To begin with, I'd like to say,I really wanted to like this book, But I couldn't. I had high expectations of this book, since almost all of the fantasy fans like this book and even compare it with Harry Potter. That’s why I’ve been meaning to read it for ages. Of course, there are lots of similarities, but this book has a long way to go to reach the quality of Harry Potter. I’m so disappointed now, I couldn’t get into this book as much as I expect to. Everything seemed unoriginal and forced to, in my opinion. While I was reading it, I couldn’t believe it is the same book I’ve seen lots of good reviews on. I just didn’t understand, I thought maybe something is wrong with me. I just wanted to find reasons why I don’t like it, but at last I decided that not everyone can like the same book! I didn’t want to finish it, but I forced myself somehow to finish at least the first book, I’d thought maybe reading it completely would change my mind, but it didn’t. In the first place, I wanted to rate it 3 stars, even though I didn’t like it as much as expected, I enjoyed some parts, such as: the whole mythology stuff ,or the parts when Percy went to Olympus. But two stars is not that bad, it means it was OK, yes I think it was OK.
I liked the beginning that was nice. It encouraged me to keep on reading. But the problem was the more I read, the less my interest became. The amount of action was unbelievable. Predictability was another problem, whenever they visited a new person or place, they got themselves into trouble and something went wrong. I think that’s because it is written for younger audience. I really enjoy reading YA, but this one was my type, I suppose.
Percy is so unbelievable. He could defeat his teacher and vaporize her. Even, He could defeat a god, the god of war. How could he do it? I didn’t like him. I think there was not enough character development in his part; I mean even heroes are not at first that perfect, and they experience some defeats at first. Even heroes need some training and gradually they become a hero. What qualities does Percy have to make him an innate hero? I don’t get it. Another problem was his dreams which were REALLY on my nerve, why would he be able to have those dreams; I mean he doesn’t have a scar or something, does he? Why when he thought his mother died just in front of his eyes, he didn’t even shed a tear? And, I didn’t understand why his mother had to put up with a guy she didn’t like. To protect his son? I don’t get it. And, she just could dump him, why did she turn him into a statue and sell him? And, His mission was really something. I mean we have gods here. What kind of gods are they? They are so useless. I don’t care much about the other characters, as well.
And I think this book borrows A LOT from Harry Potter which is unbearable for me, such as:
1. Percy’s dreams
2. His companions are a girl and a boy
3. Kronos instead of Voldomort
4. Invisibility cloak which I didn’t get why the hell that girl had one. Maybe just for the sake of resemblance to Harry Potter!
5. Half-Blood camp instead of Howgarts.
There are some other similarities, but I think these are the main ones.
Maybe, I’m too harsh with this book. But that’s the way I feel about it. I read some other books which weren’t that great, but I rate them higher. I think I’m really a bit harsh with this book. But, I think in case of other books, at least I cared about the main characters, but in the case of this one I didn’t care about any of the characters. I just want to find more reasons why I didn’t like it much, but I think that’s enough for now. If I come up with some other stuff, I’ll add them later!!