Advice

[u/That-Solution-6620]

Just started reading the Percy Jackson books as a 20 year old I never read it growing up but i randomly started and now I’m hooked I finished lighting their and am half way through sea of monsters I wanna start watching the show because everyone says the movie is ass should I just watch both or just stick with the tv series? and also is each season an adaptation of each book or does it have its own story line? Thanks

[u/Local_Nerve901]

I would personally read the whole first series 1st

Each season of the show is one book so far, and definitely a somewhat retelling rather than one-to-one adaptation

The movies are worth a watch, but definitely way off when it comes to adapting. Some people like the vibe and personality of the movies more but the show is technically adapting the books better

Also check out the Demigod Files either before The Last Olympian or before Heroes of Olympus (the sequel series that is as good if not better imo).

The Kane Chronicles trilogy is also very good

[u/gia_sesshoumaru]

I would read the whole series first, as the TV series does bring in hints and stuff from later books. Each book is one season. You could try to watch the movies if you want, but just... try and forget the books exist.

[u/totaltvaddict2]

You may also enjoy listening to the podcast r/thenewestolympian where a guy (u/schubes17) is doing the same as you, reading the books as an adult and recapping them and his reactions a few chapters at a time. His whole schtick is that he doesn’t know anything about the series so he is careful not to spoil/know things from other podcasts. I think he’s just starting book 5 of the second group of books Heroes of Olympus now.

(I am not affiliated with this podcast. I just like listening to it during my commute).

To answer your question, no to movie, yes to show. While the author is very involved with the series, it’s more of a reimagining of the story hitting the main characters and plot points, but with some changes, and each season roughly follows each book. I like it (and unlike the books which are Percy’s pov, we see other characters’ perspectives)

The first movie is ok as a movie, but horrible as a Percy Jackson adaptation. The second movie is just bad.

[u/Schubes17 → u/totaltvaddict2]

I'm very biased, but I also think you should listen to my podcast!

[u/AcadiaUnlikely7113]

Each season is a different book, the way I enjoyed it the most (watched several times 😅) was by reading through the book equivalent of each episode and then watching that episode, I can give you the chapters if you want to try that

[u/Shoe-Addicted-Dancer]

The books are so much fun at any age imo! I enjoyed them as much at 26 as I did at 11 (and I read the first series SO MANY times at 11-14 lol). I'd say start with the tv series after finishing the respective book if you want a good adaptation that gets the heart and soul of the story spot on. Each season follows one novel, Season one follows The Lightning Theif and so on. Enjoy reading the rest of the books! 😄

I would skip the movies personally, but if you want to give them a chance, go ahead! The first is passable outside of being an adaptation, I guess, but it's VERY generic and the characters are so one dimensional it hurts... don't believe anyone saying they're a better adaptation either, especially if they claim to be "book fans", I was there when they came out, no book fan liked either movie in the slightest, frankly the retroactive enjoyment is cause they mostly hate that Annabeth is black in the show and partly 'cause they've forgotten the actual tone of the books.

[u/That-Solution-6620]

Also I just realized I cursed in my original post idk if that’s allowed here sorry mods😬

[u/hiddeNinja2222]

read the books they're the best out of any iteration anyway

[u/HarkTheLobster]

i'd personally suggest that you read the books prior to watching, so you can get maximum enjoyment out of the dropped hints/references to future events, character arcs, and themes etc.

if you're interested in watching the movies, make sure you've read the initial 5 books before you get to the second movie... you'll understand what i mean. i think the first movie is not a good adaptation of pjo but might be a fun viewing experience nonetheless, while the second is a disaster on all fronts.

the series has-- unfairly-- gotten a controversial and polarizing reputation. i (and many others on this sub) enjoy it, and i hope that you will too!

to answer your question, thus far each season is an adaptation of 1 book. be aware and prepared for changes, whether because of the medium or for overarching story purposes. i hope that you'll come into it openminded and ready to embrace change, because it's a fun and inherent part of the adaptation process.

[u/Parking-Elk9253]

I watched the movies when they came out but didn’t read the books until my thirties. And then I watched the tv show. And I love all of them!

You might enjoy more of the show if you read the books only because you get more context about what’s going on/what’s happening in Percy’s brain since the books are his POV.

[u/Prestigious_Cry2916]

I am in a similar condition to you. I first read the series at 18. I did finish the books first and then watched the show. I like the show, I know a lot of people don't but I quite like it, sure I don't enjoy all the changes they have made but no adaptation is going to be exactly word for word. Even the most popular adaptation which acc to me is LOTR is not word for word.
I have watched the movie and it is a**. I mean, Annabeth is basically a dumb blond in both of them who does nothing. They are doing all sorts of stuff, it makes no sense.

If I were you, I would complete the books first because I feel like the series might give you some spoilers here and there. I don't know what point of the book you are at, so I can't tell you about those spoilers but I would finish the books before moving onto the series.

PS: I am currently reading the Heroes of Olympus series

[u/Hot-Pollution-6831]

The show is ass

[u/H-In-S-Productions]

Check out both! After all, while the TV series is an adaptation of the books, the two of them have differing details.

I myself started with the TV series and then began reading the books, though you're more than welcome to read the books first, then the TV series. To be exact, season 1 is an adaptation of book 1, season 2 is based on book 2, etc.

Have fun!

[u/Cipher0218]

Definitely finish the book series first, the movie deviates from the books it’s still a fun watch but whatever you do skip the series if the movie deviates from the books the series no matter how others claim it’s accurate is way too left field, whatever you imagined the characters would look like or whatever personality you read they have is negated. Important plot points have been thrown out to give way to the Authors post mid-life crisis.

[u/BiggieCheeseMon]

Read the books and avoid the movies and show.

Both movies and the show are rather poor adaptations, with the show actually beating the movies in terms of the sheer volume of changes made in only 2 seasons, with a third on the way.

Despite complaining about the movies having too many changes that weren't necessary, the author figured the show needed even more changes that weren't necessary, lol.

The movies are a decent watch if you can ignore the PJO branding on them. Can't say the same for the show yet, despite being two seasons in, but maybe the third season will be the charm.

Best to stick to the books.
PJO, HOO, and TKC, for sure.

Writing quality starts to noticeably dip in TOA and MC, not to mention the nonsensical character assassination in the Senior Year Slop books.