18 Exciting Books like Percy Jackson for Fans to Enjoy

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

This first Percy Jackson book is about our beloved Percy, who discovers he is a demi-god and must recover Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. He travels into the underworld to locate the lightning bolt and, at the same time, try to save his mother.

His amazing adventures with Annabeth and Grover along the way create the foundation for all the books that follow in this amazing and epic series. This show has been adapted to TV on Disney and is fantastic!

Why We Love This Book: I don’t think anyone has read this middle grade fantasy series and not loved it. It’s a contemporary greek mythology retelling for the ages.
Appropriate for ages 9-13
Find this book in Books like Percy Jackson / Epic Guide to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Books / Audiobooks for Kids

Perfect for fans of Harry Potter / Keeper of the Lost Cities / Tween & Teen Fantasy Books

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan

This middle school fantasy series by Rick Riordan is based on Norse Mythology. Magnus Chase dies in battle and is brought to Valhalla where he is given the task of bringing back a powerful weapon to keep the monsters at bay and stop Ragnarok from destroying everything.

We don’t want to give too much away about this trilogy. All of our kids love Rick Riordan and this book is no exception. If you want more info and the complete guide to all things Percy Jackson (who is a secondary character in this series, you can check out our post: Epic Guide to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson Books in Order. This is one of the fantasy books for tweens that is an absolute must-read for kids that are looking for books like Percy Jackson.

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Percy is the main character in this series along with 6 other characters. In this series, each chapter is told from the point of view of different characters. Percy and Jason are two of the main characters and both of them have lost their memories.

They are sent to two different camps (Greek and Roman) where they make friends and enlist their friends to help them on their quests. Lovers of books like Percy Jackson will find this to be the perfect next read.

The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan

This is one of the books like Percy Jackson that Percy actually shows up in! The Greek god Apollo, transformed into a mortal, is sent on a quest to regain his immortality. He sets off with his Demi-god master to free the Oracles from the Triumvirate.

Along the way, they battle Roman emperors, make new friends, and get stuck in many deadly situations. The first in a 5-part series, this is one Greek mythology retelling you won’t have read before. And while this is technically middle grade, if you love YA fantasy novels, you will love this book at any age.

The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles Book 1) by Rick Riordan

The Kane Chronicles is a series based on Egyptian mythology. Carter and Sadie Kane have been split up their entire lives and must learn to use their Egyptian magic to defeat Egyptian Gods and monsters to protect their home world.

When it comes to mythology retellings, Rick Riordan can’t be better. My kids also loved that Percy Jackson makes an appearance in this one.

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

This book is the newest in a series of fantasy books for tweens by Rick Riordan. Ana and her brother Dev are students at Harding Pencfoft Academy, a school that specializes in marine science. When Ana heads out on an expedition, the school is bombed and Ana believes everyone has died.

With only her brother left in her family, Ana is desperate to find out what happened and who bombed the school. The Professor who accompanied them on the trip informs them that Land Institute and H-P have been fighting in a war for over 150 years.

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah is a Rick Riordan Presents story based on ancient Indian mythology. 12-year-old heroine Aru is a storyteller who stretches the truth. But on a dare from classmates trying to catch her lying, she lights a lamp that sets an ancient demon free.

Now she’s on a mission to find the legendary Panda Brothers and return the demon to the land it came from. The first in the series, this is a great one for fans of Keeper of the Lost Cities.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwambe Mbalia

Like me, my eldest is fantasy-book obsessed. After ripping through all of Rick Riordan’s books, he wasn’t sure what to read next.

Enter, Tristan Strong! This epic middle-school fantasy trilogy is based on African American folk heroes and West African mythology and it quickly engrossed my son. He finished the story and begged me to take him to the library for the next installment. 

Tristan is grieving the loss of his best friend, Eddie when a mysterious creature shows up and tries to steal Eddie’s notebook. 

As he tries to keep the notebook, Tristan accidentally punches a tree…opening a gateway to another world. Soon he’s in the middle of a battle and he needs to figure out a way to get back home. This is the perfect series for kids that love books like Percy Jackson.

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

This Rick Riordan Presents book is based on Mayan mythology. It’s about Zane, a boy who lives near a volcano that just so happens to be the portal to another world.

When Zane meets Brooks, she informs him that he is destined to unleash an evil Mayan god unless she can find the relic he is in first. Soon, there are demon attacks, shape-shifters, adventures, and the discovery that Zane’s dad is a God.

My Percy Jackson-loving son devoured this series on a recent vacation. It’s another great mythology retelling book series like Percy Jackson.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K Rowling

I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published. 

This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio.  We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?

