Percy Jackson & the Olympians
| File:PercyJacksonLogo UK.PNG The UK logo for Percy Jackson | |
The Lightning Thief The Sea of Monsters The Titan's Curse The Battle of the Labyrinth The Last Olympian | |
| Author | Rick Riordan |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy novels |
| Publisher | Disney Hyperion (formerly Miramax Books) |
| Published | 2005–2009 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a series of fictional adventure and fantasy books authored by Rick Riordan. Set in the United States, the books are predominantly based on Greek mythology. The series consists of five books, as well as spin-off titles such as The Demigod Files and Demigods and Monsters. The Lightning Thief, the first book, is the basis of a film called Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, which was released in the United States and Canada on February 12, 2010.
The protagonist is Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes. He learns that the legendary beings of Greek mythology still exist and have always existed, including monsters, cyclopes, empousae, Titans, and the Greek Gods (Olympians) themselves who dwell in Olympus, which is now situated at the mythical 600th floor of the Empire State Building. Percy is frequently attacked by monsters because he is a child of one of the "Big Three": the lord of the sky, Zeus, the king of the sea, Poseidon, and the leader of the Underworld, Hades, who made a pact after World War II to not have any more children because they were too powerful and unpredictable. Percy meets many other young demigods, both friendly and hostile, who are also in the process of discovering their ancestry and powers. The only other known demigod children of these "Big Three" in the series are Thalia Grace (daughter of Zeus), Nico di Angelo (son of Hades), and Bianca di Angelo (daughter of Hades).
As of May 7, 2010, the series has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for children's books for 147 weeks.[1]
Novels
The Lightning Thief
The Lightning Thief is the first book in the series. It was released on June 28, 2005.
Percy Jackson is a twelve year old boy with dyslexia and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). After going on a field trip and being attacked by his math teacher, who is actually a Fury in disguise, he finds out that he is the son of a Greek god. He is brought to Camp Half-Blood (a camp for children with a Greek god as a parent, located off Long Island) by his best friend, a satyr named Grover, and his mother Sally. He soon meets Annabeth, daughter of Athena, and they quickly become good friends. Not long after his arrival, Poseidon, the sea god, claims Percy as his son during a game of demigod-style capture-the-flag. Percy is accused of stealing Zeus' masterbolt, the model for every lightning bolt made. He, Annabeth and Grover are given ten days to return the thunderbolt to Mount Olympus in order to stop a war between the gods from starting and save his mother, who has been held hostage in the Underworld by Hades after being captured by the Minotaur. He soon finds out that Hades did not steal the bolt. It is revealed that Luke, son of Hermes, stole the bolt for Kronos, who is attempting to come back to life. Grover goes off to find Pan, the lost Greek God of nature.
The book has recently been adapted into a film under the title of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Chris Columbus and 20th Century Fox.
The Sea of Monsters
The Sea of Monsters is the second installment in the series, released on May 3, 2006.
In this book, the shortest novel of the series, Percy's empathy link between Grover and himself kicks in when he has a dream which is the reality of Grover the satyr. Grover has been kidnapped and taken to an island in the Sea of Monsters, known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle, a dangerous sea that is almost impossible to pass through, and getting out alive. Thalia's tree (the source of keeping Camp Half-Blood safe) is poisoned. Percy, Annabeth and his new half-brother Tyson the Cyclops go and try to not only save Grover, but also to retrieve the Golden Fleece. The Fleece is the only thing that can stop Thalia's Tree from dying, which would leave Camp Half-Blood vulnerable to an attack by the Titans and Luke. In the end Thalia's Tree is not the only one healed, Thalia is also brought back to life.
The Titan's Curse
The Titan's Curse is the third installment in the series. It was released on April 1, 2007.[2]
Grover the satyr has gone undercover to a school in search for half-bloods, and finds two powerful siblings, Nico and Bianca di Angelo. While on this mission, they are attacked by a manticore, but are saved by the Hunters of Artemis, who arrive just in time to help. Annabeth falls off a cliff in an attempt to kill the manticore, and Percy soon learns that somehow she survived and has been captured by Luke. Bianca joins the Hunters and Nico leaves camp. Soon after arriving at camp, Percy learns that Artemis herself has been captured, too.
