Rick Riordan First Editions

• Big Red Tequila (Tres Navarre 1) — 1997 · Bantam BooksRiordan's debut adult mystery, issued as a Bantam mass-market paperback original, June 1997, with a full number line ending in 1 and first-state cover price intact. No hardcover trade first exists; the paperback original is the true first. Earliest collectible Riordan title, predating Percy Jackson. US Bantam true first, June 2, 1997, published as a paperback original with no preceding hardcover. Series debut that won the Shamus Award for best first PI novel and the Anthony Award for best original paperback; scarcer in true first state than his later children's titles. Later printings advance the number line and may add banners referencing the Percy Jackson author.
• The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians 1) — 2005 · Miramax Books / HyperionThe first printing copyright page carries the odd-then-even number line '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2' under the Miramax Books/Hyperion imprint; gray cloth with silver detailing to the spine; first-issue jacket with the original price and the first-state cover art (boy before the Brooklyn Bridge), no movie tie-in. The US Miramax/Hyperion trade hardcover (July 2005) is the true first. Confirm the 1 in the number line and the intact original jacket. Early signed copies exist and are scarce. Later printings and book-club copies alter the number line (not the first-state '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2' sequence), and movie-tie-in jackets postdate 2010; because reprints reuse plates, the number line is decisive.
• The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson 2) — 2006 · Miramax Books / HyperionFirst printing shows the full number line '1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2' on the copyright page. Title page carries the Miramax Books (imprint of Hyperion Books for Children) statement, 2006. First-state jacket price intact. The US Miramax/Hyperion hardcover (released 1 April 2006, ISBN 9780786856862) is the true first. Confirm the complete number line ending in 1. Film tie-in and later printings drop the 1 from the number line; book-club and later Disney-Hyperion reissues differ from the Miramax first.
• The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson 3) — 2007 · Miramax Books / Hyperion Books for ChildrenFirst printing shows a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. The title page carries the Miramax Books (imprint of Hyperion Books for Children) statement, 2007. The binding is paper over boards (not cloth), issued in a first-issue dust jacket that should retain its printed price. The US Miramax/Hyperion hardcover (released 1 May 2007, ISBN 978-1-4231-0145-1) is the true first. Confirm the complete number line running down to 1; later printings begin higher (a printing that lacks the 1 is not the first). Later printings drop the 1 from the number line. Book-club and later Disney-Hyperion reissues differ from the Miramax first; verify the Miramax Books imprint together with the number line ending in 1.
• The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson 4) — 2008 · Hyperion Books for Children / DisneyFirst printing shows a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Title page carries the Hyperion Books for Children (Disney Publishing Worldwide) statement, New York, 2008, ISBN 9781423101468 (1-4231-0146-4). Issued in hardcover with a pictorial dust jacket that should retain its printed price. The US Hyperion Books for Children hardcover (released 6 May 2008) is the true first. Confirm the complete number line ending in 1. The first printing was very large (about one million copies), so first printings are relatively common. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line; the Scholastic reissue (ISBN 9780545200493) and book-club printings differ from the Hyperion first.
• The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson 5) — 2009 · Disney Hyperion / Hyperion Books for ChildrenFirst printing is identified by a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1); the title page carries the Disney Hyperion (Hyperion Books for Children, New York) imprint statement dated 2009. The binding is black paper-covered boards with the spine stamped in gilt, issued in a pictorial dust jacket depicting the Manhattan skyline and title lettering, with the printed price…. The US Disney Hyperion hardcover, released 5 May 2009, is the true first. Confirm the complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line; book-club and later trade printings differ, and reissues appear in later series-matching jacket designs.
• The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus 1) — 2010 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US edition (Disney-Hyperion, ISBN 978-1-4231-1339-3) is identified by the full number line that includes both 1 and 10 on the copyright page, in the interleaved form 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Jacket art by John Rocco; the printed jacket price appears on the front flap and should be present. US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, October 2010), the recognized first for this American author; the US edition is the standard collector reference over the near-simultaneous UK Puffin release. On the true first the number line runs 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; later printings drop the low numbers so the line no longer begins with 1.
• The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles 1) — 2010 · Disney-Hyperion / Hyperion Books for ChildrenFirst printing shows a complete number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) on the copyright page. The title page carries the Disney-Hyperion / Hyperion Books for Children statement, 2010, ISBN 9781423113386. The dust jacket should retain its printed price. The US Disney-Hyperion hardcover (released 4 May 2010) is the true first; confirm the complete number line ending in 1. The first printing was very large (reported at roughly one million copies), so first printings are not scarce. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line; book-club printings differ in binding/jacket and typically omit the printed jacket price.
