first book: The Lightning Thief
synopsis (from Rick Riordan's website):
What if the gods of Olympus were alive in the 21st Century? What if they still fell in love with mortals and had children who might become great heroes — like Theseus, Jason and Hercules?
What if you were one of those children?
Such is the discovery that launches twelve-year-old Percy Jackson on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction – Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.
my thoughts (on all three books):i enjoyed them. they are clearly written for kids, but i found them entertaining and creative. atypically (for me, anyway), i was able to predict what was about to happen before it did happen, but this didn't really take away from the stories. i liked the themes, plots, and characters, but again, they appeal to a younger audience than the kinds of books i typically read.
the take on Greek mythology really was the big selling point for me. i have a personal interest in Greek mythology, and i think Riordan did an admirable job of modernizing such ancient stories and making his version unique. their creativity is their strongest attribute.
bottom line: excellent children's books. i don't agree with the comparisons to Harry Potter (nothing compares to HP!!), but i would definitely recommend the Percy Jackson books to anyone looking for a good series for all ages.
my rating: 4.4
