My sister recently informed me that we will be watching Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief together when it’s in theaters this February (President’s Day). Having never even heard of the book, I immediately decided to check it out from the library, as I really hate seeing the film version of art before reading the book and try to avoid it whenever possible. I think most bookworms would agree that 9 times out of 10, the book version is far superior!

Anyhow, I was hooked from the first page. It’s told in a very informal first person narrative, which I’m normally not much of a fan of, but there’s so much action and mystery going on that you can’t help but turn the page, wondering what’s going to happen next. I read the first few pages, intending to stop there for the evening, and ended up finishing the book instead.

If you haven’t entered the Percy Jackson world yet, I won’t ruin it for you, but know that it’s based around a modern-day teenager and extraordinary circumstances that link him to the ancient gods of Greece. The gods, however ancient, are still very much alive and active today—as are the monsters, creatures, and other delightful creations of Greek mythology. And they are pretty much on every page, so if you’re into creatures and things with hooves, fins, or horns, you’re probably going to enjoy the book!

I did have a few criticisms for the book. I know it’s meant for young adults, but there are some pretty dark occurrences that aren’t explained well (or really reacted to by the characters). So many scenes zip by so quickly that they’re not fully described in detail, either. I do like that sort of thing—I hate it when an author goes on and on about a damn buttress—but a few pacers might have been nice. Characterization didn’t seem that in-depth, either.

That said, I love how the book takes the on the concept of child delinquency or kids in “reform school” and turns it on its head, providing an alternative explanation to “bad behavior.” Though it’s not a logical explanation in the real world, we do tend to dismiss such kids so quickly without delving into what the real issue might be, and I love the idea that it’s because the child is so much more. Indeed, I have found that many kids labeled as troublemakers were simply so impassioned and bursting with energy and ideas that they simply couldn’t function in a normal classroom setting—and went on to become great leaders, artists, and innovators.

Rick Riordan’s book is an instant classic, and though it may not quite have Harry Potter fame (and isn’t completely on the same level, development-wise), it’s a thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d love to visit again—and I want my sister to know that I can’t wait to see the film!