• The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus 2) — 2011 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US trade edition (Disney-Hyperion, New York, 2011; 544 pages) has "First Edition" on the copyright page with the full number line descending to 1, dated 2011, under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. A separate signed, numbered limited edition of 1,000 copies was issued for this title, bound in green cloth with gilt lettering, carrying exclusive endpaper art by series illustrator John Rocco,…. US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, October 4, 2011), the recognized first for this American author; the US trade edition is the standard collector reference over the near-simultaneous UK Puffin release, and separate from the signed 1,000-copy numbered limited edition. Later printings show a number line that no longer descends to 1.
• The Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles 2) — 2011 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US edition (Disney-Hyperion, New York, 2011; 464 pages; ISBN 9781423140566) is identified by "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the full number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 beneath it, dated 2011, under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap. Second volume of the Kane Chronicles. US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, May 2011), the recognized first for this American author. A UK Puffin edition appeared around the same time but the US edition is the standard collector reference. Later printings show a number line that no longer descends to 1 (the lowest digit rises with each printing).
• The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus 3) — 2012 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US edition (Disney-Hyperion, ISBN 978-1-4231-4060-3) is identified by the full number line that includes both 1 and 10 on the copyright page, in the interleaved form 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. Bound in red boards with the spine stamped in gold and purple endpapers; jacket art by John Rocco, with the printed jacket price present on the front flap. US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, October 2012), the recognized first for this American author; the US edition is the standard collector reference over the near-simultaneous UK Puffin release. First US printing was a very large run of roughly 3.5 million copies. On the true first the number line runs 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2; later printings drop the low numbers so the line no longer begins with 1. First-printing copies also show the red boards, gold spine stamping, and purple endpapers.
• The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles 3) — 2012 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US edition (Disney-Hyperion, New York, 2012; 406 pages; ISBN 9781423140573) has "First Edition" on the copyright page with the full number line present that descends to 1, dated 2012, under the Disney-Hyperion imprint. The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap (an unclipped jacket is preferred, though price-clipping alone does not unseat a first printing).…. US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, May 1, 2012), the recognized first for this American author; the US edition is the standard collector reference over the near-simultaneous UK Puffin release. Later printings show a number line that no longer descends to 1; the lowest digit present rises with each printing.
• The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus 4) — 2013 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing of the US edition is identified by the full number line ending in 1 (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1) on the copyright page, under the Disney-Hyperion imprint, dated 2013 (ISBN 9781423146728). US first edition (Disney-Hyperion, October 8, 2013). The UK Puffin edition was released the same day, so US and UK firsts are effectively simultaneous; the US Disney-Hyperion hardcover is the standard collector reference for this American author. Later printings show a number line that no longer descends to 1.
• The Blood of Olympus (Heroes of Olympus 5) — 2014 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing carries the number line on the copyright page running down to 1, reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, with the stated 'First Edition, October 2014' Disney-Hyperion imprint. The first-issue dust jacket should retain the printed price on the front flap (unclipped copies show it) and reproduces the John Rocco cover art. Trade copies are in illustrated boards issued by Disney-Hyperion, New York. US Disney-Hyperion hardcover of October 7, 2014 is the true first; this US-authored title had no earlier UK or Canadian edition. The announced first printing was very large, so first-printing copies are common. Distinguish a Target retail variant that was issued with a holographic bookmark affixed to the rear inside board, and some copies laid in a Gods-versus-Giants panorama panel as issued. Later printings drop the 1 (and successively higher digits) from the number line; the stated 'First Edition' line is absent on subsequent printings.
• The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase 1) — 2015 · Disney-HyperionFirst printing shows the number line on the copyright page running down to 1, reading 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2, with the stated 'First Edition, October 2015' Disney-Hyperion imprint. Issued in blue boards stamped in silver on the spine, in a John Rocco pictorial dust jacket that should retain the printed front-flap price on unclipped copies. US Disney-Hyperion hardcover of October 6, 2015 is the true first; no earlier UK or Canadian edition. A separate retailer 'exclusive' issue of the first printing exists with a 'Guide to the Norse Gods' section tipped in; the number line and stated-edition line are otherwise the same as the trade first. Later printings drop the 1 (and higher digits) from the number line and omit the stated 'First Edition' line.
