book review of percy jackson

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The lightning thief: percy jackson and the olympians, book 1, common sense media reviewers.

Greek myths meet fast-paced adventure in boy-demigod tale.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Many references to characters in Greek mythology a

Teamwork and friendship. Resilience, resourcefulne

Percy starts out as a failing student who's been k

Main characters read White. Good neurodiverse repr

Fights with monsters get hairy, with some injuries

Much talk of gods having affairs with mortals and

Coke, Diet Coke, Barbara Walters, Oreos, Camaro, t

Percy's stepfather smokes cigars and drinks lots o

Parents need to know that The Lightning Thief is the first book by Rick Riordan in a long-running saga that includes five books in the main series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, five books in a spinoff series, The Heroes of Olympus, and five books in another spinoff series, The Trials of Apollo. Once kids…

Educational Value

Many references to characters in Greek mythology and their stories: the major gods, the Titans, Echidna, Procrustes, chimeras, Arachne, Chiron, Charon, Cerberus, and more. Also shows the Greek vision of the Underworld; the entrance is in Hollywood, but the layout below is the same, with Elysium, the Fields of Asphodel, and the Fields of Punishment. Kids can follow the quest's cross-country trip on a map with stops in St. Louis, Denver, Las Vegas, and Venice Beach. Some descriptions of what it's like to have dyslexia and ADHD.

Positive Messages

Teamwork and friendship. Resilience, resourcefulness, and bravery in the face of danger. A reminder to not let video games take over your lives when Percy visits the Lotus Casino.

Positive Role Models

Percy starts out as a failing student who's been kicked out of many schools for being disruptive. He has dyslexia and ADHD and uses his differences to justify his behavior—even admitting to getting a Tom Sawyer essay for school off the internet once. When he has a chance to prove himself, he's brave, resilient, and incredibly resourceful—he tricks his way out of some sticky situations with vengeful Greek characters. He also adores his mom and would do anything for her.

Diverse Representations

Main characters read White. Good neurodiverse representation: All kids with one god parent (Percy and all other Camp Half-Blood campers) have dyslexia and ADHD. Also, girl characters are the smartest (Annabeth) and the most battle-ready (Clarisse). Half-Bloods including Percy are always raised by the one non-god parent, and Percy has a stepdad. Percy's family is low-income and lives in a downtown New York City apartment.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Fights with monsters get hairy, with some injuries, but when the monsters die they fade to dust (except for one, who's beheaded). When demigods get hurt, they can be magically healed. Percy's mom goes to the Underworld and is heavily mourned. Bullying at Camp Half-Blood involving toilets ends badly for the bullies. A car wreck, an exploding bus and police cars, and sword fighting. Talk of domestic abuse and a son realizing his mother had been abused. A ride in a truck with caged animals who have been neglected and abused. Poisoned insect bites and torture by being stretched on beds. Much imagery and discussion of death in the Underworld, with talk of how people died and how they lived and where they would end up as a result.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Much talk of gods having affairs with mortals and their resulting kids, the demigods. Plus, talk of Ares and Aphrodite's affair and wood nymphs having a lot of practice running from lovesick gods.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Coke, Diet Coke, Barbara Walters, Oreos, Camaro, the Hilary Duff song "So Yesterday."

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Percy's stepfather smokes cigars and drinks lots of beer. A taxi driver also smokes a cigar, and a surfer mentions mushrooms.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Lightning Thief is the first book by Rick Riordan in a long-running saga that includes five books in the main series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians , five books in a spinoff series, The Heroes of Olympus , and five books in another spinoff series, The Trials of Apollo . Once kids get started with The Lightning Thief, they often blow through all three series. They're that popular. The best time for kids to get rolling is fourth or fifth grade. That's when most kids are ready for a main character like Percy Jackson. He's a sardonically funny 12-year-old with dyslexia and ADHD who is not so great with authority. In The Lightning Thief he finds out his absent father is a Greek god (Greek gods still inhabit the modern world and have affairs with mortals) and that he has powers of his own as a demigod. On a quest, his more heroic qualities come through. He's resilient, resourceful, and brave in the face of danger. There's a lot of mythology to keep straight and some tense monster fights. Usually the monsters turn to dust (though one is beheaded as a trophy), and the demigods get magically healed. There's other action violence as well, especially car accidents and exploding vehicles, and talk of animal abuse and spousal abuse. Percy's mom goes to the Underworld and is heavily mourned. Kids will learn a lot about the Greek idea of the Underworld.

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say (59)
• Kids say (468)

Based on 59 parent reviews

It was AMAZING!

What's the story.

In THE LIGHTNING THIEF, strange things keep happening around Percy Jackson. His boarding school teacher turns into a monster, attacks him on a field trip, and then disappears, and no one remembers she was ever there. "Who's Mrs. Dodds?" they all ask. Then he overhears his best friend Grover talking to his favorite teacher about the danger he's in and how they need to protect him. When Percy heads home to Manhattan for the summer holidays, he and his mom decide to take a trip to the coast. A terrible storm kicks up in the night, and his friend Grover appears, banging on the door, telling Percy he has to flee. His mom drives them to a camp she knows, one Percy's absent father told her about, but not fast enough. A Minotaur attacks and tries to tear the car and Percy to shreds. Percy wakes up much later in the strangest place he's ever been: Camp Half-Blood. It's where kids like him can train and be safe from monsters. That's when Percy learns his father was a Greek god, and Greek gods still exist and hold sway in the world. And right now the gods are warring, and Percy's very existence may be partly to blame.

Is It Any Good?

This high-adventure series start imagines Greek mythology in the modern world through the eyes of a sardonically funny 12-year-old who many kids know and love. Percy Jackson's origin story and first quest as a hero combine in The Lightning Thief . He goes from the worst kid in a school for delinquents with the worst—and smelliest—stepdad ever to full-fledged hero in less than 400 pages, and readers will be rooting for him the whole way. While his friend Annabeth has the brains, it's Percy's wits that get them out of the most scrapes—and that really handy ability to breathe and heal under water. Some of his ploys seem beyond the maturity of a 12-year-old to conjure—like in the water park, and in Hades' kingdom, and in the waterbed store—but kids probably won't notice.

The plot is more complex than you'd expect for a humor-tinged fantasy. It's hard to decide who the enemy really is and who they are working for until the very end. And some of the plotting is meant to build the five-part series, so there's still much readers don't know. Kids who read on will be rewarded with a series that is consistently well written and entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Percy's learning differences in The Lightning Thief. How do his dyslexia and ADHD come in handy as a demigod? For kids with dyslexia and/or ADHD, how often do you see yourself in main characters? Did author Rick Riordan describe what it's like to be dyslexic or have ADHD well? How are your experiences different?

