Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief transcends genres

Rick Riordan’s “The Lightning Thief” is a great book that combines Greek mythology and the adventurous and crazy life of Percy Jackson. Released on February 12, 2010, the book is the first in a five book series. 

The book takes place in New York City, where Percy Jackson lives an ordinary life as a twelve year old boy. He goes to a boarding school and has an awkward friend named Grover. 

After Percy is attacked during a field trip, he is taken to Camp Half Blood, where children of the Greek gods are taken and raised to be warriors. 

Percy Jackson, Grover and Annabeth Chase, the daughter of the Greek goddess Athena, are sent on a quest. They are tasked with retrieving the lightning bolt of Zeus. This quest takes them across the country and they even have to go down into the underworld before finally returning with the lightning bolt. 

During the journey they encounter many monsters and once they achieve their quest they are celebrated. Throughout the book Annabeth and Percy clearly have a connection and at the end they finally kiss. 

The story is great for all ages and represents a little bit of every genre. Riordan combines love, adventure and Greek mythology with a modern twist to present an entertaining novel.