8 Fantasy Books With Underwater Kingdoms
Beneath the surface of the ocean lies a world of mystery, beauty, and untold power. Underwater kingdoms, with their glittering coral cities, ancient ruins, and secrets buried deep in the sea, hold an allure like no other. These realms, where merfolk and sea monsters rule and where the very tides carry ancient magics, beckon with the promise of adventure and discovery. If you’re ready to plunge into worlds where the ocean is more than just a backdrop, here are eight mesmerizing fantasy books that will immerse you in the wonders of underwater realms, each one as rich and vast as the seas themselves.
1. The Deep by Rivers Solomon
In The Deep, Rivers Solomon brings to life an underwater kingdom like no other. The story is inspired by the song “The Deep” by Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes, and it explores a society of water-dwelling descendants of enslaved Africans who were thrown overboard during the transatlantic slave trade. The underwater kingdom they’ve created is a rich, haunting, and magical world, where the deep ocean serves as both refuge and prison. With lyrical prose and a profound exploration of history, identity, and memory, Solomon crafts a breathtaking narrative that pulls readers into a realm where the very ocean itself holds the key to the past.
2. Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Though Serpent & Dove may not be entirely set underwater, its sequel Blood & Honey introduces an enigmatic underwater kingdom that plays a significant role in the unfolding story. The realm is mysterious and dangerous, hidden beneath the surface of a magical world teeming with witches, magical creatures, and fierce power struggles. The underwater kingdom is home to ancient magic, and its tides affect the fate of the characters, providing an eerie, atmospheric setting where every ripple of the water signals a deeper mystery waiting to be uncovered.
3. The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
In The Water Knife, while the focus is more on dystopian landscapes, Bacigalupi immerses readers in a future where water is a powerful, finite resource. Throughout the novel, there’s an almost mythical portrayal of underground and underwater sources of water as kingdoms in their own right—deeply protected, hidden, and sought after by all who are desperate to control the flow. The hidden underwater realms in this world hold the promise of survival, where civilizations rise and fall with the tides of the precious element. It’s not quite a literal underwater kingdom, but the concept of controlling water as a life-giving resource gives this novel a similar otherworldly vibe.
4. The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
In The Bone Shard Daughter, Andrea Stewart introduces a world of floating islands and fractured kingdoms, but beneath the surface of this world lies the ancient and forgotten realm of the sea. In this magical land, the ocean is more than just a physical presence; it holds memories, ancient power, and the potential to shape the fate of the living. The kingdom beneath the waves is shrouded in mystery and secrets, with long-lost gods, creatures, and magic waiting to be discovered. Stewart’s world-building is intricate, creating a realm where the sea is as alive as any character in the story.
5. Tooth and Claw by Joe Abercrombie
While Abercrombie’s Tooth and Claw focuses primarily on a world of anthropomorphic creatures, the aquatic kingdoms within the narrative are fascinating in their depth and intrigue. The book showcases deep-sea beings with unique cultures and ways of life, offering readers a look into underwater worlds shaped by ancient rivalries, magical prowess, and a different set of rules. The underwater kingdoms in this book are not just places of refuge—they are places of power, and their existence challenges the established order of land-dwelling creatures. Abercrombie’s dark humor and gritty world-building make the sea’s influence feel immediate and urgent.
6. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Daughter of the Pirate King introduces readers to a world where pirates and mermaids are bound by the waves, and mysterious underwater realms play a central role in the adventure. The protagonist, Alosa, is a fierce pirate captain on a quest to find an ancient treasure buried beneath the ocean. Along the way, she encounters the lore of the sea, the magic hidden in its depths, and the powerful creatures that dwell below. Levenseller’s underwater kingdoms are filled with enchantment and danger, offering a thrilling, fast-paced exploration of underwater mysteries and pirate culture.
7. The Mermaid’s Daughter by Ann Claycomb
The Mermaid’s Daughter takes inspiration from the classic tale of The Little Mermaid, offering a dark and lyrical reimagining of the legend. In this novel, the protagonist, Miranda, must navigate the haunting legacy of her mermaid mother, whose underwater kingdom of magic and power is both alluring and terrifying. The kingdom beneath the sea is portrayed as both beautiful and dangerous, where the mermaid’s song and the sea’s call are impossible to resist. This world of magic and deep-sea secrets explores the conflict between land and sea, love and sacrifice, and the pull of an underwater world that refuses to let go.
8. The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne
In The Shadow of the Gods, Gwynne builds a world of deep myths, where forgotten gods and their underwater realms hold sway over the fate of the land. The sea is not only a backdrop but also an active player in the story, with underwater kingdoms and ancient beings hiding within its depths. These realms are full of secrets—old gods, magical creatures, and relics of a long-forgotten age—waiting to be uncovered. As characters battle for survival and power, the influence of the ocean’s hidden realms looms large, offering a sense of ancient magic and peril that feels as vast and untamable as the sea itself.
Conclusion: Dive Deep into Enchanted Waters
The allure of underwater kingdoms is powerful, drawing us into a world where the very sea can be both a sanctuary and a danger. From ancient merfolk realms to magical cities that pulse with the rhythm of the ocean’s tides, these fantasy books offer readers the chance to explore worlds teeming with life, mystery, and adventure beneath the waves. Whether it’s the haunting beauty of the sea or the creatures and powers that dwell within, these books invite you to dive into realms where the water holds all the answers—if you’re brave enough to discover them. So, take the plunge and let the tides of these underwater kingdoms sweep you away on an unforgettable journey.