Percy, Grover, Thalia, Bianca, and Zoë Nightshade (Artemis' lieutenant) go on a quest to rescue them. They learn that Atlas, a powerful Titan has escaped his torment (holding up the sky) at the Mountain of Despair on California's Mount Tamalpais, and is intent on stopping the heroes from success. They defeat him, but not before losing both Hunters in the quest. At the solstice, Thalia replaces Zoë as Artemis' lieutenant. As soon as they return, Nico is told about Bianca's death. He blames Percy, accusing him of failing to protect her like he had promised. When a few undead skeletons appear, Nico thinks that Percy is now trying to kill him as well. He looks at them and they are banished to the Underworld, and runs away. Percy realizes that Hades is Nico's father. At first Percy, Annabeth and Grover think that this goes against the promise of the Big Three, which is to never have demigod children, but then they realize that the two siblings had been in the Lotus Casino (a casino where time is nonexistent) since before the pact was made.
The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Battle of the Labyrinth, released on May 6, 2008, is the fourth book in the series.
After being attacked by monster cheerleaders at his new school, Percy returns to Camp Half-Blood and learns about "The Labyrinth", part of the palace of King Minos in Crete that, according to Greek mythology, was designed by Daedalus. During a game/battle with giant scorpions, Annabeth and Percy find an entrance into the Labyrinth. Percy soon learns that Luke had used the entrance and will lead his army through the Labyrinth straight into the heart of camp. Annabeth also finds out that she is going to lead a quest for the first time in her life. To get into the Labyrinth, Percy has to find a blue, Delta Symbol (Δ) (representing Daedalus) on a passageway, touch it, and then enter the Labyrinth to find Daedalus. Then Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Tyson learn that the Labyrinth is known to grow on its own, and cause madness, that could lead to death. While in the Labyrinth, they (with Nico) discover Pan, and he speaks words of wisdom to all of them. When he dies, part of his essence enters each of the characters but Nico. Percy later notices that Pan did not even speak to Nico.
Using the Labyrinth, Percy tries to find Daedalus so Luke cannot get Ariadne's string, (a string that can help anyone travel through the Labyrinth without getting lost), thereby foiling Luke's invasion. He gets the help he needs from a mortal girl named Rachel Elizabeth Dare, who can also see a path in the Labyrinth leading to Daedalus. During their adventure she hits Kronos in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush. Kronos finds out that Nico di Angelo is a son of Hades and also could be the child of the prophecy. Luke reaches Daedalus and gets Ariadne's string which he uses to lead his army to attack Camp Half-Blood. Grover comes to the rescue and causes a Panic (a scream that symbolizes the wild god Pan) to scare away the enemy. After the battle, Daedalus sacrifices himself to close the Labyrinth, which is tied to his life.
The Last Olympian
The Last Olympian, the fifth book in the Percy Jackson series, was released on May 5, 2009.[3]
Percy Jackson and his friends fight in a war resembling the original war between the Greek gods and the Titans and in a final battle with the powerful Titan, Lord Kronos. Percy dips in the River Styx, like Luke, to make himself invulnerable. Luke commits suicide to destroy Kronos and Olympus is saved. The last Olympian is Hestia. Percy gives her Pandora´s jar and tells her she is the last and most important Olympian "because hope survives best at the hearth". The gods reward Percy's friends and grant him one request as his reward. He requests that the gods recognize all their children and make a place at Camp Half-Blood for Hades and all the children of the minor gods.
Companion books
The Demigod Files
The Demigod Files, also written by Rick Riordan, is the first companion book to the series. It was released February 10, 2009, featuring three short stories, interviews with the campers, and pictures.[4] It is set between The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian.[5] The book received mixed reviews, with some reviewers criticizing the lack of substantial material and others commending the writing of the short stories.[5]
Demigods and Monsters
Demigods and Monsters is another companion book and was released on February 10, 2009.[6] With an introduction by Riordan, it features essays written by various young adult authors that explore, discuss, and provide further insight into the Percy Jackson series. At 196 pages, it also contains information on the places and characters of the series as well as a glossary of Greek myths.[7]
The Ultimate Guide
The Ultimate Guide is a companion book released on January 19, 2010. The third companion book to the series, it is preceded by The Demigod Files and Demigods and Monsters. This book has a magnetic cover and holographic character pictures that change into four different characters. Its 156 pages include trading cards, full-color diagrams and maps.[8] It also includes a dictionary of every monster Percy faces in the series, with pictures beside some, as well as various activities. The book tells of Percy Jackson's starting life as a half-blood, a tour of the Underworld by Nico di Angelo, and items used throughout the series.
