiasm in him with book reading! He has even shared the books with his teachers and plans to donate the finished books to his school library.
2008-08-20 - A New Obsession for Harry Potter Fans
I'm a bit bashful to be in my twenties and so obsessed with a YA book series but this is one of those remarkable series that transcends age and can appeal to both teenagers and those much older.
Once Rowling put the pen down to finish the last chapter in the Harry Potter series many of us probably were wondering what author (even Rowling herself) could rise and fill the fanatical void that Hogwarts created. Thankfully Riordan rose to replace Harry Potter with Percy Jackson.
The formula was set up for us previously and mirrors the Potter series in many ways. An adolescent boy who has always felt different and outcast comes to realize he has powers of mythical proportion (he's a demigod) and has to carry out a prophecy. He goes to a summer camp (like Hogwarts) for other demigods who have been living among mortals just like him and come to train to be heroes similar to the manner in which Hercules himself was. He is of course accompanied by a talented girl (a Hermione substitute) and a loyal but clumsy Chiron (a shoe in for Ron). We even have a Dumbledore character in there (Mr. Brunner, a centaur) that has existed for centuries and dispenses sage advice and direction without interfering directly in the adventures of the adolescent group.
While the formula may be similar the product is magically different. There is a TON of Greek mythology in this book and an adventure and witticism that is purely Riordan. Unlike the Potter series which was completely a world of her own making this series takes an epic twist by combining many of the ancient Greek stories and even incorporates other great pieces of literature such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is written in such as way that extremely complicated and sophisticated stories are accessible to a younger audience but provide a deeper appreciation for older readers as well.
For parents, teachers, older siblings this is a great way to connect on some common ground and interest. My younger brother and I are reading this series together and we both love it for many of the same reasons and a bunch of different ones.
 2008-08-18 - Where do I go after Hogwart's ???
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Where do I go after Hogwart's? Well, one place you can go is Camp Half-Blood. The book definitely reminded me of Harry Potter. A young misunderstood kid finds out he is the heir to a fantastic heritage. He is the Son of Poseidon the Sea God. As mentioned this first book really felt quite a bit like it was borrowing from Harry Potter and substituting myth for magic, but the later installments took a different tack and the rest of the series made the this book well worth the read.
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