The “Percy Jackson” series by Rick Riordan is a thrilling exploration into a world where Greek mythology collides with the present day. Centered around Percy Jackson, a young boy who learns he is a demigod, the series intertwines his modern-day experiences with challenges that stem from his mythological heritage. Alongside his friends, Percy embarks on quests filled with adventure, confronting obstacles, creatures, and scenarios deeply rooted in Greek mythology. Riordan successfully combines ancient myths with current times, creating stories that explore friendship, courage, and self-discovery through a lens that is both fantastical and contemporary.
Books in Order
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series
- The Lightening Thief (2005)
- The Sea of Monsters (2006)
- The Titan’s Curse (2007)
- The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
- The Demigod Files (2009)
- The Last Olympian (2009)
- Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo (2013)
- The Chalice of the Gods (2023)
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide (2010)
The Heroes of Olympus
- The Lost Hero (2010)
- The Son of Neptune (2011)
- The Demigod Diaries (2012)
- The Mark of Athena (2012)
- The House of Hades (2013)
- Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (2014)
- The Blood of Olympus (2014)
- Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes (2015)
The Kane Chronicles
Demigods and Magicians
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
- The Sword of Summer (2015)
- The Hammer of Thor (2016)
- The Ship of the Dead (2017)
- 9 From the Nine Worlds (2018)
The Trials of Apollo
- The Hidden Oracle (2016)
- The Dark Prophecy (2017)
- Camp Half-Blood Confidential (2017)
- The Burning Maze (2018)
- The Tyrant’s Tomb (2019)
- Camp Jupiter Classified: A Probatio’s Journal (2020)
- The Tower of Nero (2020)
Similar Authors
- “The Alchemyst” by Michael Scott – An action-packed fantasy novel that follows two siblings as they uncover a hidden world of magic and alchemy.
- The “Fablehaven” series by Brandon Mull – Siblings Seth and Kendra discover their grandparents’ secret reserve of mystical creatures, embarking on quests to protect it from dark forces.
See also: The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater.
Most Recommended Books
- The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, #6) (4.54 Goodreads score)
- The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, #3) (4.36 Goodreads score)
- The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, #1) (4.29 Goodreads score)
- The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, #2) (4.24 Goodreads score)
Awards
Rick Riordan received the 2008 Mark Twain Award for The Lightning Thief, the 2009 Mark Twain Award for The Sea of Monsters, the 2010 School Library Journal’s Best Book for The Red Pyramid, the 2011 Children’s Choice Book Awards: Author of the Year, and the 2011 Milner Award for Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
Upcoming Releases
Rick Riordan is set to release a new addition to the Percy Jackson series titled “The Chalice of the Gods” on September 26, 2023.
Book Summaries
The Lightening Thief
"The Lightning Thief" is an exciting adventure about Percy Jackson, a student who is constantly getting in trouble at boarding school. But things take a turn for the worse when he discovers that mythological creatures and gods from Greek mythology are real and causing chaos in his life. Percy must navigate this new world and find a way to save himself and those he cares about.
The Sea of Monsters
In "The Sea of Monsters" Percy Jackson is facing a quiet school year after his summer adventures trying to prevent a war among the Greek gods. His main concern is his new friend Tyson, a mentally challenged homeless kid who follows him everywhere. However, trouble arises when Percy discovers that Camp Half-Blood is in danger. The magical borders protecting the camp have been poisoned, and mythological monsters are threatening to overrun it. To save the camp, Percy and his friends must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the dangerous Sea of Monsters, also known as the Bermuda Triangle. Along the way, Percy learns a shocking secret about his family that makes him question his identity as Poseidon's son.
The Titan’s Curse
In "The Titan's Curse" the goddess Artemis has gone missing and it's up to Percy and his friends to find her. They must uncover who has the power to kidnap a goddess.
