Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 3: the Titan’s Curse

Rating: Not for me

Level: Middle School, but not really recommended for any age level, really.

I don’t recommend this one. Although the adventure, strong character voice, and great writing all help me understand how the Percy Jackson series is so popular, I felt my faith weakening as I read it. This one is very similar to Book 2 (SPOILER ALERTS!), with additional Greek legends added to the very soap-opera drama that comes with the Greek gods.

• Idol worship. This takes the form of praying to Greek gods, statements like, “oh my gods,” and doubts whether the gods are listening, followed by sometimes receiving an answer.
• Teenage Romance. It’s not too bad in this book; I just point it out in case you, like me, are wary of too much in kids’ books.

My main critique is that the Greek gods are finicky, easily angered, and nothing like the one true God. So it is easy to start getting a false view of our loving God based on the interpretations of reality Percy makes based on these lesser, made-up gods. I have been in relationship with the God of the Bible for 25 years, but I still felt my faith attacked reading these books; it gave me ideas that distorted my view of our holy and loving God. I sensed myself falling away. Perhaps you aren’t at risk like me. If you are going to read this, see also my review of Book 1: The Lightning Thief, and Book 2: The Sea of Monsters, which you really ought to read first.

Update: Conservatives on gender identity might like to know that a correspondent pointed out that Book 5 or 6 brings up gender identity issues. I didn’t read enough in the series to get that far, so I can’t speak to this, but I thought it worth mentioning in case that is an issue for your family.

If you are going to read this, see also my reviews of Book 1: The Lightning Thief, and Book 2: The Sea of Monsters.