Tuesday, May 8, 2007

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I wish people wouldn't keep comparing books like this to Harry Potter. It just sets me up to think of them in certain ways, which they are not - and don't need to be. Sure, there are some parallels - the main male character is more than just a plain person, there is a female sidekick and a male friend. And these characters all have extra human powers. And the author draws on mythology, especially Greek and Roman, as background material for the story. There are other parallels, too, but for all of that, the book has a different feel to me. It is, much more American - much more shoot-em-up action. There are lots more chase scenes and much less character development. It is in some ways more like the Harry Potter movies.

The main character in the book, Percy Jackson, is a demi-god, the son of the god Poseidon and a human mother. He is sent on a quest to get back Zeus' lightning bolt, which has been stolen. Accompanying him are a satyr (his friend and protector) and the daughter of Athena and a human father.

And, now that I am writing this, I am seeing more and more Harry Potter parallels - much of the initial action takes place at a summer camp / school. There is a mentor (Chiron, who is a centaur). Percy and Annabeth are both demi-gods - half-bloods, as it were. The satyr, Grover, is presumably a full blood.

Oh, well. In spite of the parallels, the book can stand on its own. It is hip and interesting and I think reluctant readers might like it.

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