How to Read Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Books

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson universe is a sprawling collection of interconnected stories based on Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies. With multiple series, companion books, and spin-offs, it can be challenging to decide where to start and how to proceed. This guide will help you navigate the world of Percy Jackson in an organized way, whether you’re a newcomer or revisiting the series.

How to Read Percy Jackson Books in Publication Order

Reading the books in the order they were published allows you to experience the stories as they were unveiled to readers over time. It also lets you appreciate the development of Riordan’s writing style and character arcs.

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians:
  1. The Lightning Thief (2005)
  2. The Sea of Monsters (2006)
  3. The Titan’s Curse (2007)
  4. The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
  5. The Last Olympian (2009)
• The Heroes of Olympus:
  1. The Lost Hero (2010)
  2. The Son of Neptune (2011)
  3. The Mark of Athena (2012)
  4. The House of Hades (2013)
  5. The Blood of Olympus (2014)
• The Kane Chronicles:
  1. The Red Pyramid (2010)
  2. The Throne of Fire (2011)
  3. The Serpent’s Shadow (2012)
• Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard:
  1. The Sword of Summer (2015)
  2. The Hammer of Thor (2016)
  3. The Ship of the Dead (2017)
• The Trials of Apollo:
  1. The Hidden Oracle (2016)
  2. The Dark Prophecy (2017)
  3. The Burning Maze (2018)
  4. The Tyrant’s Tomb (2019)
  5. The Tower of Nero (2020)
• Standalone and Companion Books:
  • The Chalice of the Gods (2023)
  • The Wrath of the Triple Goddess (expected September 24, 2024)

How to Read Percy Jackson Books by Series

If you prefer to stick to one storyline at a time, this method is ideal. It provides a seamless journey through each series without interruptions from other storylines.

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• The Heroes of Olympus
• The Kane Chronicles
• Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
• The Trials of Apollo
• Standalone and Companion Books

How to Read Percy Jackson Books in Chronological Order

For those who want to follow the timeline of events within the Percy Jackson universe, a chronological order might be the best approach. While most events occur sequentially within each series, there are overlaps between storylines.

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• The Kane Chronicles
• The Heroes of Olympus
• Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
• The Trials of Apollo
• Standalone and Companion Books

Don’t Forget the Companion Books

To enrich your experience, Riordan has also written several companion books that dive deeper into the mythology and characters of his universe:

• The Demigod Files (2009)
• The Demigod Diaries (2012)
• Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (2014)
• Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes (2015)
• Camp Half-Blood Confidential (2017)
• 9 from the Nine Worlds (2018)
• The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure (2023)

These books provide additional backstories, short adventures, and mythological insights that complement the main series.

Where to Start?

If you’re new to the Percy Jackson universe, starting with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is highly recommended. It introduces the central characters, world-building, and Greek mythology that set the foundation for the later series.

After finishing Percy Jackson and the Olympians, you can proceed with The Heroes of Olympus to explore Roman mythology and its connection to the Greek gods. From there, dive into the other series based on your interest.

Final Thoughts

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson books offer a thrilling adventure for readers of all ages. Whether you choose to read them in publication order, series order, or chronological order, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable journey filled with humor, action, and mythology. Grab your copy of The Lightning Thief and start your adventure today!