Percy Jackson And The The Lightning Thief

Percy Jackson And The The Lightning Thief

By Rick Riordan – Book One of the Percy Jackson series

Percy Jackson & The Olympians is a five-book fantasy series by Rick Riordan that blends Greek mythology with modern-day adventure. The Lightning Thief is the first book, introducing Percy, a twelve-year-old who discovers he’s a demigod. It launches his journey to prevent a war among the gods and discover his destiny.

I picked up The Lightning Thief expecting monsters, Greek gods, and epic battles. And while it delivered all of that in spades, what I didn’t expect was how deeply this story would speak to the parts of me that once felt unseen.

At the heart of the chaos — the sword fights, the betrayal, the journey across America — is Percy Jackson: a 12-year-old kid who’s been told all his life that he’s “too much” or “not enough.” Too impulsive. Too distracted. Too different. He’s been kicked out of school after school. He feels like a mistake. And honestly? That hits hard.

But the magic of this book isn't just in the plot twists or clever retellings of mythology — it’s in how Riordan gives kids like Percy a reason to believe their differences make them powerful. That ADHD and dyslexia don’t make him broken — they mean he’s built for something greater. That maybe the world just doesn’t know how to read him yet.

There’s something truly moving about watching Percy slowly come into himself — not just as a demigod, but as a friend, a fighter, a kid who learns to trust people even when everything inside him tells him not to. The friendships he forms with Annabeth and Grover aren’t just adventure companions — they’re lifelines. They see him. They believe in him. And for the first time, he starts to believe in himself, too.

And yes, the gods are hilarious and terrifying. Yes, the action is non-stop. But The Lightning Thief is about more than heroes and monsters. It’s about belonging. It’s about a boy who doesn’t know where he fits, learning that maybe — just maybe — he was never meant to fit in. He was meant to stand out.

Story And Pacing

Rick Riordan’s writing is sharp, humorous, and fast-paced. The story flows like a road trip with mythological chaos around every corner. The blend of ancient Greek mythology with modern-day America is fresh and imaginative — Mount Olympus is on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building, for instance. The structure works well for younger readers, with plenty of action and cliffhangers at the end of most chapters.

Characters

Percy is an instantly relatable protagonist — not just because he’s a “chosen one,” but because of his insecurities and loyalty. Annabeth is sharp, determined, and balances Percy’s impulsiveness with wisdom. Grover adds humour and heart, though he also symbolises how side characters can still have depth. Even the gods, when they appear, are layered — vain, flawed, and very human.

World-Building

The concept of gods still existing and influencing the modern world is handled with cleverness and subtle satire. Riordan uses real myths but gives them a spin — Ares rides a Harley, Medusa runs a garden statue emporium, and Las Vegas is literally a Lotus-eating trap.

Themes

Beneath the magic and monsters are deeper themes: identity, abandonment, friendship, and finding strength in being different. Percy’s struggles with dyslexia and ADHD are woven into the narrative, not as weaknesses but as part of his demigod heritage — a powerful message for young readers who feel out of place.

Favorite Quote:

“If you’re a normal kid, reading this because you think it’s fiction, great. Read on. I envy you. But if you recognize yourself in these pages—if you feel something stirring inside—stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it’s only a matter of time before they sense it too. And they’ll come for you.”

Final Thoughts

This book made me laugh, made me feel seen, and reminded me that even when you feel lost, you might just be on the first step of something epic. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit in — The Lightning Thief is for you.

Rating: ★★★★★

For readers who: crave adventure, have ever felt “different,” or need a reminder that there’s power in being exactly who you are.