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The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1) | 
 enlarge | Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Miramax
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy New: $3.20
You Save: $4.79 (60%)
New (48) Used (35) from $3.20
Avg. Customer Rating:  243 reviews
Sales Rank: 881
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 392
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0786838655
EAN: 9780786838653
ASIN: 0786838655
Publication Date: April 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: New - Has remainder mark. Fast shipping from trusted wholesaler with many exclusive publisher contracts.
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Product Description
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he cant seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worsePercy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. Percys mom decides its time that he knew the truth about where he came from. She sends Percy to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friendsone a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of AthenaPercy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 238 more reviews...
 A New Obsession for Harry Potter Fans August 20, 2008
I'm a bit bashful to be in my twenties and so obsessed with a YA book series but this is one of those remarkable series that transcends age and can appeal to both teenagers and those much older.
Once Rowling put the pen down to finish the last chapter in the Harry Potter series many of us probably were wondering what author (even Rowling herself) could rise and fill the fanatical void that Hogwarts created. Thankfully Riordan rose to replace Harry Potter with Percy Jackson.
The formula was set up for us previously and mirrors the Potter series in many ways. An adolescent boy who has always felt different and outcast comes to realize he has powers of mythical proportion (he's a demigod) and has to carry out a prophecy. He goes to a summer camp (like Hogwarts) for other demigods who have been living among mortals just like him and come to train to be heroes similar to the manner in which Hercules himself was. He is of course accompanied by a talented girl (a Hermione substitute) and a loyal but clumsy Chiron (a shoe in for Ron). We even have a Dumbledore character in there (Mr. Brunner, a centaur) that has existed for centuries and dispenses sage advice and direction without interfering directly in the adventures of the adolescent group.
While the formula may be similar the product is magically different. There is a TON of Greek mythology in this book and an adventure and witticism that is purely Riordan. Unlike the Potter series which was completely a world of her own making this series takes an epic twist by combining many of the ancient Greek stories and even incorporates other great pieces of literature such as the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is written in such as way that extremely complicated and sophisticated stories are accessible to a younger audience but provide a deeper appreciation for older readers as well.
For parents, teachers, older siblings this is a great way to connect on some common ground and interest. My younger brother and I are reading this series together and we both love it for many of the same reasons and a bunch of different ones.
 Where do I go after Hogwart's ??? August 18, 2008
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Where do I go after Hogwart's? Well, one place you can go is Camp Half-Blood. The book definitely reminded me of Harry Potter. A young misunderstood kid finds out he is the heir to a fantastic heritage. He is the Son of Poseidon the Sea God. As mentioned this first book really felt quite a bit like it was borrowing from Harry Potter and substituting myth for magic, but the later installments took a different tack and the rest of the series made the this book well worth the read.
the best book ever August 13, 2008
this is the best book in history. i love the series 2. its about a boy who has does not know who his father is and all of the gods think he stole a valuable thing . Its kind alike a cooooooooler hp!!!!! but better and some times i some times read it again.
 Not just for kids August 10, 2008
Imagine Disney's Hercules mixed with Harry Potter in a modern setting. Riodan basically did to Greek Mythology what "Shrek" did to fairy tales. I've enjoyed the Greek Mythology and The Lightning Thief is a great blend of that with good action and witty jokes. For kids this book is great as it introduces a theme in a fun and stress-free way. And for someone who has some knowledge in the Greek gods and heroes, it's truly enjoyable to see these characters so much alive in a modern setting.
This book is not without flaws though. Some of the book reads like episodes of Scooby-Do. Not very much character development and many themes in the book are carbon copies of Harry Potter. But don't get me wrong, the entertainment value of the book far overshadows these draw backs. I won't be surprised if this book brings an renaissance of Greek mythology to popular culture.
Bottom line: read this book, it's fun. Or buy it for your kids, they'll love it.
Awesome August 7, 2008
This is an awesome book. All my friends recommended me to it so I tried it and it was awesome, really transforms monsters well like Auntie Em, to Medusa and like Peresues fighting the hydra.
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