The Battle of the Labyrinth
In "The Battle of the Labyrinth" Percy Jackson is in for a surprise during freshman orientation. Strange things start happening on campus, like the appearance of a mysterious mortal and demon cheerleaders. As the war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos approaches, time is running out for Percy and his friends.
The Demigod Files
"The Demigod Files" is a book that provides a sneak peek into the hidden world of demigods, which is off-limits to ordinary children. It contains three thrilling adventures of Percy Jackson, a guide to identifying monsters, a comprehensive list of Greek mythological figures, Percy's report on his summer camp experience, and many other classified documents.
The Last Olympian
In "The Last Olympian" the half-bloods have been getting ready for a big battle against the Titans. They know it won't be easy to win because Kronos's army is really strong. As Kronos gathers more gods and half-bloods to his side, his power keeps growing. Meanwhile, the Olympians are trying to deal with a dangerous monster called Typhon. But Kronos is making his way to New York City, where Mount Olympus is vulnerable. Now, Percy Jackson and a group of young demigods have to stop Kronos, who is known as the Lord of Time.
Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo
In "Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo" Percy Jackson is asked by the god Apollo to help find one of his missing singers. Percy embarks on a mission to bring her back, but encounters obstacles along the way, including a singer who wants to pursue a solo career and is causing trouble in New York City. With the iconic backdrop of Broadway, Percy must locate the rogue performer and reunite her with Apollo before his important performance on Mount Olympus.
The Chalice of the Gods
In "The Chalice of the Gods" Percy Jackson, a hero who has saved the world multiple times, just wants a normal senior year. However, the gods have other plans for him. Percy must complete three quests to obtain three letters of recommendation from Mount Olympus for college. The first quest involves helping Zeus's cup-bearer retrieve his goblet before it falls into the wrong hands. Can Percy, along with his friends Grover and Annabeth, find the goblet in time?
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Ultimate Guide is a must-have handbook for all half-bloods. This fully illustrated guide provides detailed information about gods, monsters, and everything related to Percy's world. It also includes trading cards, colorful diagrams, and maps, all neatly packaged in a convenient, magnetic flap book.
The Lost Hero
"The Lost Hero" is a thrilling adventure about a boy named Jason who wakes up on a school bus with no memory of his past. He discovers that he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo, and they all attend a boarding school for troubled students. Jason is determined to uncover the truth about his mysterious situation, as everything around him feels incredibly strange.
The Son of Neptune
"The Son of Neptune" is a story about Percy, a demigod who wakes up with no memory except for his name. With the help of Lupa, a wolf, Percy learns about his abilities and how to fight. Despite facing numerous monsters that refuse to stay dead, Percy manages to find his way to a camp for half-bloods. However, the camp doesn't feel familiar to him. On the other hand, Hazel, who was supposed to be dead, is struggling with the consequences of her past actions. When she was commanded to use her "gift" for evil, she couldn't refuse, leading to a dangerous situation that puts the future of the world in jeopardy.
The Demigod Diaries
"The Demigod Diaries" is a collection of three short stories that give readers a glimpse into the adventures of runaway demigods Luke and Thalia as they make their way to Camp Half-Blood. Percy and Annabeth also face a dangerous mission to rescue stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant. Meanwhile, Leo, Piper, and Jason must find a runaway table, avoid a group of party-loving Maenads, and prevent a massive explosion, all within an hour.
The Mark of Athena
"The Mark of Athena" is the third book in the Heroes of Olympus series. It follows the adventures of Percy, Hazel, Frank, Jason, Piper, and Leo as they work together to complete the Prophecy of Seven. In order to defeat the giants released by Gaea, the Greek and Roman demigods must cooperate and find the Doors of Death.