What happened to kids at the Lotus Casino? Do you ever lose track of time when you're playing video games and having fun? How do they try to lure Percy back to the casino? Does gaming ever feel as addictive to you?

Will you read more in this series? And the follow-up series? Why do you think Percy Jackson books are so popular?

Book Details

• Author : Rick Riordan
• Genre : Fantasy
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Superheroes , Adventures , Friendship , Middle School , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires , Ocean Creatures
• Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Hyperion Books for Children
• Publication date : September 11, 2005
• Number of pages : 377
• Last updated : July 20, 2018

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 | Book Review

Book Review of  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 The Children’s Book Review

The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

Written by Rick Riordan

Ages: 9+ | 377 Pages

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books | ISBN-13: 978-1368051477

What to Expect: Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure, and Mystery

Rick Riordan’s inspiration for  The Lightning Thief  (now also a major motion picture)   began from stories based on Greek myths that he used to make up for his son, who was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. Riordan had taught Greek mythology to middle school students so he could recall many of the myths to tell his son. When he ran out of myths to share, his son asked him to create new stories using the characters from the Greek myths. And so, Percy Jackson was born.

The Lightning Thief  is the first captivating book from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. This novel follows Percy, a twelve-year-old boy with dyslexia and ADHD, as he navigates through a world of Greek gods and monsters. Through his journey, he discovers his true identity and learns the importance of loyalty and friendship.

Percy Jackson is about to get pulled into a dangerous, exhilarating scene where the action never subsides. When he goes on a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and stands up for a friend who is being bullied, his life changes forever. He ends up on a perilous mission across the United States to prevent a major war between the gods—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—by catching a thief who has stolen Zeus’ thunderbolt. With the help of a demigod and a satyr, Percy must defeat many mythological monsters that will stop at nothing to keep him from his task.

From start to end, the whole story will have your heart racing, leaving you desperate for the next book. Exciting, gritty, and funny are just a few words that describe this fantastical action-adventure novel that combines the world as we know it with Greek Mythology. Written in a style that is easy to follow, with a clear and engaging plot that will appeal to kids and adults alike, the well-developed characters are relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them and become invested in their journey.

The Lightning Thief  is an excellent read that is highly entertaining. It not only provides a thrilling adventure for readers but also teaches valuable life lessons that promote personal growth and self-discovery—highly recommended to anyone looking for a fun and insightful read.

Buy the Book

About the author.

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Heroes of Olympus. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.

For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children’s fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.

Today over 35 million copies of his Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus books are in print in the United States, and rights have been sold into more than 35 countries. Rick is also the author of The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones, another #1 New York Times bestseller.

Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons.

What to Read Next if You Love The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

• The Sea of Monsters , by Rick Riordan
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , by J. K. Rowling
• The City of Ember , by Jeanne DuPrau
• Artemis Fowl , by Eoin Colfer

Bianca Schulze reviewed  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 . Discover more books like  The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1 by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Fantasy , Mythology , Adventure , and Mystery .

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS

The chalice of the gods, from the percy jackson and the olympians series , vol. 6.

by Rick Riordan ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023

An entry that renews and deepens fans’ love for the series: There is no higher praise for a sequel than this.

Following years of eager anticipation, Percy Jackson returns in this follow-up to 2009’s The Last Olympian that is well worth the wait.

Now a high school senior, Percy wants nothing more than to leave his old life behind and attend New Rome University in California with his love, Annabeth. In order to fulfill his dream, however, Percy requires three godly letters of recommendation—and the price is completing one heroic quest for each. Reading this latest installment feels like the literary equivalent of coming home after a first year of college: Everything and everyone feels similar yet changed in ways that are poignant. The action is as gripping and well paced as ever, keeping readers guessing about the identities of the villains and culprits as Percy and his friends save the day for various gods. Happily in a committed relationship, the titular hero is more introspective and less impetuous. As graduation nears, Percy grapples with the inevitability that life as he knows it is changing, and the emotion he demonstrates as he savors moments with loved ones and mourns the missed opportunities that come with growing up imbue the novel with heart and heft. Best of all, readers will be inspired to grab the first volume and relive this modern Olympian epic all over again.

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023

ISBN: 9781368098175

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2023

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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BOOK REVIEW

by Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro

by Rick Riordan ; adapted by Ethan Young ; illustrated by Ethan Young ; color by George C. Williams

by Rick Riordan ; illustrated by Lavanya Naidu

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BOOK TO SCREEN

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND THE TERRIFYING RETURN OF TIPPY TINKLETROUSERS

From the captain underpants series , vol. 9.

by Dav Pilkey & illustrated by Dav Pilkey ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 28, 2012

Is this the end? Well, no…the series will stagger on through at least one more scheduled sequel.

Sure signs that the creative wells are running dry at last, the Captain’s ninth, overstuffed outing both recycles a villain (see Book 4) and offers trendy anti-bullying wish fulfillment.

Not that there aren’t pranks and envelope-pushing quips aplenty. To start, in an alternate ending to the previous episode, Principal Krupp ends up in prison (“…a lot like being a student at Jerome Horwitz Elementary School, except that the prison had better funding”). There, he witnesses fellow inmate Tippy Tinkletrousers (aka Professor Poopypants) escape in a giant Robo-Suit (later reduced to time-traveling trousers). The villain sets off after George and Harold, who are in juvie (“not much different from our old school…except that they have library books here.”). Cut to five years previous, in a prequel to the whole series. George and Harold link up in kindergarten to reduce a quartet of vicious bullies to giggling insanity with a relentless series of pranks involving shaving cream, spiders, effeminate spoof text messages and friendship bracelets. Pilkey tucks both topical jokes and bathroom humor into the cartoon art, and ups the narrative’s lexical ante with terms like “pharmaceuticals” and “theatrical flair.” Unfortunately, the bullies’ sad fates force Krupp to resign, so he’s not around to save the Earth from being destroyed later on by Talking Toilets and other invaders…

Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2012

ISBN: 978-0-545-17534-0

Page Count: 304

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION

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by Dav Pilkey ; illustrated by Dav Pilkey

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by Dav Pilkey ; illustrated by Dav Pilkey color by Jose Garibaldi & Wes Dzioba

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THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and  her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

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Rick Riordan's  Percy Jackson   series is heading to Disney+ after two semi-successful films were previously released. While fans anticipate the upcoming show there are plenty of fantastic books to go back and read from throughout the series. The initial  Percy Jackson  run was the focus of some Goodreads reviews.

RELATED: Everything We Know About The Disney+ Percy Jackson Show So Far

While there are other spin-offs since, from  The Heroes Of Olympus  to the  Kane Chronicles ,   the initial  Percy Jackson  books really started it all. These are therefore ranked according to the reviews on Goodreads, with the ratings taking into account the quality of the narrative and writing, the characters involved, memorable moments, and the significance of the piece to the wider fictional universe.

