When diving into Rick Riordan's books, I always recommend starting with 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'. It’s the foundation of everything. You get to know Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, and the whole demigod world. After that, move on to 'The Heroes of Olympus' series. It’s like the next level, with more characters and higher stakes. Then, 'The Trials of Apollo' is a great follow-up because it ties back to Percy’s world but from a god’s perspective.
If you’re into Egyptian mythology, 'The Kane Chronicles' is a fantastic standalone series. It’s separate from Percy’s world but just as thrilling. For Norse mythology, 'Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard' is a must. It’s got a different vibe but still has that Riordan magic.
I’d also suggest reading the short story collections like 'Demigods and Magicians' where Percy and the Kane siblings cross paths. It’s a fun way to see the worlds collide. Reading in this order keeps the mythology fresh and lets you appreciate how Riordan builds his universe. It’s like piecing together a giant puzzle, and each series adds a new layer to the story.