Graphic novel
A Percy Jackson graphic novel is scheduled for publication October 19, 2010.[9] Riordan posted "Many of you have asked about a Percy Jackson graphic novel, and I'm pleased to announce it is in the works too. The tentative release date is October 19, 2010. I've seen some preliminary artwork, and it looks awesome. I think you'll be pleased with how Percy's world comes to life in pictures."[9]
Main Characters
Rick Riordan relies on Bibliotheca for his characters and plot. In three books, it provides a grand summary of traditional Greek mythology and heroic legends.[10]
Listed are the major characters in the series. All ages are of The Last Olympian.
- Percy Jackson – age 16, demigod son of Poseidon; he is the protagonist of the series.
- Grover Underwood – age 32-33 (16 in human age), satyr, best friend of Percy; he becomes Lord of the Wild in The Last Olympian.
- Annabeth Chase – age 16, demigod daughter of Athena, strong friend (and eventual girlfriend) of Percy. Very intelligent, skilled in architecture and strategy.
- Luke Castellan – age 23, demigod son of Hermes, later inhabited by Kronos, sacrifices himself in The Last Olympian in order to save Olympus. Antagonist of series, turns hero at the end.
- Thalia Grace – age 15 (permanently), demigod daughter of Zeus, first appears at the end of The Sea of Monsters, joins the Hunters of Artemis.
- Nico di Angelo – age 12, demigod son of Hades, holds grudge against Percy temporarily, commands the dead.
- Tyson the Cyclops – age 12, Percy's half-brother through Poseidon, first appears at the beginning of The Sea of Monsters, assists Percy frequently throughout series.
- Clarisse La Rue – age 18, demigod daughter of Ares, does not get along with Percy or Annabeth.
- Rachel Elizabeth Dare – age 15/16, a "clear-sighted" mortal girl who assists Percy, later becoming the Oracle of Delphi.
Themes
Greek Epics
While all the books rely heavily on Greek myths, each book has certain definite characteristics of one or more myths as the central plot. The Lightning Thief takes from the Odyssey, especially in regards to the Lotus Hotel and Casino. The Sea of Monsters takes from Jason and the Argonauts and also from the Odyssey, as Polyphemus, Scylla, Charybdis and Circe make appearances. The Titan's Curse includes the deeds of Hercules. The Last Olympian takes from the earliest of Greek myths about the Titans and the war against the gods.
godly names
Percy is one of the few demigods whose last name doesn't reflect his godly parent. Many of the campers at Camp Half-Blood have last names that consist of a traditional role or trait of their parent. Other last names are often commonplace: Rodriguez, Nakamura.
- Bianca and Nico di Angelo: "d'Angelo" means "of the angels", referring to death. Children of Hades.
- Connor and Travis Stoll: rhymes with "stole". Hermes is the god of thieves. Children of Hermes. Percy himself pointed this out but neither of the Stoll brothers understood the joke.
- Jake Mason: works with stone. Son of Hephaestus.
- Katie Gardner: alternate spelling of "gardener". Daughter of Demeter.
- Lee Fletcher: to "fletch" is to add feathers to an arrow. Son of Apollo.
- Michael Yew: yew is a type of wood used to make longbows. Also a son of Apollo.
- Silena Beauregard: literally, "beauregard" means "good to look at" in French. Daughter of Aphrodite.
