So, you've blasted through the Percy Jackson series, right? Camp Half-Blood feels like a second home. You know your Greek gods better than your own relatives (let's be honest, Zeus is more dramatic than Uncle Bob anyway). That final page turns, and... ugh. Now what? That familiar ache starts – the desperate hunt for books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians that scratch that same itch. I've been there too. Many times. Finding truly similar replacements can feel harder than battling the Minotaur in your PJs.

It's not just about finding *any* mythology book. You want that perfect cocktail Rick Riordan mixed: laugh-out-loud humor, breakneck adventure you can't put down, characters who feel like your best mates, and ancient myths woven into our modern world like it's the most natural thing ever. Plus, you probably secretly wish you'd get claimed by a godly parent any day now. Admit it.

What Makes Percy Jackson Tick? (So You Know What to Hunt For)

Pinpointing why you loved Percy helps find the best alternatives. Let's break down the magic formula:

• Modern Myth Mashup: Gods and monsters walking down Fifth Avenue? Check. It's the collision of ancient power with smartphones and sarcastic teens.
• Relatable Underdog Heroes: Percy wasn't top of the class. He had ADHD and dyslexia (reframed as battle reflexes and ancient Greek reading!). Heroes who stumble, joke, and doubt themselves feel real.
• Humor That Hits: Riordan’s wit is legendary. The jokes land because they feel authentic to how kids actually talk and think, especially when faced with absurdly terrifying situations.
• Fast-Paced, Quest-Driven Plot: Rarely a dull moment. Prophecies! Monsters! Betrayals! Road trips across the US with mythical consequences! It keeps pages turning.
• Found Family Feels: Camp Half-Blood is core. Finding your people, your place, when you never quite fit in before? Powerful stuff.
• Accessible Mythology: Riordan makes complex myths understandable and wildly entertaining without dumbing them down.

Finding books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians means seeking stories that deliver on several (ideally most!) of these fronts. It's about capturing that *feeling*.

Your Ultimate Guide: Books Like Percy Jackson Broken Down

Okay, let's get to the good stuff. Forget endless scrolling. Here’s a deep dive into series and standalones that capture the Percy spirit, categorized to match what you might be craving most. I've read stacks of these, and some really stand out, while others... well, I'll be honest.

Craving More Mythology? Dive Into Different Pantheons

Riordan himself expanded beyond Greece with his other series. These are often the next logical step for fans seeking books similar to Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

I remember picking up Tristan Strong after finishing Riordan's stuff. Honestly? Blew me away. The way Mbalia weaves West African Anansi stories and African American folklore feels fresh and powerful. The Gum Baby character? Pure chaotic comic relief gold. Riordan Presents (his imprint publishing these) is a goldmine for books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians but exploring other cultures.

Need That Fast-Paced Adventure & Humor Combo?

If the breakneck speed and constant sarcasm are your jam, these deliver:

• Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer: Okay, not mythology. BUT. Hear me out. Artemis is a teenage criminal mastermind (think evil Percy-genius?) who kidnaps a fairy for ransom. Hilarious, action-packed, tech meets magic (fairy commandos!), and incredible world-building under our feet. The dynamic between Artemis and his fierce bodyguard, Butler, evolves brilliantly. Starts with *Artemis Fowl*. (Note: Starts a bit slow, stick with it!)
• Skulduggery Pleasant Series by Derek Landy: Skeleton detective. Magical underworld. Snark levels OFF THE CHARTS. Valkyrie Cain (Stephanie Edgley) stumbles into a world of sorcerers, monsters, and evil. Her partner? A wise-cracking, fireball-throwing skeleton named Skulduggery. Darker than Percy, incredibly violent at times, but the humor is razor-sharp and the action relentless. Starts with *Skulduggery Pleasant*. Warning: Gets progressively darker.
• How to Train Your Dragon Series by Cressida Cowell: Vastly different (and better!) than the movies. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a scrawny Viking heir who fails miserably at dragon training. Told in Hiccup's hilarious, self-deprecating voice with scribbly "translations" of Old Norse. Full of heart, adventure, and laughs about friendship and finding your strength. Starts with *How to Train Your Dragon*.

Artemis Fowl was my jam as a kid. That first heist? Genius. But is it *exactly* like Percy? Nah. The humor is similar, the pace is frantic, but the vibe is more tech-espionage meets fairy folk. Still, if you need that page-turning, laugh-out-loud fix, it absolutely delivers.

Looking for Strong Characters & Found Family?

If Camp Half-Blood's bonds were your favorite part, these focus on belonging:

Nevermoor... wow. Jessica Townsend creates a world that just swallows you whole. Morrigan arriving at the Hotel Deucalion gave me that same "coming home" feeling as Percy arriving at camp. It's spectacularly imaginative.

Standalones or Shorter Series Worth a Shot

Need a break from long commitments? Try these:

• The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes: (Part of Riordan Presents) Zane lives near a dormant volcano in New Mexico, discovers he's connected to Mayan gods. Awesome disability rep (Zane has a leg impairment), great humor, fast-paced Maya myth adventure.
• Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee: (Riordan Presents) Blend of Korean mythology and space opera! Min, a fox spirit, disguises herself to search for her missing brother aboard a space battleship. Ghosts, magic, space pirates, and family secrets.
• Aru Shah mentioned earlier! While a series, the first book works well as a tester.

