Before the new Percy Jackson show: How to read the Rick Riordan-verse

7) The Trials of Apollo

And we once again return to Greek and Roman mythology. This time, we see the world through the eyes of the god Apollo, who has been sent to earth as a human by Zeus as a punishment. Why has he been sent to Earth as a human? What does this mean for the gods of Olympus and the demigods at Camp Half-Blood, the camp where demigods like Percy are trained to use their powers (and its Roman equivalent Camp Jupiter)?

We find out the answers to these questions in these five books:

1. The Hidden Oracle
2. The Dark Prophecy
3. The Burning Maze
4. The Tyrant’s Tomb
5. The Tower of Nero

This book yokes together the Greek and Roman mythologies that Riordan has been building for so long. Much to his irritation, Percy gets dragged into the chaos (again), although the storyline mostly follows Apollo and his closest friend and demigod Meg. We also see favorite characters from the Heroes of Olympus series again. Questions about the ramifications of the events in Heroes of Olympus are raised and addressed; it feels like the baton is passed from one group of demigods to another. While Percy and Annabeth will always be around, they are slowly but surely passing on responsibility to a new generation of heroes.

This series overlaps with Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard but eventually moves beyond it, which is why I suggest reading the Gods of Asgard books first. Also, Annabeth’s appearance in the Gods of Asgard will have you asking questions which will be answered to your satisfaction in The Trials of Apollo.

Bonus Note!

You know the drill by now: The Trials of Apollo has some companion books you can read or not as you choose!

First up we have Camp Half-Blood Confidential. Do not read this book until you’re read through at least book 2 of The Trials of Apollo, as otherwise you will be spoiled. Spoiler-wise, this book is safe to read anytime after reading The Dark Prophecy. Whether you choose to read it after that or once you’ve read all five Trials of Apollo books is up to you.

Second we have Camp Jupiter Classified, a novella which explores a mystery in the Twelfth Legion at Camp Jupiter. Camp Jupiter Classified was published shortly before the final Trials of Apollo book, so it can be read between The Tyrant’s Tomb and The Tower of Nero. It can also be read once you finish the entirety of The Trials of Apollo.

8) The Sun and the Star

The first (and only) book in the Riordan-verse which is not written by Rick Riordan alone, The Sun and the Star follows beloved characters Nico di Angelo and Will Solace as they travel into the Underworld to help a Titan named Bob. Co-written with Mark Oshiro, this story ties up loose ends left behind from the Heroes of Olympus books while also giving Nico a much-deserved solo story. As the son of Hades, Nico is no stranger to conflict, and it’s nice in this standalone to finally see him find some peace, joy, and closure.

It’s very difficult to summarize this book without spoiling other books, but this is the Riordan-verse going back to its roots: Greek mythology, prophecy, adventure, and deep love and friendship combined into a fast-paced page-turner which stays with you long after you finish reading.

Phew! We made it!

If you made it to the end of this, congratulations! I hope you feel equipped to read the Riordan-verse now. It’s a long series but an incredibly fun one, and one thing can always be guaranteed: Rick Riordan will keep surprising you with the way he manages to modernize and create new stories out of old myths.

Rick Riordan’s books are available to purchase now. Percy Jackson and the Olympians will begin streaming on Disney+ from December 20.

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