9/30/09

THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan




Read: Sept 29-30
Category: Leaders
Pages: 392

Do you love Harry Potter? Are you interested in mythology? Then you will enjoy this book.

This story takes the best parts of Harry Potter and mixes it with classic Greek Mythology (could this get kids interested in the classics?), adds a bit of a mystery and a good deal of action with strange creatures like a Minotaur, Satyrs, and Furies.

Percy Jackson, the central character who is ADD and dyslexic, is in the 6th grade at a boarding school for difficult children and has little inclination of his parentage until he accidentally(?) vaporizes his math teacher. At the end of the school year, he returns to his home and while taking a day trip with his mother, he is attacked by strange creatures. The story continues to expose Greek Mythology and reveal Percy's parentage and what he is needed to do.

The tale is fast-paced and entertainingly moralistic pitting good against evil, light against dark, weak against strong. There is definitely a strong similarity to the Harry Potter stories, so if you didn't like Harry, you won't like Percy. Another Harry Potter, not quite, but definitely a fun read.


2 comments:

The Cozy Mystery Journal said...

Oh I want to read this. Especially as I loved Harry Potter so much I'm re-reading them.

Thanks for the great review.

Recipe Contests said...

I never saw the movie because I was so sure that I was going to read this book. I need to recommit and pick it up today. Thanks for the reminder.