• The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase 2) — 2016 · Disney-HyperionDisney-Hyperion hardcover with 'First Edition' stated and a number line on the copyright page running down to 1, dated October 2016. The binding is green cloth boards with silver spine imprinting and a silver 'MC' monogram stamped on the front cover, with olive-green endpapers, beneath a pictorial dust jacket. A separate Barnes & Noble exclusive first edition exists with the same ISBN family but bonus content,…. The US Disney-Hyperion hardcover of October 4, 2016 is the true first. The UK Puffin edition, with different cover art, was published the same day, October 4, 2016, so there is no earlier overseas edition. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line.
• The Hidden Oracle (Trials of Apollo 1) — 2016 · Disney-HyperionDisney-Hyperion hardcover stating 'First Edition' with a number line running to 1 on the copyright page (dated 2016). Blue boards and spine with metallic gold stamping and a gold Apollo emblem on the front cover. First-issue jacket illustrated by John Rocco (art revealed October 2015), with the printed price retained. Released in the US on May 3, 2016. US Disney-Hyperion hardcover of May 3, 2016 is the true first; no earlier UK or Canadian edition. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line; the first pairs the stated 'First Edition' with blue boards, gold Apollo emblem, and the John Rocco jacket.
• The Dark Prophecy (Trials of Apollo 2) — 2017 · Disney-HyperionDisney-Hyperion hardcover stating 'First Edition' with a number line running to 1 on the copyright page (dated 2017). Bright red cloth boards with gilt spine stamping and a gilt Apollo logo on the front cover, and goldenrod endpapers. First-issue jacket illustrated by John Rocco, with the printed price retained. Released in the US on May 2, 2017. US Disney-Hyperion hardcover of May 2, 2017 is the true first; no earlier UK or Canadian edition. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line; the first pairs the stated 'First Edition' with red cloth boards, gilt Apollo device, goldenrod endpapers, and the John Rocco jacket. A separate retailer 'Exclusive' edition with a tipped-in insert also exists.
• The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase 3) — 2017 · Disney-HyperionDisney-Hyperion hardcover with 'First Edition' stated and a number line on the copyright page running down to 1, dated October 2017. The binding is red paper over boards with silver spine lettering, beneath a pictorial dust jacket. Later printings drop the 1 from the number line. The US Disney-Hyperion hardcover, published October 3, 2017, is the true first; the UK Puffin edition, with different cover art, is a contemporaneous rather than earlier printing, so the US remains the point of reference.
• The Burning Maze (Trials of Apollo 3) — 2018 · Disney-HyperionFirst-printing trade hardcover identified by a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Disney-Hyperion, 2018; first-state dust jacket present. Disney-Hyperion relies on the number line rather than a stated 'First Edition.'. US first, published May 2018. Disney-Hyperion issued the true first trade hardcover. Later printings advance or drop the number line so it no longer ends in 1.
• The Tyrant's Tomb (Trials of Apollo 4) — 2019 · Disney-HyperionFirst-printing trade hardcover identified by a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Disney-Hyperion, 2019; first-state dust jacket present. Disney-Hyperion relies on the number line rather than a stated 'First Edition.'. US first, published September 24, 2019. Disney-Hyperion issued the true first trade hardcover. Later printings advance or drop the number line so it no longer ends in 1.
• The Tower of Nero (Trials of Apollo 5) — 2020 · Disney-HyperionFirst-printing trade hardcover identified by a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Disney-Hyperion, 2020; first-state dust jacket present. Disney-Hyperion relies on the number line rather than a stated 'First Edition.'. US first, published October 6, 2020. Disney-Hyperion issued the true first trade hardcover; concludes the Trials of Apollo series. Later printings advance or drop the number line so it no longer ends in 1.
• Daughter of the Deep — 2021 · Disney-HyperionFirst-printing trade hardcover identified by a complete number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; Disney-Hyperion, 2021; first-state dust jacket present. Standalone Jules Verne-inspired science-fiction adventure. Disney-Hyperion relies on the number line rather than a stated 'First Edition.'. US first, published October 26, 2021. Disney-Hyperion issued the true first trade hardcover. Note that signed and retailer-exclusive editions (with distinct ISBNs) also exist alongside the standard first printing. Later printings advance or drop the number line so it no longer ends in 1.

More Children's & YA shelves: Roald Dahl, Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling), Robert Lawson, Robert McCloskey, Shel Silverstein, Susan Cooper.

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