Dragon Pearl surprised me. Space plus Korean mythology? Sounds wild, but it totally works. Min is a fantastic, cunning protagonist. Proof that books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians can come in wildly different flavors!

Beyond the Obvious: Finding Hidden Gems

Sometimes the best finds aren't marketed as "the next Percy." Keep an eye out for:

• "Rick Riordan Presents" Imprint: This is your *best* ongoing source. Curated by Riordan, featuring authors from underrepresented cultures telling myth-based stories. Consistent quality and the vibe you want. Check their website!
• Genre Mashups: Look for adventure/fantasy with humor and a strong voice. Don't rigidly stick to "mythology."
• Ask Your Librarian/Bookseller: Seriously. Tell them "I loved Percy Jackson for X, Y, Z reasons." They have encyclopedic knowledge beyond algorithms.
• Goodreads Lists & Communities: Search "Books like Percy Jackson," but *read the reviews*. Look for ones that mention specific elements you love, not just "it's good."

My local librarian recommended Tristan Strong. Best decision ever. Don't underestimate human recommendations when hunting for books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians!

Common Questions Fans Ask (Seriously, We Get These All the Time)

Is there a book exactly like Percy Jackson?

Honestly? No. Rick Riordan created something unique. Lots capture elements brilliantly – the humor, the adventure, the myths, the found family – but the specific blend is his own. Think of it like finding a new favorite band that makes you *feel* the same way as your old favorite, even if they play different instruments.

What are the best books like Percy Jackson but for older teens/adults?

Things get grittier! Try:

• Circe by Madeline Miller: Stunning, lyrical retelling of the witch from the Odyssey's life. Deep, beautiful, less adventure, more character study. (Greek Myth)
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman: Gods of old myths exist in America, weakened, battling new gods (media, tech). Complex, dark, philosophical, adult themes. Shadow is a very different protagonist than Percy. (Various Myths)
• The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher: Wizard detective Harry Dresden in modern Chicago. Snarky first-person narrator, action-packed, monster-of-the-week evolving into epic arcs. Urban fantasy, not strictly myth-based but hits humor/action/magic. (Urban Fantasy)

Are Riordan's other series (Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase) as good?

This is subjective! I personally adore Magnus Chase – the Norse setting, the diverse cast (especially the deaf elf Hearthstone – his character development is amazing), the humor feels very Riordan. Kane Chronicles has a different tone (sibling narrators), and Egyptian myths are fascinating. Some fans prefer one over the others, but they are absolutely worth reading and capture the core Percy appeal. They're the closest cousins to books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians you'll find from the same author.

Which Riordan Presents book should I start with?

Tough call! They're all good. Consider:

• Want Egyptian? Kane Chronicles (Riordan himself) is still king.
• Craving something completely new? Tristan Strong (West African) or Dragon Pearl (Korean/Space) are phenomenal.
• Love a strong female lead? Aru Shah (Hindu) or Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (Cuban/Sci-Fi - less myth, more chaos!) are fantastic.
• Looking for something slightly younger but still awesome? The Storm Runner (Mayan) or City of the Plague God (Mesopotamian).

Pick a mythology that intrigues you! You can't really go wrong.

I loved the humor. Which series has the funniest characters?

For pure laugh-out-loud moments:

1. Skulduggery Pleasant: The skeleton detective's sarcasm is legendary. Valkyrie's inner monologue is gold.
2. Artemis Fowl: Artemis's dry wit, Mulch Diggums (a klepto dwarf), Foaly the paranoid centaur tech genius... genius comedic timing.
3. Magnus Chase: Riordan's Norse humor is top-tier (Thor's selfies, Loki's... everything).
4. How to Train Your Dragon (Books): Hiccup's narration is hysterically self-deprecating.
5. Lockwood & Co.: George's bluntness and Lockwood's charming arrogance create fantastic dry humor.

Making Your Choice & Where to Dive In

Staring at this list? Overwhelmed? Here's a quick cheat sheet based on mood:

• "Give me MORE myths, but different!" Kane Chronicles (Egypt), Pandava Quintet (Hindu), Tristan Strong (West African).
• "I need laughs and crazy action NOW." Skulduggery Pleasant, Artemis Fowl.
• "I miss Camp Half-Blood's friends/family vibe." Nevermoor, Fablehaven, Lockwood & Co.
• "Just point me to Rick Riordan's other stuff." Magnus Chase (Norse - same universe!), Kane Chronicles (Egypt).
• "I want to try something shorter/new." The Storm Runner, Dragon Pearl.

Most importantly? Don't stress. Pick one that sounds even slightly interesting, grab the first book from your library (free!) or local bookstore, and dive in. The hardest part is starting. Finding books like Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a quest, but the journey is full of fantastic discoveries.

A word on buying: Libraries are gold. If you buy, consider independent bookstores – they often have passionate staff who can give even better recs than this list! For e-books, Libby/Overdrive links to your library. Audible is great for Riordan's stuff – the narrators are usually excellent.

Good luck on your quest! May your next read be as unputdownable as The Lightning Thief was.