The House of Hades
"The House of Hades" is the continuation of the story from "The Mark of Athena". After Annabeth and Percy fall into the Underworld, the other demigods must follow their instructions to find a way to seal the Doors of Death. If they can overcome Gaea's forces and survive the House of Hades, they can prevent the giants from raising Gaea. However, there is a question of how Percy and Annabeth will escape if the Doors are sealed.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods is a humorous and engaging book that explores the world of Greek mythology. Written in Percy's unique and witty style, the book provides an entertaining and accessible introduction to the Greek gods. Percy shares his personal opinions and insights on various gods, from Apollo to Zeus, while also giving readers a glimpse into the creation of the world.
The Blood of Olympus
In "The Blood of Olympus" the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II are facing a daunting task. They must stop Gaea, the earth mother, from sacrificing two demigods in Athens in order to wake and gain power. The demigods are plagued by visions of a battle at Camp Half-Blood and the Roman legion from Camp Jupiter is closing in. Despite the gods being unable to help, the friends must split up and take on the challenge. With the fate of the world at stake, they have no choice but to face the dangers in Athens and prevent Gaea from awakening.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes is a collection of stories about famous Greek heroes like Perseus, Atalanta, and Bellerophon. Written in Percy's humorous and irreverent style, the book tells the daring and sometimes disastrous adventures of these ancient heroes. With vibrant artwork by John Rocco, this collection is a must-have for fans of Rick Riordan and anyone in need of a hero.
The Red Pyramid
"The Red Pyramid" is a thrilling adventure story about two siblings, Carter and Sadie, who have grown apart since their mother's death. Carter has been traveling with their Egyptologist father, while Sadie has been living with their grandparents in London. When their father brings them together for a research experiment at the British Museum, things go terribly wrong. They accidentally unleash the Egyptian god Set, who sends their father away and forces the siblings to go on the run.
The Throne of Fire
"The Throne of Fire" is the thrilling second book in a three-part series. It follows the adventures of Carter and Sadie, the children of renowned Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, as they set out on a global quest to find the Book of Ra. However, they face obstacles from the House of Life and the chaotic gods who are determined to thwart their mission.
The Serpent’s Shadow
"The Serpent's Shadow" is an exciting adventure where siblings Carter and Sade Kane must stop Apophis, a dangerous snake, from bringing eternal darkness to the world. They face the daunting challenge of defeating Apophis and saving the world.
The Son of Sobek
"The Son of Sobek" is a short story narrated by the author himself. The story follows Carter Kane as he investigates rumors of a monster on Long Island. During his investigation, he unexpectedly encounters Percy Jackson, a mysterious boy. Their initial meeting is not very friendly.
The Staff of Serapis
IN "The Staff of Serapis" Annabeth faces unusual creatures in the subway. She meets a young girl who reminds her of herself and together they team up to fight a powerful enemy from ancient times. What's even more unsettling is the discovery that this enemy is being controlled by someone familiar to Sadie.
The Crown of Ptolemy
"The Crown of Ptolemy" is an exciting adventure that brings together demigod Percy Jackson and magician Carter Kane. When an ancient Egyptian magician named Setne returns from the dead and tries to become a god, Percy, Annabeth, Carter, and Sadie must join forces to stop him. With their usual weapons and spells not enough, the heroes face a challenging battle against a powerful and cunning enemy.
The Sword of Summer
"The Sword of Summer" follows Magnus Chase, a troubled teenager who has been living on the streets of Boston since his mother's death. One day, Magnus is approached by his mysterious uncle who reveals a shocking secret - Magnus is the son of a Norse god. As the gods of Asgard prepare for war, Magnus embarks on a dangerous quest to find a lost weapon and prevent Ragnarok. Faced with difficult choices and deadly enemies, Magnus must risk everything to save the world.
The Hammer of Thor
In "The Hammer of Thor" Thor's hammer goes missing once again. This time, it has fallen into the wrong hands and if Magnus Chase and his friends can't retrieve it in time, the mortal worlds will be defenseless against giants. The only problem is that the only person who can help them is Loki, the gods' worst enemy, and he wants something in return. Will Magnus and his friends be able to save the Nine Worlds from destruction?