The Demigod Files - 4.04

Rick Riordan has created a vast universe for these characters to explore and  The Demigod Files  aims to expand that even more, with unique details about the characters, setting, monsters, and indeed deities that Percy and his friends come across throughout the books.

The piece is intended to be a one-off, acting as a fact file for these various elements. While there are a few short stories that round out the adventures of Percy further, this is definitely a better companion book than it is a standalone narrative and should be read alongside other releases.

Percy Jackson And The Singer Of Apollo - 4.06

Rick Riordan has continued to create smaller stories based on Percy Jackon and Greek mythology, which might not work as narrative beats in his more traditional releases.  The Singer Of Apollo  was therefore a short story that the writer released, featuring a much smaller adventure.

The book sees Grover celebrating his birthday before the God Apollo appears and asks Percy to do something for him. The stakes are far smaller than the end of the world destruction fans might be used to, but it is perfect for those who want to inhabit this world a little longer.

The Sea Of Monsters - 4.24

The Sea Of Monsters  might have been one of the few books to actually make its cinematic debut, but this Percy Jackson adventure is far more complex than what was eventually put to screen. The novel is a road trip in a sense, with the team of Demigods, and Percy's Cyclops brother, traveling to find the Golden Fleece.

RELATED: 9 Character Arcs That Need To Be In The Percy Jackson TV Series

The book is a perfect sequel to  The Lightning Thief  but also teases the much larger stories that await. With a killer cliffhanger and plenty of huge action beats thanks to the Sea of Monsters itself, the book ultimately stands out thanks to the dynamics of the characters as they get to know one another better.

The Lightning Thief - 4.27

The Lightning Thief  has to achieve a great deal, setting up a whole series that has evolved into the literary juggernaut that it is today. Rick Riordan expertly crafted a story here that both introduces Percy and his world and sets up some emotionally compelling stakes.

Camp Half-Blood is instantly iconic and with Percy accused of stealing Zeus's prized possession, the conflict is about the perfect size for a debut piece. The characters absolutely pop and this continues to be a modern-day classic that both kids and adults alike can enjoy. It's a great set-up for the future heights of the saga. The upcoming Disney+ adaptation will hopefully learn a lot from Riordan's book and a little from the cinematic equivalent.

Percy Jackson And The Sword Of Hades - 4.29

Rick Riordan never misses an opportunity to create a short story within this popular kids fictional fantasy landscape and pairing it off with  Horrible Histories,  the writer released  The Sword Of Hades.  It works as an excellent one-off narrative that genuinely shows a slightly different dynamic for Percy, Thalia, and Nico.

With Persephone asking the trio to retrieve the sword of Hades and bring it back to the Underworld, the quest is a simple one and plays upon the traditions of the genre. Yet the story also acts as its own modern-day mythology, a short fable that feels akin to the legends inherited from the Ancient Greeks.

Demigods And Magicians - 4.33

Demigods And Magicians  is actually a collection of multiple short stories, that form together to create an impressive crossover adventure. The series itself was incredibly exciting for fans as it brought together both the characters within  Percy Jackson  and that of  The Kane Chronicles. 

RELATED: 10 Best YA Movie & TV Series Adaptations That Were Never Finished

The Egyptian and Greek crossover saw a vast array of villains facing off against these young heroes as their incredible powers and magic combined in a powerful display of strength. It's beautifully crafted and really demonstrates the size of Riordan's expansive fictional universe.

The Titan's Curse - 4.34

The third novel within the mainline series,  The Titan's Curse  is really the book that kicks it up a gear, raising the stakes further and prophesizing what is about to unfold. Indeed, the conflict that awaits is only the start of a much larger affair, one that puts all of Percy's friends and family in danger.

With the Demigods on a quest to track down the lost Artemis, alongside her Hunters, the history of the Titans becomes rather relevant again as their plot for conquest significantly expands. This is by far Percy's greatest challenge at that point in his life and is really the moment that he matures into the mighty hero he was always capable of being.

The Battle Of The Labyrinth - 4.39

The Battle Of The Labyrinth  continues to add tension to the series and could perhaps be classed as Annabeth's story. In the book, the group heads into the famed Labyrinth to find the creator at the center of the maze. Along the way, they find trials and tribulations that test their friendships and emotional state.

Terrifying monsters are the least of Percy's group's worries  as they race against the clock to ensure that the maze doesn't play its part in the Titan's plan of dominance. The introduction of the inventor, Daedalus, is really a turning point for the technology of the series as well and a vital character to bring in at such a late stage.

The Last Olympian - 4.51

It seems appropriate that the final book in a series is the one that receives the most critical acclaim and Rick Riordan expertly caps off this incredible journey with a piece that's emotionally satisfying and boasts the huge battles fans would expect of the last book.

The Titans have finally risen and it's down to Camp Half-Blood and their allies to hold off the rising tide of destruction. It's full of great cameos, huge surprises, and an epilogue that somehow opens the landscape up for the future series in store such as  Heroes Of Olympus. 

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• Percy Jackson

Rick Riordan

Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Lightning Thief

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction — Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.

The Sea of Monsters

When Thalia’s tree is mysteriously poisoned, the magical borders of Camp Half-Blood begin to fail. Now Percy and his friends have just days to find the only magic item powerful to save the camp before it is overrun by monsters. The catch: they must sail into the Sea of Monsters to find it. Along the way, Percy must stage a daring rescue operation to save his old friend Grover, and he learns a terrible secret about his own family, which makes him question whether being the son of Poseidon is an honor or a curse.

The Titan’s Curse

When Percy Jackson gets an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he will need his powerful demigod allies at his side, his trusty bronze sword Riptide, and… a ride from his mom.

The demigods rush to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two powerful half-bloods whose parentage is unknown. But that’s not all that awaits them. The titan lord Kronos has devised his most treacherous plot yet, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.

They’re not the only ones in danger. An ancient monster has arisen — one rumored to be so powerful it could destroy Olympus — and Artemis, the only goddess who might know how to track it, is missing. Now Percy and his friends, along with the Hunters of Artemis, have only a week to find the kidnapped goddess and solve the mystery of the monster she was hunting. Along the way, they must face their most dangerous challenge yet: the chilling prophecy of the titan’s curse.

The Battle of the Labyrinth

Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun, but when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears, pursued by demon cheerleaders, things quickly go from bad to worse.

Time is running out for Percy. War between the gods and the Titans is drawing near. Even Camp Half-Blood isn’t safe, as Kronos’ army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop them, Percy and his friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth — a sprawling underground world with surprises and danger at every turn.

Along the way Percy will confront powerful enemies, find out the truth about the lost god Pan, and face the Titan lord Kronos’ most terrible secret. The final war begins… with the Battle of the Labyrinth.

