The real world is where the monsters are.
Hey, Percy Jackson lovers! The new Disney+ series has reignited interest in Rick Riordan’s books. Whether you’re fresh to Camp Half-Blood or a seasoned hero, entering the world of modern mythology might be intimidating. But don’t worry; I’ve got your back!
Curious about Rick Riordan’s books in order? You’re in the right place! This guide to the Riordan-verse covers everything: a complete list of Rick Riordan’s series (from Percy Jackson and the Olympians to Heroes of Olympus and beyond), the best reading order, quick series intros, and tips for both newbies and longtime fans of Greek mythology books. Ready to explore the world of demigods, monsters, and modern myths? Dive into Riordan’s mythological universe – your adventure through these incredible stories starts now!
How to Read Rick Riordan’s Books
So, are you ready to enter the world of Greek gods and modern heroes? Awesome! While there is no set pattern, most readers find it easier to begin with “The Lightning Thief,” the first book in the Percy Jackson series. It’s similar to your first quest: exciting but not overpowering.
All The Books
Ready to embark on your mythological adventure? Here’s your ultimate guide to all of Rick Riordan’s main series, neatly organized and easy to navigate.
Greek and Roman Mythology: The Camp Half-Blood Chronicles
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (PJO)
- The Lightning Thief (2005)
- The Sea of Monsters (2006)
- The Titan’s Curse (2007)
- The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
- The Last Olympian (2009)
- The Chalice of the Gods (2023)
- The Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Coming September 24, 2024)
The Heroes of Olympus (HOO)
- The Son of Neptune (2011)
- The Mark of Athena (2012)
- The House of Hades (2013)
- The Blood of Olympus (2014)
The Trials of Apollo (TOA)
- The Hidden Oracle (2016)
- • The Dark Prophecy (2017)
- • The Burning Maze (2018)
- • The Tyrant’s Tomb (2019)
- • The Tower of Nero (2020)
Standalone Novel
- The Sun and the Star (2023) – co-written with Mark Oshiro
Egyptian Mythology
The Kane Chronicles (KC)
- The Red Pyramid (2010)
- The Throne of Fire (2011)
- The Serpent’s Shadow (2012)
Norse Mythology
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard (MCGA)
- The Sword of Summer (2015)
- The Hammer of Thor (2016)
- The Ship of the Dead (2017)
Pro Tip: While each series stands alone, reading them in the order listed above will give you the full, interconnected experience of Riordan’s mythological universe!
Publication Order
For those who want to experience Rick Riordan’s mythological universe as it unfolded, here’s the complete list of main books in publication order.
- The Lightning Thief (PJO, 2005)
- The Sea of Monsters (PJO, 2006)
- The Titan’s Curse (PJO, 2007)
- The Battle of the Labyrinth (PJO, 2008)
- The Last Olympian (PJO, 2009)
- The Red Pyramid (KC, May 2010)
- The Lost Hero (HOO, Oct 2010)
- The Throne of Fire (KC, May 2011)
- The Son of Neptune (HOO, Oct 2011)
- The Serpent’s Shadow (KC, May 2012)
- The Mark of Athena (HOO, Oct 2012)
- The House of Hades (HOO, Oct 2013)
- The Blood of Olympus (HOO, Oct 2014)
- The Sword of Summer (MCGA, Oct 2015)
- The Hidden Oracle (TOA, May 2016)
- The Hammer of Thor (MCGA, Oct 2016)
- The Dark Prophecy (TOA, May 2017)
- The Ship of the Dead (MCGA, Oct 2017)
- The Burning Maze (TOA, May 2018)
- The Tyrant’s Tomb (TOA, Sep 2019)
- The Tower of Nero (TOA, Sep 2020)
- The Sun and the Star (Standalone, May 2023)
- The Chalice of the Gods (PJO, Sep 2023)
- The Wrath of the Triple Goddess (PJO, Coming Sep 2024)
Pro Tip: Notice how Riordan often alternated between series, especially in the earlier years? This approach kept each mythology fresh and exciting, while slowly building connections between them.
Series Key:
PJO: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
KC: The Kane Chronicles
HOO: Heroes of Olympus
MCGA: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
TOA: Trials of Apollo
Chronological Order
Want to experience Rick Riordan’s mythological universe as it unfolds within the story world? Here’s the chronological order of events, perfect for readers who love to follow the timeline of this expansive universe.
- The Lightning Thief
- The Sea of Monsters
- The Titan’s Curse
- The Battle of the Labyrinth
- The Last Olympian
- The Red Pyramid
- The Throne of Fire
- The Serpent’s Shadow
- The Lost Hero
- The Son of Neptune
- The Mark of Athena
- The House of Hades
- The Blood of Olympus
- The Chalice of the Gods
- The Wrath of the Triple Goddess
- The Sword of Summer
- The Hidden Oracle
- The Hammer of Thor
- The Dark Prophecy
- The Ship of the Dead
- The Burning Maze
- The Tyrant’s Tomb
- The Tower of Nero
- The Sun and the Star
Pro Tips: While this order gives you the big picture, some events in different series may overlap. Riordan’s universe is complex and interconnected!
The Best Order to Read Rick Riordan’s Books
Want to get the most out of Rick Riordan’s mythological universe? Here’s our recommended reading order, balancing chronology and series continuity for the best experience:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- The Lightning Thief
- The Sea of Monsters
- The Titan’s Curse
- The Battle of the Labyrinth
- The Last Olympian
The Kane Chronicles
- The Red Pyramid
- The Throne of Fire
- The Serpent’s Shadow
The Heroes of Olympus
- The Lost Hero
- The Son of Neptune
- The Mark of Athena
- The House of Hades
- The Blood of Olympus
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
- The Sword of Summer
- The Hammer of Thor
- The Ship of the Dead
The Trials of Apollo
- The Hidden Oracle
- The Dark Prophecy
- The Burning Maze
- The Tyrant’s Tomb
- The Tower of Nero
The Sun and the Star (Standalone)
Percy Jackson: The Latest Adventures
- The Chalice of the Gods
- The Wrath of the Triple Goddess
Pro Tips: This order lets you experience each mythology (Greek/Roman, Egyptian, Norse) in focused chunks.
Conclusion
So you’re ready to explore Rick Riordan’s epic universe? Awesome! Here’s the plan: begin with the original Percy Jackson trilogy, then progress to Heroes of Olympus and Trials of Apollo. When you want to spice up the pantheon, throw in the Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase. What about the new Percy Jackson books? They’re most enjoyable after Heroes of Olympus. Remember, there are no wrong ways to read these; the most important thing is to have fun!
Now, for those who like their info bite-sized:
Must-read order:
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians (original 5)
- Heroes of Olympus
- Trials of Apollo
- The Sun and the Star
Mix in anytime:
- The Kane Chronicles
- Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
I’m John Stauffer, a Harvard professor and book lover. Here at John Stauffer Books, I share my thoughts on the books I read through honest reviews and recommendations. I cover everything from well-known classics to lesser-known works that deserve more attention.
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