This book has a very Harry Potter feel to it. He discovers he is something more than human at age 12. I loved the integration of Greek Mythology and found it a quick and enjoyable read. ( )

Rick Riordan's first book in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series reads a bit like Harry Potter, but a little less bleak--Percy has at least one loving parent still alive, albeit married to a nasty step-father, is whisked off to a camp for young demigods where he learns all about why he's so special, makes the inevitable enemy or two while at camp, finds that heroic feats come easily to him, and goes off on an adventure with his best friend, a satyr, and another camper, a begrudging daughter of Athena. What sets Riordan's series apart from Harry Potter is the ramped-up action and fantastic portrayal of ancient Roman gods mucking about in the modern world. I don't expect Riordan's books to get as bogged down in morality as Rowling's did--after all, Roman gods are, if anything, amoral individuals--but lessons will be learned and fun will be had. ( )

Percy Jackson has always been a little bit different. From having ADHD and dyslexia to seeing strange things. So when his math teacher grows wings and comes after him he thought it was all probably his imagination. He was wrong....

What a fun kick off to a series. I really didn't know what to expect from the book other than it was worthy of a movie. I was pleasantly surprised! The story moves along quickly and there's never a dull moment. The Greek mythology was very fun for me. Mythology is something I have always been interested in so that was a added bonus to for me.

From the very first page I loved Percy's dry sarcastic humor. He definitely didn't feel like a 12 year old but maybe that's just me. All the characters brought something different to the story. They were all very well written and just generally fun.

Overall The Lightning Thief was a action packed trill ride of a middle grade book. Rick Riordan has created a world not to be missed.

http://www.pureimaginationblog.com/ ( )

I love this book, and especially Percy's chapter names. A also think it's seriously cool that the series started by the author telling his son Greek myths to keep him interested in school, and when he ran out, his son asked him to make some up. A good book to read for anyone who likes Greek mythology. ( )

This series is being hyped as "the next Harry Potter," and there is a movie based on it due out next year. It is aimed at the same audience, but the magic stuff happens on summer break, with the normal world, with occasional bits of magic, happening during the school year. Perseus Jackson, called Percy, is 12 years old, ADHD, dyslexic, and always moving to new boarding schools. His father disappeared before he was born.

Percy finds out early that the gods of Olympus have moved to America, and, just as in the old myths, still cannot resist taking human lovers. That leads to leaving half-breed children scattered around. Half-breeds, also called demi-gods, or even heroes. Percy begins to understand what that kind of heritage means when he is given a quest - to get Zeus's lightning bolt from its thief, and return it to Olympus in Manhattan.

The author weaves Greek myths into the narrative, perhaps a bit too obvious for adult readers -- don't know how obvious they were to younger readers. The action is straightforward, and it is an engaging story that does, indeed, mirror Harry Potter's coming of age. The first one is not as addictive as the Harry (Potter or Dresden) series, but is enjoyable. Recommended. ( )