first five Percy Jackson books brings readers on a fantastical adventure full of heart, and it will stay with readers long after they've put the story down.
Riordan's newest Percy Jackson & the Olympians books pick up with Percy as a senior in high school, reminding viewers why they love this series yet again. Of course, not all Percy Jackson books are created equal; as with any series, some installments are stronger and more memorable than others. Unlike some fantasy series, Percy Jackson doesn't have too many lows. However, it occasionally reaches heights that can't be topped, even by the other additions to the series.
7 The Sea Of Monsters (2006)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 2
The Titan's Curse is a great addition to Percy Jackson & the Olympians, as its 4.24 average Goodreads rating suggests. However, it's still arguably the weakest of the seven-book series, despite being necessary to set up later installments. The Titan's Curse introduces great characters like Tyson, Blackjack, and Thalia. It also has another fun, quest-based narrative, but it doesn't quite reach the heights of The Lightning Thief. The Sea of Monsters works as a follow-up, but it feels like a lull between the first installment and the gripping later sequels.
10 Things Percy Jackson Gets Right About Greek Mythology
Though plenty of big changes are made from the original Greek myths in the Percy Jackson series, some aspects are faithful to the legends.
Riordan's writing also evolves over the course of his series, and this is especially noticeable in his 2023 and 2024 Percy Jackson books. While those don't have the same high-stakes storytelling as the original series, they come off as better crafted and more comical than Riordan's earliest books. This isn't enough to put them ahead of a classic like The Lightning Thief, but it places The Sea of Monsters just slightly below them. That said, the second book is still a winner. It's a testament to the quality of the other installments that it ranks last.
6 The Chalice Of The Gods (2023)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 6
The Chalice of the Gods returns readers to Percy Jackson's narrative after years away, picking up with the young demigod preparing for college. Seeing Percy at a new stage of life is a highlight of Riordan's sixth addition to the series, which rightfully feels more mature than the earlier books. This could also be attributed to Riordan's evolved writing, as well as Percy's character growth. Although The Chalice of the Gods has lower stakes than the original series, it's a nostalgia trip that pays off Percy's original adventures. It earns its 4.31 Goodreads score.
Riordan writes Percy so well that it feels like no time has ed picking up The Chalice of the Gods, and the concept of demigod college expands the author's world in an interesting way.
Riordan writes Percy so well that it feels like no time has ed picking up The Chalice of the Gods, and the concept of demigod college expands the author's world in an interesting way. The book's more modern timeline also results in some clever references and Easter eggs throughout its run. Unfortunately, its lower stakes still place it beneath most of the original novels. It also ranks below its sequel, Wrath of the Triple Goddess, as Percy's quest for Ganymede is slightly less memorable than his quest for Hecate.
5 Wrath Of The Triple Goddess (2024)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 7
Wrath of the Triple Goddess is a direct sequel to The Chalice of the Gods, seeing Percy Jackson embark on his second quest for college recommendation letters. Pet-sitting for Hecate initially sounds like a piece of cake, but that's proven wrong when the goddess' hellhound and polecat escape. This brings Percy, Annabeth, and Grover on another adventure — and while failing could be dangerous for them, it still has lower stakes than the first five Percy Jackson books. Like The Chalice of the Gods, though, its writing style, tone, and references are improved.
Wrath Of The Triple Goddess' Ending Pays Off Percy Jackson's First Chapter, 19 Years Later
Wrath of the Triple Goddess’ ending contains a reference to the first Percy Jackson chapter, and it brings the story full circle in the best way.
This isn't enough for Wrath of the Triple Goddess to rank above most of the original books, but its main storyline does feel a bit more coherent than The Sea of Monsters. The fact that Hecate and her pets have more interesting backstories than Ganymede also places it above The Chalice of the Gods. And Riordan's decision to set Wrath of the Triple Goddess around Halloween is a winning choice — one Disney's Percy Jackson TV show should copy. It's deserving of its 4.32 Goodreads rating, proving there are still great stories to tell in this world.
4 The Lightning Thief (2005)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 1
Because it's the first Percy Jackson book, The Lightning Thief takes some time to find its footing — but it's far too iconic to rank on the lower side of Riordan's series. The Lightning Thief introduces the concept of demigods and Camp Half-Blood, making it a nostalgic read for many fans of the series. It also takes Percy on his first quest, which has greater stakes than The Chalice of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess, even if it feels disted at times.
