Why the Percy Jackson Series Has Fans Divided

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, the first book required for BASIS 3rd graders, is a book series following Percy Jackson, a young boy, who discovers he is part of the world of Greek mythology. However, for many readers, PJO is more than just a book series. It’s a childhood staple that introduced Greek mythology through humor, adventure, and characters that felt real.

When Disney+ released its television adaption of Rick Riordan’s bestselling books, the series quickly brought Percy Jackson back into the spotlight. Unlike the early film adaptations, the show promised to stay faithful to the books, with Riordan himself closely involved in production. While the series has been widely successful, it has also sparked major debate among longtime fans.

The Disney+ show is based directly on the Riordan novels, and his involvement gave many fans hope that the adaptation would do the story justice. Riordan has openly supported the cast, even dedicating his newest PJO book to actors Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, and Leah Jeffries. So far, the show has released 2 seasons, each bringing its own set of reactions.

Season 1 introduced the biggest controversy: casting. Annabeth Chase, a character described in the books as a blond, white girl, with stormy gray eyes, is played by Leah Jeffries, a Black actress with black hair and brown eyes. Percy Jackson, described in the books with black hair and sea-green eyes, is played by Walker Scobell who has blond hair and blue eyes. For many readers, visuals matter when adapting a story they grew up imagining in a specific way, but others argue that acting ability should matter more than appearance.

An avid reader of the books, Cindy Gu (10), shared a mixed perspective.

“I think it’s pretty important to stay accurate to the books because that’s what gives the characters their spark,” she said, “It wouldn’t be Percy Jackson without his characteristics, but I don’t really mind race and hair color.”

Other fans, however, viewed the casting differently. Desha Maheshwari argued that visual accuracy is less important than capturing the spirit of the story.

“I think exact visual accuracy in adaptations is not as vital as capturing the essential themes or overall essence of a story,” she said.

Maheshwari added that despite not matching book descriptions exactly, the actors portrayed the characters convincingly.

“Their attitude, chemistry, and interactions were really strong,” continued Maheshwari, “I honestly love the casting.”

Another major issue in Season 1 was the pacing of Percy and Annabeth’s relationship. In the books, their romance is a slow burn that develops over several years. The show, however, seemed to push their connection forward much faster, which disappointed fans who valued the original buildup.

Season 2 shifted the controversy away from the casting, but towards the storytelling choices. Most notably, the removal of the siren scene, where Percy saves Annabeth from the sirens and holds her in an underwater bubble. In the books, this moment is a key Percy and Annabeth scene that deepens their bond and shows Annabeth’s internal struggles. The removal of this scene frustrated many fans, leading to online backlash and renewed debates about faithfulness to the source material.

Even fans who have not fully watched the show still have strong opinions. Gu noted that from what she has seen and heard online, Percy feels “more serious” in the show.

“That’s what literally makes Percy Jackson him,” she said, explaining that his humor is a defining trait in the books.

Despite the differing opinions, fans agree on the importance of the original books.

“Yes, I would definitely recommend the Percy Jackson series,” Gu said, calling it fun, fast-paced, and full of humor.

Maheshwari also encouraged new fans to start with the books.

“You get richer detail, and the ability to imagine scenes and characters how you want,” said Maheshwari.

She adds that this makes the adaptation easier to appreciate.

Ultimately, adaptations are difficult to get right. Nostalgia often clashes with creative freedom, and no version will satisfy every fan. While the PJO series has faced criticism, it has also reignited interest in a beloved story.

Whether on page or on screen, the world of Percy Jackson continues to spark conversation, proving just how meaningful it remains to its audience.