- Will Solace: The prefix "sol" often refers to the Sun, and Apollo drives the sun chariot. Son of Apollo
Origins and publishing history
Development for both The Lightning Thief and the Percy Jackson series as a whole commenced when Riordan first began making stories for his son Haley who had just recently been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. His son had been studying Greek mythology in second grade and requested that his father come up with bedtime stories based on Greek myths. Riordan had been a Greek mythology teacher in middle school for many years and was able to remember enough stories to please his son. Soon Riordan ran out of myths and his son then requested that he make new ones using the same characters from Greek myths and add new ones. Thus, Riordan created the fictional character Percy Jackson and made the story of how he would travel across The United States to recover Zeus's lightning bolt. After he finished telling the story to his son, he then requested that his dad write a book based on Percy's adventures.[11]
In June 1994 Riordan had completed his manuscript and began looking for agents. During that time, he visited multiple local colleges looking for good editors until he eventually found an agent.[12] While he left his manuscript to his agent and editor to review, Riordan took his book to a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to read and give their critique. Ultimately he gained their approval, and with their help came up with the name of the book and created the way Percy's sword worked.[13] In June 1997, Riordan signed with Bantam Books to prepare the book for publishing.[12] In 2004, the book was sold to Miramax Books for enough money for Riordan to quit his job to focus on writing.[14] After it was released on 28 July 2005 it sold over 1.2 million copies. The book was released in multiple versions including hardcover, paperback and audio editions.[15][16] It has been translated into multiple languages and published all over the world.[17]
Reception
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Film
Chris Columbus directed and produced Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief for 20th Century Fox through 1492 Pictures.[18][19] The film was released in 2010 in the United States, Canada and in the United Kingdom on February 12 and in Australia on February 11.[20]
Columbus has stated that he was drawn to directing the Percy Jackson movie because it gave him the "opportunity to do a movie that we haven’t really seen before for this generation. When I was a kid, there were movies that dealt with Greek mythology, which in terms of visual effects was really primitive. So I thought this was an opportunity to deal with Greek mythology which children and adults all over the world are fascinated by and it was not a new genre but a new avenue, dealing with mythological creatures in a contemporary setting."[21]
Video game
A Percy Jackson video game based on Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief was released for the Nintendo DS on January 11, 2010.
GameZone's Michael Splechta gave it a 6/10, saying "Percy Jackson might not make a splash when it comes to movie tie-in games, but fans of turn-based combat might find some redeeming qualities in this otherwise bare-bones game."[22]
Sequel
A sequel, also based on the Camp Half-Blood and Greek mythology universe, is planned for the Percy Jackson series. Rick Riordan has confirmed that he is writing the series, and as of November 2009[update], the first book is slated for release on October 12, 2010. Riordan also wrote at the end of The Last Olympian, "As the first Camp Half-blood series draws to a close..." This hints there will be another series.[23] Riordan has stated that characters from the original series will return but will not be the main characters. Also like the first series, there will be five books. Riordan has also stated that the time between the two occurrences of great prophecies is not as long as Apollo assumes it will be.[24] The series name is The Heroes of Olympus and the first book is The Lost Hero.[25]
References
- ^ "Best Sellers Children's books – SERIES BOOKS". New York Times. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
- ^ The Titan’s Curse on http://www.rickriordan.com/ Retrieved May 13, 2010.
- ^ "The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ^ "The Demigod Files". 5 October 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ a b "The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series)". barnesandnoble.com. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ "Demigods and Monsters: Your Favorite Authors on Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series (Paperback)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
- ^ "Demigods and Monsters". Myth & Mystery. 28 March 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ "The Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Ultimate Guide (Hardcover)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ a b "The Boxed Set Arrives, and other news". Myth & Mystery. September 27, 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ Aubrey Diller, "The Text History of the Bibliotheca of Pseudo-Apollodorus" Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Association 66 (1935:296–313) p. 296, 300.
- ^ Riordan, Rick. "Where did you get the idea for Percy Jackson?". p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ a b Riordan, Rick. "What was your experience getting published?". p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ Riordan, Rick. "Did you share the Percy Jackson novel with any of your students before it was published?". p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ Rich, Motho (September 1, 2008). "Author of Book Series Sends Kids on a Web Treasure Hunt". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
- ^ "Hyperion: Percy Jackson". Hyperion Books. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
- ^ "Jesse Bernstein". IMDb. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ Mabe, Chauncey (May 14, 2009). "Rick Riordan: Percy Jackson vs. Harry Potter". Sun Sentinel. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
- ^ Brodesser, Claude (June 23, 2004). "'Lightning Thief' strikes Maverick". Variety. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
- ^ Gilstrap, Peter (April 17, 2007). "Columbus struck by 'Lightning'". Variety. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
- ^ "IMDb Release Dates". IMDb. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
- ^ Roberts, Sheila (February 8, 2009). "Exclusive Chris Columbus Interview". Roll Credits. Retrieved February 8, 2009.
- ^ Splechta, Michael. "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief Review". GameZone.com. Retrieved 26 February 2010.
- ^ Myth & Mystery: Camp Half-Blood Austin and other news
- ^ "News". MortalNet. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- ^ "The Heroes of Olympus, Book One: The Lost Hero (9781423113393): Rick Riordan: Books". Amazon.com. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2010-04-25.