Hunting for more great books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians?
The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series has been a bestseller for nearly two decades (The Lightning Thief was first published in 2006). The adventures of a boy who discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon have thrilled and delighted readers young and old.
Mixing ancient Greek legends with modern sensibilities has sparked a passion for Greek mythology and magic in many readers. the books have spawned two film adaptations and millions of fans and the popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
You are reading: Books like percy jackson for adults
If you have already absorbed Percy Adventures and are looking for series of books similar to Percy Jackson, we have compiled some suggestions below.
18 books like percy jackson & the Olympians
akata witch, by nnedi okorafor
Percy jackson-like books don’t just deal with western fantasy tropes. the akata witch is written by the extraordinarily talented nnedi okorafor.
The book follows Sunny, a 12-year-old girl born in New York, who now lives in Aba, Nigeria. sunny is an albino and her sensitivity to the sun makes life challenging. However, when she befriends Orlu and Chichi, Ella Sunny is exposed to the world of the Leopards, a magical group whose powers make your worst flaw your greatest power. Sunny and her friends are soon on a mission to hunt down Black Hat Otokoto, a man who has been kidnapping and maiming children.
This book is full of wonder and magic, and I was sad when it ended. just reading about a juju-powered bus called “the funky train” made me grin from ear to ear. If you’re bored with the same old Western interpretations of witchcraft and wizardry, add the akata witch to your reading list today.
an epic series of failures, by chris rylander
firmly in the stable of books to read if you like percy jackson, comes the legend of greg. this is the first novel in the collection an epic series of flops and if you don’t have a smile when you finish reading just one of these delights, well, there’s nothing I can do for you.
The story is fun from the beginning. Greg Belmont is a risk-averse guy who likes to be ordinary and reserved. The problem is that Greg is not ordinary. he is a fantastic dwarf who has to go on a quest after his father is kidnapped by a very murderous bro-troll.
Greg is relatable to any tween, and his antics will bring a smile to many adult readers as well. Fast-paced, fun, and full of goblins, dwarfs, magic, and more goblins and dwarfs, Percy Jackson fans should fall in love with this series.
tristan strong blasts a hole in the sky, by kwame mbalia
books similar to percy jackson like to instill tragedy and wonder in the reader. tristan strong burns a hole in the sky introduces us to tristan strong, a seventh grade boy who feels terribly weak after failing to save his best friend when they were both in a bus accident .
Sent to recuperate at his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, Tristan chases what looks like a rag doll when it steals his friend’s diary. Trying to snatch the diary from the doll, Tristan hits a tree and accidentally blows a hole in the middle pass.
Filled with iron monsters, a sea of flames, and haunted ships of bones, Tristan finds himself embroiled in a battle that has nearly exhausted America’s black gods, John Henry and Brer Rabbit.
In order to save the world and return home, Tristan and his new friends have to convince Anansi, the god of weaving (also known as the spider god), to come out of hiding and fix the hole Tristan made in the middle sky Percy Jackson fans will love Tristan. Unsure of himself every step of the way, he’s a more believable and flawed protagonist than most.
Filled with African mythology and rooted in the stories told by the many slaves brought to Europe and the United States against their will, tristan strong punches a hole in the sky is a book that needs to be read .
the city of coals, by jeanne duprau
Taking a slightly darker path than other percy jackson-like books is The City of Embers (Book of Embers 1).
ember was an underground city created by ‘the builders’ hundreds of years ago. it contained everything necessary for human survival. Except now, supplies are running low, corruption is rife, and the lights are going out.
Lina and Doon are two children who discover an ancient scroll that can lift everyone from the coals. but will anyone listen?
This precisely written novel will appeal to readers young and old. The focus and point of view are kept on Lina and Doon, who are attractive. they make mistakes. they get mad, they laugh and cry and they do everything that real kids (and adults) do in the real world. this is a great start to a wonderful series.
Have you already read this book? Check out our list of books like the city of coals!
aru shah and the end of time (pandava quartet part 1), by roshani chokshi
more books to read if you like percy jackson include all things related to the pandava quartet. The first book aru shah and the end times introduces us to aru, a 12-year-old girl who tends to stretch the truth to fit in at school.
While his classmates go on exotic vacations, Aru spends his time at the Museum of Art and Culture of Ancient India. when three of her classmates show up to catch her in a lie, they dare to light the supposedly cursed lamp of bharata.
aru thinks, “what the hell!” But he accidentally releases the sleeper, a powerful old demon who plans to awaken Kali, the god of destruction. With his classmates and his mother frozen in time, only Aru can save the world.
