The closest books like Percy Jackson are The Red Pyramid, Aru Shah and the End of Time, and Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky. At ReadNext, we check candidate books against Open Library’s catalog to confirm title and author details before recommending them. Each title shares the mythological danger, high-stakes quests, and dry humor of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
The picks fall into three groups: modern myths, secret magical societies, and witty underdogs battling against impossible odds. These stories fit young readers who love sharp dialogue, loyal friendships, and monsters hiding in everyday cities.
Books Like Percy Jackson, Grouped by Theme
Modern myths and ancient legends
1. The Red Pyramid
Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan shifts from Greek gods to the Egyptian pantheon in a story led by two siblings who share narration. Carter and Sadie Kane offer the same snappy banter, fast pacing, and modern chaos that Percy Jackson delivers. The dual perspectives add fresh friction as they learn magic together. Readers wanting solitary heroes might find the alternating sibling chapters distracting.
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2. Aru Shah and the End of Time
Roshani Chokshi
A young girl accidentally frees an ancient demon from a cursed lamp in a museum, triggering a quest through Hindu mythology. Roshani Chokshi crafts a heroine with the same self-deprecating wit and bravery that made Percy popular. The third-person narration moves briskly across magical worlds. Skip this if you prefer grim, high-stakes epics without humorous pop-culture references.
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3. The Storm Runner
J. C. Cervantes
Zane Obispo uses a cane and spends his days exploring a dormant volcano near his New Mexico home before discovering his link to ancient Maya deities. J. C. Cervantes creates a voice full of sarcastic observations, loyalty, and sudden perils. The Southwestern desert setting grounds the fantasy in a distinct setting. It may not appeal to readers seeking traditional European castle folklore.
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4. The Epic Crush of Genie Lo
F. C. Yee
Genie Lo is an overachieving Bay Area high school student whose plans for college collide with Chinese demons and the Monkey King. F. C. Yee delivers sharp humor, brutal punchy action, and an aggressive, hilarious heroine. Genie has an older teen voice than Percy with mild language and intense combat. Readers who want sweet, gentle fables should skip Genie’s fiery confrontations.
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5. City of the Plague God
Sarwat Chadda
Sikander Aziz wants a quiet life helping in his family’s Manhattan deli, but Mesopotamian gods of disease and war drag him into a desperate defense of New York City. Sarwat Chadda balances grief and duty with energetic action and sarcastic sidekicks. The urban grit feels directly akin to Manhattan in Percy Jackson. Readers looking for woodland fantasy will find the city streets crowded.
Find it on AmazonSecret worlds and hidden powers
6. Amari and the Night Brothers
B. B. Alston
Amari Peters believes her missing brother is still alive, leading her to a tryout at the secret Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. B. B. Alston builds a hidden agency filled with fierce rivalries, government secrets, and sudden revelations. Amari faces prejudice while discovering her own rare abilities. Those looking for myth retellings will find this leans closer to modern sci-fi fantasy.
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7. Skandar and the Unicorn Thief
A. F. Steadman
A. F. Steadman reinvents unicorns as ferocious, winged beasts bonded to teenage riders through elemental magic. Skandar dreams of bonding with a beast, but outlaw magic and island trials complicate his ambitions. The intense aerial battles and loyal quartet of friends mirror the camaraderie at Camp Half-Blood. Readers who dislike structured magic academies should look elsewhere.
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8. Keeper of the Lost Cities
Shannon Messenger
Sophie Foster is a telepathic girl who discovers she is an elf and moves into an advanced, hidden magical society. Shannon Messenger builds a massive world with unique creature sanctuaries, complex telepathy rules, and sprawling family dynasties. The emotional focus on belonging mirrors Percy’s initial transition to camp. The slower pacing and lengthy chapters may test readers who want nonstop monster fights.
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9. Fablehaven
Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth visit their grandfather’s estate and learn it is a hidden sanctuary for magical creatures. Brandon Mull creates genuine danger where fairies, witches, and giants carry strict rules and lethal consequences. The sibling dynamic balances cautious thinking with reckless curiosity. Skip this pick if you want an urban city backdrop, as the entire story takes place within a secluded forest preserve.
Find it on AmazonSarcastic underdogs on dangerous quests
10. Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer
Young criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl kidnaps a fairy officer to extort gold from an underground high-tech civilization. Eoin Colfer delivers rapid-fire wit, clever gadgets, and tactical battles where nobody is purely heroic. The clash between magic and surveillance tech is inventive. Readers who need an earnest, purely moral protagonist like Percy might find Artemis cold at first.
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11. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz Smedry receives a bag of sand for his birthday and discovers an evil librarian conspiracy suppressing magical truths. Brandon Sanderson fills this novel with absurd talents, fourth-wall breaks, and relentless satire. The voice is even more irreverent and self-conscious than Percy’s narration. Skip this title if you dislike meta-commentary where the narrator argues with the reader.
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12. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
Kwame Mbalia
Grieving the loss of his best friend, Tristan accidentally punches open a tear into the mid-Atlantic land of Alke, a world of West African and Black American folk heroes. Kwame Mbalia crafts a reluctant hero dealing with anger and responsibility. The dialogue snaps with humor while treating grief seriously. Those wanting lighthearted adventures without emotional weight might find the themes intense.
Find it on AmazonThe Three Elements That Define the Percy Jackson Formula
Percy Jackson and the Olympians succeeds through three distinct elements:
- Mythological stakes mixed with adolescent reality: Ancient gods wear tracksuits, hold family grudges, and visit diners, making ancient drama feel immediate.
- A distinct protagonist voice: Percy speaks with self-deprecating irony, absurd chapter titles, and fierce loyalty to his friends.
- Worlds where outsider traits become strengths: Attention deficits and learning struggles turn into battle reflexes across different pantheons and academies.
How to Choose Based on Your Favorite Quality
Readers who loved the mythological world-building should pick The Red Pyramid or Aru Shah and the End of Time first. Both integrate ancient pantheons directly into modern settings with family secrets and perilous quests.
Readers who enjoyed the found-family energy of Camp Half-Blood should look at Amari and the Night Brothers or Skandar and the Unicorn Thief. Both immerse readers in competitive training grounds where rookies rely on close teammates.
Readers who loved Percy’s cheeky humor and battles of wits will enjoy Artemis Fowl or The Epic Crush of Genie Lo. These books feature sharp dialogue and heroes who rely on clever tactics to outsmart their opponents.
Content and Age Fit for Parents and Readers
Most picks are middle grade. The stories feature regular fantasy peril, sword fights, and mythological monsters, but they avoid explicit sexual content or graphic gore.
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo sits in the young adult range. It includes stronger teen attitude, mild profanity, and fierce physical combat with demons. Parents looking for gentler reads for younger children should begin with Fablehaven or Aru Shah and the End of Time instead.
Emotional intensity varies across the titles. Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky addresses the raw grief of losing a close friend, while Keeper of the Lost Cities explores loneliness and family estrangement. The peril remains heroic and hopeful throughout.
Who Should Skip These Books and Where to Go Next
Readers who want quiet, character-driven literary drama or realistic historical fiction should look elsewhere. These novels rely on magical quests, world-ending prophecies, and rapid pacing. If you want high-stakes survival with darker dystopian themes, explore books like The Hunger Games.
Our pick changes to books like Wings of Fire if your priority is non-human societies without modern city settings. Readers who want traditional boarding school mystery should try books like Harry Potter.
If you are undecided on your next path, take the What Should I Read Quiz or browse Books Like the One You Just Finished to find your next adventure.
