The author Rick Riordan has become synonymous with mythology-inspired adventure for middle-grade listeners, and now his best-known character has been introduced to a new legion of fans with the release of the . Whether you're a newcomer to Riordan's fantastical fiction or you're well versed, it can be challenging to keep track of the prolific writer's expansive world. That's why we've compiled this essential guide to all things Rick Riordan, celebrating his landmark series and the positive impact he's made on the kidlit landscape as a whole.
Who is Rick Riordan?
Rick Riordan holds degrees in English and History from the University of Texas, and he got his start writing . But his breakout hit was , the first installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Riordan began developing the story—about a young boy who discovers he is a demigod in a modern world where Greek gods still reign—while recounting similar legends to his son at bedtime. The evolution of Percy’s character was further inspired by his son's ADHD and dyslexia diagnoses, neurodivergent traits that are shared by the young demigod hero and prove to be assets in his adventures.
The success of The Lightning Thief and subsequent sequels inspired Riordan to write more spin-off series about Percy Jackson's world, as well as other retellings centered on Egyptian and Norse mythology. His works reignited an interest in mythology and folklore among countless young fans. In 2018, his publisher launched Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint that prioritizes diverse storytelling and publishes other writers' original fantasy and sci-fi stories inspired by mythology and folklore all around the world.
What are the best listens written by Rick Riordan?
In this six-book series, young Percy Jackson discovers that he is a demigod, the son of Poseidon. He is rushed off to Camp Half-Blood, both for his own protection and to learn more about his legacy. After finding out that his best friend, Grover Underwood, is actually a satyr, he makes another friend in Annabeth Chase, the demigod daughter of Athena. Their first quest begins when Percy is falsely accused of stealing Zeus's lightning bolt, a charge that sends our trio of heroes on a treacherous, cross-country road trip of epic proportions. But as the series progresses, this initial adventure pales in comparison to the dangers they'll face. Before long, Percy and his friends realize that Kronos and the Titans are trying to take over the world, and it's up to them to stop it.All six of the audiobooks are impeccably narrated by Jesse Bernstein. The first five installments were released between 2005 and 2009 and contain a full story arc, but a sixth full-length story () released in 2023 and serves as a bridge between the and the . Thus far, the Percy Jackson series has inspired two feature-length films led by Logan Lerman, which released in 2010 and 2013, and more recently, a television series, starring Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase, and Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood, which premiered on Disney+ on December 19, 2023. While Riordan had limited creative control over the movie adaptions, he served as an executive producer on the television show and co-wrote the pilot.
