Below is the complete list of Rick Riordan books in order of publication. This is the recommended reading sequence for the series.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Books in Publication Order
- 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)
- Wrath of the Triple Goddess (2024)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion Books in Publication Order
- The Demigod Files (2009)
- Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades (2009)
- Percy Jackson and the Stolen Chariot (2009)
- Percy Jackson: The Ultimate Guide (2010)
- Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes (2014)
- Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods (2014)
- Demigods of Olympus (2015)
- Demigods & Magicians (2015)
- Camp Half-Blood Confidential (2017)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Graphic Novels Books in Publication Order
- The Lightning Thief (2010)
(With Robert Venditti) - The Sea of Monsters (2013)
(With Robert Venditti) - The Titan’s Curse (2013)
(With Robert Venditti) - The Battle of the Labyrinth (2018)
(With Robert Venditti) - Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian (2019)
(With Robert Venditti)
The Heroes of Olympus Books in Publication Order
- The Lost Hero (2010)
- The Son of Neptune (2011)
- The Mark of Athena (2012)
- The House of Hades (2013)
- The Blood of Olympus (2014)
The Heroes of Olympus Companion Books in Publication Order
- The Demigod Diaries (2012)
- Camp Half-Blood Confidential (2017)
The Heroes of Olympus: The Graphic Novels Books
with Robert Venditti
- The Lost Hero (2014)
- The Son of Neptune (2017)
- The Mark of Athena (2019)
Kane Chronicles Books in Publication Order
- The Red Pyramid (2010)
- The Throne of Fire (2011)
- The Serpent’s Shadow (2012)
Kane Chronicles Companions Books in Publication Order
- The Kane Chronicles Survival Guide (2012)
- Demigods & Magicians (2015)
- Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (2018)
Kane Chronicles: The Graphic Novels Books
with Orpheus Collar
- The Red Pyramid (2012)
- The Throne of Fire (2015)
- The Serpent’s Shadow (2017)
Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover Books in Publication Order
- The Son of Sobek (2013)
- The Staff of Serapis (2014)
- The Crown of Ptolemy (2015)
- Demigods & Magicians (2015)
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Books in Publication Order
- The Sword of Summer (2015)
- The Hammer of Thor (2016)
- The Ship of the Dead (2017)
- 9 From the Nine Worlds (2018)
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Companion Books in Publication Order
- For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds (2016)
Nico Di Angelo Adventures Books
with Mark Oshiro
- The Sun and the Star (2023)
- The Court of the Dead (2025)
The Trials of Apollo Books in Publication Order
- Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo (2013)
- The Hidden Oracle (2016)
- The Dark Prophecy (2017)
- The Burning Maze (2018)
- The Tyrant’s Tomb (2019)
- Camp Jupiter Classified (Companion Book) (2020)
- The Tower of Nero (2020)
- Der Turm des Nero (2020)
(With Gabriele Haefs)
- Big Red Tequila (1997)
- The Widower’s Two-Step (1998)
- The Last King of Texas (2000)
- The Devil Went Down to Austin (2001)
- Southtown (2004)
- Mission Road (2005)
- Rebel Island (2007)
Standalone Novels Books in Publication Order
- Cold Springs (2003)
- Daughter of the Deep (2021)
Short Stories/Novellas Books in Publication Order
- A Small Silver Gun (1998)
The 39 Clues Books in Publication Order
- The Maze of Bones (2008)
- One False Note (2008)
(By Gordon Korman) - The Sword Thief (2009)
(By Peter Lerangis) - Beyond the Grave (2009)
(By Jude Watson) - The Black Circle (2009)
(By Patrick Carman) - In Too Deep (2009)
(By Jude Watson) - The Viper’s Nest (2010)
(By Peter Lerangis) - The 39 Clues: Agent Handbook (2010)
(By Scholastic Inc.) - The Emperor’s Code (2010)
(By Gordon Korman) - Storm Warning (2010)
(By Linda Sue Park) - Into the Gauntlet (2010)
(By Margaret Peterson Haddix) - Vespers Rising (2011)
(By Jude Watson) - The Black Book of Buried Secrets (Companion Book) (2012)
- Midnight Ride (2013)
(By Clifford Riley)
About Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan is an American author best known for writing fantasy adventure novels inspired by world mythology. His books have introduced millions of readers—especially younger audiences—to stories that combine ancient myths with modern settings. Through fast-paced storytelling and relatable characters, Riordan has created several interconnected series that explore Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythology.
Rick Riordan was born on June 5, 1964, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up with a strong interest in reading and storytelling, particularly mythology and folklore. Riordan later attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied English and history. These subjects would later influence the historical and mythological elements found throughout his novels.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Riordan worked for many years as a middle school teacher. Teaching history and English gave him firsthand insight into what kinds of stories captured the attention of young readers. His classroom experience would later shape his writing style, which emphasizes humor, adventure, and accessible storytelling.
Riordan’s first published novels were adult mystery books. His debut novel, Big Red Tequila (1997), introduced the character Tres Navarre, a private investigator based in Texas. The series earned critical recognition and won several awards within the mystery genre. Although successful, Riordan would eventually shift toward writing for younger audiences.
The idea that launched his most famous series began as a bedtime story for his son. When Riordan’s son developed an interest in Greek mythology while studying it in school, Riordan began inventing stories about a modern boy who discovers he is connected to the ancient Greek gods. That story eventually became Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
The first book in the series, The Lightning Thief (2005), introduced Percy Jackson, a twelve-year-old boy who learns he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. Percy soon discovers that other mythological figures exist in the modern world, leading him to attend a secret training camp for demigods. The novel quickly gained popularity among readers and educators alike.
Reading Rick Riordan’s books in publication order reveals how the Percy Jackson universe gradually expanded into a larger interconnected mythology-based world. Following the success of the original series, Riordan wrote additional series set in the same universe, including The Heroes of Olympus, The Trials of Apollo, and other mythology-inspired stories.
Riordan also explored different mythological traditions in separate series. For example, The Kane Chronicles draws from Egyptian mythology, while Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard focuses on Norse myths. These books maintain the same adventurous tone while introducing readers to new mythological traditions and characters.
One of Riordan’s defining strengths as a writer is his ability to make ancient mythology feel modern and accessible. His protagonists are typically teenagers who face everyday challenges—school struggles, friendships, and family issues—while also confronting mythological threats. This combination allows readers to connect with the characters while learning about mythological traditions.
The success of the Percy Jackson series eventually led to film adaptations and a television series, including Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The stories have also been adapted into graphic novels and stage productions, expanding the reach of Riordan’s fictional universe.
Over the course of his career, Rick Riordan has sold tens of millions of books worldwide and has been translated into dozens of languages. His novels are frequently praised for encouraging young readers to explore mythology and history while enjoying fast-paced adventure stories.
Following Rick Riordan’s books in publication order highlights the development of a literary universe that continues to grow across multiple series and mythological traditions. Through humor, imaginative storytelling, and memorable characters, Riordan has introduced a new generation of readers to the timeless legends of ancient myth.