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6 Reasons I’ve Read the Percy Jackson and The Olympians Series a Dozen Times
Of course I’m always on the lookout for new books, but sometimes—especially during my personal post-holiday slump—I like to return to my favorites. There’s something incredibly comforting about being able to pick up a book you’ve read over and over again, and still know that, no matter what, it’s going to make you smile. And no matter how many times I read it, I seem to never tire of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. The series is about modern day Greek demi-gods, trying to survive both the challenges of the modern day world and ancient monster threats. It’s simultaneously fun and heartbreaking and informative, and each time I read it, I think I grow to appreciate it even more. Here are the top 6 reasons I never tire of Percy Jackson.
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Camp Half-Blood. Summer camp is a magical place where you are able to do crafts, and socialize, and eat to your heart’s content. So of course I want to attend Camp Half-Blood. For those of you who haven’t picked up this series (what are you waiting for?) demi-gods on the East Coast go to Camp Half-Blood—a place where demi-god children can play capture the flag, do some epic rock climbing, learn how to sword fight, and basically become experts in Greek Mythology. I swear, that has to be the best camp in the world—despite the occasional monster attack, obviously.
Percy Jackson, himself. Percy is one of the funniest, most relatable main characters I’ve ever read. He has this sarcastic, self-deprecating humor that I just love, so I love that I get to be in his head for all 5 novels in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. And because Rick Riordan just gets it, he also made Percy one of many main characters in his spin-off Heroes of Olympus series, while introducing us to even more characters to love. Piper McLean, anyone?
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Modern Day Greek Mythology. From the first moment I learned about the Greek gods in the seventh grade, I was obsessed, and I know I’m not alone. The Greek gods are fascinating and complex, and how cool is it to see them interacting with technology? Some of the mythology is updated to fit into our world, but most of it stays relatively true to actual Greek mythology, so you can learn as you read. And you know, I kind of want to live in a world where I can access Olympus from the Empire State Building and everyday magic is a part of life. Though, I could do without the occasional Minotaur attack if I’m being honest.
How to Friendship. Sometimes you can read about friendships that are so tight, they don’t have enough room to welcome anyone else. But in the world of Percy Jackson, everyone is a misfit and everyone has value. Annabeth, Percy, and Grover may become best friends in the first book, but as the series grows, more characters and more friends are added to their circle. They don’t isolate themselves and become an impenetrable trio—friends come in and out of their lives as the series progresses, and they’re always willing to make room for someone new.
The (Greek God) Parents. There is a missing parent trope that I hate—the one where a parent is absent because they’re a super secret spy, who’s totally saving the world, and not because they’re just a bad parent. This book—this whole series and spin-off series—doesn’t do that. Yes; most of the characters are missing a parent (because the parent is up in Olympus being a god). But even though the absent parents are literally gods, the series never makes their absence out as anything other than painful. It’s heartbreaking and real, and I love that a series about magic and gods doesn’t shy away from that.
Prophecies and Destiny. The whole series if full of prophecies, but refreshingly absent of a Chosen One. This is Percy’s story, but not all of the prophecies apply to him—or they apply to him in a way we don’t suspect. Riordan shows time and again that our heroes aren’t just fated to what they think is a pre-determined destiny. Despite all evidence of failure (and a prophecy to boot), these heroes keep fighting and fighting until they can’t fight anymore—and that’s what makes them heroes.
Plus, with 5 books in the series (and a spin-off series), I don’t have to stop enjoying it anytime soon. What keeps you returning to Percy’s world?