Why We Love This Book: In our opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents.
Appropriate for ages 9-13
Find this book in Books like Harry Potter / Books Like Percy Jackson / 21 Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Harry Potter Books in Order / Best Audiobooks for Kids

Magyk by Angie Sage

Septimus Heap is the seventh son of a seventh son.  He disappears the night that he is born and his parents are told he is dead.  

That night, his father finds a baby girl in the snow.  This story sets up the adventures for the rest of the series with magic, adventure, and bravery.  It’s one of our favorite books similar to Percy Jackson.

The Alchemyst: The Immortal Life of Nicholas Flamel

Like so many great fantasy novels, Sophie and John Newman have newfound powers that they do not know how to use. Suddenly, it is up to them to save everyone from Dr. John Dee.

Dr. Dee has stolen the Book of Abraham the Mage, Nicholas Flamel’s book. Inside are the secrets to eternal life and in the wrong hands, the book can destroy everything. Can Sophie and John master their powers and save the world? If you are looking for book series like Percy Jackson, this is perfect for you!

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston

This fantasy book for tweens is a book that is perfect for all ages. Amari is searching for her brother and will not be deterred. She believes the key to finding him is an invitation to try out at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs she finds a briefcase in his closet.

The magical world, the story, and the characters are all captivating in this book. Be aware that there is a bullying aspect woven throughout these books for Percy Jackson fans.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a kid genius who is trying to utilize the power of fairies to find his father. With the help of his butler, they kidnap a fairy names Holly Short in order to restore his family’s fortune and find his power.

He underestimates the power of the fairies because he thinks that he is the smartest. This fantasy book for tweens is perfect for anyone who wants to see the villain’s perspective and root for them as well. These are the perfect books for Percy Jackson fans.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Sophie thinks her history makes her a good fit for the School of Good like Cinderella and Snow White before her. Agatha thinks the School of Evil is a better fit for her. But when the opposite schools are assigned to each girl, they need to figure out who they are and where they belong.

Why We Love This Book: Utterly addicting, this series has 6 stories and was recently made into a movie starring Kerry Washington.
Appropriate for ages 9-13
Find this book in books similar to Percy Jackson / Netflix Adaptations / Middle Grade Fantasy / Kids Audiobooks

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Move over Harry Potter, there is a new middle grade fantasy series poised to take your throne! Meet Sophie Foster, a newly found elf living in the human world.

In book one of this ever-growing series, she’s taken back to the Lost Cities and sent to Foxfire Academy to learn to harness her powers as a Telepath. In the process, she is welcomed into a new family, makes loads of friends, and uncovers a secret organization trying to destroy the human world.

Why We Love This Book: All 5 of our children loved this series, and frankly, Jackie and I did too! It’s also a great family-friendly audiobook for long car trips. We’ve got a list of books like KOTLC if you have already read this series.
Appropriate for ages 9-12
Find this book in Secret Society Books / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Books for 11-year-olds / Books Like Percy Jackson / Kids Audiobooks

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

While this story is about the land of fairy tales, think Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, it has the element of magic and wonder that Harry Potter fans will love.  

Alex and Connor’s grandmother gives them the family book of fairy tales.  Before they understand what is happening, they find themselves transported into the book.  They set off on an adventure to get back home. We absolutely love this book and think it is one of the great read-aloud books for kids.

When it comes to books for Percy Jackson fans, this series is top of our list!

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Alice Queensmeadow wants to bring her father back and to do so, she needs to travel the magical world of Furthermore. Think of it as The Secret Garden meets Alice in Wonderland.

A pale girl on a quest for both her father and color goes to a magical, mystical place with strange and fantastical creatures. With Oliver by her side, she heads out to discover the villages of Furthermore and locate her lost father.

This one of the books like Percy Jackson we’d like to see adapted to the screen.

Gregor the Overlander (The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins)

In this book like the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Gregor falls into a dark Underland from the laundry room, in his apartment. The world is on the brink of war and his arrival has been foretold in a prophecy.

Now Gregor must stay and play his part while solving the mystery of his father’s disappearance years ago. This series came before the Hunger Games series and is geared toward a slightly younger crowd. I would definitely recommend this to a middle-grade fantasy reader, especially one looking for book series like Percy Jackson.

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Animals all head to Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. It is a sanctuary of magic in a world that has stopped believing. Kendra and her brother Seth do not know that their grandfather is the caretaker of Fablehaven.

On the festival night, a window to their bedroom gets left open and the monsters are let in. It is up to Kendra and Seth to save their family. Parts of this middle-grade fantasy book are a bit scarier for younger children to read but if your child likes books like Percy Jackson, they should be ok with it.