School is already difficult enough, but could you imagine having to save the world from complete and utter destruction once a year? No? Well, that can’t be said for Percy Jackson.

Author Rick Riordan has created a vivid and exciting universe full of adventure, romance, and  Greek mythology. Fans dub this as the “Riordanverse.” Beginning in 2005 with “The Lightning Thief” Riordan has published over a dozen books since then.

So with 22 books, two movies, a musical, and most recently a television series; what makes this universe so exhilarating for fans?

Riordan appeals to all audiences, although his series is considered young adult fiction, people of all ages can read his books. They’re relatable and heartfelt, and everyone can find a piece of themselves in them.

A long-term fan, Marlowe Calimlim, shares his experience with the series, and why it’s so personal.

“The original book series has impacted me in so many ways. The representation for neurodivergent people and people of color made me feel seen as an autistic Filipino. I felt understood. I was so happy to know I wasn’t weird to an outcast for being different.” He explains.

In Percy Jackson’s world, demigods are children of the gods. They’re half god half human, or “mortal” as they’re referred to in the books. Demigods aren’t like regular people, it’s common for them to have ADHD and dyslexia. In the mortal world, these might be seen as disadvantages, but for demigods, they’re skills and strengths. Their brains are hardwired to read ancient Greek, and their bodies have to constantly be alert and hyperactive in order to survive in battle.

Although it is fiction, and people who are dyslexic are most likely not going to have an easier time reading ancient Greek, it makes people feel seen. Riordan’s books are full of representations of all different kinds of groups of people, and that’s why they’re consumed by so many different readers.

Kate Ngyuen, a teen who has also been a fan of Riordan’s books for many years, comments on the significance of representation through various characters.

“I think the most significant thing I remember was Nico being gay.” She says. “It was a first exposure to me, and I read it during a time when I was first figuring out I was bi myself. So seeing that Nico was gay without it being like ‘Oh my god how terrible!’ was kind of like an eye opener for me.” Ngyuen explains.

Nico di Angelo is another demigod featured in the Percy Jackson series. In the fourth book of a prequel series, “The House of Hades,” Nico reveals that he had a crush on Percy. This book was published in 2013, so at the time this was considered fairly bold of Riordan. It wasn’t so common to see casual representation in media or literature at this time, so for fans, it was a big deal.

Nico is just one of a dozen well-rounded, realistic, and loveable characters that Riordan has created. The three main characters of the Percy Jackson series are; Percy Jackson himself, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood. You don’t have to be a demigod to relate to a demigod’s struggles, many people including Calimlin saw a little bit of themselves in each of the characters.

“I related heavily to the struggles of the demigod teenagers dealt with. Percy’s feelings of not belonging and wanting someone to acknowledge he’s trying his best, Annabeth’s low confidence and yearning to be noticed, and Luke’s bitterness from being neglected and his hard work meaning nothing to his father.” He shares.

Riordan’s books are known for being generally light-hearted and fun, there’s comedy, there’s adventure, but he also tackles more serious topics in a way that readers can understand. Riordan is the master of intricate details, using foreshadowing and point of view to his advantage. During the first Percy Jackson book, “The Lightning Thief,” Percy’s mom, Sally Jackson, is married to Gabe Ugliano. Their relationship is toxic and abusive, but we find out at the end of the book that she married him to protect Percy. And luckily Sally leaves Gabe at the end of the novel. But Percy is still young at the time, only about 12 years old, so her perspective is warped. He is what we can an unreliable narrator, and since the book is from his perspective, readers take everything he says with a grain of salt; because it’s not always “accurate.”

But while Sally is with Gabe, Percy recognizes the relationship is unhealthy, but not to the extent that it is. Older readers can still pick up on the deeper, darker parts like this.  But for younger audiences reading it for the first time, it’s a great balance.

So if you haven’t yet checked out any of Riordan’s books, I strongly suggest you do. There’s a place for everyone in Percy Jackson’s world. Calimlim says it best in closing on the effect Percy Jackson has had on him,

“I carry these characters and their stories in my heart. It’s not often to see characters like me represented with such humanity. It allowed me to believe that anyone, no matter what, can be a hero.”

Anyone can be a hero, even you.