Greek mythology has been invaluable for fiction writers throughout the centuries. Even now, when it seems that it’s hard to find a connection with something so ancient, these plots continue to resurface in new ways. The following list includes books that take inspiration from those myths — adding or changing a few perspectives.
1. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan
The author of Percy Jackson has created even more incredible stories — the trilogy of fantasy novels Magnus and the Gods of Asgard. Both series tell about ancient deities and their influence on the modern world. Unlike the adventures of Percy Jackson, this fantastic universe is based on Scandinavian mythology.
Imagine the life of a homeless boy wandering the streets of Boston. One day, Magnus finds out that his father was the Norse God, Freyr. Since then, life has prepared new challenges for the boy — he has to save the world! Could he find the Sword of Summer, an ancient relic that can prevent Ragnarok? No more spoilers! Start with the first book in the series, The Sword of Summer, and enjoy the mythological plot with high-quality humor.
2. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Can the human world and the world of magical creatures coexist? Artemis Fowl book series demonstrates that nothing is impossible! When people do not suspect the existence of something fantastic, everyone lives in peace. But what if, one day, someone reveals the secret of the magical world?
The main character, Artemis, is the heir to a dynasty of criminals who knew about fantastic creatures. Wanting to use the secrets of another world, he kidnaps an elf to receive a ransom in gold. But gradually, the man changes, moving from selfish actions to heroic deeds, protecting two worlds from common enemies. What made him change his plan? Let's read the book to find the answers!
3. Set Fire to the Gods by Sara Raasch
In the series of books Set Fire To The Gods, the Gods have absolute power, controlling people like puppets. All the nations resolve their conflicts through gladiatorial battles. Yet, not everyone agrees with the manipulations of the heavenly rulers. The girl Ash lost her mother in battle and is ready to rebel against the cruel rules.
Did she manage to change the course of history? Destroying the entire system is not so easy. As in the books of Percy Jackson, you will find mythological subtext and the adventurous spirit of teenagers in the Set Fire To The Gods series, too.
4. The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan offers readers another fascinating trilogy that introduces Egyptian mythology. The Kane Chronicles emphasizes the importance of family ties and tells about the fantastic adventures of siblings — Carter and Sadie Kane. Their father disappears after one magical ritual where he frees Set, the God of Chaos.
What happened to their father? How can they save the world and stop Set? Like Percy Jackson, the series combines ancient myths with adventures in the modern world. The New York Times noted that the series "expands the boundaries of young adult fantasy with a less familiar Egyptian mythology." This journey begins with book 1, called The Red Pyramid.
5. The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller
"He is half of my soul, as the poets say." These words are filled with love and addressed to the hero of the Trojan War — Achilles. In The Song Of Achilles, his close friend and lover Patroclus tells the entire myth of Achilles, revealing a touching story of friendship, love, and epic battles.
Achilles joins the Trojan War together with Patroclus. Their relationship becomes a test under the pressure of war, politics, and the intervention of the Gods. After reading, you will find out how the struggle of these two brave warriors ended. While Percy Jackson is an adventure story for a younger audience, this book is an adult look at a mythological theme.
6. Lore by Alexandra Bracken
This book takes us to the world of Greek mythology and modern days in New York. Can you imagine the Gods just walking the streets? Alexandra Bracken made it possible. Every seven years, the Gods become mortal for a week to atone for their sins before Zeus. But they face a new danger on such days — they need to participate in Agon. What is it?
During the Agon, people hunt the Gods to gain power by defeating them. The main character, Lore, opposes these cruel traditions and tries to overthrow this system. This book combines the themes of justice, epic battles, and the desire to defeat cruelty. Fans of Rick Riordan's books will notice familiar echoes of the Percy Jackson series.
7. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
As Publishers Weekly wrote, "Mull has created a story that keeps the audience in suspense until the last page." It is about the Fablehaven series — the adventures of siblings Kendra and Seth Sorenson in a magical world hidden from people. The children don't even suspect that their grandparents are the owners of the Fablehaven reserve — a place where all fantastic creatures live.
Yet, evil forces want to capture the reserve and destroy the balance in the world. So, it's time to resist the enemies and preserve the magic! If you want to enjoy stories about young people who face supernatural powers like Percy Jackson, this book is for you. Read and see how teenagers' lives can change in the blink of an eye.
8. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Choksi
People always want to seem better than they are. The main character of Aru Shah and the End of Time is no exception. Aru lives in a museum of ancient Indian art and always tries to impress her classmates with her life. So, one day, the girl wants to demonstrate her courage to others in an unusual way.
Aru Shah lights an ancient lamp, which awakens a demon. Now, her main task is to stop the dark side. This book tells not only about how to save the world from evil forces but also how to accept yourself, be a true friend, and fight fears. Hindu mythology, humor, and adventures — this book is the perfect choice if you are a Percy Jackson fan.
How do you like this list of books? All of them allow us to plunge into mythology, magic, and exciting adventures. Often, the main characters must confront magical enemies that are many times stronger than them. But we know that good always triumphs over evil. So, if you like fantasy books with epic battles, confrontations, and the search for justice like in the books of Rick Riordan, we invite you to read the above works.