The Ship of the Dead
"The Ship of the Dead" is an exciting adventure story about Magnus Chase, a teenager who lives in the Hotel Valhalla and is chosen by Odin to be one of his warriors. Despite not being naturally inclined to fighting, Magnus has loyal friends who have helped him achieve brave deeds in the past. Now, Magnus must face his most dangerous trial yet as Loki, the trickster god, plans to unleash chaos with his Ship of the Dead. With the help of his friends, Magnus embarks on a perilous journey across different realms to stop Loki and his army. Along the way, they encounter sea gods, giants, and a fire-breathing dragon. Magnus must also confront his own inner demons to succeed in their mission. Will Magnus have what it takes to outsmart Loki and save the day?
9 From the Nine Worlds
"9 From the Nine Worlds" is a collection of nine original stories set in the Norse mythology universe of the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy. Each story is told from a different character's perspective, offering a rich exploration of the nine Norse worlds and their fascinating lore.
The Hidden Oracle
"The Hidden Oracle" tells the story of Apollo, a god who is punished by Zeus and transformed into a human teenager. Stripped of his divine powers, Apollo must navigate the modern world and find a way to regain Zeus's favor. However, he faces numerous enemies who want to see him destroyed. In his quest for help, Apollo turns to Camp Half-Blood, a community of demigods.
The Dark Prophecy
"The Dark Prophecy" tells the story of Apollo, who has been punished by Zeus and transformed into a mortal named Lester. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Apollo must restore several Oracles that have stopped working. Despite his lack of powers, Apollo, now known as Lester, must leave the safety of Camp Half-Blood and embark on a dangerous journey across North America. Along the way, he forms new friendships with familiar heroes from previous series.
Camp Half-Blood Confidential
Camp Half-Blood Confidential provides an insider's look into the famous camp for demigods. In response to a not-so-great camp orientation video, Percy Jackson and other camp residents answer common questions about the camp. The book covers everything from the camp's buildings and grounds to the not-so-perfect aspects of camp life. It also includes stories from heroes who have stayed at Camp Half-Blood and even some wisdom from the god Apollo.
The Burning Maze
"The Burning Maze" is an exciting adventure about a former god named Apollo who is now a mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his godly powers, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. However, he faces the challenge of completing this task without any godly abilities and with the help of a perplexing girl named Meg, who is the daughter of Demeter. With the assistance of some demigod friends, Lester survived his first two trials and now must navigate the Labyrinth to find an Oracle who speaks in riddles. Along the way, they will be accompanied by a satyr companion who holds the key to their success.
The Tyrant’s Tomb
In "The Tyrant's Tomb" Apollo finds himself in a challenging situation as he has been transformed into a human and banished from Olympus. In order to regain his godly powers, Apollo, also known as Lester Papadopoulos, must restore five ancient oracles. His journey leads him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a final battle against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Apollo's old friends, including Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, and Ella, will rely on his help to survive. However, their only hope lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler who is even more dangerous than the emperors Apollo has already encountered.
Camp Jupiter Classified: A Probatio’s Journal
Camp Jupiter Classified: A Probatio's Journal is a companion book that takes place in the Roman demigods' training camp in Northern California. The story follows a new member of the Fourth Cohort who becomes the prime suspect when strange events begin to disrupt Camp Jupiter. Through her personal journal, readers can uncover the truth and discover if she is truly responsible for the chaos.
The Tower of Nero
"The Tower of Nero" is the conclusion to the Trials of Apollo series. In this action-packed book, the Greek god Apollo, who has been transformed into a teenage boy named Lester Papadopoulos, embarks on a dangerous mission to regain his place on Mount Olympus. With the help of his demigod friends at Camp Jupiter, Lester has already faced numerous challenges, including bloodthirsty ghouls, evil kings, and deadly emperors. Now, he must confront his final test at the Tower of Nero in New York. Along the way, he will have to face his nemesis, Python, and his demigod master Meg will have a showdown with her father.
