For years, the Percy Jackson books (and other series set in the same universe) have captured the imagination of children and adults alike.
That said, those books are definitely intended for a younger audience.
What if you’d like books meant for adults? Books that maintain the same wonderous connection to mythology that Percy Jackson has?
Well, that’s what this article is all about.
In this article, you will find:
- My list of 21 best books for adult fans of Percy Jackson
- My criteria for why I picked these books
- Links to purchase all of them
Disclaimer: Some of these links are Amazon affiliate links, which means that I earn a small commission if you purchase one of them. However, this does not affect my choices, and every bit earned goes straight to diapers for my children.
Also, be sure to check out all of our other Mythology Book Lists like this one.
A Complete List of Percy Jackson-like Books for Adults
If you want the quick and simple list, I’ve made this table with all the important information that you need to know. Check it out!
For more of an explanation, read on!
My Criteria for this List
Since this is a list of Percy Jackson books for adults, I have developed a specific criteria to use here:
1. No Middle-Grade Books
Since this is a list of books for adults, I am specifically sticking with only adult books, with one or two young adult books. I am not including any middle-grade fiction in this list at all.
If you want more middle-grade books like Percy Jackson, I invite you to visit this post.
2. Mythology Only
Since none of the books on this list are middle-grade, I am assuming that you are interested in the mythological aspects of Percy Jackson books.
So, unlike my other list of books like Percy Jackson, this one is for mythology books only.
Basically, the premise of most of the books on this list is what if mythology were true, just as it is with Percy Jackson, but for adult books.
3. Mostly Urban Fantasy
And because Percy Jackson is set in the modern day, I made sure most of the books on this list were also contemporary or urban fantasy. However, there are a few mythological books that take place in ancient history, and a few set in the science-fiction universes.
So most of them are urban fantasies, but this is not a hard and fast rule.
Honorable Mention: My Books
So this is definitely self-service, but I had to start this list by mentioning my own books. The premise of everything I write is basically perfect for adult fans of Percy Jackson.
The best place to start is with my Arthur Tales short story collection, which is completely free! It delves into the Arthurian chapter of my shared universe that puts all of the different mythologies together.
Percy Jackson Books for Adults: My Individual Reviews
All right, now let’s dive into each of my selections for the best adult books like Percy Jackson.
1. Lore
by Alexandra Bracken | Greek Mythology
Hook: A New York Times Bestseller
This is a great story for YA or Adult readers of Percy Jackson. From bestselling author, Alexandra Bracken (who I first read as a Star Wars author, she’s very good).
The story is about how the Gods are forced to become mortal, and they are hunted by the descendants of a specific ancient bloodline. The main character is Lore, who is sought out by Castor and Athena.
It’s a great read, and one I definitely recommend for fans of Greek Mythology fiction.
2. Mischief Maker
by Bruce Nesmith | Norse Mythology
Hook: The story of “What if Loki was never the bad guy?” by the lead designer of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
I love stories about Loki (I’ve got a big one of my own planned), and this one comes from not just any author, but the lead designer behind one of my favorite games: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The story is about Loki, who has survived to the modern day, but is now a cheap magician. He has to come to terms with the fact that the victors wrote history. This is a lot different from the Loki we know in Marvel Comics.
Definitely a fun urban fantasy twist on one of mythology’s most beloved characters.
3. Ilium
by Dan Simmons | Greek Mythology
Hook: A sci-fi reimagining of the Trojan War.
Imagine the Trojan War as a huge, epic space battle! That is the premise of Ilium, by Dan Simmons. As the name suggests, it’s basically a sci-fi version of Homer’s The Iliad.
The story covers several storylines, some inspired by the Iliad, some original, that all end up converging in an epic science fiction battle reminiscent of the great battle for Troy.
A really fun reimagining from a fantastic (and bestselling) science fiction author.
4. Titan
by Daniel Mignault | Greek Mythology
Hook: The Gods are dead. Long live the Titans!
I laughed when I found this one because the description literally says “Love Percy Jackson but ready for something more intense and adult?”
So basically, it’s perfect for this list.
Titan is a straight up urban fantasy inspired by Greek Mythology, and the story concerns a young man named Andrus, who must learn to navigate the treacherous lands of New Greece, a dystopian nation that mixes the ancient world with modern America.
It’s great for fans of urban fantasy, Greek Mythology, dystopian fiction, and even superhero fiction.
5. Till Myth Do Us Part
by Darius Ebrahimi | Greek Mythology
Hook: Inspired by the love story of Orpheus and Eurydice.
