| Author: Rick Riordan Book Review By: Anshuman Nagpal Class: 8 |
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Percy Jackson thinks he’s simply a troublesome 12-year-old kid with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and Dyslexia, who has been mysteriously switching institutions since his education began. Born from a very enthusiastic and loving mother but fathered by an equally selfish, unhealthy, and demanding stepdad, Percy doesn’t know what to make of his life.
This is the start of the first-ever volume of a beautiful series: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, authored by the award-winning Rick Riordan. A fantastical story consisting of otherworldly battles, tactical mistakes, radical clues and revelations, and full of ideas and emotions such as trust, friendship, persistence, and betrayal – the first book of the legendary series that everyone knows the name of, is an absolute blast.
Percy Jackson, as he comes to find out, is a special person, which is why he started going to Camp Half-Blood along with his friend Grover (who turned out to be a satyr). Here, he learns that his real father is Poseidon, the god of the sea, which made him a demigod, born because of a relationship between a god and a human.
Furthermore, while staying in the safe haven for people like him, Percy is told that the gods suspect him of stealing a powerful weapon from them, which he obviously did not! With the permission of the Activities Director (Chiron) and the approval from the Head of Camp (Dionysus), Percy embarks on a dangerous and enthralling quest to find the weapon he didn’t steal, return it by a certain deadline, and hopefully prevent eternal war between the gods. He partners with his new friend Annabeth Chase, a daughter of Athena and a strategic, wise, and fearless demigod; and his old satyr friend Grover, who proved helpful in mysterious and dangerous situations.
Being just the first book in the series, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief puts startling emphasis on clashes between the good and the bad, excruciating brushes with death, and the consequences of blind trust. Features of the modern world and ancient Greek mythology have been fused together perfectly to bring a sense of connection with the readers and enlighten us about history without us realizing it. Whether it be Annabeth’s seriousness, Grover’s goofiness, or Percy’s perpetual humour, the characters in the book show their differences perfectly through the way they act. It should also be noted that the relationships between characters in the story are heavily emphasized, which sets this story apart from many fantasy books that only focus on the action and not the aspect that makes the course of events humane. The book was written in a way that could make readers laugh and plaster a smile on our faces even amidst all that intense action, which is why many of the events have a certain comedic twist. It is a delightful book to read, brimming with suspense and mystery while still being thrilling enough to keep flipping through.
There are several uncanny moments in the story where Percy Jackson, the character reputed to be the hero and the saviour of his team, is seen to be drooling in his sleep. Even though his drooling doesn’t seem quite as heroic or inspiring as how we see the character during other times in the story, it is the droolingthat brings about his flaws and imperfections, thus, making him human. Even in the real world, people often believe in making themselves and the environment around them absolutely perfect. They forget that successful individuals make mistakes and cause blunders too. One must understand that one can only be the best version of oneself, fix one’s flaws as best as possible, and not worry about anything else; because even heroes drool in their sleep.
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, along with the rest of the series, is perfect for those who enjoy reading Harry Potter books. For anyone interested in fantasy and mystery yet has a bit of wit up their sleeve, this book is MUST-READ. The Lightning Thief is a cleverly woven story and has given a dumbfoundingly fantastic start to the Percy Jackson series. I hope many more books like it are yet to come!
So, would Percy be able to finish his mission in time, and would he and his friends survive the dangerous quest they embarked upon? What challenges would they face, and how many situations will they encounter that will jeopardize their lives? Will this half-boy, half-god, and yet all hero be able to save the world at just the tender age of twelve, or will he fail? To find out about all that, you must read the book yourself and dive into the wonderful world of Percy Jackson.
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