‘This isn’t fair!’

14 year old Ana Dakkar has been screaming this internally ever since her parents died two years before. Now she has lost even more loved ones and her life has been upended into a nightmare. A nightmare she has suddenly been put in control of.

She’s a Prefect at Harding-Pencroft Academy which trains the best marine biologists, doctors, engineers, experts in communications and so much more, to send them out to careers upon the world’s oceans. She’s not qualified for the task ahead, but her DNA demands it.

Ana Dakkar has read Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and knows all about Captain Nemo (not the fish). What she didn’t know was that his original name Prince Dakkar isn’t a coincidence. He is her ancestor and only she can lead her team of Harding-Pencroft freshman into a quest to nowhere, full of danger, giant sea monsters, a gut wrenching betrayal and wonders beyond their wildest dreams.

They are students of science and language and find it hard to take in what is in front of them. Ana’s self belief in leading her fellow students surges and falls, but with their trust and respect, she soon rises to every challenge thrown at them.

With her skills in music, marine biology and her exceptional friends at her side, she makes decisions that involve the lives of all of those around her. There is also priceless technology at stake – eons ahead of its time, and the lives of her enemies to consider.

Ana Dakker is looking to the future. She intends to have everyone she began this adventure with, right along with her in rebuilding that future.

An incredibly imaginative tale set on and under the world’s oceans. The technology in weaponry, radar, clothing, and submarine construction are out of this world. It’s not all just machinery though. The main character and her empath friend Esther in particular, communicate with animals, sea life, and another ‘creature’ they learn to respect.

At the beginning of the book the four houses of Ana Dakkar’s school, Harding-Pencroft, are listed. Each house looks for certain attributes in its house members. There are Orcas, Sharks, Dolphins and Cephalopods. (Take the test below to see where you fit in.)

It all makes for a fascinating and fast-paced read with lots of jaw dropping moments along the way. Interesting characters and the dynamics between them draw the reader into their plight and mission, and I’m looking forward to travelling with them into their future in further books in this new series.

Author – Rick Riordan

Age – 10+

Take the test to see which Harding-Pencroft House you belong to, here

(2021, Series, Ocean, Jules Verne, Excitement, Danger, Adventure, Weapons, Fight scenes, Dolphins, Sea life, Swimming, Diving, Family, Betrayal, History, Truth and Lies, Assassins, Siblings, Empath, Friendship, Courage, Leadership. Captain, Submarine, Action, Sea, Grief, Science