If you want an option with a little romance in it, this retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice might tickle your fancy.
The story is about a man called Kai, who has to overcome the perils of the Underworld to be united with his love, Sophia.
While it’s not a straight up retelling, it’s packed with Greek Mythology, and would be very interesting to any adult fans of Percy Jackson.
6. Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow
by David Gemmell | Greek Mythology
Hook: A new perspective on the Trojan War
Unlike the sci-fi rendition listed above, this book takes the Trojan War a little more literally. The book is historical fiction at it’s finest, and focuses on three characters in particular: Aenea, Argurios, and Andromache.
This is not a direct adaptation of the Illiad or Aenead. It is a beautiful epic that centers itself in historical context, but manages to become it’s own thing.
The praise for this one is quite high, from authors such as Steven Pressfield, R. A. Salvatore, and Greg Keyes, to name a few. You should definitely go check it out.
7. Paternus: Rise of Gods
by Dyrk Ashton | Multiple Mythologies
Hook: Epic urban fantasy with multiple Gods from world mythology.
If I could pick just one book here that perfectly encapsulated the idea of “Percy Jackson for Adults” it would be this one.
It ticks all the boxes. It’s an urban fantasy, but it’s also kind of epic fantasy, it involves multiple mythologies, and it’s just a very good book. The story is about two young protagonists, Fiona Patterson and Zeke Prisco, who discover that their heritage is more than what it seems. They rescue an old man named Peter, but soon find that he is none other than the father of all Gods.
It’s an epic trip that is exactly what you would want if you’re looking for Percy Jackson-like adult novels.
8. The Hades Trials
by Eliza Raine | Greek Mythology
Hook: An urban fantasy reimagining of Hades and Persephone.
There are actually a lot of different interpretations of the Hades/Persephone relationship (don’t ask me why, the guy is a major creep). This is the version that I decided to showcase.
Eliza Raine has proven to be an expert on Greek Mythology fiction, and this one is no exception. If you like edgy romance mixed with your mythology, you might want to give this one a look.
9. The Titan’s Treasure
by Eliza Raine | Greek Mythology
Hook: Percy Jackson with more romance.
Eliza Raine makes our list twice with The Titan’s Treausure, another Greek Mythology story, only this time it’s a straight up Percy Jackson-type story.
The difference is that this one has a lot more romantic subthemes than Percy Jackson. It focuses on a girl named Pandora, a Titan who ends up at Olympus Academy. And it turns out that most people there hate Titans.
It’s a great read for all ages, and one I would definitely check out if you liked Percy Jackson.
10. The Undying Viking
by I. C. Shadows | Greek Mythology/Arthurian Legends
Hook: An Arthurian & Greek Mythology Thriller
This book had me at “Arthurian & Greek Mythology”. I love both, and I particularly love it when I get crossovers between my mythologies.
This story focuses on Holger the Dane, a Viking, and a modern day man named Markus Trygg, who together must battle an undead scourge. And where do they eventually end up? Avalon of course.
If you like mashups of mythology like I do, you should definitely give this one a try.
11. The Age of Zeus
by James Lovegrove | Greek Mythology
Hook: What if the Greek Gods took over the world?
The premise of this book is awesome: the Greek Gods appear a decade earlier and basically take over the world.
Now the main character, Sam Akehurst, an ex-police officer in London, joins the resistance to fight back against these mythical and tyrannical overlords.
This is just one of a series of books, each of them taking on a different pantheon. There’s one for Egypt, Norse, and Aztec mythologies as well.
12. Orphans of Chaos
by John C. Wright | Multiple Mythologies
Hook: Five orphans discover they might not be human.
This is an interesting selection when compared to the others. The mythological ties are a little bit fainter, but still there.
The story is about a group of five orphans who discover they have incredible powers, and they might not be human at all. Indeed, all five of them defy the laws of physics, and shouldn’t even coexist under the same laws of nature.
It’s a fascinating urban fantasy that I highly recommend if you enjoy Percy Jackson.
13. Hounded
by Kevin Hearne | Celtic Mythology
Hook: A 2000-year-old druid pursued by Ancient Gods in the Modern World.
Kevin Hearne is best known for The Iron Druid Chronicles, which begins with Hounded.
The story is extremely interesting: a 2000-year-old Druid is pursued by ancient gods in a modern world. He is the last of his kind, and he is tired of the pursuit. Now he manages an occult bookshop in Tempe, Arizona, and wants to be left alone.
It’s a refreshing take on Celtic Mythology, something we don’t get enough of in our modern popular culture. This is one of my biggest recommendations on this list.
