18 Heroic Percy Jackson Read Alike Books

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If you like Percy Jackson, you will also like these other read alike middle grade fantasy books that are funny, engaging hero journey adventures.

The Percy Jackson series is hilarious, mythological, magical, relatable, and totally addictive.

PERCY JACKSON READ ALIKES

So if you’re done reading the series, don’t despair! These are highly recommended similar read-alike books you can read afterward.

If you aren’t done reading the series here are a list of all books in order in the Percy Jackson series:

  1. The Lightning Thief 
  2. The Sea of Monsters
  3. The Titan’s Curse
  4. The Battle of the Labyrinth
  5. The Last Olympian
    ENTIRE BOXED SET HERE

More Fantasy Mythological Adventures by Rick Riordan

What book like Percy Jackson should you read next?

Rick Riordan has MORE mythological books so we’ll start with those first…


The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero
by Rick Riordan
If you liked the adventure in the Greek myths, you’ll also love the Roman myths with a new hero named Jason — a kid who has no memory. He ends up at Camp Half-Blood but is from the Roman, not Greek, pantheon. You’ll like the familiar characters from the Percy Jackson books along with the new characters and exciting, dangerous adventures.

The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
This book is about Apollo, the god of poetry, among other things who is now a human. He’s arrogant and bewildered– which somehow Riordan makes appealing to readers. As the misadventures ensue, Apollo begins to see himself as less than perfect. In this story, we meet new demigods such as Demeter’s daughter Meg and encounter familiar favorites like Percy Jackson.

The Kane Chronicles: Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Explore Egyptian mythology with siblings who are targets of the god Set and on a dangerous quest to figure out what is really going on. My oldest daughter loved this entire series. I find Egyptian mythology creepy so while I thought the book was well-written and fast-paced, it wasn’t my favorite.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
Magnus is a smart and snarky kid who is thrust into a crazy situation — the Norse world of which he’s apart since (surprise!) his dad is Frey. When Magnus dies at the beginning of the story, he’s taken to Valhalla, one of the Norse Mythology afterlife locations. Don’t worry–he won’t stay there long. He decides that despite the risks, he must find his dad’s missing sword somewhere in the Nine Worlds.

Percy Jackson Read Alike Books

Moving on from the Rick Riordan books, you’ll want more books with hero’s journeys, mythology, and adventure. See what you think about these books like Percy Jackson with those important elements…

Odd and the Frost Giants Norse Mythology Books
Odd and the Frost Giants
by Neil Gaiman
What a fantastic book by the uber-talented Neil Gaiman! A boy named Odd is given the mission is to save Asgard from the invading Frost Giants. Ultimately, it’s a compelling story that will be a fascinating introduction to Norse mythology. This book is a great choice for readers who like the Percy Jackson books.

Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola, illustrated by Emily Carroll
Courageous and adventurous Masha knows Baba Yaga from her grandmother’s stories. After her grandmother dies, and her father remarries, Masha decides to become Baba Yaga’s assistant. To pass Baba Yaga’s tests, Masha uses her wits and the stories from her grandmother. She thinks she will fail when she rescues three children from Baba Yaga’s cage but she passes. To sum up, excellent storytelling, Russian mythology, and illustrations will enthrall readers in this not-your-average fairy tale story.

If You Like Percy Jackson, you'll also like these books
Thrones and Bones: Frostborn
series by Lou Anders
Get to know your Norse mythology in this series. A boy named Karn who is only good at playing a Norse board game and a girl named Thianna who is a half-human, half-giantess unexpectedly partner with each other in order to survive deadly soldiers, undead warriors, trolls, and a dragon. I recommend using the glossary while you read because this is packed with lots of Norse words you might not know.


The Serpent’s Secret:
Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond #1 by Sayantani Dasgupta
Kiranmala discovers on her 12th birthday that she’s a princess from another realm and her parents are trapped in a black hole-type place. But there’s a lot more she’ll learn — like who her real parents are (yikes!) and that demons can be your friends. The prince’s demon grandma, Ai-Ma, is my FAVORITE character. She says things like, “Be good, sweet beetle-dung toadstools.” But Kiranmala’s adoptive parents are super awesome, too. I think you’ll love every second of this entertaining, Indian mythology adventure.

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Fairy tales come alive when Alex and Conner (brother and sister) find themselves in the fairy tale book given to them by their grandmother. Their only way home is to find the ingredients for a Wishing Spell. Finding them will be dangerous, mysterious, and life-changing. Although it’s not mythological, it’s a must-read adventure series of two heroes that will keep readers reading for many months! BOX SET HERE.

The Ruins of Gorlan: Ranger’s Apprentice book 1 by John A. Flanagan
Will is apprenticed to become a Ranger, a job he’s unsure about. But as he develops a relationship with his master and learns what being a Ranger is all about (spying for the kingdom,) he comes to embrace his new life. But when an old enemy of the kingdom sends out dangerous beasts to attack Will’s master, Will is instrumental in getting help and killing the creatures. Action, fantasy, adventure, friendship, excellent writing — this book has it all! It’s a must-read that will mesmerize your readers, especially boys who love epic fantasy adventures. BOX SET

The Adventurers Guild by Zach Loran Clark and Nick Eliopulos
Get ready for your new favorite fantasy read alike adventure series. Zed and Brock don’t want to be chosen for the Adventurers Guild. Nobody does. Unlike the mages or merchants guild, the adventurers must leave the safety of their walled city to fight the monsters who live on the outside. Unfortunately, Zed and Brock are picked as Adventurers. And before they can finish training, Zed, Brock, and others are sent outside the city on a fact-finding mission that uncovers treachery, fiendish beasts, and Zed’s untapped magic. Imaginative world-building, intriguing plot twists, and complex characters kept me enthralled from page one!

