The Rick Riordan's book series, Percy Jackson, is a five-book fantasy series that follows the eponymous Percy, a 12-year-old kid who discovers his estranged father is the Greek god, Poseidon. As a result, Percy goes to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods. While there, he makes new friends and sets off on important quests to keep the world safe.
As far as middle-grade book series go, Percy Jackson is incredibly popular. After publishing the main five books in the series, Rick Riordan wrote a spinoff series including Percy called The Heroes of Olympus. In 2010, the first Percy Jackson book was adapted into a movie. Three years later, the second book hit the big screen as well. More recently, Disney+ led a TV adaptation, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, that is still going strong. However, despite all this success, Percy Jackson is still not the most well-known middle-grade fantasy series of all time.
Percy Jackson Is Harder For Adults To Get Into Than Harry Potter
How Percy Jackson Is Different From Harry Potter
The main reason why Percy Jackson hasn't risen to Harry Potter's level of fame is because of the audience. Both Harry Potter are middle-grade series, which means they cater to children and young adults. Yet, Harry Potter appeals to adults in a way that Percy Jackson does not. Because of the writing style and Percy himself, Percy Jackson feels much more geared towards a younger audience. Meanwhile, Harry Potter's storytelling range is broad, making it easier for adults to delve into. Where Percy's age is front and center, Harry's doesn't really play a huge part in his adventures.
9 Percy Jackson Book Characters Missing From Season 1 (Who Need To Appear In Season 2)
Although many vital book characters are included in Disney+'s Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 1, some missing ones should appear in season 2.
Although both characters are around the same age and are thrown into an entirely new world of magic and myth, the way they handle themselves is quite a bit different. Percy is somewhat brash and outspoken, whereas Harry is much quieter. Where Percy's inner monologue is full of snappy quips and humor, Harry is more of an observer, at least in the early books. Much of this has to do with Percy Jackson being written in first person, and Harry Potter being in third.
Percy Jackson's Middle-Grade Writing Style Explains Why It Isn't As Big As Harry Potter
Percy Jackson Feels Younger Than Harry Potter
Ultimately, the difference between Percy Jackson's writing style and Harry Potter's explains why the latter is so much bigger. When readers open up Percy Jackson, they are directly inside Percy's head. Along with the plot, they get all of Percy's 12-year-old quirks, such as his sense of humor. On the other hand, readers of Harry Potter are held at a distance because of the third-person writing. Harry is 11 years old, but he doesn't feel like it, because the writing lacks any sense of Harry's age. Readers aren't part of Harry's inner turmoil but are watching him from the outside.
Much of Percy Jackson's charm is Percy's voice, yet that is exactly what pushes adult readers away.
Essentially, Harry Potter's neutrality is what makes it so big. Although the story follows an 11-year-old boy, readers are not hyper-aware of his age. The book lacks a distinct voice that makes it easier for older readers to get into. Much of Percy Jackson's charm is Percy's voice, yet that is exactly what pushes adult readers away. Percy is funny and sarcastic, but his narration feels like that of a 12-year-old. It is a hard fact to forget. Thus, Percy Jackson feels much more appropriate for young readers, whereas Harry Potter can appeal to anyone, regardless of age.
Disney's Percy Jackson TV Show & Rick Riordan's New Books Could Draw New Audiences
Percy Jackson's Future Explained
Regardless of how popular Percy Jackson is compared to Harry Potter, Rick Riordan's book series isn't fading from the public eye any time soon. Disney+'s Percy Jackson and The Olympians season 2 is currently in development. On top of that, Rick Riordan is in the process of writing new books in the Percy Jackson series. The Chalice of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess are both new installments, which follow the protagonist as he prepares to go to college. Perhaps this aged-up version of Percy will be more appealing to older audiences.
Every Book In Percy Jackson and the Olympians |
Year of Release |
|---|---|
The Lightning Thief |
2005 |
The Sea of Monsters |
2006 |
The Titan's Curse |
2007 |
The Battle of the Labyrinth |
2008 |
The Last Olympian |
2009 |
The Chalice of the Gods |
2023 |
Wrath of the Triple Goddess |
2024 |
Even if Percy Jackson never reaches the heights of Harry Potter, it is still a staple of the middle-grade genre. Like Harry Potter, it was essential to many readers' childhoods and remains a delight even for older fans. These new adaptations and sequels to Percy Jackson are great because they keep the spirit of Percy alive. Harry Potter aside, Percy Jackson has also reached impressive levels of fame that should not be overlooked.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
- Release Date
- December 20, 2023
- Showrunner
- Jonathan E. Steinberg, Dan Shotz
- Directors
- James Bobin, Anders Engström
Cast
Walker Scobell
Leah Sava Jeffries
WHERE TO WATCH
Based on the novel series by Rick Riordan Percy Jackson & the Olympians is an action-adventure fantasy television series created for Disney+. When Percy Jackson is framed for the theft of Zeus' almighty thunderbolt, Percy must clear his name, all while harnessing the powers inherited by his father, Poseidon, at a camp created for demi-gods.
- Writers
- Rick Riordan, Jonathan E. Steinberg
- Franchise(s)
- Percy Jackson & The Olympians
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Disney+
Your comment has not been saved