If you walked into a bookstore back in 2009 and asked for the percy jackson book series how many books are there, the clerk would have given you a simple answer: five. You had the original pentalogy, from The Lightning Thief to The Last Olympian, and that was that. Percy’s story was "over." Rick Riordan had effectively closed the book on our favorite seaweed brain.
But then things got weird. And complicated. And honestly? Pretty awesome for those of us who weren't ready to leave Camp Half-Blood.
As of early 2026, if you’re trying to count the books, you’re looking at a much larger number than five. Depending on how you define a "Percy Jackson book," you’re either looking at 7 main-line novels, 17 books in the direct "Camp Half-Blood Chronicles," or over 30 if you count every spin-off, crossover, and companion guide in the Riordanverse.
It’s a lot to keep track of.
Breaking Down the Percy Jackson Book Series How Many Books Are There Right Now
The most direct answer focuses on the series actually titled Percy Jackson and the Olympians. For over a decade, this was a closed set. Then, Disney+ happened. To help generate hype for the show, Rick Riordan returned to Percy’s perspective for a new trilogy often called the "Senior Year Adventures."
This changed everything.
The core series now consists of seven main novels. You have the classic five that most of us grew up with, plus the newer additions that follow Percy, Annabeth, and Grover as they navigate the terrifying world of college applications.
- The Lightning Thief (The one where it all starts)
- The Sea of Monsters
- The Titan’s Curse
- The Battle of the Labyrinth
- The Last Olympian (The original "ending")
- The Chalice of the Gods (The 2023 comeback)
- Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Released in late 2024)
There is a third book planned for this "Senior Year" arc, which would bring the total to eight, but as we sit here in 2026, the focus has been heavily on the TV production and side projects like The Court of the Dead.
The Expansion: Heroes of Olympus and Beyond
You can't really talk about how many books are in the series without mentioning The Heroes of Olympus. While Percy isn't the sole protagonist, he's a massive part of the story. This series adds five more chunky novels to the tally. This is where we meet the Roman demigods and Jason Grace, and where the stakes go from "save the gods" to "stop the literal Earth from waking up."
If you add those five to the seven "Olympians" books, you’re at 12.
Then comes The Trials of Apollo. Percy shows up here and there, mostly as a cameo or a supporting character, but the events are direct sequels to the previous books. That’s another five books. Now we are at 17.
Wait. We aren't done.
The "Hidden" Books and Crossovers
Basically, the Riordanverse is like the MCU. Everything is connected. If you’re a completionist, you have to account for the standalone novels and the short story collections.
In 2023, we got The Sun and the Star, a Nico di Angelo adventure. It’s a full-length novel co-written by Mark Oshiro. It’s essential reading if you care about the characters, even if Percy isn’t the guy on the cover. Then there are the crossover stories like Demigods and Magicians, where Percy meets the characters from the Egyptian-themed Kane Chronicles.
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Is The Red Pyramid a Percy Jackson book? Technically, no. But does it exist in the same room? Absolutely.
If you’re just counting the books where Percy is a primary narrator or a major lead, you’re basically looking at 17 novels. If you include the companion guides like The Demigod Files or Camp Half-Blood Confidential, that number jumps past 20.
Why the count is so confusing
Most people get frustrated because the numbering on the spines doesn't always make sense. For example, The Chalice of the Gods is often marketed as "Book 6" of the original series, even though it was written 14 years after Book 5.
It’s a gap that catches new readers off guard. You finish The Last Olympian and think you should jump to Chalice, but you’ll be spoiled on everything that happened in Heroes of Olympus. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly.
The Best Way to Read Them All
If you’re trying to tackle this mountain of paper, don't just follow the titles. Follow the release dates.
- The Original Five: Start with The Lightning Thief through The Last Olympian.
- The Heroes of Olympus: Read all five of these next.
- The Trials of Apollo: Yes, all five.
- The Senior Year Trilogy: Read Chalice of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess now. Even though they take place chronologically before Apollo, they feel better as a "nostalgia trip" after the heavy stuff.
- The Nico Adventure: The Sun and the Star.
This path keeps the spoilers at bay and ensures you actually understand why certain characters are dating or why others are... well, not around anymore.
What’s Next for the Series?
Rick Riordan isn't exactly slowing down. With the Disney+ show moving into its second season (The Sea of Monsters) in 2025/2026, the interest in the books has skyrocketed again. We are still waiting on the final book in the college recommendation letter trilogy.
There’s also constant talk about more "Nico-style" standalones. Fans are desperate for a Hunters of Artemis book or something focusing on Reyna.
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So, if you’re asking percy jackson book series how many books are there because you’re looking to buy a complete box set, my advice is: wait. Or just buy the individual sets. There is no such thing as a "complete" set because Rick keeps adding more rooms to the house.
To stay on top of your collection, keep an eye on the official "Read Riordan" site or your local indie shop. The count is currently at 7 for the main series and 17 for the overall "Chronicles," but by this time next year? That could easily change again.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check your library's digital app (like Libby or Libby) for the "Senior Year" books. They are often available as e-books with shorter wait times than the classics.
- Verify the edition. If you're buying The Sea of Monsters in 2026, look for the "Disney+ Tie-in" version if you want the extra behind-the-scenes photos from the set.
- Map out your path. Decide now if you're a "main story only" reader or a "read every single spin-off" reader. It will save you a lot of money at the register.