Rick Riordan’s newestPercy Jackson & the Olympiansbook hit shelves this September, andWrath of the Triple Goddessis a reminderof why the series is so popular in the first place. Riordan returned to Percy’s narrative withThe Chalice of the Godsin 2023, reuniting readers with the young demigod during his senior year of high school. The author’snewestPercy Jacksonbooksare more low-stakes than the first five, as Percy is grappling with getting into college rather than saving the entire world. Of course, they still throw him into life-or-death situations with the Greek gods.

But Percy’s latest adventures feel more lighthearted and fun, andthis makes sense given Riordan’s approach to the sequels. During an interview withScreen Rant,Riordan revealed that he initially wanted to write three new books to accompanyDisney’sPercy JacksonTV show. Disney green-lit the series without the additional books, but the author decided to pen them anyway. “I was like, ‘Well, since I got the ideas, and it’s been a while, it might be fun to write these books anyway.'” And it’s clear that Riordan enjoyed writing them as much as fans are enjoying reading them.

The UK covers of Percy Jackson & the Olympians’ Chalice of the Gods and Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan Views The New Percy Jackson Books As A “Thank You Letter To The Fans”

They’re A Love Letter To Percy Jackson’s World & Its Fan Base

If one thing is obvious after speaking with Riordan aboutWrath of the Triple Goddess,it’s that the author is just as excited to be back in the world ofPercy Jacksonas the readers.The newPercy Jacksonbooks are a love letter to the original story and the fans, and Riordan drove that point home.That’s why he chose to write them more than a decade afterThe Last Olympian’s release. “They became like a thank you letter for fans for being with me for all these years — people that have been reading them since the very beginning,” he explained.

This is undeniably one of the highlights of the latest additions to the series: seeing Percy and his friends in a new environment, and witnessing how they’ve matured sinceThe Last Olympian.

A TV screen with Grover, Percy, and Annabeth holding Zeus' Master Bolt and the cover of Percy Jackson’s Wrath of the Triple Goddess

Riordan also emphasized how fun it was “going back and rediscovering Percy"as a senior in high school. This is undeniably one of the highlights of the latest additions to the series: seeing Percy and his friends in a new environment, and witnessing how they’ve matured sinceThe Last Olympian.Although Percy and Annabeth appear in Riordan’sHeroes of Olympusseries, there are a lot of characters and storylines to follow in the spinoff books.The Chalice of the GodsandWrath of the Triple Goddessslow down and allow readers to dig into Percy’s personal life a bit more.

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They also feature the entertaining quests and antics that make Riordan’s previous books so great. Truly, these sequels encapsulate everything readers love about the original series.And Riordan summed up his approach perfectly, nailing why these installments work so well: “So it was just kind of a way to thank the fans and have sort of a high school reunion with Percy and Annabeth and Grover. And it’s been a blast.”

Rick Riordan with his Percy Jackson books and their spinoffs behind him

The Percy Jackson Author Nails Why The New Books Work So Well

The Passion For This World Keeps The Franchise Going

Riordan’s reason for writingThe Chalice of the GodsandWrath of the Triple Goddessexplains why the new books work so well: they’re the result of his passion for the world, characters, and fan base he’s built.Percy Jacksonis one of the biggest fantasy franchises out there, andits popularity can at least partially be attributed to how much Riordan enjoys telling stories in this universe. His enjoyment shines through his writing, from the humor he infuses into his stories to the thought-out world-building that shapes them.

The fact that he’s spent so much time with Percy also contributes to the books' continued success. Riordan toldScreen Rantthat he “found it pretty easy” to make the jump from writing a character in middle school to one who’s in high school — and not just because his sons have been through it. “I know him well enough now,” Riordan said of Percy. “He’s kind of part of my family. I could extrapolate: Okay, what is he going to be thinking when he’s 17 [or] 18?”

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It also helps thatPercy Jacksonfans continue to be just as enthusiastic about the franchise, even into adulthood. Those who read the original series as children are still picking up the new installments, and new generations are also discovering demigods and Camp Half-Blood for the first time. Many readers are just eager to dive into Riordan’s latest"thank you letter” as they were to continue the original series. This is also why Disney’sPercy Jacksonseries is doing so well: the excitement surrounding the franchise isn’t dying down.

Wrath Of The Triple Goddess

The Chalice Of The Gods & Wrath Of The Triple Goddess Do Feel Like A High School Reunion

They Shed Light On The Everyday Lives Of Percy Jackson & The People He Cares About

It’s especially fitting that Riordan compares the newPercy Jacksonbooks to a high school reunion, as they really do feel that way. For one, they give readers a chance to see what Percy, Annabeth, and Grover have been up to after all their epic adventures. Not many stories address what happens to the heroesafterthey save the world, but Riordan offers insight into his leads' personal lives and future plans. Given how well-established and well-lovedPercy Jackson’s main trio is, it’s no surprise readers want more details about their everyday lives.

Rick Riordan confirmed that Percy will return in another new book, which will send him on a quest for his last college recommendation letter.

Percy Jackson and The Olympians Disney Plus Series Poster

The Chalice of the GodsandWrath of the Triple Goddessalso feel like a reunion in the sense that they feature familiar faces throughout their stories. AlthoughPercy Jackson’s supporting characters only appear briefly throughout these new installments, it’s nice to see them again after so many years. For those who grew up readingPercy Jackson & the Olympians,it’s like going home and reuniting with old friends you haven’t seen in a while.

Percy Jackson & The Olympians

A young demigod named Percy Jackson learns about his divine heritage and must navigate a world where Greek mythology intersects with modern life. Alongside friends from Camp Half-Blood, he faces mythical creatures, uncovers family secrets, and undertakes perilous quests to thwart ancient prophecies. The series intricately weaves classical mythology with contemporary challenges, exploring themes of bravery, loyalty, and self-discovery, captivating audiences with its rich blend of adventure and timeless legends.