Charlie Hernandez and the League of Shadows by Ryan Calejo
Charlie Hernández’s house burns down, his parents go missing, and he is sent to a foster home. But it’s when he grows HORNS, the WINGS, and meets the MYTHS in real life — like calacas, mukis, and El Justo Juez — that he’s really freaked out. Fortunately, a persistent classmate Violet Rey (also his crush) helps Charlie follow the clues to find out what happened to his parents — and what it has to do with La Mano Peluda and the prophesied Morphling who is meant to save the world. I love that the story is immediately engaging with the perfect balance of action, dialogue, & description interspersed with Spanish words and phrases.

Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (series)
The compelling, well-written story jumps into the action immediately when Nizhoni, from the Diné (Navajo) people, sees a monster (disguised as a human) at her basketball game. Making matters worse, it’s her dad’s new boss who kidnaps her dad and wants her little brother, too. She escapes with her brother and best friend to ask the Spider Woman for help, learning that she and her brothers are the descendants of the Hero Twins. Her journey challenges her with heroic trials in order to meet the Sun who will give her weapons to fight the monsters and culminating in a fierce battle between the good guys and the monsters. I LOVED this story — it’s a fast-paced hero’s journey with a rich, diverse Native American mythology, perfect for kids who like Percy Jackson.

The Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
Rowan wants to be a Monster Hunter instead of the future queen. When tragedy strikes her brother, she gets her chance to switch roles and become the Royal Monster Slayer with her aunt with her brother as king. Unfortunately, she must face and kill a gryphon soon or her scheming uncle will get the throne instead. The story is an exciting adventure filled with surprises, mythical creatures, and new friendships. It’s not a cliffhanger but it does leave the door open for another book which is SO GOOD — The Gryphon’s Lair.

The Iron Trial (Magisterium) by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Even though Callum tries to fail the entrance trials, he is admitted to the school his dad says is evil. But the Magisterium school is not as bad as he expects. Call learns about his elemental powers, he forges bonds of friendship with his teammates and rescues a wolf puppy who is infused with the evil magic of Chaos. I couldn’t put this book down — especially after the surprise twist about who Callum really is!!

The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
Faryn is a likable, orphaned main character who values kindness and family. After helping defeat a demon in Chinatown she discovers that she’s the prophetic demon-slaying Heaven Breaker and embarks on a quest. But she’s not alone — she journeys with her resentful, angry brother Alex, her ex-friend Moli, and a cursed boy. Together they’ll fight demons, escape capture, and save imprisoned dragons in order to attend the god’s Lunar New Year’s banquet. But instead of finding her missing father at the banquet, she learns of the gods’ plan to wipe out faithless humans. Faryn refuses to lead their army and is horrified when her brother, eager for vengeance, takes on the power of the Heaven Breaker so he can lead the army of killers. The story ends on a cliffhanger making me eager for the next book in the series.

Podkin One-Ear The Legend Begins by Kieran Larwood
Well-written and enthralling, you’ll love every moment of this story about a young rabbit who reluctantly grows into his destiny. Alternating between the bard’s present and the story of Podkin, we learn that young Podkin was a lazy, spoiled prince. When the cruel Gorm, metal dark magic rabbits, arrives at his family’s burrow to kill everyone inside, Podkin escapes with his much braver sister and little brother. No longer able to be spoiled and lazy, Podkin tries his best to be brave and pull his weight, often failing miserably but occasionally succeeding, too.

Mark of the Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Set in historical Rome, follow the life of a slave abandoned by his mother and working the mines. After he accidentally discovers Julius Cesar’s magical amulet and its protector griffin, he’s in constant danger. It’s an exciting adventure with unexpected revelations that will have you eager for the next book.

The Endling: The Last by Katherine Applegate
Katherine Applegate creates a brilliant fantasy world that I could not put down! The conquering human ruler, Murdano, hunts and kills all the large, dog-like Dairne. All except Byx. In hopes to find a safe place and maybe the Dairne’s mythical homeland, Byx sets off on what becomes a dangerous, exciting adventure filled with new friends like Tobble who is a wobbyk, poachers, Murdano’s soldiers, magic, and betrayal. I love this world and loved the entire series so much!

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
To sum up Keepers of the Lost Cities in one word, fantastic! Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. And Sophie has a secret—she’s a Telepath and not human. She must leave the human world for the Elvin world where she’ll face danger from both the human and Elvin worlds. Her only hope is to regain the memories of her past. BOXED SET.

Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty
Set in the time of early American settlers, this is a beautiful story about a night spirit who is still connected to the powerful wood magic of her ancestors. When Willa accidentally discovers that her clan is keeping human captives and using forbidden technology, her Faeran clan leader decides she should be killed. She flees the woods and observes a human man who she learns to trust. When she realizes that one of his children was one of the human captives, Willa returns to her clan to make things right. The author deftly explores the meaning of family, as well as the themes of prejudice and caring for the natural world. I think you’ll find this a magical story that you won’t want to put down.

The Lost Years: Book 1 (Merlin) by T.A. Barron
If you love the lore of Merlin and Arthur, you’ll want to read about Merlin’s growing up years. Filled with magic, runes, and dragons, this is a captivating story and one of my favorite fantasy series.

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