The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

 The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan, 151 pages

The Demigod Files contains three short stories from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy has an impromptu adventure with Clarisse, gets lost in the woods with Beckendorf, and finally is pulled to the Underworld with Thalia and Nico to face off with a Titan. 

This book doesn't contain spoilers for any of the Percy Jackson series, although it does help set up some of the events of the Heroes from Olympus series. 

Camp Half-Blood Confidential by Rick Riordan

Camp Half-Blood Confidential:  Your (Real) Guide to the Demigod Training Camp by Rick Riordan - 168 pages

This guide, "written" by Percy Jackson and his fellow demigods, introduces new kids to Camp Half-Blood.  It's a collection of tour guide descriptions of spots around camp along with stories about the various activities, places, and people.  It is definitely only for those who have previously read the Percy Jackson books.

Demigods and Magicians by Rick Riordan

Demigods and Magicians by Rick Riordan - 187 pages

This book contains three short stories about Percy and Annabeth meting Carter and Sadie Kane.  It was long rumored that Rick Riordan's series after completing the Percy Jackson series was going to be a mash-up of Greek and Egyptian mythology.  I would guess these were the short stories that could have been expanded into that series.  It was interesting to read the stories and the interactions between the two series' characters.  I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoyed the Percy Jacksons series or the Kane Chronicles.

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan - 387 pages

Percy Jackson has been recruited to write another book explaining Greek mythology -- this time focusing on Greek heroes.  He tells us the stories of several Greek heroes including Psyche, Perseus, Otrera, Hercules, Jason, and Atalanta.

I listened to this on audio.  For the most part I enjoyed it.  The slightly disrespectful take on the Greek myths are interesting and humorous for the most part.  I did find towards the end I was becoming a little tired of the very unhappy endings to the stories -- but that is the Greek myths for you.  Very few of them had happy endings.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan -- 416 pages

Percy Jackson never stays long at one school. His ADHD, paired with dyslexia, has gotten him into trouble after trouble. He almost lasted the whole school year this time--before he sliced his teacher and into dust. No one seems to notice, but Percy is pretty sure that's what happened.

Percy finally discovers that he is a demi-god, the son of a god, and that he must prevent a war among the greatest of the gods. He has been accused of stealing Zeus' master bolt, and the only way to prove his innocence is to find out who did steal the master bolt, steal it back, and return it to Zeus before chaos ensues.

I listened to the audiobook on overdrive.

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan - 318 pages

This is a retelling of the Greek myths, mainly concerning the 12 major Olympian gods, as told by Percy Jackson.  There is a fair amount of humor and snark incorporated into the stories which made them fun to read.

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan - 586 pages
The Heroes of Olympus, book 3

The Greek demigods have just shown up at Camp Jupiter when Leo is possessed and attacks the camp.  The demigods, both Greek and Roman, have just enough time to jump about the ship and fly away before the Romans hurt them.  Now they are off on the Great Prophecy.  They are the Seven who must unite to defeat Gaea and her giant children.  This quest will take them to Rome by way of Kansas, Atlanta, and Charleston.  It will be a challenge to keep them all together and united.

This book has been sitting by my bed to read for over a year.  I don't know why I haven't picked it up before now.  As I had a day at the auto shop to sit through I decided that it was finally time to read the book.  I'm glad I did.  It was a great way to pass the time.  In fact, I was a little annoyed when my car was done about 30 pages before the end.

Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan - 521 pages
Heroes of Olympus, book 2

I decided to re-read this book before I read Mark of Athena and House of Hades.  I'm glad I did as there were parts of the story I did not remember.  I really enjoyed the Lightning Thief series.  However, I think the Heroes of Olympus books are even better.  They seem to be more nuanced than the original series books.

The Mark of Athena, by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3), by Rick Riordan, 586 pages

The Heroes of Olympus series, an offshoot of sorts of the Percy Jackson books, is a big fan of the cliffhanger ending.  The Son of Neptune (Book 2) left us with a Greek warship from Camp Half-Blood approaching New Rome- the Mark of Athena picks up at that very point.  Nothing is every easy for Percy Jackson or any of the other six demi-gods who embark on a quest that takes them through Kansas, Atlanta, and all the way to Rome (yes, the real one) to prevent evil Gaea's rising, save Rome, Greece, and therefore the rest of the world, and try to unite the warring demigods of New Rome and Camp Half-Blood.  No pressure.  The books are easy to read and fairly fun, if you don't get bogged down by how to pronounce ancient Greek terms and names.  And if you don't mind being left with another cliff-hanger ending, not to be resolved for another year.

The Last Olymian by Rick Riordan

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan - 384 pages


This is the final book in the Percy  Jackson and the Olympians series.  I truly enjoyed listening to the series on audio.  The narrator does a good job, although he does occasionally lose the accents of the various characters.  I'm glad I decided to go back and actually read (or listen) to all the books.

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan - 361 pages

I'm continuing through the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on audio.  In this book, Percy and his friends attempt to locate Daedalus' lair in the Labyrinth.  This was another great entry in the series.  I liked that the characterization and plotting deepened with the aging of the characters.  An excellent addition to the series.