percy jackson series books in order

Why Reading the percy jackson series books in order Matters

Riordan weaves many details across the books—especially character arcs, mythological callbacks, and plot momentum. If you read out of order, you might miss core developments or key references.

The primary series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, starts the saga. But that’s just the beginning. The story branches into sequels and spinoffs, all sharing a huge interconnected world—Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse gods all get their moments.

The Complete List of percy jackson series books in order

Here’s your nononsense guide to reading the percy jackson series books in order:

1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (PJO)

This is where it starts. This fivebook series introduces Percy and friends and sets the rules of Riordan’s mythological world.

1. The Lightning Thief
2. The Sea of Monsters
3. The Titan’s Curse
4. The Battle of the Labyrinth
5. The Last Olympian

Read this core series first. It builds the foundation for the next arcs.

2. The Heroes of Olympus

Bigger cast. Dual Roman and Greek mythologies. Multiple narrators. This series expands the universe postPJO.

1. The Lost Hero
2. The Son of Neptune
3. The Mark of Athena
4. The House of Hades
5. The Blood of Olympus

For returning fans, this feels like a levelup. New characters like Jason, Piper, and Leo join the story.

3. The Trials of Apollo

This fivebook series follows Apollo in mortal form, dealing with the fallout from previous events.

1. The Hidden Oracle
2. The Dark Prophecy
3. The Burning Maze
4. The Tyrant’s Tomb
5. The Tower of Nero

It’s packed with cameos from prior characters and solidifies the end of the Olympian saga.

Optional Reads After the Core

Once you’re done with the main story arcs, Riordan offers extras for deeper immersion.

Demigod Diaries Demigod Files Camp HalfBlood Confidential The Chalice of the Gods (newer release that revisits Percy)

These fill in background details, alternate adventures, and some missingyears content. Read them at your leisure—they’re fun, but not essential to the main plot.

CrossSeries Questions? Here’s Where to Slot Other Universes

If you’re picky about continuity, here’s the clean slot for reading other Riordanverse series alongside:

The Kane Chronicles (Egyptian mythology): Standalone trilogy, can be read after PJO or HoO. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard (Norse mythology): Best read after PJO and HoO; connects loosely with Annabeth. Crossover stories: Short novellas blend Percy/Kane worlds. Fun but not critical.

What’s the Best Age to Start?

Most readers start around 9–12 years old. The writing grows more complex with each series, so this progression works well even for teens and adults returning to it.

The themes grow, too—starting with identity and friendship, evolving into morality, trauma, and rebuilding. So while the series starts light, don’t mistake it for simplistic.

Final Thoughts: Stack Your Stack Right

Reading the percy jackson series books in order keeps the magic—and the mythos—tight. You’ll connect dots you wouldn’t otherwise, feel the emotional payoffs, and enjoy richer character journeys.

If you’re starting from scratch, pace yourself. One book leads directly into the next, but you don’t need to burn through them. Just stay in order, and you’re golden.

Bottom line: this universe rewards loyalty. Stick with the sequence, and you won’t just follow a hero—you’ll follow a legacy.