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.
While there are other spin-offs since, from The Heroes Of Olympus to the KaneChronicles, 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.
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.
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.