The Lightning Thief successfully sets the tone for the rest of Percy Jackson & the Olympians, and the events that unfold in the first installment set up the major conflicts that follow
The Lightning Thief successfully sets the tone for the rest of Percy Jackson & the Olympians, and the events that unfold in the first installment set up the major conflicts that follow. In general, the 2005 book is a strong start to Riordan's first series. It's not perfect, but its flaws are easy to overlook when you realize how fun Riordan's story is. The world and characters leave a positive impression from the beginning. The only reason The Lightning Thief can't rank higher is because its later sequels are far more epic.
3 The Titan's Curse (2007)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 3
The Titan's Curse is the middle book of the original Percy Jackson series, so it's fitting that it's a turning point for the story. The third installment in Riordan's series sees Percy and the other demigods trying to stop the Titans from returning, raising the stakes significantly after books one and two. The Titan's Curse is when Percy Jackson starts to get a bit darker, pushing the characters closer to the final fight against Kronos. It doesn't quite touch The Battle of the Labyrinth or The Last Olympian in of stakes, but it's still a gripping read.
At this point in Percy Jackson & the Olympians, the characters, world-building, and writing are all solid — likely a result of Riordan nailing down all the details in the first two books. The Titan's Curse benefits from the work done in The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters, improving on both installments significantly. It also ranks above Riordan's newer books, as its central story is more impactful than anything that happens in The Chalice of the Gods or Wrath of the Triple Goddess. Its 4.37 Goodreads score perfectly reflects its place in the series.
2 The Battle Of The Labyrinth (2008)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 4
As the fourth installment in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, The Battle of the Labyrinth does a solid job setting the stage for the original story's finale. Its 4.42 Goodreads rating speaks volumes about its quality, driving home how thrilling Percy's journey through Daedalus' labyrinth really is. This quest feels riskier than anything Camp Half-Blood's demigods have done before, and the consequences of failing are also greater. After all, they're trying to stop Luke's forces from gaining access to Camp Half-Blood.
10 Best Percy Jackson Book Characters That Aren't In The Disney+ Show Yet
Characters from the rest of Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan's other book series have yet to appear in the TV show and make the story even better.
The stakes are very much felt throughout The Battle of the Labyrinth, which takes on a more serious tone than the first three Percy Jackson & the Olympians books. The looming threats of Luke and Kronos warrant this shift, and everything that unfolds feels more epic as a result. The storylines also converge in interesting ways, with The Battle of the Labyrinth's twists placing it ahead of almost every other Percy Jackson book. Only the finale tops it, and that's fitting, as this novel sets book five up.
1 The Last Olympian (2009)
Percy Jackson & The Olympians Book 5
It's no surprise that The Last Olympian is the best Percy Jackson book, as it serves as the conclusion to the original story — and it also sets Percy up for the growth we see in the newer novels. The Last Olympian serves as a reminder of what readers love about the original series, bringing all the subplots and characters together for one last hurrah. Kronos is the greatest enemy Percy faces in all the books, and his confrontation with the king of the Titans is action-packed and emotional. "Percabeth" also sets sail in this installment, paying off five books' worth of feelings.
The sacrifices that take place in The Last Olympian make it feel like a proper ending, and they add weight and meaning to the story.
The sacrifices that take place in The Last Olympian make it feel like a proper ending, and they add weight and meaning to the story. Even with a more serious tone, the final Percy Jackson book manages to maintain the series' heart. It drives home the notion that goodness and love will prevail, and it still squeezes humor into its pages. There's a good reason The Last Olympian has the highest average Goodreads rating of all the Percy Jackson & the Olympian books, sitting at a whopping 4.55. The Last Olympian sticks the landing, suring everything that came before.
Source: Goodreads
- Created by
- Rick Riordan
- Latest Film
- Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
- First TV Show
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- First Episode Air Date
- December 19, 2023
- TV Show(s)
- Percy Jackson & the Olympians
A young demigod named Percy Jackson learns about his divine heritage and must navigate a world where Greek mythology intersects with modern life. Alongside friends from Camp Half-Blood, he faces mythical creatures, uncovers family secrets, and undertakes perilous quests to thwart ancient prophecies. The series intricately weaves classical mythology with contemporary challenges, exploring themes of bravery, loyalty, and self-discovery, captivating audiences with its rich blend of adventure and timeless legends.
