Rick Riordan’s Daughter of the Deep is a masterclass in how to reboot a 150-year-old classic without making it feel like a homework assignment. It’s basically Percy Jackson meets Jules Verne—fast-paced, tech-heavy, and carrying one of the most brutal opening acts in modern middle-grade fiction. If your kid is looking for the "next thing" after finishing the Riordanverse, this is the logical leap, but you should know that it trades the magical safety net of gods and monsters for some very real-world stakes.
TL;DR: Rick Riordan’s Daughter of the Deep is a high-octane sci-fi adventure that reimagines 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for a modern audience. It features a brilliant female lead, cutting-edge "super-science," and a diverse cast, though parents should be ready for a heavy opening tragedy involving the destruction of a school and the presumed death of family members. It’s a perfect pick for 10-14 year olds who love fast action and don't mind a little emotional weight.
Unlike the Percy Jackson series, which leans heavily into mythology, Daughter of the Deep is pure science fiction—or "super-science," as the book calls it. It follows Ana Dakkar, a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a school that produces the world's best marine scientists and naval warriors.
The twist? Harding-Pencroft and its rival, the Land Institute, have been in a cold war for 150 years over the secrets of Captain Nemo. When the rivalry turns hot in the first few chapters, Ana discovers she’s the last living descendant of Nemo and the only one who can unlock the Nautilus.
If Riordan knows how to do one thing, it's pacing. This book doesn't walk; it sprints. Here is what usually hooks readers:
- The Tech: We aren't talking about standard submarines. We’re talking about sentient ships, giant squids, and cold fusion. For kids who like engineering, the ocean, or "how things work," the descriptions of Nemo’s technology are top-tier.
- The Underdog Dynamic: Ana is a great protagonist—smart, grieving, and forced into leadership before she’s ready. The crew is a diverse group of "freshman" who have to step up when all the adults are taken off the board.
- The Mystery: Even if your kid hasn't read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the hunt for Nemo’s legacy and the secrets of the deep sea keeps the pages turning.
Riordan doesn't pull punches here. In the first 50 pages, Harding-Pencroft Academy is destroyed while Ana and her classmates are on a bus headed to a trial at sea. They watch their school—and everyone in it, including Ana's brother—collapse into the ocean.
It’s an "all is lost" moment that carries significant emotional weight. For most kids in the target 10-13 age range, this is standard high-stakes adventure fare (think The Hunger Games or Harry Potter). But for sensitive readers, the suddenness of the loss and the grief Ana carries throughout the book is worth a mention. It’s not just "action violence"; it’s the loss of a home and family.
If Daughter of the Deep lands well, it’s a fantastic bridge to other interests.
The "I Want More Tech" List
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: The OG. If they liked the Nautilus in Riordan’s book, they might actually enjoy the Victorian-era version. It’s denser, but the DNA is all there.
- The Last Kids on Earth: For a slightly younger or more humor-focused take on "kids surviving against the odds with cool gadgets."
- A Short Hike: A video game that captures that same feeling of exploration and discovering secrets in nature, though much lower stakes.
The "Strong Female Leads" List
- Hilda: If they liked Ana’s bravery and connection to the natural world, this show (and the graphic novels) hits that same sense of wonder.
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown: A different kind of survival story that deals with technology and nature in a beautiful, slightly melancholy way.
The hardest part of Daughter of the Deep isn't the science; it's the grief. Riordan handles it well, but the book starts with a trauma that isn't magically fixed by the end.
Pro-tip: If your kid is a reluctant reader, the first 40 pages are the hurdle. Once the school is destroyed and they get onto the Nautilus, the momentum is unstoppable. If they’re struggling to start, read those first few chapters with them to get past the "school life" setup and into the actual adventure.
Q: Is Daughter of the Deep too intense for a 9-year-old?
It depends on the kid, but generally, it's fine. The opening tragedy (the school's destruction) is heavy, but the violence is mostly ship-to-ship combat and sci-fi weaponry rather than anything graphic. If they handled the later Percy Jackson books, they can handle this.
Q: Do you need to read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea first?
Not at all. Riordan does a great job of explaining the Nemo lore as it becomes relevant. However, reading this might actually make them want to check out the Jules Verne original afterward.
Q: Is this part of the Percy Jackson universe?
No. This is a standalone world (at least for now). There are no cameos from Percy or Annabeth, and the "rules" of the world are based on speculative technology rather than Greek gods.
Q: What are the main content warnings for Daughter of the Deep?
The primary "warning" is the opening mass-casualty event (the destruction of the school). Beyond that, there is some peril, mild language, and the typical "kids in danger" stress found in middle-grade action novels.
Daughter of the Deep is a solid, smart, and genuinely exciting read. It respects its audience’s intelligence and doesn't shy away from complex themes like legacy and the ethics of advanced technology. It’s a "yes" for any kid who likes adventure, and a "double yes" for those who are ready to move from magic to machines.
Next Steps
- Check out our best books for kids list for more age-appropriate picks.
- Looking for older readers? See our digital guide for middle school.
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