It is true that I have the five tomes in my PAL for quite a while. Even though I really wanted to discover and see the difference with the films, I never found the opportunity to take them out. But it's done, thanks to the choice of honey binômette, who decided to take this book!
Percy is a real daredevil. Once it goes somewhere, he made mistakes without really meaning to. A trip to a museum will change his life forever and he will discover that it is much more than a normal young teenager: he is a half-blood. Child of a human mother and a father god, he will soon discover that it is more in danger than he thinks.
Soon, he will be forced to join the colony of mixed blood, where it is safe, where an invisible barrier protects the outside world. There, he learns who he is and who his real father. His mother, wishing to protect it and for it to have a normal life, hid his true nature, but the past always resurfaced when least expected. The novel is divided into two parts: one where he gradually learns who he is, and the second where it will lead to a quest taking to meet the problems.
Indeed, the lightning of Zeus was stolen, and soon the suspicion falls on Poseidon, brother of Zeus. Twelve years old, he will be brought to the front of the stage, where he will find that famous lightning, but also discover who and why it was stolen. In the company of his friends Annabeth and Grover, he will soon realize that there is only one flight. All that is behind is far more subtle and bitterness and the constant wars between the gods will be the main plot.
Although I enjoyed this first volume, I could not help but be confused with the movie, I saw before. Although I liked the movie, I realized that the producers had taken a lot of freedom. While most of the scenes are present in both cases, I would have liked to see some described in the book, but absent in the film. At the same time I was reading, I saw again the images of the film, and I was repeatedly destabilized by the age of Percy. Indeed, the novel has a dozen years, or when we watch the film, it is closer to 15 than anything else.
Therefore, I found that there was a big gap on the side of feelings. Sometimes plenty to Percy and his friends, but several times, I found a pity that the author did not stop more on feelings, and leaves them aside, when precisely it was important to externalize. Although I have attached myself to them, I would have liked it to be more pronounced.
When I started the book, I realized that the character of Grover had really missed me. It is the story of humor key, and with it, everything becomes easier, more ... funny. Annabeth, meanwhile, has a character of its own. She seems cold at first glance, but soon it is revealed and reveals that his heart is touched more than it wants to show. Percy, meanwhile, is someone strong. Despite all he saw, he stands tall and does not hesitate to make decisions that change the course of their lives. For a boy of twelve, I find it very smart and confident. Which can be an advantage, as a drawback.
About the action, it is omnipresent, and suddenly, one is struck by the story that is hard to let go. Although it is nearly 500 pages, the pages turn very quickly and we do not see the scroll. I will read later with pleasure, especially as I loved the second film, hoping that there is no much difference. For a first volume, I enjoyed finding some characters, the universe is very well done, and for those who are fans of mythology but who know not much, it's a good way to learn some strings and make the connection between all gods. A saga that I recommend, therefore, for those who want to escape, but the book is not too complicated.
Justine P.