Two things make this series stand out, the fist is found within its depiction of Hindu cosmology and folklore. the second is within the character of aru herself. saving the world is only as much fun as the people you spend time with as a reader.
aru is a great character and the supporting cast really makes aru shah and the end of time a joy to read.
the storm runner, by j.c. cervantes
books like percy jackson often employ a clever combination of magic and strong characterization. The Storm Runner follows Zane, a boy nicknamed “Mr. Limps A Lot” by other kids at school.
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zane spends most of his time exploring the dormant volcano near his home. Only when new girl in school Brooks tells Zane that he is destined to free an evil god from an ancient Mayan relic does the story heat up.
publishers are calling for more stories that represent underrepresented groups in society. cervantes delivers himself in the character of zane, a disabled hispanic protagonist. This book has been championed by Rick Riordan as part of his “Rick Riordan Presents” series, and when you read it, you can see why.
magical creatures, an interesting and likeable protagonist and dangerous situations. It’s nice to see a Percy Jackson-like series of books that isn’t afraid to take some risks.
addison cooke series, by jonathan w. feed
Described as “goonies meet indiana jones via james patterson’s treasure hunters” comes a series like percy jackson that begs to be read.
addison cooke and the treasure of the incas introduces us to addison, a smart, soft-spoken 12-year-old boy with a great knowledge of history and archeology thanks to his world famous uncles and aunt. researchers.
The adventure begins when Addison’s uncle is kidnapped by a shadow organization. He climbs the Addison Steps to outwit kidnappers, save his uncle, and maybe find an ancient Incan treasure…all with the help of his friends.
These books are tailor-made for action-adventure audiences, but they contain more than a speck of ancient myth and legend. guaranteed to plant a smile on the face of any young reader.
magnus chase and the gods of asgard, by rick riordan
some books similar to percy jackson don’t hesitate to know where they get their inspiration from. the sword of summer introduces us to magnus chase, a boy who has been through more than most children his age. Living rough and alone on the streets of Boston, he survives thanks to his ingenuity.
When Magnus’ uncle Randolph tracks him down to ramble on about Norse history and Magnus’ birthright, Magnus begins to remember things from before. Which is, of course, when a fire giant begins to attack the city leaving Magnus with a choice: the safety or the lives of his fellow citizens.
The world building of the magnus chase and the gods of asgard series has drawn so many readers to riordan’s work. Magnus is the right side of the sarcastic teenager, but there are more than enough funny moments in the novel to keep reading.
the wizards at once, by cressida cowell
Cressida Cowell is well known for the How to Train Your Dragon series of books, but Wizards at Once is a delightful mid-grade series that will appeal to any Percy Jackson fan.
xar is a wizard boy who has not yet entered his magic. wish is a warrior girl that xar accidentally captures while searching for a witch to steal magic from. They soon realize that they have to work together if they want to stand a chance of saving their land by taking on the evil queen in the warrior’s fort.
This is a simple story with a lot of heart and a lot of magic. it’s full of humor, has some interesting twists, and while it’s a bit generic in places, it’s written with a joy that’s just adorable. a fun series of books to read that are similar to percy jackson in terms of wonder and delight.
anansi boys, by neil gaiman
there are also books like percy jackson for adults. anansi boys follows fat charlie nancy as she learns from the death of her father (who dropped dead on a karaoke stage in florida) to the fact that her father was a god. oh, and she has a brother named spider who just showed up on her doorstep.
many people see this book as a sequel to american gods, but gaiman himself has said otherwise. Set in the same world and featuring recognizable characters from the previous novel, anansi boys is an exciting, magical and fun ride, along with fat charlie and the spider as things go from bad to worse. personally i feel like the anansi boys are a top read on american gods, but i realize i may be a wise minority opinion.
However, if you’re looking for titles similar to Percy Jackson told from a slightly more adult perspective, anansi boys is one to read.
are you a fan of neil gaiman? Check out our list for more books like Coraline!
the immortals (olympus bound 1), by jordanna max brodsky
another series of books like percy jackson for adults is jordanna max brodsky’s olympus bound series. manhattan gods murders. that alone was enough to sell me the first book.
The protagonist is Selene Disilva, a literal loner who prefers her own company (apart from her dog) to anyone else’s. However, when Selene finds the body of a young woman, her discovery ignites her own ancient anger, because Selene is not just another lonely human. the greek gods literally walk the earth in this series and have been with us for a long time.
The advent of science and technology has somewhat depleted her powers, but the goddess of the hunt is on the murder case, making the story thoroughly entertaining and believable. read it now!
knights of borrowed darkness, by dave rudden
Percy Jackson-like books often pit a seemingly “normal” child against almighty magical beings and powers, only for the normal child to discover his own power. borrowed dark knights plays into this trope, but in a slightly different way.
denizen hardwick is an orphan who discovers a connection to an ancient order of knights who keep shadow monsters at bay. But are gentlemen all they seem? And does the inhabitant have the right to doubt his claims that it is his destiny to join them?
a darker fantasy than percy jackson, knights of borrowed darkness enjoys setting expectations before subverting them. worth reading.
the wingfeather saga series, by andrew peterson
the wingfeather saga is another series of books similar to percy jackson that is worth reading. pirates, monsters and wonders abound in these books. The Igibys are three children who live with their dog, Nugget, in a cabin on the cliffs in the dark sea of darkness.
