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Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

By&
Pages
336
Published
2014
Language
English

Synopsis

A myth-retelling collection in which Percy Jackson, the wisecracking demigod son of Poseidon, narrates the classic Greek myths in his own irreverent, sarcastic teenage voice. Rather than a novel, this is a companion reference work: Percy walks readers from the creation of the cosmos and the war between Gaea, the Titans, and the Olympians through stand-alone tales of the twelve major gods and goddesses, from Zeus and Hera to Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Demeter, and Ares. Across roughly nineteen chapters with deliberately ridiculous titles like "Hera Gets a Little Cuckoo," "Zeus Kills Everyone," and "Athena Adopts a Handkerchief," Riordan blends faithful retellings of the source myths with modern slang, snarky asides, and comic exaggeration, making the material approachable for middle-grade readers while keeping the bones of the mythology intact. The hardcover is illustrated throughout with sixty full-color paintings by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, giving the book the feel of an oversized illustrated treasury. Because the gods' stories are inherently full of betrayal, vengeance, and violence, Percy's flippant tone often sits alongside genuinely dark material. It works both as a standalone introduction to Greek mythology and as a companion to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and it is best read as a humorous mythology primer rather than a continuation of Percy's own adventures.

About the author

R
Rick Riordan

An American author born June 5, 1964, in San Antonio, Texas, Rick Riordan writes mythology-based fiction for young readers. Before his publishing career, he taught English and history at public and private middle schools in San Antonio and the San Francisco Bay Area for fifteen years. While teaching, he wrote the adult Tres Navarre mystery series, which won the top three national mystery awards: the Edgar, the Anthony, and the Shamus. Percy Jackson originated as a bedtime story Riordan invented...

Characters

Percy JacksonProtagonist

Narrates the myths in his trademark sarcastic, modern teenage voice rather than appearing as an actor in the stories.

ZeusSupporting

King of the gods, depicted with Percy's mocking commentary on his temper and infidelities.

HeraSupporting

Queen of the gods, the subject of the comically titled chapter on her origins.

AthenaSupporting

Goddess of wisdom, one of the twelve Olympians given a dedicated chapter.

ApolloSupporting

God of the sun and music, among the gods Percy profiles.

All characters in Percy Jackson's Greek Gods

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Percy Jackson's Greek Gods a novel or a myth retelling?

    It is a myth-retelling collection, not a main-series novel. Percy Jackson narrates the classic Greek myths in his own voice rather than starring in a new adventure of his own.

  • Who illustrated Percy Jackson's Greek Gods?

    Caldecott Honoree John Rocco illustrated the book with about sixty full-color paintings throughout.

  • Which gods does the book cover?

    It introduces Greek mythology starting with Gaea and the Titans, then gives stand-alone tales of the twelve major Olympian gods and goddesses, including Zeus, Hera, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Demeter, and Ares.

  • When was Percy Jackson's Greek Gods published?

    It was published on August 19, 2014, by Disney-Hyperion.

  • Do I need to read the Percy Jackson series first?

    No. It works as a standalone humorous introduction to Greek mythology, narrated by Percy, though fans of the series will recognize his voice and references.