Rating- 3 stars
Synopsis-
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse-Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. 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 friends -- one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena -- Percy 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.
I know what your thinking; 3 stars? Really?
REALLY. No one is more surprised then me. I had such high hopes for this book cause everyone raves about it. Seriously I've never seen one negative comment on this. But alas, here I am, with a negative comment. Something I failed to remember until half way through the story was that this was a kids book, which was why it was such an easy read for me, and why I was so let down. I'm not saying all kids books are like this (Harry Potter anyone???) but because I expected so much from this story, it fell short. It wasn't great; it wasn't bad. So it's a solid 3 for me.
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Does anyone else think Percy was given this quest waaaay to early in his training? I mean the kid was at camp for two, maybe three weeks, before being asked to take on this deadly task, when only the day before had he just realized he was the son of Poseidon. I get that they had a time limit, but still. That was cutting it. Theres only so much a 12 year old can do (even if he is the son of an all powerful god).
Percy was an interesting pov. In the beginning he kind of bothered me, but once I warmed up to him I started liking him. He talked back to everyone, which I appreciated. Nothing bothers me more then a mute, flimsy narrator. One thing that had me rolling my eyes repeatedly was the multiple situations him, Annabeth, and Grover walked into. If they had listened to their gut and had been aware of their surroundings, I think they would have had a lot less to deal with. I don't even understand the part with the Lotus Casino. It was super random and had no correlation with monsters or gods, so I still don't get why Riordan added that part.
Annabeth was definitely one of my favorite characters. She's realistic and down to earth, which was much needed when working with two goofballs like Grover and Percy. Plus she's the daughter of Athena and she's my favorite goddess :)
Being the son of Poseidon would be SO FREAKIN COOL. I have a soft spot for mermaids so I was internally crying whenever Percy would walk underwater and do stuff. He has all the benefits of the mermaid side, plus being a demigod, but in a human body. THE JEALOUSY IS REAL PEOPLE. SO REAL. I actually dreamed about controlling water last night, it was that bad. Was it blatantly obvious who Percy's father was in the story to anyone else? I know its not fair to point this out since I knew before reading this, but even without knowing all the signs pointed to him. Who else can control water like that? What Olympian god, in general, has an affinity with water? HMMMM.
I'm interested enough in the story that I'll pick up the next book, but after that I might set this down for a little bit. I'll definitely finish it at some point. I'm hoping this is one of those series that gets better with every book.
Quotes
""Annabeth, I'm sorry about the toilet."
"Whatever."
"It wasn't my fault."
She looked at me skeptically, and I realized it was my fault. I'd made water shoot out of the bathroom fixtures. I didn't understand how. But the toilets had responded to me. I had become one with the plumbing." (pg. 93)
"Annabeth said, "What happens if the plan doesn't work?"
"Don't think negative."
"Right," she said. "We're entering the Land of the Dead, and I shouldn't think negative." (pg. 283)
Has anyone seen the movie? Should I watch it?
(Image and synopsis from Goodreads)
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