Rick Riordan didn't just write a series about a kid with ADHD and dyslexia who finds out his dad is a Greek god. He basically saved middle-grade reading. If you've walked into a bookstore lately, you've seen the percy jackson books set—usually in a bright, neon-colored box—sitting prominently on the shelf. It’s been twenty years since The Lightning Thief first hit the scene, and honestly, the staying power is kind of ridiculous.
Most series fade. They get a movie, the hype peaks, and then they're relegated to the "nostalgia" bin. Percy Jackson is different. Maybe it’s because the books are genuinely funny. Or maybe it’s because Riordan tapped into a formula that makes ancient mythology feel like it’s happening in a back alley in Queens.
Whatever the reason, if you're looking to buy a percy jackson books set, there are actually a few things you need to know first because it's not just one five-book series anymore. It’s a massive, sprawling universe that fans call the "Riordanverse."
The Core Five: What’s Actually in the Original Percy Jackson Books Set?
When people talk about the "original" set, they mean Percy Jackson & The Olympians. This is the foundation. It’s five books, starting with The Lightning Thief and ending with The Last Olympian.
Percy starts at age twelve. By the end, he’s sixteen.
You’ve got a very specific arc here. It’s the prophecy of the "Great Prophecy." The stakes start with a stolen lightning bolt and end with an all-out war in the streets of Manhattan while mortals are literally asleep. If you buy a percy jackson books set today, you’re usually getting the trade paperbacks.
They’ve redesigned the covers about four times now. Some people swear by the original John Rocco covers with the classic, painterly style. Others like the new, minimalist 20th-anniversary editions. Honestly, the internal text is the same, so don't stress the aesthetics too much unless you're a hardcore collector.
Why the ADHD and Dyslexia Angle Actually Matters
Riordan wrote these because his son, Haley, was struggling in school. Haley had ADHD and dyslexia. He loved myths, but he didn't see himself in the heroes.
So, Riordan made those "disabilities" into "superpowers." In this world, if your brain is "hardwired for Ancient Greek," you're going to struggle with English. If you have hyper-active battle reflexes, you aren't going to sit still in a math class. It changed the game for a lot of kids. It wasn't just a plot point; it was a lifeline.
Moving Beyond the First Set: The Heroes of Olympus
Here is where it gets tricky for parents or new readers. You finish the first percy jackson books set and think you’re done. You aren't.
👉 See also: Why Go To Work SpongeBob Memes Still Capture Our Daily Burnout So Perfectly
The Heroes of Olympus is the direct sequel series. It adds five more books to the shelf. This time, Riordan brings in Roman mythology.
- The Lost Hero
- The Son of Neptune
- The Mark of Athena
- The House of Hades
- The Blood of Olympus
The scale is bigger. Instead of just Percy's perspective, you get a rotating cast of seven different demigods. Some people find the perspective-shifting a bit jarring compared to Percy’s snarky first-person voice, but The House of Hades is widely considered one of the best books Riordan has ever written. It’s dark. It’s heavy. It deals with the literal pits of Tartarus.
The 2024 and 2025 Renaissance
If you thought the story ended a decade ago, you missed the news. With the debut of the Disney+ show, Riordan returned to Percy’s POV.
We now have The Chalice of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess.
These are "senior year" books. Percy is trying to get letters of recommendation from gods so he can get into New Rome University. It’s lower stakes but high nostalgia. If you’re buying a percy jackson books set as a gift, these usually aren't included in the "boxed sets" yet. You’ll have to buy them as standalones.
Hardcover vs. Paperback: The Collector's Dilemma
Which one should you get?
Paperbacks are better for actual reading. They’re light. You can shove them in a backpack. The "boxed set" paperbacks are usually the most cost-effective way to get the whole story.
🔗 Read more: Pics of Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman: Why They Still Define the Hero
Hardcovers are for the shelf. If you're a collector, look for the "Illustrated Editions." They are gorgeous. But be warned: they are heavy enough to serve as a blunt force weapon if a Minotaur actually attacks you.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
One: "It's just for kids."
Sure, the target age is 9-12. But the humor is surprisingly sharp. Riordan mocks the gods constantly. Dionysus is a grumpy camp director who can’t get people’s names right. Ares is a biker. It’s clever in a way that resonates with adults who grew up on the books.
Two: "The movies are a good substitute."
No. Just no.
Even Rick Riordan famously hasn't watched them. He’s been very vocal about how the scripts butchered the source material—aging the characters up too fast and combining plots in ways that made no sense. If you want the real story, you have to read the percy jackson books set or watch the new TV series, which Riordan actually produced.
How to Spot a High-Quality Set
Check the spine. Cheap sets use "mass market" paper—that thin, greyish paper that yellows in six months. Look for "Trade Paperbacks." They use acid-free paper and stay white much longer.
Also, look for the "extras." Some sets come with a poster of Camp Half-Blood or a map of the Underworld. If you’re a nerd for lore, those little additions make the purchase feel much more substantial.
What to Read After the Main Sets?
Once the percy jackson books set is sitting on your shelf and you've devoured it, the "Riordanverse" expands even further.
📖 Related: Why Harry Potter under the stairs is actually the darkest part of the whole series
- The Kane Chronicles: Egyptian mythology. Same universe, different magic system.
- Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Norse mythology. Magnus is actually Annabeth Chase’s cousin.
- The Trials of Apollo: This is the "finale" of the main Greek/Roman storyline. It follows the god Apollo after he's turned into a flabby human teenager named Lester. It’s surprisingly emotional.
Actionable Steps for New Readers
If you are ready to dive in, don't just buy the first book. Buying a full percy jackson books set is almost always cheaper than buying them one by one.
- Check the ISBN: Ensure you’re getting the "20th Anniversary" or the "TV Tie-in" covers if you want the newest look.
- Verify the Book Count: A standard PJO set should have 5 books. If it has 3, it’s an incomplete "starter" set.
- Start with PJO: Do not start with The Heroes of Olympus. You will be confused. The world-building builds on itself linearly.
- Support Indie Shops: Check Bookshop.org or your local mom-and-pop store. They often have the boxed sets in stock because they're perennial bestsellers.
The best way to experience these is to read them fast. The pacing is designed for it. Most chapters end on a cliffhanger. Before you know it, you’ve spent four hours reading about a kid fighting a chimera in the St. Louis Arch. That’s the magic of the series. It’s fast, it’s funny, and it actually makes you care about characters who feel like they could be your friends.
Grab the set, clear your weekend, and get ready to head to Camp Half-Blood. It’s a one-way trip, but the view of Olympus is worth it.