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Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a fantasy novel series by American author Rick Riordan that blends Greek mythology with a modern-day American setting.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Percy Jackson & the Olympians is a fantasy novel series by American author Rick Riordan that blends Greek mythology with a modern-day American setting. The series follows Percy Jackson, a young demigod son of Poseidon, and his friends as they face mythological threats and quests. The franchise has been adapted into films and a Disney+ television series, and the books are widely read in Canada.

Premise

The series is set in a contemporary world shaped by Greek mythology. Percy Jackson discovers he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon, and becomes involved in conflicts among the Greek gods and their children. The main setting includes Camp Half-Blood, a training camp for demigods on Long Island, New York. The books use modern American locations and settings while drawing on Greek myths and legendary figures.

Main characters

The main protagonist is Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon. He is joined by Annabeth Chase, a daughter of Athena, and Grover Underwood, a satyr and his protector. Other recurring figures include gods, monsters, campers at Camp Half-Blood, and rival demigods.

Publication and scope

The original Percy Jackson & the Olympians series consists of five novels published between 2005 and 2009. The franchise later continued in related series and companion works set in the same fictional universe.

Adaptations

The series has been adapted into a film duology and a Disney+ television series. The TV adaptation began with the first season in 2023 and reintroduced the story of Percy’s quest involving Zeus’s stolen thunderbolt.

Key facts

  • The series blends Greek mythology with a modern-day American setting.
  • Percy Jackson is a demigod son of Poseidon.
  • The main setting is Camp Half-Blood on Long Island, New York.
  • The original series consists of five novels published between 2005 and 2009.
  • The franchise has been adapted into films and a Disney+ television series.
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Canadian context

The books are widely read in Canada and are part of the broader English-language young adult and middle-grade fantasy market. Canadian readers also encounter the franchise through its film and Disney+ adaptations.

Frequently asked questions

What is Percy Jackson & the Olympians about?
It is about a boy who learns he is a demigod and goes on quests involving Greek gods, monsters, and prophecies in a modern setting.
Who wrote Percy Jackson & the Olympians?
The series was written by Rick Riordan, an American author and teacher.
How many books are in the original series?
The original series has five books.
Who is Percy Jackson's father?
Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.
Where is Camp Half-Blood?
Camp Half-Blood is a training camp for demigods located on Long Island, New York, in the fictional universe.
Has the series been adapted for screen?
Yes. It has been adapted into films and a Disney+ television series.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Percy-Jackson-and-the-Olympians
    Supports: Rick Riordan authorship and general description of the series as mythological fantasy
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson_&_the_Olympians
    Supports: Setting, main characters, Camp Half-Blood, and original-series premise
  3. Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/series/40736-percy-jackson-and-the-olympians
    Supports: Series identity and breadth of the franchise
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Jackson_and_the_Olympians_(TV_series)
    Supports: Disney+ adaptation and premiere information
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lightning_Thief
    Supports: First novel, publication year, and adaptation connection