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Together they will need all their gifts and love to stay ahead of the dang fangs, an evil race that crossed the sea to rule the land. the wingfeather saga can be seen as a war story. the characters’ lives are thrown into chaos when an invading force arrives.
there are humans and other creatures that give the whole set a kind of middle-earth vibe (minus a magic ring). this is great for any young reader who wants a bit of a grittier read.
guardians of the griffin claw (sam london 1), by todd calgi gallicano
another series of books similar to percy jackson is the brilliant action adventures of sam london. this is a fantastic set of novels that take place in famous national parks.
sam london is our protagonist, a boy attracted by a magical adventure. It all begins when Sam has a dream about a mythical griffin that leads him to discover an ancient secret. Recruited by ranger and zoologist Dr Vance Vantana, before embarking on an adventure across the globe, Sam discovers another world that coexists with our own.
many readers have described the sam london series as the meeting between harry potter and the lord of the rings, and it’s easy to see why when you read the books. Sam discovers government departments dedicated to ensuring that the human world isn’t too affected by the magical world, and there are plenty of nods to Middle-earth.
The result is a series of hilarious, action-packed adventures that many 12-year-olds would enjoy.
akarnae (medoran chronicles book 1), by lynette noni
Who hasn’t dreamed of walking through a magical door into another world? That’s exactly what happens to 16-year-old Alex Jennings on her first day of school. Stranded in the fantasy world of Medora and desperate to get home, Alex discovers that only the mysterious Professor Marselle can help. there is only one problem: he is missing.
Meanwhile, Alex begins attending Akarnae Academy, a boarding school for teenagers with extraordinary gifts, and discovers that something very sinister is going on. Sometimes silly and thoughtful, The Medoran Chronicles is another set of books like Percy Jackson that benefit from not taking themselves too seriously.
a good read for fans of the adventures of mr. jackson.
the relic of the dangerous falls (will wilder 1), by raymond creek
Some Percy Jackson-like books revel in their comparison to the work of Rick Riordan. When the cover of a novel proudly announces “rick riordan’s percy jackson fans,” you know what you’re getting.
will wilder is a brash and headstrong 12-year-old boy with the ability to see dark creatures invading his hometown of dangerous waterfalls. Things go horribly wrong when Will “borrows” an ancient relic that has protected the city for centuries, and it’s up to Will to make it right before more bad things happen.
will himself isn’t as instantly likeable as other protagonists. he is disobedient but pays for the mistakes he makes, endearing him to the reader. Playing with religious mythology (specifically Catholic traditions), the will wilder series is worth a look.
gregor the overlander (underground chronicles 1), by suzanne collins
more books to read if you like percy jackson include the underground chronicles by suzanne collins. Collins is now best known for the Hunger Games trilogy, but did you know she also wrote for the ’90s show Clarissa Explains It All? In any case, far from all that fame is this darkly exciting series of novels beginning with gregor the overlander.
Gregor is a boy who falls through a door in his laundry room into a secret underworld beneath New York City. While he’s there, he discovers a prophecy that claims that Gregor has a role to play in the future of the Underland and it’s all tied to the disappearance of his father.
This is easily accessible to percy jackson fans and also has some crossover appeal for the adult reader. Eagle-eyed readers who have read Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere (first published in 1996) will notice many similarities between the two novels, but they are different enough to warrant reading.
neverwhere is aimed firmly at the older reader, while underground chronicles is aimed at a much younger mid-grade/already audience.
sagebrush bird, by eoin colfer
at first, you really want to hate artemis fowl. he is a 12 year old millionaire genius and a criminal mastermind. however, his overconfidence makes him endearing, especially when he bites off more than he can chew while kidnapping a very dangerous fairy.
In Artemis Fowl, the fairies aren’t the same as they are in bedtime stories, which makes Artemis’ attempts to hold on to the fairy both fun and exciting.
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multiple parties, including the lep (lower element police) attempt to retrieve the fairy from artemis, introducing the reader to much magic, humor, and adventure.
if you like books like percy jackson, then you should choose the artemis fowl series.
Have you already read this series? check out our list of books like artemis fowl!
gods. Magic. adventure. brave protagonists. everything can be found in the recommendations above. There’s a good chance that if you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series and the Olympics, you’ll find at least one book here to enjoy. however, don’t take our word for it. Let us know if there’s a title you think we’ve missed!
Looking for more books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians? Do you have any recommendations that are not on the list? tell us in the comments!
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