the lightning thief books in order

What Are The Lightning Thief Books in Order?

“The Lightning Thief” is the first book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. So technically, when people ask for the lightning thief books in order, they’re usually referring to the five main books in that original series — not just the first one.

Here they are in order:

1. The Lightning Thief (2005)
2. The Sea of Monsters (2006)
3. The Titan’s Curse (2007)
4. The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
5. The Last Olympian (2009)

These five books make up the core arc of Percy Jackson’s story as he discovers he’s a demigod, trains at Camp HalfBlood, and faces off against dangerous enemies pulled straight out of Greek myths.

Why Read The Lightning Thief Books in Order?

The story builds on itself—plot points, character relationships, and major events all evolve over time. Reading them out of order can be confusing, since Riordan writes with longterm story arcs in mind. Little moments in book one end up mattering big time in later books.

For example, characters like Nico di Angelo and Rachel Dare first appear in earlier books and play bigger roles later. If you skip ahead, you won’t understand why they matter.

After The Lightning Thief Series: What’s Next?

Once you finish the original five books, don’t stop. There’s a lot more demigod action ahead, including crossovers and sequels. If you’re intent on staying inuniverse, here’s how the rest of Rick Riordan’s Greek and Roman mythology books go:

Heroes of Olympus (2010–2014)

1. The Lost Hero
2. The Son of Neptune
3. The Mark of Athena
4. The House of Hades
5. The Blood of Olympus

This series introduces Roman mythology while continuing the stories of many characters you met in the original Percy Jackson series.

The Trials of Apollo (2016–2020)

1. The Hidden Oracle
2. The Dark Prophecy
3. The Burning Maze
4. The Tyrant’s Tomb
5. The Tower of Nero

Told from the perspective of the god Apollo, these books loop in plenty of familiar faces—including Percy—and give closure to several storylines.

Companion Books and Extras

There are also side books and guides like:

The Demigod Files Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes Camp HalfBlood Confidential

These aren’t mandatory, but they add flavor and worldbuilding for fans who want deeper lore or fun extras.

Where to Start with The Lightning Thief Books in Order

If you’re brand new to the series, the best way to start is simple: begin with book one, The Lightning Thief. From there, follow the publication order of the books. Rick Riordan wrote them with a clear sequence in mind, and reading them that way gives you the most rewarding experience.

Some fans debate if you should read by series order (finish all of Percy Jackson, then move on to Heroes of Olympus) or by overall chronological events. Unless you’re a returning reader doing a deep dive, series order is the simplest route to follow.

Tips for Reading the Series

Don’t skip straight to crossover books. They assume you already know the core characters and plots. Read the companion books whenever you want. Since they don’t affect main plots, you can enjoy them in between or after the big series. Audiobooks are solid. Jesse Bernstein narrates the original series, delivering great performances for younger readers and adults alike.

Why These Books Still Matter

Even though the first book came out in 2005, The Lightning Thief and its sequels haven’t slowed down. They’ve struck a chord with multiple generations, blending fastpaced storytelling with surprising emotional depth. Kids get hooked, sure—but so do parents, teachers, and mythology buffs.

And with new adaptations like the recent Disney+ series reviving interest in Percy and his satyr sidekick Grover, there’s no better time to pick up the series and finally read the lightning thief books in order.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a curious beginner or revisiting the world of demigods, monsters, and mischievous gods, reading the lightning thief books in order helps the whole story click into place. Start with book one, stick to the timeline, and let the magic (and mayhem) unfold as intended.