TL;DR
If your kid just finished the original Percy Jackson & The Olympians series and is currently vibrating with the energy of a thousand suns, The Heroes of Olympus is the inevitable next step. It’s bigger, longer, and introduces a whole second cast of characters—the Romans. Think of it as the "Avengers: Endgame" of the middle-grade mythology world. It’s generally great for ages 10+, though it deals with slightly more "teen" themes (crushes, identity, and some darker underworld scenes) than the first series.
Quick Links to the Series:
The Heroes of Olympus is a five-book sequel series by Rick Riordan. If the first series was about Percy discovering he’s a demigod, this series is about the realization that the Greeks aren't the only players on the field.
The premise: There’s another camp of demigods out there—Roman ones. They’re disciplined, they wear purple, and they historically hate the Greeks. A new "Prophecy of Seven" forces seven demigods from both sides to team up on a flying trireme (a Greek warship) called the Argo II to stop Gaia, the Earth Mother, from waking up and destroying the world.
It switches from the first-person "I did this" style of Percy to a third-person perspective that jumps between different characters. This is why your kid is obsessed; they aren't just following Percy anymore, they’re following a whole squad.
If you’ve heard your kid talking about "Leo’s jokes" or "Percabeth," you’re witnessing the power of the Riordan fandom.
- The Ensemble Cast: Instead of just one hero, there are seven. Kids find "their" character. Whether it’s Leo Valdez (the funny gear-head with fire powers), Piper McLean (the daughter of Aphrodite who actually has a personality), or Frank Zhang (the shy Roman kid who can shapeshift), there’s someone for everyone to relate to.
- The Shipping: This is the age where "shipping" (rooting for two characters to be in a relationship) starts. The series handles romance in a very sweet, "first crush" kind of way that feels high-stakes to a 12-year-old but remains PG for parents.
- The Humor: Riordan is the king of the "dad joke" that actually lands with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The chapter titles alone—like "I Play with Mud" or "My Birthday Present Goes Up in Flames"—keep the tone light even when the world is ending.
- The Lore: Kids who like Minecraft or Roblox often love the "system" of mythology. They like categorizing gods, powers, and weapons. This series doubles the data set by adding the Roman versions of everyone.
Ask our chatbot about the differences between the Greek and Roman camps
The first book is a bit of a shock because... Percy Jackson is missing. Instead, we meet Jason, Piper, and Leo. It sets the stage for the Roman reveal. It’s a solid 4/5, but some kids get frustrated waiting for Percy to show up. Tell them to hang in there.
This is where we find Percy. He’s at the Roman camp, he has amnesia, and he’s trying to prove he’s not a spy. It introduces Hazel and Frank, two of the best characters in the series. This one usually hooks the kids who were skeptical of the first book.
The "crossover" book. The Greeks and Romans finally meet, and the "Prophecy of Seven" officially begins their quest to Rome. Warning: This book ends on the mother of all cliffhangers. If your kid finishes this at 9:00 PM on a school night, just let them start the next one. They won't be able to sleep otherwise.
Widely considered the best (and darkest) book in the series. Two characters are literally trekking through the Greek version of hell (Tartarus). It’s intense, emotional, and deals with some heavy themes of sacrifice.
The big finale. It’s a massive battle. Honestly? It’s a bit rushed compared to the build-up, but it provides the closure kids need before they inevitably move on to The Trials of Apollo.
While the original Percy Jackson series is perfect for 8-10 year olds, Heroes of Olympus skews a little older—think 10 to 14.
- Violence: It’s "mythological violence." Monsters turn into dust, but there are more descriptions of injuries and the psychological toll of war. It’s not The Hunger Games, but it’s a step up from the first series.
- Romance: There is more focus on dating. Characters deal with jealousy, "holding hands," and the occasional kiss. In The House of Hades, there is a major plot point involving a character coming to terms with their sexual orientation. It is handled with incredible grace and has been a lifeline for many LGBTQ+ kids, but it’s a talking point if your family hasn't broached the subject yet.
- Intensity: The House of Hades involves characters being physically and mentally tortured by personified versions of misery and darkness. If your child is particularly sensitive to "scary" imagery, you might want to read along.
Learn more about the maturity level of the Heroes of Olympus series
It’s the Opposite of Brain Rot
In a world of Skibidi Toilet and 15-second TikToks, these books are hefty. We’re talking 500+ pages each. If your kid is reading these, their attention span is doing great. They are learning about the foundation of Western literature (Homer, Virgil, Ovid) without even realizing it.
The "Riordanverse" is Diverse
One of the best things about these books is that they are intentionally inclusive. Rick Riordan started the series for his son who had ADHD and dyslexia (which is why all the demigods have those traits—it’s a "superpower" in their world). In this series, he adds characters of various ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientations. It’s a great way to spark conversations about how different people see the world.
The "One More Chapter" Problem
Riordan is a master of the cliffhanger. Each chapter ends on a "hook." If you’re trying to set screen time or reading boundaries, I suggest setting a "stop time" rather than a "chapter limit," because "just one more chapter" is a lie every kid (and most adults) tells themselves with these books.
You don't need to know the difference between a gladius and a pteruges to talk to your kid about these books. Just ask:
- "If you were a demigod, who would your godly parent be? Greek or Roman?"
- "Which of the seven heroes would you want on your team for a group project?" (This tells you a lot about who they admire).
- "Is it fair that the gods make the kids do all their dirty work?" (This gets into some great philosophical territory).
The Heroes of Olympus is a rare win for parents. It’s high-quality storytelling that actually competes with YouTube and gaming for a kid's attention. It’s educational, it’s empathetic, and it’s a bridge to more complex Young Adult literature.
If they finish this and want more, check out our guide on books like Percy Jackson or dive into Riordan’s other series like The Kane Chronicles (Egyptian myths) or Magnus Chase (Norse myths).
- Check the library: These books are thick; buying the whole hardcover set is an investment. See if they like the first one before committing.
- Audiobook it: The narrators for this series are fantastic. It’s a great way to survive a long car ride.
- Discuss the "Screenwise" angle: If they are obsessed with the books, maybe they’d enjoy a creative outlet like Scratch to make their own "Godly Parent" quiz or a mythological adventure game.
Ask our chatbot for more book recommendations for 12-year-olds