The Master of Mythology: A Rick Riordan Examination
By Tyra Fernandez
Editors note:
I used to read his books! The movies weren’t so great though -J
Love gods, monsters, epic quests, and laughs? Rick Riordan modernizes ancient myths into exciting and humorous adventures you won't want to stop reading. Rick Riordan’s most famous series is Percy Jackson and the Olympians, an action-packed story with Greek mythology woven through every chapter, with multiple spin-off series to read after!
Riordan also penned Daughter of the Deep and contributed to the 39 Clues. His stories, recommended for Years 7-12, offer fast-paced action, clever heroes, mythology, and plenty of humour. He even helped produce the Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV show on Disney, bringing his stories to life on screen through a whole new adaptation!
Rick Riordan is the author of several book series, each based on different mythologies from around the world. His first series, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, is about a boy named Percy who is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. He then wrote The Heroes of Olympus, which continues the story and includes more of a focus on Roman mythology.
The Trials of Apollo
…is another series that follows the Greek god Apollo as a teenager after he is punished and forced to live as a mortal.
The Kane Chronicles is a separate series that focuses on Egyptian mythology, following siblings Carter and Sadie Kane. After that, Riordan wrote Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, which focuses on Norse mythology and follows the main character Magnus, and his escapades after he discovers he is the son of a Norse god.
Each of Riordan’s books are exciting, full of adventure, and help readers learn about different mythologies in a fun, fantastic way. Rick Riordan has written several minor books about mythology that aren’t part of his main series. These include Percy Jackson's Greek Gods and Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes, where Percy tells the stories of the gods and heroes in his comedic style. He’s also written The Demigod Diaries and Camp Half-Blood Confidential, a special edition of the journeys of demigods, somewhat connected but not essential to his Percy Jackson series.
Rick Riordan Isn’t just a mythology writer he has also gone beyond the realm of mythology. He has written the The 39 Clues series with the publication of The Maze Of Bones This novel introduces siblings Dan and Amy Cahill following the death of their grandmother. The novel centers on a global search for 39 clues left behind by said grandmother. These clues have the ability to grant significant power and influence to those who successfully solve them. Consequently, Dan and Amy's adventure to find these clues involves international travel, historical exploration, and the resolution of various puzzles. The central theme of The Maze of Bones revolves around historical events and figures within the framework of a large-scale treasure hunt, distinctly different from his many mythological narratives, yet still riveting.
Rick Riordan is an incredibly popular author and Best-seller in young-adult fiction, selling over 190 million copies worldwide. His books are enjoyed by students in Years 7 to 12, as they blend modern-day adventure with mythology from all around the world, such as Greek, Roman, Norse and Egyptian. His writing is not only accessible but fast-paced with a comedic style that appeals to younger students, particularly those in Years 7 and 8. As readers get older, around Years 9 and 10, they may enjoy exploring the deep themes and aspects of character development Riordan introduces, such as identity, friendship, and overcoming challenges. Year 11 and 12 students can take an interest in how the stories have deeper historical and mythological references, making the books both educational and entertaining. Riordan’s appeal to a range of ages (90% of his books are read by teens) is undoubtedly one of the many factors of his success.
Rick Riordan’s success can also be attributed to his mix of action, humor, and ancient myths in a way that’s exciting for everyone. His stories about Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse gods make learning about different historical cultures and myths fun and interesting. Whether you’re reading about Percy Jackson or following Carter and Sadie Kane in the Kane Chronicles, you are without doubt swept up in the exciting plot and interesting mythology. With hundreds of millions of copies sold, Rick Riordan is young adult mythology. So if you love adventures with a mythological twist, his books are worth checking out!