Review: Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan 🐬 … In BUZZWORDS 🐙

New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan pays homage to Jules Verne in his exciting modern take on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Published: October 26th 2021 by Disney-Hyperion

Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana’s parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family’s she’s got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana’s freshman year culminates with the class’s weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it’ll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.

But wait, there’s more. The professor accompanying them informs Ana that their rival school, Land Institute, and Harding-Pencroft have been fighting a cold war for a hundred and fifty years. Now that cold war has been turned up to a full broil, and the freshman are in danger of becoming fish food. In a race against deadly enemies, Ana will make amazing friends and astounding discoveries about her heritage as she puts her leadership skills to the test for the first time.

CW’s: Death & Grief, Violence, Injury/Coma, Mention of Death of a Parent

Representation 🌷 Indian MC, Black, Brazilian & Autistic SC’s

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Scary Oceans & Cool Science 🌊

“The impossible is merely the possible for which we don’t yet know the science”

The story is inspired by Jule Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. ➽ I never read the book, but I think most people have at least heard of the story. I loved how that was incorporated here! The main premise is the prestigious Harding-Pencroft Academy, a high school focusing on marine science and navigation. It consists of four houses that each have their specialty: Dolphin (communication & languages), Orca (psychology & medicine), Shark (weapons & strategy), and Cephalopod (engineering). However, when a tragedy befalls the school, the freshman class of HP Academy is thrust into their own adventure. Their long-time rivals the Land Insitute, which also specializes in all things marine, are much more vicious than they anticipated. Not only that but there are a ton of secrets that HP Academy kept from the younger students, such as the fact that they protect the legacy of Captain Nemo. The book explores the connection of the Academy and its students to technology that no one thought possible. There’s also the theme of people abusing their power and having the responsibility to not let inventions loose on a world that isn’t ready for them.

Clever Female Lead & Found Family 💗

“I hold up two fingers. ‘How many fingers?’
He squints. ‘Twenty-five?’
‘Yeah, you’ll be fine.”

I really loved Ana and her crew! ➽ Ana Dakar is the Dolphin’s prefect and after the destruction of her school, she becomes a key player due to her connection to the legend of Captain Nemo. The only functioning adult is taken out, so her entire freshman class has to fend to themselves under enemy threat and reach safety while also dealing with their Trauma. Ana kind of becomes a leader by chance and tries her best to live up to the expectations. At the same time, she deals with much imposter syndrome, especially as her older brother is the one who used to get all the spotlight, making her accustomed to staying in the shadows. Ana felt so authentic as she struggles with the new responsibility and feels like she has no idea what she’s doing. Luckily, she’s a clever and brave girl that also has the support of her friends and crew. Her best friends Ester – an autistic Orca who’s incredibly smart – and Nelihma – a Brazilian scholarship student, fashionable and proud Cephalopod, are always by their side. She also becomes friends with her former rival/nemesis Gemini Twain, a rigid Shark who’s good at strategy and very loyal, but can come across as a bit rough around the edges. He’s one of my favorite characters, as he’s a softie inside and always believes in Ana! The found family that develops inbetween the crew among all their trauma was so heartwarming to see 💗

Lovable Animal Companions 🐙🐬🐶

“Top sits at my feet and wags his tail. He gives me his most soulful stare. I’m a very good boy. I almost killed someone earlier.”

The secrets stars of the book are Socrates and Top! ➽ I love animal companions so much and we got so many here! Socrates is a dolphin that Ana befriended back at the Academy and regularly feeds. She tries to communicate with him and since Dolphins are very smart and personable, they have developed a strong connection 🥺 The second star of the book is Top, a very good boy 🐶 He’s Ester’s emotional support animal and of course along for the ride! He’s excellent at comforting, giving cuddles and protecting his humans, which of course stole my heart 💖 Apart from these two there’s also an orangutan called Jupiter, who knows sign language and can cook, and a love-sick Octopus 🐙

IN CONCLUSION. ➽ Daughter of the Deep was a fantastic Middle Grade Sci-Fi inspired by Jule Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea that is a mix of adventure, banter but also deals with trauma and grief. I loved all the characters, the interesting technology and learning more about marine life 🥰

Did you read Daughter of the Deep? What is your favorite book about science or set at the sea? 🐬

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