Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan 

4 Stars 

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is the first book in the very popular Y/A fantasy series written by Rick Riordan. The novel follows the story of Percy Jackson, a young boy who discovers that he is a demigod - the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.  

When Zeus's lightning bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, he embarks on a quest to clear his name and retrieve the bolt before a war breaks out between the gods. Along the way, Percy is joined by his friends Annabeth Chase, the daughter of the goddess Athena, and Grover Underwood, a satyr sent to guide and help Percy and the three of them encounter various mythical creatures and challenges.  

I found Riordan's writing really engaging and he manages to balance heavy themes like family, abuse, neglect, betrayal, and accepta

nce with lighter moments of humour and friendship.  

I think that the characters are well-developed and relatable, and everyone will find themselves rooting for Percy and his friends throughout their journey. The novel also provides a fascinating insight into Greek mythology, with Riordan seamlessly weaving in elements of Greek mythology into the story. And combining them with modern 

elements to be easily understood by young readers and readers who aren’t familiar with the mythical stories and characters. The representation of ADHD and Dyslexia in Percy and his friends is also handled really well and respectfully in my opinion, I found it really heartwarming that Riordian wrote Percy’s character and struggles with his learning disabilities for his son who also has ADHD and Dyslexia, it’s very sweet.  

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a great start to a beloved series that has captured the hearts of readers of all ages. The book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and mythology and is sure to leave you eager to continue on Percy's journey in the subsequent books. 

Reviewed by Tayyeba 

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