The Last Olympian

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

The Chalice of the Gods

After saving the world multiple times, Percy Jackson is hoping to have a normal senior year. Unfortunately, the gods aren’t quite done with him. Percy will have to fulfill three quests in order to get the necessary three letters of recommendation from Mount Olympus for college. The first quest is to help Zeus’s cup-bearer retrieve his goblet before it falls into the wrong hands. Can Percy, Grover, and Annabeth find it in time?

Wrath of the Triple Goddess

Percy Jackson, now a high school senior, needs three recommendation letters from the Greek gods in order to get into New Rome University. He earned his first one by retrieving Ganymede’s chalice. Now the goddess Hecate has offered Percy another “opportunity”—all he has to do is pet sit her polecat, Gale, and mastiff, Hecuba, over Halloween week while she is away. Piece of cake, right?

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover settle into Hecate’s seemingly endless mansion and start getting acquainted with the fussy, terrifying animals. The trio has been warned not to touch anything, but while Percy and Annabeth are out at school, Grover can’t resist drinking a strawberry-flavored potion in the laboratory. It turns him into a giant frenzied goat, and after he rampages through the house, damaging everything in sight, and passes out, Gale and Hecuba escape. Now the friends have to find Hecate’s pets and somehow restore the house, all before Hecate gets back on Saturday. It’s going to take luck, demigod wiles, and some old and new friends to hunt down the animals and set things right again.

More Books On This Series

The Demigod Files

A supplement to the Percy Jackson series, The Demigod Files include three original Percy Jackson short stories, interviews with the characters, and other fun extras!

The Ultimate Guide

A handbook no half-blood should be without: a fully illustrated, in-depth guide to gods, monsters, and all things Percy. This companion to the series comes complete with trading cards, full-color…

The Lightning Thief: The Graphic Novel

You’ve read the book. You’ve seen the movie. Now submerge yourself in the thrilling, stunning, and action-packed graphic novel. Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be…

The Sea of Monsters: The Graphic Novel

Seventh grade has been surprisingly quiet for Percy Jackson. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among…

The Titan’s Curse: The Graphic Novel

A new prophecy leads to a dangerous quest. When Percy receives an urgent distress call from Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he’ll need his powerful demigod allies,…

Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes

Who cut off Medusa’s head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on all the daring…

Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods

“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…

Demigods & Magicians

Magic, monsters, and mayhem abound when Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase meet Carter and Sadie Kane for the first time. Weird creatures are appearing in unexpected places, and the demigods…

The Percy Jackson Coloring Book

Demigods, brandish your crayons! Over the past decade, millions of young readers, parents, and teachers have come to adore Rick Riordan’s classic series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, which made…

Camp Half-Blood Confidential

In response to an awful camp orientation video created by the god Apollo, Percy Jackson and other residents of Camp Half-Blood answer such questions as “What is this place?” and…

Characters From This Series

Parent Teacher Resources

• Percy Posters
• Daily Activity Schedule
• The Lightning Thief: A Teacher’s Guide
• Olympian “Cribs”
• Meet the Greek Gods
• A Complete Lightning Thief Unit
• Projects from Gatesville
• Chiron’s Guide to Greek Mythology
• The Lightning Thief: A Reader’s Guide
• Camp Half-Blood Dining Hall

View All Parent Teacher Resources

Book Review: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

When you look at other series out there that die-hard fans would say comes anywhere near to Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson series will feature on a lot of people’s lists. It’s got the young cast, the great friendships and the magical elements. But how good actually is Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is the first of technically seven books in the series, however, there are spin-offs too. It features our main character Percy Jackson, accompanied by mythical friends, all of whom are children of greek gods (literally, not just ridiculously good-looking people.)

Plot – 3.5/5

Comparisons are made to Harry Potter because it features the general story of a boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in in the regular world and soon finds out that’s because he’s not a regular boy. He’s swooped off to a “school” where he’s taught to be the hero he was destined to become. However, when it is revealed that Zeus’ master lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect, he begins to run into a lot of danger from some very dangerous famous villains.

The plot of this novel didn’t blow me away as it could have. It was very easy to read (because obviously it’s written for a younger audience) but sometimes I felt like this hampered the quality of the story too as the action scenes didn’t quite feel dramatic enough for me. However, it was really interesting to see these famous greek legends and myths incorporated into our everyday lives and read about how a teenager would deal with these. I love history and I think everybody who’s a bit of a nerd (me) finds greek mythology really cool.

Characters – 4/5 

The characters in this first novel each have their own distinctive personality. Percy isn’t as bland as many young heroes are – he’s used to being a bit of a rebel at school, he’s not used to always doing the “right” thing and this comes across often and makes for a far more interesting protagonist than pretty much any other book of its type.

The accompanying characters are all quite well fleshed out too. I think Rick Riordan went into this novel knowing how he wanted each of the characters to act and react and has managed to pull this off resulting in each of them having their own ways of dealing with things.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief summary – 4/5

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief is a solid first book in the series. It didn’t quite grab me by the collar like many first books have, however, I can see the potential here and I have a soft spot for Greek mythology ad everything that encompasses. Rick Riordan writes in a really approachable and open way, making it easy to stay on top of the plot and he’s also creating some genuinely likeable characters here and a slight love interest that, despite their age and the book’s demographic, is actually quite interesting to read.

I’d recommend Percy Jackson to anybody who is into greek mythology, those into fantasy would like it also and if you’re looking for something. to fill your Harry Potter void – this may well be the start of a series that can do that for you.

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Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - review

This book is about a kid named Percy who has been in a lot of schools because he gets in to a lot of problems. In this new school everything changes when Percy goes on a trip to a place where they tell you about Greek myths and there he starts noticing weird things.

A teacher takes him to a room while the others are outside. When he was inside the room, the teacher converts into a monster and asks him for the lightning and he is confused. Then the others come and save his life and kill the other teacher. When he went out where the other kids were, he mentions the other teacher and they say they didn't know who he was talking about.

Then a mean girl starts bothering him. He gets so mad that he closes his eyes and when he opens them she is on the floor! Some of the kids say that the water pulled her to the floor of the fountain. He tells his mom later and his mom takes him to a camp, but on the way the Minotaur gets his mom and takes her. Percy enters the camp to be safe, and there he gets ready to get his mom back.

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[Percy Jackson and the Olympians]: A Series Review

Hi y’all!

Hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day weekend! We had a great time celebrating those we love. It’s snowing more around here again, and it feels so cozy. Of course, we’re used to snow. Thinking of my dear friends and family in Texas!

