If You Love Percy Jackson, These 10 Stories Are Perfect For You Next

As a lifelong movie and book fan, I have to admit the world Rick Riordan created with Percy Jackson really stuck with me – from the quirky Camp Half-Blood to the hidden Mount Olympus atop the Empire State Building. It wasn’t just a fun story; it showed me that being different could actually be your greatest strength. When I finished the original five books, though, I felt that familiar pang of sadness, like saying goodbye to old friends. Luckily, the magic didn’t end there! If you’re craving that same witty humor, a deeper look into the tragic side of the gods, or even a story told from the perspective of the ‘bad guys,’ there are tons of other books out there just waiting to be discovered. It’s a world I keep revisiting, and I’m always excited to find something new.

Whether it’s through online comics with a fresh take on myths or emotionally powerful stage shows, these stories pay tribute to the gods of the past while also creating exciting new narratives.

10) Lore Olympus (Rachel Smythe)

Rachel Smythe’s captivating webcomic, now available as a graphic novel, offers a fresh take on the classic story of Hades and Persephone. Her reimagining of Greek mythology, set in a vividly colorful world, feels similar to the engaging stories in The Lightning Thief, but focuses on the relationships and power struggles among the gods. The bright and dynamic artwork makes these immortal characters feel surprisingly relatable and human.

While it’s a captivating romance, Lore Olympus also thoughtfully explores difficult topics like trauma and how power affects relationships. Fans who grew up with Percy Jackson will find it especially appealing as they get older. It’s a visually stunning and emotionally engaging story that feels like a grown-up look at the lives of the gods – what they were doing behind the scenes while creating chaos for demigods at Camp Half-Blood.

9) Hadestown

If you’re a fan of Nico di Angelo or the Percy Jackson series’ journey to the Underworld, you won’t want to miss Hadestown. This award-winning musical retells the classic myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone, with a unique setting inspired by the industrial era of the Great Depression. The show’s folk and jazz-infused music beautifully brings to life this enduring story of love, uncertainty, and fighting against a harsh reality.

The musical Hadestown evokes a similar hopeful spirit to Percy Jackson, even though they’re very different. Its central ideas – courage and the transformative power of love, in all its forms – are instantly captivating. Hadestown beautifully reminds us that we revisit classic tales not to change the outcome, but to gain insight into what it means to be human.

8) Ariadne (Jennifer Saint)

Jennifer Saint’s novel offers a fresh perspective on Greek mythology by centering the stories of women often overlooked, rather than focusing on the traditional heroes. It delves into the life of Ariadne, the Princess of Crete, portraying her as a complex woman torn between family duty and her desire for independence. This imaginative retelling of a classic myth provides a realistic and relatable glimpse into the world of ancient Greece.

Readers who appreciated the complex characters in Rick Riordan’s books, like Annabeth Chase and Thalia Grace, will find Ariadne a compelling exploration of how the gods’ actions impacted those around them. It offers a raw and realistic look at Greek mythology, moving beyond the familiar heroic tales to reveal the strength and determination needed to live in a world governed by unpredictable deities. Ariadne is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a more mature and thoughtful take on these classic myths.

7) Circe (Madeline Miller)

Though Circe appeared as a supporting character in stories like The Odyssey and Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, Madeline Miller gives this often-labeled “witch” her own powerful and epic tale. Exiled to the island of Aiaia, Circe discovers her strength through the use of herbs and magic. It’s a grand story about change, becoming a mother, and finding out who you are when the world is afraid of strong women.

Miller’s writing brings a powerful sense of realism and risk to the mythical world with every page. Readers who enjoy Percy Jackson will find recognizable characters like Hermes, Prometheus, and Odysseus, but Circe offers a fresh, deeply personal, and surprisingly grand perspective on them. This book is a brilliant exploration of character – or perhaps a reimagining of it – demonstrating that even the most overlooked figures from mythology deserve to have their stories told.

6) The Song of Achilles (Madeline Miller)

Before becoming a legendary Greek warrior, Achilles was simply a young man who fell in love. Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles reimagines the classic story of the Iliad from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles’ close friend and lover. Like Percy Jackson often felt, the characters in this novel are burdened by fate, but the story focuses on a deeply moving, yet heartbreaking, romance. Even knowing the tragic outcome, readers will find themselves desperately hoping for a different ending for Achilles and Patroclus as the Trojan War approaches.

Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles is a moving story exploring the price of fame and the strength of love. Though it’s more serious than Rick Riordan’s books, it shares a similar appreciation for its original source material and powerfully portrays the emotional challenges of being human when caught in the schemes of the gods. Prepare to be deeply moved – and likely to cry – by the end.

5) Stone Blind (Natalie Haynes)

Most people know Medusa as a frightening monster with snakes for hair, but Natalie Haynes encourages us to reconsider her story. Her insightful and cleverly written book reimagines Medusa as a human unfairly punished for something that happened to her, not something she did. It’s a powerful examination of how we define monsters and heroes, and how ancient myths often unfairly portrayed women.

This novel feels similar to the witty, self-aware style of Percy Jackson, but with a sharper, more satirical voice. It playfully questions the classic stories of heroes like Perseus and Athena, making you rethink everything you thought you knew about the Greek gods. Stone Blind is a must-read for those who like stories that aren’t afraid to challenge traditional myths.

4) The Kane Chronicles (Rick Riordan)

If you enjoyed Rick Riordan’s books and aren’t ready to stop reading about mythology, The Kane Chronicles is a great choice. This series follows siblings Carter and Sadie Kane as they navigate a world of Egyptian gods and magic, rather than Greek. The story is told as if through recordings made by both Carter and Sadie, which makes it a quick-paced and exciting adventure filled with humor as they fight against the forces of Set and Apophis. It’s a globe-trotting story packed with ancient magic!

This series stands out because of how it builds on the world established in Rick Riordan’s other books. Unlike stories set in entirely new worlds, the different mythologies – Egyptian, as seen in The Kane Chronicles, and Greek from Percy Jackson – all coexist. The Egyptian magic system is unique and wonderfully intricate, offering a fresh and exciting experience. It still captures the heart of Percy Jackson – focusing on found family, intense adventures, and characters you’ll love – while beautifully showcasing a different culture.

3) The Trials of Apollo (Rick Riordan)

Imagine a god losing their powers and having to live life as a regular teenager. That’s the starting point for this series, which continues the story from The Heroes of Olympus. Apollo, now going by the name Lester Papadopoulos, is just a human and must complete a series of difficult challenges to earn back his place among the gods. The Trials of Apollo – another five-book series – is a funny and surprisingly moving story about finding yourself and making amends.

Experiencing the world as a disgraced god offers a fresh viewpoint on the familiar immortals that longtime Percy Jackson readers have come to know—and maybe even dislike. This series forces Apollo to deal with the fallout from his own choices, leading to significant character growth throughout the entire story. The Trials of Apollo also features many beloved original characters and shows how they’ve all changed and matured.

2) Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard (Rick Riordan)

Magnus Chase is an unusual hero – the story actually begins with his death! This series explores Norse mythology, following a teenage homeless boy (who’s connected to Annabeth Chase) as he discovers he’s in Valhalla, getting ready for the end of the world, Ragnarok. Many fans consider it Rick Riordan’s most humorous series, playfully embracing the wildness of Viking legends alongside plenty of action.

Rick Riordan’s Magnus Chase features a truly memorable and inclusive cast of characters, like Loki’s gender-fluid child and a deaf elf whose magic is expressed through sign language. The story’s hero, Magnus, is a welcome change of pace—he’s more interested in helping others than fighting. It’s a vibrant and exciting adventure through Norse mythology that you won’t want to miss!

1) KAOS

This short Netflix series offers a fresh, dark take on Greek mythology, similar to a more mature version of Percy Jackson. Jeff Goldblum stars as Zeus, a worried and anxious god who believes his time as ruler is threatened. The show blends several famous myths – like those of Orpheus, Prometheus, and the Minotaur – into a modern, suspenseful thriller where the gods are actually real.

KAOS brilliantly reimagines ancient gods in a modern setting, capturing a unique and edgy aesthetic. It’s a funny, high-stakes story where the fate of the world hangs in the balance. If you loved Percy Jackson as a kid and are now looking for a more mature, delightfully chaotic read, KAOS is a great choice.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/anime/feature/disneys-biggest-returning-show-of-2025-is-the-perfect-reminder-to-read-this-series/embed/#

2025-12-22 19:20