14. Ink Witch
by Lindsey Sparks | Egyptian Mythology
Hook: An Egyptian Mythology urban fantasy.
Most of the books on this list come from Greek Mythology, but I’m happy to report that this one is inspired by Egyptian mythology.
It is a straight up urban fantasy that centers on Kat Dubois, a former assassin who now works in a Seattle tattoo parlor. But when her brother mysteriously disappears, she is forced to come out of retirement. Encounters with elements of Egyptian mythology ensue.
This is definitely a fresh take on a different mythology, and one that I highly recommend.
15. The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller | Greek Mythology
Hook: A retelling of the Trojan War with a twist.
This is a retelling of the Trojan war, told from the perspective of Patroclus, as he observes Achilles’ progress throughout the war.
The story is beautifully told, almost poetic, and has an LGBTQ twist involved, so if you want to see more LGBTQ mythological plots, this one is definitely for you.
16. Gods Behaving Badly
by Marie Phillips | Greek Mythology
Hook: A comedic twist on Greek Mythology.
If you want something a little more weighty and comedic, Gods Behaving Badly might be what you’re looking for.
Don’t let the cover art fool you. This is an entertaining story about 12 gods in the 21st century, all crammed together in a London townhouse. Each of them have remarkably odd modern jobs, and their powers are disappearing.
It’s a fresh take on Greek Mythology that you don’t often get elsewhere, and one I definitely recommend if you enjoy comedy mixed with your fiction.
17. American Gods
by Neil Gaiman | Multiple Mythologies
Hook: All Gods are real and worship gives them strength.
There’s a good chance that you have heard of American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It was recently adapted as a television show, and is one of the more well-known books for adults based on mythology.
The story involves a character named Shadow, who encounters a being known as Mr. Wednesday. The encounter leads to a series of events proving that Shadow’s world is about to come crumbling down. His adventures lead to encounters with Gods from all mythologies, including modern sources of worship from a secular world.
This one is definitely meant for adults, and I would include a content warning on it, but it is by far one of the most famous modern takes on mythology.
18. Lord of Light
by Roger Zelazny | Hindu Mythology
Hook: His name is Mahasamatman. He goes by Sam.
If you’re looking for a book based on Hindu Mythology, Lord of Light might be one that you want to check out.
It involves a being called Mahasamatman, who goes by Sam. He becomes deeply involved in a holy war that rages throughout the heavens, in which humankind’s fate is in jeopardy.
While the cover is not great on this one, the reviews absolutely are, and I highly recommend it.
19. A Gathering of Ravens
by Scott Oden | Norse Mythology
Hook: A novel of vengeance, faith, and the power of myth.
While not set in the modern day, this is definitely a Norse-inspired mythological tale that brings up a number of philosophical questions, and has exquisite historical detail.
The story follows a being known as Grimnir, the last in a long line of monsters. He awakes with a thirst for vengeance against the Dane who killed his brother, but he emerges into a changed world. Christianity has taken root, and he must make difficult choices in order to get what he wants.
If you enjoyed movies like the Northman, then this one might be for you. It is a great historical fantasy steeped in Norse Mythology.
20. The Night Life of the Gods
by Thorne Smith | Greek Mythology
Hook: A scientist and a witch walk into the Metropolitan Museum.
Here is another comedic take on Greek Mythology. One with an interesting premise.
The story is about Thorne Smith, who teams up with a witch to bring statues to life. Of course, the statues he picks are at the Metropolitan Museum, statues of gods.
And it turns out, the gods are not all that Thorne expected. It’s a great comedic romp with Greek Mythology ties, one that I definitely recommend if you want something light and entertaining.
21. Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn | Arthurian Legends
Hook: The Knights of the Round Table still exist in the modern day…
I was pleasantly surprised by Legendborn, a book that takes a substantially unique look at the Arthurian legends.
On the surface, it doesn’t seem to have much to do with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It takes place in the southern United States, and features a woman of color. But this is actually what gives the myth new life. It provides a unique perspective, not only on the Arthur legends, but on issues of race, slavery, and privilege.
It was a fascinating read, coming from a white, straight man, and I definitely intend to pick up the sequel.
Which Book like Percy Jackson will You Read?
I hope you’ve enjoyed this list, and that I’ve given you a couple of decent options to read through. Let me know in the comments which one you read, and how you enjoyed it.
Additionally, let me know if there are any other mythology-inspired urban fantasies for adults that I could include on this list. I’m always on the lookout for more options.
In the meantime, you can also check out these related articles:
