Since its first release back in 2005, Percy Jackson and the Olympians has grown as a series, getting more and more books every year (even almost 20 years later) and adapted into movies, series, comic books and games. As a fan, it is really satisfying to see my favorite story and characters move with the time. Diversity has been a priority for Rick Riordan, and we can see the effort. While multiple reasons appear and move the story, one is of great importance to the plot: the half-bloods’ identity.
Since the book’s first page, Percy doesn’t feel like he belongs anywhere. He’s
not happy at home with his stepfather, nor at school, because of his ADHD
issue. Having only his mother and Grover by his side, he’s about to discover
that the reason for all this trouble lies in the fact that his father is a
Greek God (literally speaking). From the moment he discovers all the myths are
actually reality, there’s more to find: what God is his father?
Although Camp Half-blood is welcoming to every Olympian child, offering them a
place to stay until they’re claimed by their parent, the feeling of being left
out is still around. Not having your own group, not having your own cabin and
still trying to wrap your head around all these new life-changing discoveries…
While navigating this new setting, Percy finds out that sort of feeling also
manifests through another situation: the lack of communication and support to
kids who have already been claimed. In order to avoid spoilers, I’ll not get too
deep into that issue, but keep in mind that this “distance” between kid and parent
is key in the development of future events.
Percy starts finding his own place, and then it happens: he’s claimed, Son of
Poseidon. It turns out that finding out his father is one of the three great
Gods of Olympus (who were no longer allowed to have kids) brings a whole new
set of unfolding. He’ll discover new powers, new friends, and that he really
belongs to that world and is there to start changing it.
Told from Percy’s ironic and energetic perspective, all the series that
comprise the Riordanverse tackle a wide variety of subjects such as family,
neurodivergence, identity, sexuality, racism and more. All that in a light, fun
and mind-opening approach.
Have you gotten the chance to read any of them?
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