Today I am excited to share my series review of Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. I got this series for Christmas with the plan to read them at the start of the year. It took me under 2 weeks. They are so good! This was technically a reread but all I remembered is Percy’s dad and that there’s a big battle in New York City in the end. Everything else felt completely new. It was such a fun series to devour. And now I’m thinking this year might be Riordan heavy. I haven’t finished the Heroes of Olympus series before–I think that’s my next one! Because I read these books so fast and they are obviously part of one story, I decided to write a series review on all five books (1 is much less daunting than 5!)

Initial Thoughts:

• It is so lucky to have a full series that you can read back to back. I loved being able to just pick up the next book and get back into the story. It makes it feel like one story instead of several. And it’s fun to binge read series.
• Can we just talk for a minute about how wrong the movie adaptations get these books. They are certainly based on the books but the details and plot are just so different. Gotta keep those separate in my mind or it just bothers me.

According to Goodreads, “ Book 1: Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can’t seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse – Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. . . . [His mom] sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods . . . where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends, Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld . . . and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods. 

Book 2: In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book’s drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.

Book 3: It’s not everyday you find yourself in combat with a half-lion, half-human. But when you’re the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster. Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive…

Book 4: Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears at his potential new school, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. . . . Time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth – a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.

Book 5: All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. . . . The long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.”

Of course, I love all the Greek mythology elements. These books cleverly introduce younger readers to these classic stories and characters. We meet most of the Gods of Olympus: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hermes, Apollo, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysus, Artemis, Hera, and Athena. There are references to mythic heroes and their stories like Perseus, Hercules, Icarus and Daedalus. We meet Chiron–the centaur trainer of heroes, the Oracle of Delphi, Medusa, the Minotaur, and several Titan Lords including Atlas who holds up the sky and Kronos the Lord of Time. Percy’s sword is famous, Zeus’ lightning blot is stolen, the God Pan is missing, and the gold drachmas still work. All of this offers a backdrop for Percy’s story and his friends at Camp Half Blood. His adventures are new stories but all intertwined with the Greek myths. He goes to find the Golden Fleece to rescue camp when Thalia’s tree is poisoned. He and Annabeth enter the Labyrinth first created by the master architect Daedalus. He enters the underworld several times on different quests. And the home of the Gods, Mount Olympus is on top of the Empire State Building. The clever ways these myths are a part of Percy’s journey are so fun to discover.

Percy is a fun, engaging narrator who goes on a classic hero’s journey throughout the series. I love how he makes even the most intense situations lighthearted with his banter and fun narrative voice. I loved his journey to accepting his identity and working towards helping his friends and family. He starts as a naive kid with good fighting instincts but gradually he embraces his role in the fight for Olympus and the big prophecy. He is a good friend and a good role model even though he does make mistakes. When the world is at stake, Percy comes into his role as hero and leader. He makes sacrifices for those he loves. He is willing to listen to others and trusts those closest to him. And he turns down immortality for something of greater worth to others. I really admire who he has become. And I enjoy the many similarities to Harry Potter that I’m noticing–classic hero that fulfills a big prophecy, powerful evil villain that rises from the dead in unexpected ways, friends help each other save their world, parents are not super involved (yes, Percy isn’t an orphan but his mom can’t protect him from the monsters, etc). big battle to come to decide the fate of the world. Percy belongs on a list of the great protagonists in middle grade fiction.

The supporting characters surrounding Percy give depth to the story and help define his character. Annabeth and Grover are both fantastic for their loyalty and bravery. They experience nearly everything with Percy and save his life countless times. Clarisse grew on me as the series progressed. I admired her bravery but also her ability to help her friends and her gentleness. Tyson I basically forgot about from my previous reading. And he is so much fun! Love how innocent and hard working he is. And how he teaches Percy about the importance of family, no matter what it looks like. I also forgot about Thalia’s character and how intertwined her fate is with Percy’s. Nico offers a unique and darker side to the demigods. I was fascinated by his grief and determination. I love Chiron for his wisdom and advice. I wish I had a mentor exactly like him. Rachel Elizabeth Dare surprised me over and over. I loved that she is mortal and still central to Percy’s success. Perhaps most fascinating is Luke’s journey. I had forgotten his role in the entire story (not just in book 1). I really liked the flashbacks that pieced together his past and potential future. I always admire when an author can kill off his characters. It makes them feel more realistic if they experience joy, pain, and grief like we do. 

These books are full of exciting action and surprising plot twists. I couldn’t put any of them down! I love an exciting series and it was awesome to be able to just pick up the next book after a cliffhanger ending. I loved all the clever ways the Gods, creatures, and locations are set up inside our world. From the mist that keeps mortals from seeing mythical creatures and battles to the hidden in plain sight entrances to Olympus the Underworld and more, I was constantly impressed with how subtle and clever the connections were. The action slowly builds to the climactic final book. While the stories get more complex as the books progress, the big picture story always stayed focused on Percy and his battle to defeat Kronos. It didn’t get too big or over the top and I liked that. The action is intense and fantastic culminating in an epic battle for Manhattan with more than one twist before the end.

Overall, I love these books and was so glad I reread them to start the year! The characters are fantastic. I love Percy’s narrative voice and his hero’s journey. The story is engaging and clever with plenty of twists and turns and lots of fun connections to Greek Mythology. If you love fantasy, want to learn more about Greek myths, love action, love series, love middle grade fiction, want to try something new, read these books. They are for everyone! Highly recommend for middle grade readers and up!

What are some of your favorite middle grade series?  Which Rick Riordan series is your favorite?

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15 thoughts on “ [percy jackson and the olympians]: a series review ”.

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I LOOOOVEEEE this series!! glad to meet another Percy Jackson fan!

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Ah yay!! I am always glad to meet a Percy fan too 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

I would agree 100%, the movies are very misleading. I was excited to see the first movie, despite knowing from peers that you shouldn’t watch them, but I did anyways, and I was like, “WHAT?!” The movies are pretty nice for those who have not read the book, like my sister, who was getting frustrated every time I said, “This isn’t supposed to happen!”, or “How in the universe is Kronos eating Luke?!” But they change majority of the story in the movies so, personally, I don’t like them. I have read Heroes of Olympus and the first book of Trials of Apollo. I love the whole series, i.e., the 3 series (not sure about Trials of Apollo). But this was a really nice review, made me remember the stuff I had read a bajillion years ago xD . Amazing!

Thanks so much for your comment, Gauri! I am so glad to hear we had a similar experience with the movies! I totally did the same thing watching them. Haha. Glad to hear you loved the Heroes of Olympus series as well! I want to read those. Thanks again for reading!

Love this series, but it has been years since I read them. I will only reread them if I plan to read Heroes of Olympus

Nice! Yeah I only read the first book in the Heroes of Olympus. I’m thinking to read that series soon too!

It was really years ago when I read Percy Jackson. Still haven’t read Heroes of Olympus- trying to decide if I want to read it or not

I get that! Sometimes you’d rather read other things instead.

