Review: Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson companion book)
Rick Riordan 
Greek Mythology

A publisher in New York asked me to write down what I know about the Greek gods, and I was like, Can we do this anonymously? Because I don't need the Olympians mad at me again. But if it helps you to know your Greek gods, and survive an encounter with them if they ever show up in your face, then I guess writing all this down will be my good deed for the week. 

So begins Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic--and sarcastic asides--to the classics. He explains how the world was created, then gives readers his personal take on a who's who of ancients, from Apollo to Zeus. Percy does not hold back. "If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on, because it definitely was a Golden Age for all that."Dramatic full-color illustrations throughout by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco make this volume--a must for home, library, and classroom shelves--as stunning as it is entertaining.

I really don't know how I managed since The Last Olympian. In Percy Jackson's Greek Gods we get a HUMONGOUS coffee table-sized book filled with GORGEOUS illustrations and HILARIOUS chapter titles and the one thing we missed most of all- PERCY JACKSON'S VOICE. 

Only Rick Riordan could take rape, incest, adultery, murder, and cannibalism and make it all PG. Here you have it, ladies and gentlemen. A Beginner's Guide to the Greek Gods suitable for your 5th grader. And for you. Everyone really. 

Back when Percy was my life (no, wait. That's all the time. So I mean like, grades 4 through 6) I devoured anything I could find about the myths and thought I knew it all. As Percy would say, HAHAHAHA. No. Just goes to show you what a vast wealth of stories there are. With every Riordan publication I read, I learn more about mythology and what influence it has even today.

Ahhhh, Percy. How I have missed you. Please keep writing. You only covered the Olympians. We need to know about the minor gods, the monsters, and of course the tales of famous demigods like Hercules and Perseus and Orpheus and Jason. COME BACK!!!

People, prepare yourselves. The last volume featuring our dear Percy approaches (Bloods of Olympus, this October). We'll get through this. Hopefully. And there's the Magnus Chase series coming up. (our long-promised Norse series by the one and only Rick Riordan. Click the link to read more) 
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