Rick Riordan hints final Percy Jackson book could be his last

Rick Riordan says the last Percy Jackson book may arrive in 2027, hinting it could be his final adventure with Percy.

Rick Riordan has given fans a long-awaited update on the future of Percy Jackson, but the news is bittersweet. The beloved author revealed that the third and final instalment of his Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The College Recommendation Letters trilogy will not be released until 2027. More significantly, he suggested that this may be the final chapter in Percy’s story, signalling the possible end of a series that has captivated readers for nearly two decades.

Riordan explained that the delay was due to his many other commitments, including the Disney+ adaptation of his original five-book saga. While seasons two and three of the series are in production, Riordan has also been busy expanding the universe with new stories, such as the upcoming The Court of the Dead, which follows fan favourite Nico di Angelo. These projects pushed Percy’s concluding book further down the timeline, and Riordan was candid that he cannot promise more adventures for the son of Poseidon beyond this trilogy.

The current arc follows Percy during his senior year as he attempts to secure divine letters of recommendation for college, aided by Annabeth. But Riordan has stated that he does not intend to write stories set during Percy and Annabeth’s college years. He explained that his focus remains firmly on middle-grade audiences, noting that writing beyond that age range is not where he feels most effective.

Fans have long speculated whether Riordan would continue Percy’s story indefinitely, but the author stressed that this trilogy was always meant to be three books. He admitted that the idea first came as a way to encourage the greenlight for the television series. With the adaptation now secured and a wealth of spin-offs exploring other characters, Percy’s journey may truly be nearing its end.

As Riordan put it, “I don’t want to mess it up. My sweet spot is middle grade.” For many readers, the possibility that the next Percy Jackson book could be the last makes the wait until 2027 all the more poignant.