Percy Jackson: Middle-Aged Modernisations of the Greek Myths

A trip to Malaysia in 2011 led me to a box-set of the first 3 Percy Jackson books by American school teacher Rick Riodan. The minotaur featuring on the dimly-lit UK editions of the book did not sell me. Instead, it was the writing from the first page that hooked me - Percy Jackson's first-person POV was a mix of confident, humorous and very relatable. Riordan managed to weave ancient greek myths into the story in a way that rewarded readers for their existing knowledge, but also created genuine surprise with the modern updates. I quickly snatched up The Demigod Files as well as books 4 and 5 in Thailand on the same holiday, and became an ardent fan of the author in the following years.

I vaguely recall watching the film adaptation of The Lightning Thief in 2010. It seemed like a fun story, but the book was far superior. After seeing the disdain that Riordan had for his film adaptations (which did not use his notes or receive his endorsement), I am so glad that the author was able to work together with the Disney+ team and bring the story to the streaming scene in a proper television adaptation. It has been exciting to follow the updates over the years since Riordan has actively tried to get involved, and I am glad that the legacy of his most popular book series will not be marred by the terrible film adaptations.

The Lightning Thief also is one of Riordan's most personal stories. Riordan's son Haley had loved Greek myths but was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, so his father would read them as bedtime stories. He invented the character Percy as a relatable hero for his son when telling these stories. Since the success of the series, Riordan went on to launch books based on the Roman, Egyptian and Norse mythologies. He also spotlights and works with authors from diverse backgrounds who are following his template and modernising their own unique mythologies for younger readers.

Read on for my reviews of the main Percy Jackson books, alongside official book cover art! Since I reread the series in 2020, about the time I started writing reviews generally for books and films, so you can see my writing style evolve over the course of the series.

#1 The Lightning Thief

Published: 2005

Reread: January 24, 2020

"Poseidon. Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the Sea God."

This book is still so, so good. The description is great when it needs to be, and the story and action just flow. I didn't realise how much of the book was set up before the main plot gets going, but it's worth it for the emotional payoffs throughout.

#2 The Sea of Monsters

Published: 2006

Re-read February 3, 2020

"You live in both worlds. You can be harmed by both, and you can affect both. That's what makes heroes so special. You carry the hopes of humanity into the realm of the eternal."

Similar story structure to the first book, but much more emotional. The character development for Percy, Tyson, Annabeth and Clarisse felt richer, some smart mythology modernised yet again, and it doesn't fail to provide some genuine laugh out loud moments. What a cliffhanger ending though.

#3 The Titan's Curse

Published: 2007

Re-read March 27, 2020

"My point is heroes never change. You accuse us gods of being vain. You should look at yourself. You take what you want, use whoever you have to, and then you betray everyone around you."

Man, it is snowing in NYC and things are getting worse across America as Kronos ramps up his master plan to take out the Olympians. On re-read, this book stood out even more than the first time (probably because I was originally hurtling to get to the ending), but this book seriously ups the ante from The Sea of Monsters which, arguably and in retrospect, seemed to play things safely compared to the original Lightning Thief.

I loved how the Greek Gods were sprinkled in more frequently as well, lending weight to the oppressive theme running through the book that things are getting serious - with an emotional death to pack the punch (no spoilers, it was headlined in the prophecy). Placing Percy again as an outsider who is challenged by both Thalia and Zoe in terms of skill and experience is a really smart way to keep him from seeming overpowered, and Riordan really makes it clear that the girls aren't to be messed with. The character development across the board was so rich, in both the new characters and certain people established earlier in the series by either name or appearance. These were especially surprising, and added a lot of depth to both the series's themes of vain Gods, expendable Heroes and parenthood/family.

Nico and Blackjack were awesome and I can't wait to retread their stories in the sequels. The cliffhanger ending should have been as big as The Sea of Monsters, but Riordan ensures that the reader knows from here on, Percy is the star of the show.

#4 The Battle of the Labyrinth

Published: 2008

Re-read October 16, 2023

“But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.”

A kind of return to the classic quests and mostly historical setting of the series following the dark third entry. Whereas the last book was quite focused in its plot, this one had a few storylines running concurrently, diverging and converging whenever appropriate.

Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Tyson, Nico, Clarisse, the other campers and supporting Gods each have their own journeys. However instead of a mess, Riordan weaves a mesmerising story that's all about an individual's deeds and the impacts created by them. In a way that reminds me of the Avengers movies, there's something satisfying about seeing these characters after short periods of time and witnessing their interactions and growth, especially now the reader is really attached to them.

Teenage romance was also a theme of this book, but didn't overtake the story and development which I appreciated. As usual, the humour was great, and the mystery really led to a "smack-yourself-in-the-forehead" kind of revelation which was entertaining. And I will never forget that cliffhanger ending for the finale.

#5 The Last Olympian

Published: 2009

Reread: February 11, 2020

“I am here because when all else fails, when all the other mighty gods have gone off to war, I am all that's left. Home. Hearth. I am the last Olympian.”

A great finale to a wonderful series. I appreciated that especially in this book, Percy had a clear personal journey with Nico, an expansion on how he had to get himself onto the quest in The Titan's Curse or was separated from the main group in The Battle of the Labyrinth. For me Percy's development was clear and purposeful in this story, uncomfortably trying to grow in power to match his enemies whilst accepting the strength in others and kinship. The logical placement of the Olympian Gods was nice to see as each had a clear objective, and the newly introduced Gods and Titans felt so appropriate to the themes of the story.

Riordan doesn't leave loose ends in this series either, every plot thread coming to fruition and certain characters and relationships being rewarded for their development with smart callbacks. This leads to a sense of satisfaction throughout the book, and unlike the previous entries this is basically one long battle/massive seige - but the series has earnt the right for this climax, making it feel like the only way Percy Jackson could have ended.

But of course, Riordan leaves a tantalising cliffhanger for the sequel series...

Bonus Stories

#4.5 The Demigod Files

Published: 2009

Re-read: August 29, 2021

This Percy Jackson companion novella includes three short stories, with camper interviews, world-building details and book puzzle games throughout.

The Stolen Chariot adds to the rivalry turned begrudging friendship between Clarisse and Percy as they track the title’s namesake from sons of Ares Deimos and Phobos throughout Staten Island Zoo. The Bronze Dragon includes two romantic pairings and is of particular importance to the Heroes of Olympus series, introducing Festus as Beckendorf is trapped in a Myrmekes nest during a Capture the Flag game at camp.

The Sword of Hades is definitely the best one, combining every fan’s dream of the big three children Thalia, Percy and Nico with a trip into the Underworld featuring angry spirits and the River Lethe. All three stories are also effective in increasing suspense for the final book in the PJ series, as this is set after the penultimate fourth entry but before The Last Olympian.

The writing was classic Rick Riordan humour integrated with just enough detail for a short story format. Whilst there are a few funny bits in the interviews, I found them very skippable (with the exception of Annabeth).

If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series you will enjoy this. I’d say it is almost necessary reading if you plan on starting the Heroes of Olympus.

#6 The Chalice of the Gods

Riordan released this additional entry in 2023, 14 years (!) after The Last Olympian was published and closed the original quintet. Riordan enjoyed getting back into the voice of Percy so much when working on the TV show that he ended up writing and publishing another story. This one is on my TBR list.

Tags

📖 Thank you for reading the article!

📚 As always, you can find more book reviews on my Goodreads account here 😃