Rick Riordan: Mythology, Middle-Grade Fantasy, and the Percy Jackson Universe

When you think of Rick Riordan, an American author who revolutionized middle-grade fantasy by weaving ancient myths into modern teen adventures. Also known as the man who made Greek gods cool again, he turned classroom mythology lessons into page-turning blockbusters that kids—and adults—couldn’t put down. Before Riordan, most kids’ fantasy was about wizards in castles or talking animals. He didn’t just add gods to the mix—he gave them smartphones, homework, and attitude. Percy Jackson didn’t fight monsters in a mystical land—he did it while getting detention at Yancy Academy. That’s the magic: ancient stories, modern problems.

Riordan didn’t stop with Greek gods. He built entire universes around Egyptian mythology, a system of gods, magic, and divine bureaucracy that he turned into a high-stakes battle between mortals and ancient spirits in the Kane Chronicles, and later Norse mythology, a darker, grittier world of frost giants, talking ravens, and doomed prophecies in Magnus Chase. Each series shares the same DNA: flawed kids discovering they’re not ordinary, gods who are messy and unpredictable, and worlds where magic hides in plain sight—like a locker that opens to another dimension or a subway train that leads to Hel. His books don’t just teach mythology—they make you care about it.

What keeps readers hooked isn’t just the gods or the action—it’s the voice. Riordan writes like a funny, smart uncle who knows exactly how to keep a 12-year-old’s attention. His characters curse, joke, cry, and make terrible decisions—all while saving the world. You don’t need to know who Zeus is to get why Percy’s angry. You just need to remember what it felt like to be misunderstood. That’s why his books work for teens, parents, teachers, and even people who swore they’d never read fantasy again.

There’s a reason his series spawned movies, TV shows, and a whole generation of kids asking their teachers, "Wait, so Hades really ran the underworld?" Riordan didn’t just write stories—he created a bridge between ancient myths and today’s readers. And now, with new books, spin-offs, and a rebooted TV series on the way, that bridge is only getting stronger.

Below, you’ll find articles that dig into the world he built—from how he reimagines old gods to why his books appeal to adults as much as kids. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious why everyone’s talking about Percy Jackson, these pieces will show you why Rick Riordan isn’t just an author—he’s a cultural reset for how we read myths today.