Rarely reread books, but this year started that- January was Chronicles of Narnia

I have a growing appreciation for rereading books 🙂 What a great way to start your year! I love Narnia 🙂

So do I, but there were some I completely forgot what happened- the ones outside of the movies

And sometimes the movies are misleading! 😉

Main exception is when you see the movie before the book

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Loved these series never once went to the squel

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Book Review: The Lightning Thief

The Percy Jackson series is one of my favorite series’ because it combines two topics that I really like, Greek mythology and action/adventure. Greek gods and legends are typically very epic and exaggerated so combining that with a very relatable boy creates an amazing result that I think only Rick Riordan could have come up with and developed.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Lightning Thief, a fictional novel by Rick Riordan, follows the journey of a boy and his relationships and encounters with Greek legends and myths. Percy Jackson is at first what some might call a “loser” and often gets picked on at school and has trouble concentrating on academics. Percy’s whole life changes when he discovers that his dad, which he hadn’t known before, was the all-powerful Poseidon making him a demigod. After Percy finds out who his dad id he is sent to Camp-Half Blood, a cleverly named camp for demigods, because his home is no longer safe for him. In Camp Half-Blood Percy makes himself at home I makes new friends by impressing people with his powers which he didn’t even know he had. The fun and games is quickly over when learns that someone has stolen the lightning rod from Zeus, the king of the gods, and the top suspect is none other than Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. On Percy’s journey to prove to Zeus that he is not the thief he is accompanied by his two best friends Annabeth and Grover.

I personally think that it was quite a genius idea to have the main character be just an average boy that gets bullied and picked on at school because it makes him relatable. I think that in one way or another everyone has been bullied before and it makes Percy a very relatable character and I also think it kind of acts as inspiration for us.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians is incredibly by the book

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It’s been over 10 years since the infamous Percy Jackson & the Olympians movie broke hearts by inexplicably aging the cast and warping the novel, and fans of Rick Riordan’s beloved book series have eagerly been waiting for sweet vindication.

The creators behind the Disney Plus series have made a huge promise: an adaptation the fans of the franchise — of which there are very many, who picked up the books when they first came out in 2005 or fell in love with the world somewhere in the past 18 years — will love, one backed by the author.

Judging by the first two episodes, Disney Plus’ Percy Jackson and the Olympians does deliver on that promise of recreating the plotline of the book, almost beat by beat. With a stellar cast bringing the cherished characters to life, it seems like a dream come true for Percy Jackson fans. It’s an adaptation that takes its source material seriously — and that just might be its biggest fault.

[ Ed. note: This review contains some spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians the show, as well as the book series.]

Like the first book of the series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows Percy Jackson, a troubled middle school student who learns that all the Greek myths he grew up hearing are real, and that his mysterious absent father is actually one of those gods. The first two episodes of the show get Percy to Camp Half-Blood, setting up everything for the eventual cross-country quest that makes up the first entry of the book series. Since the central story is strong, following it beat for beat means the show will have a solid foundation. Because the series seems designed to trust its fans fully, some of the exposition feels like it’s missing, and viewers unfamiliar with the nuances of the world might be trying to put together the pieces.

Luckily, most of those pieces just come from the classic canon of Greek mythology, so putting them together isn’t that hard. As for the quest itself, it’s familiar in a good way — you can’t go wrong with a search for a missing item centered around a young hero wanting to save his mom while figuring out who he is in this new fantastical world!

What really anchors that story, though, is how great the three young actors are. Walker Scobell captures Percy in all his snarkiness, but also his unflinching devotion to the people he cares about. Aryan Simhadri does a phenomenal job with Grover, a character that could simply be comedic relief, but in this version gets a deep vulnerability and almost awkward earnestness. We don’t see much of Leah Jeffries’ Annabeth in the first two episodes, but in those brief scenes she already conveys the character’s quiet strength. The side characters — like Clarisse (Dior Goodjohn), one of Percy’s bullies at camp, and Hermes cabin leader Luke (Charlie Bushnell) — are also dynamic and help make the whole camp and its inhabitants feel alive even in our very brief window to them.

The show is deeply faithful and takes the story seriously — but maybe to a fault. If there is one glaring flaw in Percy Jackson and the Olympians , it is that it doesn’t feel very fun. When so much of the books’ appeal was their buoyant tone, that feels particularly jarring. The books were told from Percy’s first-person perspective, a very funny and goofy narrator with a zinger for every situation. TV Percy does make snarky asides, but because what we’re seeing on screen isn’t filtered through his point of view, it loses that particular glee of his, the wonder that extends to the rest of the world. We’re supposed to fall in love with this world of gods and monsters, despite all the dangers. But even though the camp is lovingly rendered down to the last cabin floorboard , that wonder is missing.

At least, in the first two episodes, it is. With six more episodes to go, that could change, especially as Percy and his friends venture outside of New York and see more of the world. This somber, more serious tone is a perk for a certain subset of fans, though. Their beloved series is being taken seriously, finally elevated beyond just another middle-grade fantasy adventure story. The stakes are high and the show emphasizes that danger, especially since the kids are, well, kids and not in their early 20s. I’m sold on the stakes, but what I’m missing — at least initially — is the magic that makes the world so inviting despite all the monsters that want to kill you. Hopefully, the next few episodes will expand upon that, introduce newcomers to what makes the series special, and remind fans just why they fell in love with this world in the first place.

The first two episodes of Percy Jackson and the Olympians hit Disney Plus on Dec. 20, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays.

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By the Book

Rick Riordan Read ‘The Divine Comedy’ to Improve His Italian

The author of the Percy Jackson series (newly adapted for Disney+ this month) is looking for anthologies of Indigenous folklore and mythology, too.

Credit... Rebecca Clarke

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What books are on your night stand?

I usually have three books going at a time: one in Italian to improve my fluency, a novel in English and a nonfiction work in English. Right now it’s “Il Metodo del Coccodrillo,” a thriller by Maurizio de Giovanni, “Chain-Gang All-Stars,” a near-future dystopian novel by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, and “The Dark Valley: A Panorama of the 1930s” by Piers Brendon.

How do you organize your books?

“Organize” might be too kind a word. I try to group books loosely by subject matter. Celtic studies and books in Irish take up two shelves. Another two shelves are for books in Italian. Not surprisingly, Greek and Roman mythology takes up about four shelves. The rest is a scattered assortment of novels, nonfiction, poetry and graphic novels.

What’s the last great book you read?

“How to Live: Or, A Life of Montaigne,” by Sarah Bakewell. I was not well versed in Montaigne’s work, but I admire any biography that can bring its subject to life in such a vivid and relatable way.

Are there any classics that you only recently read for the first time?

