So, you wanna read the Percy Jackson series? Congratulations, you have excellent taste. But wait, which one should you start with? Should it be Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief? Or maybe something else? Fear not fellow booklovers, we’re here to give you the best reading order for the Percy Jackson universe. We will discuss not just the obvious ones but also the hidden gems that will make your reading experience more enjoyable. So sit back, grab a snack, and let’s dive into the world of Percy Jackson.
Percy Jackson Reading Order – Start at the Beginning
First things first, let’s start with the obvious: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. This is where it all began. Reading it would give you a glimpse of the first adventure of Percy Jackson as he discovers his true identity, his struggles, and his witty humor. After that, the next obvious one would have to be Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters. This is where you’ll witness the rise of a budding friendship between Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. Get ready for more adventure and more danger, and of course, more sass.
Now, onto the hidden gems. The next book you should read is The Demigod Files. Though it is a short story collection, it’s important to read this in between the Sea of Monsters and the Titan’s Curse. It will give you background information on the characters and pave the way for the next adventure.
Next up is Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse. This book is where you’ll meet new characters and delve deeper into the world of the Olympians. Plus, you get to witness the badassery of Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus, and all her lightning glory. Afterward, comes The Battle of the Labyrinth. This book is where the stakes are higher, and the journey gets darker. The characters face more challenges, and you’ll get to see more character development. Plus, you’ll witness the return of a beloved character.
And now, the final book in the first series. Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian. This book will wrap up the story, and you’ll get to see the final showdown between Percy and Kronos. It’s the most action-packed and heartbreaking book of the series. This is where all your questions will finally be answered.
So, In short:
- The Lightning Thief
- The Sea of Monsters
- The Demigod Files (insight into characters before you read on!)
- The Titan’s Curse
- The Battle of the Labyrinth
- The Last Olympian
For a full box set of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, this one is incredible value for money.
Best Percy Jackson Reading Order After The Olympians
Okay, so you’ve hammered through the first core series of Percy Jackson. Epic. Now there are a stack more epic tales to enjoy and it can get a little confusing on the best way to do it. To help make it super easy, I’ll simply block these by series.
Percy Jackson Universe Reading Order:
- Percy Jackson and The Olympians
- The Heroes of Olympus (follows Jason as a main character but Percy is still in it!)
- Kane Chronicles (none of the original characters are in this, but it’s amazing!)
- Magnus Chase and The Gods of Asgard (Annabeth and Percy are mentioned in passing only)
- The Trials of Apollo (this takes place at the same time as the Magnus Chase books)
If you want to know more about the Greek Gods and the Greek Heroes, there are also a couple of short story books about them, written from the point of view of Percy. They’re incredibly entertaining but can get pretty scary. So, one for slightly more mature readers only.
So there you have it, the best way to read the Percy Jackson universe. Start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, continue with Sea of Monsters, read the short story collection The Demigod Files, and continue with Titan’s Curse, Battle of the Labyrinth, and finally, The Last Olympian.
Trust me, that order will make your reading experience better. But no matter how you choose to read it, always remember, as Percy would say, “Don’t mess with me, lady. I’ve been drinking with skeletons.”
