“Families are messy. Immortal families are eternally messy. Sometimes the best we can do is to remind each other that we’re related for better or for worse…and try to keep the maiming and killing to a minimum.” Thus says Percy Jackson, the titular character and narrator of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. This article comes not long after the release of the second season’s finale, adapting “The Sea of Monsters,” the second book in the five-book series.
The Percy Jackson books are often described as being geared toward middle schoolers. So why have they remained so popular among college students? The answer is twofold. First, many readers simply never stopped loving the series, finding characters whose personalities and struggles felt relatable in ways that were rare among other popular books of our childhoods. Second, after a set of film adaptations based on the first two books, the story is now being retold as a television series that aims to adapt all five novels, sparking hopes that it may eventually continue into the sequel series, “Heroes of Olympus,” and perhaps even “The Trials of Apollo.”
A natural question arises: why create a television series when the movies already exist? While the films had a few strengths, they are widely viewed as straying too far from the original material to satisfy longtime fans. With only one movie allotted per book, significant plotlines and character moments had to be cut. A television format, with each season dedicated to a single book, allows for more faithful storytelling and deeper exploration of the source material. Many viewers hoped for adaptations that stayed true to the books, and so far, the series appears to be delivering on that expectation.
Some initial controversy surrounded the casting choices, as a few characters look different from their descriptions in the novels. This, however, is common with any adaptation. Percy’s hair color has changed, and Annabeth is portrayed by an African American actress, making the character’s iconic blonde hair more difficult to achieve. Despite these differences, the cast has been widely praised for their performances. These choices also broaden the series’ representation, allowing more viewers to see themselves reflected in the characters and enriching the story’s appeal.
Kathryn McElfresh
Staff Reporter