“La Divina Commedia.” I had only read portions of the “Inferno” in English, but my Italian finally got to the level that I could tackle the “Commedia” in the original. It was quite a challenge and took me about a year, but it was well worth the effort to appreciate the poetry in its original form. What struck me was how topical and regional Dante’s references were. For such a timeless poem, it is deeply rooted in the personal dramas and “pop culture” of 13th-century Tuscany.

Which writers — novelists, playwrights, critics, journalists, poets — working today do you admire most?

So many. N.K. Jemisin has a brilliant iconoclastic imagination that has reframed fantasy and science fiction for me many times over. Madeline Miller has breathed new life into ancient Greek stories. China Miéville is a genius of speculative fiction whose quirky world-building always delights me. I also love the Irish-language poetry of Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.

Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).

I am lucky enough to have a home office with a large window looking over the Charles River in Boston. During the winter evenings, when the trees are bare and the view is wide open, the sunset on the water is spectacular. With the fireplace going and a bit of soft instrumental music playing … I can’t imagine a better place for enjoying a good book.

What kind of reader were you as a child?

Reluctant. I rarely read assigned texts in school, and reading for pleasure wasn’t something that would have occurred to me. That changed when I discovered “The Lord of the Rings,” which was my gateway into fantasy, and from there into mythology and the wider world of literature. I like to say that my karmic punishment for never reading an English text in school was becoming an English teacher.

What book should everybody read before the age of 21?

I don’t really believe in a canon of must-read texts for everyone. My gateway books were J.R.R. Tolkien’s. Would I recommend them to most 12-year-old kids today to get them interested in reading? Probably not. The most formative books I had read by age 21 were probably Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying” and “The Habit of Being,” a collection of letters by Flannery O'Connor. Great books, but again, I am not sure I would make them blanket recommendations for every young adult today.

What is the best writing advice you have ever gotten?

To avoid the cycle of dissatisfaction. Before I was published, I took a class from a mystery novelist who warned me that writing could turn into a succession of moving goal posts. It can be easy to lose sight of why a writer writes — because you have an internal need to turn your thoughts into words.

What do you write when you sign books for fans?

I usually sign 1,000-5,000 books at a time, in advance of each event, so alas, I don’t get to personalize many books anymore. My signature has become an illegible scrawl. On those rare occasions when I get to have a one-on-one interaction with a fan, I try to add a few vowels and consonants to my scrawl, and perhaps sketch a lightning bolt underneath.

Do you count any books as guilty pleasures?

Any time I relax and enjoy a book rather than working, or cleaning the house, or running errands, I consider that a guilty pleasure. The type of book doesn’t matter.

Which subjects do you wish more authors would write about?

This is a complex ask, but I would personally love to read more anthologies of Indigenous folklore and mythology from around the world. When my family and I were traveling through the Pacific Northwest last summer, through the lands of the Tlingit, Haida and Chugach, we heard such wonderful stories. I’d love to learn more. Perhaps those books are out there and I’ve simply been unsuccessful finding them, or perhaps the books are not getting the coverage and attention they deserve. It’s also possible some Indigenous writers are wary of popularizing their sacred stories for a mass-market audience, which is totally fair.

You’re organizing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?

I don’t do dinner parties, so I would probably invite the most introverted writers I could think of — perhaps Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen and Emily Dickinson — because none of them would show up. Then we could enjoy a quiet evening at home by ourselves, reading by the fire.

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Book Review

Percy jackson and the olympians: the chalice of the gods.

• Rick Riordan
• Adventure , Children's Fiction , Fantasy

Readability Age Range

• 8 to 12 years old
• Disney Hyperion
• #1 USA Today Bestseller

Year Published

Percy Jackson has saved the world. Twice. But now the son of Poseidon faces what might be his greatest challenge ever—graduating high school and getting accepted into New Rome University. With the help of his girlfriend, Annabeth, and best friend, Grover, Percy goes on a quest to get three letters of recommendation, all while keeping up with his homework.

Plot Summary

Percy Jackson didn’t think anything would be harder than saving the world, but his return to high school after his last harrowing adventure makes him wonder. If making up his lost junior year and finishing his senior year weren’t enough, Percy is faced with the daunting task of being accepted into New Rome University. His father, Poseidon, explains that to be accepted and attend college with his girlfriend, Annabeth, Percy must get three letters of recommendation from the gods.

And of course, every demigod knows the only way to get much of anything from the gods is by completing a quest.

Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods, approaches Percy with the first quest: find and return the lost chalice of the gods before Zeus or any of the other Olympians realize it’s missing. This stolen chalice isn’t just the gods’ favorite cups: Anyone who drinks from it becomes immortal. In the wrong hands, it could have devastating consequences.

As the son of Poseidon, Percy is plenty powerful. However, no wise hero undertakes a quest alone. With the help of Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, and his best friend, Grover the satyr, Percy battles killer chickens and aquatic snakes as he tries to find the chalice, return it to Ganymede and not die in the process.

Christian Beliefs

Other belief systems.

In the world of Percy Jackson, the Greek gods and myths are real. The gods have demigod offspring with mortals, and these powerful children often must fend off monsters and embark on quests. Ghost stories are also mentioned.

Authority Roles

Poseidon and the rest of the Greek gods rarely see their mortal children and typically only talk to them if they need something from them, such as completing a quest. Percy’s mom and stepdad are supportive parents.

Profanity & Violence

Multiple times characters say “oh my gods.” Hens try to kill the three friends, and a chick bites Annabeth. One character almost exclusively photographs dead and dying nature. Snakes try to kill Percy, Annabeth and Grover. Elisson, a river god, knocks Percy around. Geras, the god of old age, beats Percy up during their wrestling match. Mimosas and wine are mentioned.

Sexual Content

Zeus made Ganymede immortal because he’s attracted to him. Percy and Annabeth kiss multiple times. Himbos is a smoothie shop staffed by fit men (a bit like Hooters is notoriously staffed by attractive women).

Discussion Topics

What is one thing you like about your parents? Why is that something you’re grateful for?

Do your friends help you when you’re in a tough spot? Do you help your friends when they need help?

Percy defeated Geras by embracing the idea of growing older. Does growing up scare you? Why or why not?

Get free discussion questions for books at focusonthefamily.com/magazine/thriving-family-book-discussion-questions .

Additional Comments

Families should understand this is a book based on pagan mythology. However, Percy and his friends exhibit admirable character qualities such as bravery and loyalty.

You can request a review of a title you can’t find at [email protected] .

Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.

Review by Rachel Pfeiffer

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How To Read The Percy Jackson Books In Order

• The Percy Jackson book series, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," consists of six books and should be read in the order of their release dates.
• Rick Riordan has written other book series within the Percy Jackson universe, including "The Heroes of Olympus," "The Kane Chronicles," "Magnus Chase & The Gods of Asgard," and "The Trials of Apollo."
• Each book series explores different mythologies and introduces new characters, but some characters from previous series make appearances.

As the Disney+ television show based on Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson book series gets closer, it's time for old and new fans to brush up on their knowledge of the novels. Thankfully, the order to read all six of them is straightforward since their chronological order lines up with their release order. However, Riordan has written other book series set in the Percy Jackson universe, and that is when the timeline gets a bit tricky.

Riordan created the character of Percy Jackson when his son was young, and the author used to tell him stories about Greek mythology. He turned his bedtime stories into a novel — The Lightning Thief — and the rest is history. The upcoming show, Percy Jackson and the Olympians , premieres on December 20, 2023, and season 1 follows the first book. The hope is that the Disney+ series is successful enough to warrant more seasons, each one based on the subsequent novel in the universe. Following the disaster that was the 2010 film Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief , many have high expectations for the 2023 show.

Percy Jackson Books In Order: All 6 Books

Percy jackson and the olympians.

Rick Riordan and Disney-Hyperion published The Lightning Thief in 2005, and four more books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series would soon follow. The first novel introduces readers to the main protagonist — Percy Jackson, a demigod who has no idea about his godly parentage until a fateful encounter with a Minotaur. He soon becomes a camper at Camp Half-Blood and learns that his father is the god of the sea, Poseidon. From that moment on, Percy's life was never the same.

All five books in the series — The Lightning Thief , The Sea of Monsters , The Titan's Curse , The Battle of the Labyrinth , and The Last Olympian — can and should be read in the same order as their release date since each installment takes place after the previous one. The novels encompass Percy's hero's journey from when he first arrives at Camp Half-Blood as a 12-year-old to his 16th birthday. More than 14 years following the release of The Last Olympian , Riordan published another book featuring Percy, Annabeth, and Grover called The Chalice of the Gods , which occurs between the events of The Heroes of Olympus and The Trials of Apollo (more on those later).

Related: What Is The Pact Of The Big Three In Percy Jackson? The Gods' Oath Explained

Rick Riordan's Other Book Series With Percy Jackson

The kane chronicles.

While The Kane Chronicles doesn't feature Percy Jackson or any other Greek half-bloods, it takes place in the same universe. The book series by Rick Riordan tells the story of Carter and Sadie Kane, siblings descended from two pharaohs — Narmer and Ramses the Great. So, instead of Greek or Roman mythology, The Kane Chronicles focuses on Egyptian mythology and occurs following The Last Olympian . But one does not need to read the following three books to understand Percy's story.

The Heroes Of Olympus

Following the (tentative) conclusion of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series in 2009, Rick Riordan decided he had more stories to tell about these characters and new ones. More than a year after publishing The Last Olympian , the author released the first novel in his new series, The Heroes of Olympus , which consists of five books. The series continues the chronological order of this universe by taking place following the battle against Kronos and his army in The Last Olympian . However, whereas the first series was told solely from Percy's point of view, The Heroes of Olympus is told from multiple characters' perspectives.

The first novel, The Lost Hero , introduces a few demigods — Jason Grace, who has no memory of his past and learns he is the son of Zeus; Piper McLean, Jason's girlfriend and the daughter of Aphrodite; and Leo Valdez, Jason's best friend and son of Hephaestus. However, while these heroes learn more about themselves and the gods, Percy Jackson is missing. Thankfully, he is not gone for too long because the second book, The Son of Neptune , coincides with the events of the first one and features Percy, who had lost his memories like Jason, at Camp Jupiter, the Roman demigod training camp and counterpart to Camp Half-Blood.

Overall, The Heroes of Olympus brings Greek and Roman half-blood heroes together to defeat a new threat — Gaia. One would think Percy and his friends would be able to rest after the events of The Last Olympian , but they are back to trying to prevent the end of the world only months later. Like the first series, The Heroes of Olympus should be read in the order of release date .

Magnus Chase & The Gods Of Asgard

The other book series in the Percy Jackson universe that does not revolve around Greek or Roman mythology is Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard . Rick Riordan continued to branch out by exploring the world of Norse mythology. This series is more connected to Percy Jackson than The Kane Chronicles since its protagonist, Magnus Chase, is Annabeth Chase's cousin and the son of Frey. Plus, characters like Percy and Annabeth appear in some of the novels. It takes place following The Blood of Olympus .

Related: Disney's Percy Jackson Ending Plan Is Great News For Fans Of The Books

The Trials of Apollo

Rick Riordan conceived another pentalogy following the conclusion of The Heroes of Olympus . But instead of focusing on demigods, the author broke tradition and revolved his next book series around a Greek god. The Trials of Apollo takes place following The Heroes of Olympus and centers around Apollo , the god of the sun, music, and prophecy, who had been stripped of his godly powers and sent to Earth by his father, Zeus. There, the former god reluctantly embraces his new human identity (Lester Papadopoulos), befriends a demigod named Meg McCaffrey, and fights the Triumvirate.

The Trials of Apollo features numerous characters from the two previous Percy Jackson series, including the son of Poseidon himself. However, the focus is on Apollo and Meg. Additionally, it's worth noting that The Sun and the Star , published on May 2, 2023, is a standalone sequel to The Tower of Nero , the final book in The Trials of Apollo .

Is Percy Jackson Renewed for a Season 2?

Producers have already starting outlining the show's second chapter.

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The long-awaited television adaptation of Rick Riordan's bestselling Percy Jackson & the Olympians books was officially renewed for a second season.

The first season, which closely followed the plot of the first book in the series, The Lightning Thief , just wrapped , and even before the announcement of season two, producers were optimistic.

"I think everyone has a real hope that this will live a long and healthy life. Right now, we’re trying to deal with step one. But we’d be lying if we said there weren’t people who are thinking about step two right now," executive producer Jon Steinberg told Deadline in December. In another interview , co-showrunner Dan Shotz said, "There is an awareness on everyone’s part that the demand for the show seems to suggest we should probably not stop making it."

Becky Riordan added, " Sea of Monsters is one of my favorites. I really love that we’re going to have more time with Grover, so I’m hoping that happens. It will be fabulous, because Aryan [Simhadri, who plays Grover] is amazing actor."

In May 2024, Rick Riordan gave an update on his blog. He wrote , "I will not be doing an in-person tour for this book in the fall. We anticipate being back at work producing season two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians by then, if all goes according to plan." He said there will be eight episodes in the second season.

While we wait for season two of Percy Jackson to arrive, catch up on all the books now:

Disney-Hyperion The Lightning Thief

Disney-Hyperion The Sea of Monsters

Disney-Hyperion The Titan's Curse

Hyperion Books for Children The Battle of the Labyrinth

Disney-Hyperion The Last Olympian

The Chalice of the Gods

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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