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Rick Riordan

American · b. 196435 books
FantasyYoung AdultMythologyAdventure

Making ancient mythology irresistibly fun and accessible for millions of young readers worldwide.

Biography

Rick Riordan is an American author best known for the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series that reimagines Greek mythology for modern young readers. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1964, he spent fifteen years as a middle school English teacher before becoming a full-time writer. His books have sold over 45 million copies worldwide and spawned multiple bestselling series covering Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies. Riordan is widely credited with sparking a new generation's interest in classical mythology through humor, adventure, and diverse representation.

Best Starting Book

The Lightning Thief

A perfectly paced introduction to Riordan's mythological universe — funny, clever, and immediately addictive, it works equally well for young readers and adults.

Reading Order

1

The Lightning Thief

The book that started it all — a twelve-year-old discovers he's the son of Poseidon in this witty, fast-paced Greek mythology adventure.

2

The Last Olympian

The epic finale of Percy Jackson's original arc, delivering an emotionally satisfying payoff to the series' overarching prophecy.

3

The Lost Hero

Launches the Heroes of Olympus series, expanding the world to include Roman demigods and a new ensemble cast.

4

The Red Pyramid

A fresh entry point into Egyptian mythology through the Kane siblings — showcases Riordan's versatility beyond Greek myths.

5

The Sword of Summer

Tackles Norse mythology with Riordan's signature humor, introducing Magnus Chase in a wildly entertaining new series.

Books by Rick Riordan