I'm making a preface to say, these books are short listed to my favourite books like ever. The covers pictured here are the covers I have, but the new covers are super pretty. Also, I'm taking the universe series by series, so this is the first five in universe books. These are the ones you have to read first. You can read the rest of them in any order but THESE HAVE TO BE READ FIRST.
I had become one with the plumbing.
The Short Review:
To say Percy is a troubled kid is an understatement. He'd gotten kicked out of six schools in six years. Sure, he wasn't aiming the cannon at the school bus, but he got kicked out all the same. His ability to find trouble is what lands him to attacking his pre-algebra teacher (a fury) with a pen sword given to him by his favourite teacher Mr.Brunner, which then leads to his mom getting kidnapped, which then leads to him learning about how he's now been accused of stealing an item that could start a massive war, all because Percy had been born after his father made an an oath with his brothers not to have any more children. Oh, did I forget to mention that his father is Poseidon? Oops. Join Percy and his best friends on a trip to find Zeus lightning bolt before the world ends.
Who'd like this book?
Anyone who is interested in fantasy, mythology, and really amazing...everything. This book is the segway into a much larger universe (it's like the MCU of middle school literature and I respect Rick Riordan for that). The characters are funny, relatable and all around loveable, the romance is like the slow burn to end all slow burns (aka takes a long time to happen and is perfectly written). This book is good for someone who isn't a reader because it draws you in. You can read the first series and stop, but most people I know continue on. Also, the writing grows with the reader, so while book one may seem boring or kiddy by the time you're reading the Trials of Apollo, it's a very (VERY) mature character speaking yet the book is still appropriate for middle schoolers.
The (spoiler free) Teso rambling review:
These books are up with marching band, Taylor Swift and plants as my favourite topics to talk about, so I'm sure you understand my excitement. These books are timeless. The copy of the fifth book that I have is as old as I am, and the book still feels brand new to me each time I read it. I am absolutely biased, because the first time I read Percy Jackson, I was about seven or eight, and now, as the first season of the disney+ television series is in production (FINALLY!!), I am the same age as Percy in the final novel. These books were absolutely my childhood, and it is hard to find the words to describe the way they make me feel but I am apparently trying anyway. These books are totally the reason I am the reader I am today, so thank Uncle Rick for his books if you enjoy my writing (honestly, who doesn't? 😉) Some of my bestest friends are my bestest friends because of these books (look at me, I'm definitely fit to be reviewing novels with words like bestest), because the bond forged by loving these characters is so strong. So...if you can't tell I recommend these books highly.
Hope y'all have enjoyed!
-Teso