PERCY JACKSON SERIES REVIEW (first and the second book)

    

PERCY JACKSON SERIES REVIEW (first and the second book)

    I have pursued reading as one of my hobbies exactly 2 years ago and it's been continuing to be one of my favorite things to do in my free time, till now. When it comes to discovering new books, nothing beats the thrill of picking up a novel that captivates you from the first page. One of these examples was the first book of Rick Riordan's most famous series: "Percy Jackson and the Olympians".

 

    I embarked on my adventure with Percy Jackson a in 2023, when I came across many positive reviews of Riordan's widely known series. Although I watched the film adaptation of the book two years ago, I can definitely say that the movie differs in almost every way from the written version of "The Lightning Thief". I didn’t hesitate to pick up the series because I had been fascinated by Greek mythology for a long time. Since childhood, I had read many books on the subject, but I had never before encountered a blend of Greek mythology with the modern world, especially involving the adventures of teenagers. The action of the book takes place in the United States. In the first volume, we meet the main character, Percy Jackson, who struggles to find his place in the world around him. The main reason for this is his instinctive nature, which often gets him into trouble and causes him to switch schools frequently. He soon discovers that the gods of Greek mythology exist and that he himself is the child of one of them. Along with his friends, Percy embarks on a mission not only to prevent a war between the gods but also to recover the titular lightning bolt. Rick Riordan not only presents the main character’s fate but also creates stories for other fascinating characters, including Annabeth and Grover. The characters are diverse, each with a different personality, appearance, and background. However, despite everything, the character I liked the most was the protagonist, Percy. For a twelve-year-old boy, he is incredibly brave and resourceful, able to handle difficult and overwhelming situations on his own. What I liked most, though, was his humor and way of thinking. The entire book is written in a colorful and humorous style, providing plenty of moments for the reader to laugh. The author doesn’t skimp on elements of Greek mythology either, as he presents the world of myths in an original way. A particularly interesting idea was portraying gods and mythological figures in the modern world – Poseidon wearing Hawaiian shorts or Ares with a passion for riding motorcycles. I also enjoyed the concept of rivalry between demigods, the children of gods. The action in "The Lightning Thief" is fast-paced, full of twists, and sometimes even emotional. The first-person narration by the main character helped me connect more deeply with his emotions. The overall concept for the book was excellent, as drawing inspiration from mythology is something quite uncommon. I believe that the first part of the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series will appeal to any fan of Greek mythology, as well as readers looking for light entertainment and enjoyment.

    I reached for the second volume of Rick Riordan's bestselling series right after reading its first part ("The Lightning Thief"), which left a positive impression on me. The significantly shorter thickness of "The Sea of Monsters" compared to its predecessor gave me mixed feelings – on the one hand, shorter books with fewer pages and chapters are much quicker and easier for me to read, which, as someone looking for light entertainment, I consider a plus. On the other hand, it made me question whether our main character, Percy, would still have as many incredible adventures in such a short narrative as he did in "The Lightning Thief." Nevertheless, my initial concerns were compensated by the content, especially by the characters. The very idea of the characters being the children of various gods appealed to me from the moment I got acquainted with the first book in the series. Thus, it was a pleasant surprise when I encountered a new character, a half-blood, in the second part. Greek mythology, which has fascinated me for a long time, is skillfully placed by Riordan into the modern world in such a way that the reader quickly becomes accustomed to the presence of Greek gods and monsters in everyday life. The author demonstrates his mastery in blending Greek mythology with the contemporary world, creating this fascinating universe filled with humor and tension.

    "The Sea of Monsters" is a continuation of Percy Jackson's adventures, where he faces new challenges and battles. Only a year has passed since the events of the first book. Throughout the story, Percy and his friends encounter many mythological monsters and characters – of course, presented in Riordan's signature style in a modern-day setting. The author introduces references to myths very effectively, making them impossible to overlook. I consider this one of the major strengths of the entire series because it offers a certain educational value, allowing the reader to learn about Greek mythology in an entertaining format. Riordan's descriptions of scenes or the appearance of characters are so vivid that the reader often has to engage their imagination. However, the author does this clearly and understandably, so after reading a particular scene, I could immediately visualize it in my head. The description of the titular Sea of Monsters particularly caught my attention – the visions were so expressive that I felt as though I was part of the journey myself. The book also doesn't lack humor – more than once, the dialogues between the characters made me laugh. I definitely resonate with Riordan's sense of humor, as Percy's inner thoughts amused me in certain moments, which is one of the main reasons I love him as a character.

    The characters in the book develop in quite an interesting way – each has their own problems and backstory, which the author tries to explore in a varied manner. We get to learn about the fate of each character during the book’s action, as well as their past. Just like in the first part of the series, there is no shortage of surprising plot twists, which Riordan once again delivers to the reader. These elements make the reader eager to learn what happens next as quickly as possible, which was exactly the case for me. After finishing the book, I immediately reached for its next part – "The Titan’s Curse." The captivating narrative pace made it difficult for me to put the book down.  

"The Sea of Monsters" is another successful chapter in the series that will surely satisfy fans of the previous books. Above all, the author's ability to blend elements of mythology with the everyday life of teenagers makes the plot both intriguing and easy to follow. The second book in the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series is yet another testament to its immense popularity among fantasy lovers and beyond.