Ever get that feeling that everyone is sleeping on a masterpiece? That’s basically the deal with the Waterfire Saga book series. People see the Disney-Hyperion logo and the mermaid tails on the covers and immediately think it’s just another "Little Mermaid" retelling for kids. It’s not. It’s actually a sprawling, surprisingly dark political thriller that happens to be set in the ocean. Jennifer Donnelly didn't just write a story about fish out of water; she built a massive, terrifyingly detailed world that rivals some of the best high-fantasy land-based series out there.
Honestly, it's intense.
We’re talking about a world where an ancient evil is waking up and the only thing standing in its way is a group of six teenagers who are basically outcasts in their own kingdoms. If you've ever felt like the weight of the world was on your shoulders while you were just trying to figure out who you are, this hits different.
The lore of the Waterfire Saga book series is deeper than the Mariana Trench
Donnelly didn't just make up some random spells. She pulled from actual history and mythology to create the foundation of Atlantis. In the first book, Deep Blue, we meet Serafina, a princess of Miromara. She’s supposed to be getting ready for her Dokimí—this big, stressful ceremony to prove she’s the rightful heir—but then everything goes south. Fast. Assassins show up, her mother is shot with a poisoned arrow, and suddenly Serafina is a fugitive.
It’s brutal.
The series spans four main books: Deep Blue, Rogue Wave, Dark Tide, and Sea Spell. Throughout these, we see the world-building expand from the Mediterranean (Miromara) to the icy waters of the Arctic (Qin), the depths of the Atlantic, and even the Indian Ocean. Each region has its own culture, its own prejudices, and its own magic system based on "songcasting."
Songcasting is one of the coolest parts of the Waterfire Saga book series. It’s not just singing pretty songs. It’s about manipulating the "luma"—the magical energy of the ocean. It requires focus, intent, and a deep connection to the history of the ancestors. When the characters lose that focus, the magic fails, and in the deep ocean, failure usually means death.
Why Abbadon is a top-tier villain
Most YA villains are kind of one-dimensional. Not Abbadon. He’s the ancient shadow creature that the six mages—the ancestors of our protagonists—trapped thousands of years ago. The stakes feel real because Abbadon isn't just a guy in a cape; he's a primordial force of chaos. He feeds on fear and greed.
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The way Donnelly handles the "Great Orbs" (the talismans needed to defeat him) avoids the typical "fetch quest" tropes. Each orb is tied to a specific character's growth. For instance, Neela, the fashion-obsessed princess from Matali, has to realize that her worth isn't in her looks but in her courage. Ling, who can speak to all marine life, has to confront the trauma of her past to unlock her potential. It's character-driven fantasy at its best.
It’s basically Game of Thrones with gills
Let's talk about the politics. The Waterfire Saga book series is heavy on the backstabbing. You have the Black Fin Resistance, corrupt generals, and hidden spies everywhere. Serafina spends a huge chunk of the series not knowing who to trust.
Even her best friend’s loyalty is questioned.
The series tackles some heavy themes too. We see environmental destruction, the horrors of war, and the way power corrupts even the well-intentioned. In Rogue Wave, the second book, the focus shifts to Becca and Mahdi, and you start to see the cracks in the underwater kingdoms. These aren't perfect utopias. They are societies struggling with classism and xenophobia.
- Deep Blue (2014) – The inciting incident where Serafina’s life is destroyed.
- Rogue Wave (2015) – The search for the first few talismans and the deepening of the conspiracy.
- Dark Tide (2015) – The stakes get higher as the villain’s followers, the Death Riders, gain ground.
- Sea Spell (2016) – The final showdown that honestly leaves you breathless.
Jennifer Donnelly, who is already a New York Times bestselling author for A Northern Light, brought a level of literary sophistication here that you don't always find in "mermaid books." She uses sensory details that make you feel the pressure of the water and the coldness of the currents.
Breaking down the Six (The Mermaids you actually care about)
The core of the Waterfire Saga book series is the bond between the six protagonists. They are called by the "Iele," which are these creepy, powerful river witches, to stop the return of Abbadon.
Serafina is the leader, but she's deeply flawed. She’s riddled with anxiety and "What if I’m not enough?" energy.
Neela is the comic relief but with a heart of gold and a fiery temper.
Ling is the intellectual, a "shadow-speaker" who can talk to anything that swims.
Becca is the firebrand from the Atlantic who has to learn to work with others.
Ava is the blind prophet from the Amazon who sees more than anyone else.
Astrid is the one everyone loves to hate at first—she’s the cold, distant princess from the North who turns out to have the most complex backstory of them all.
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The way their friendships evolve is the real hook. They start as strangers who kind of dislike each other and end up as a family. It’s a slow burn. It feels earned.
The actual science and mythology behind the scenes
Donnelly clearly did her homework. The marine biology included in the series—like the descriptions of bioluminescence, the way sound travels underwater, and the specific species of sharks and whales—is surprisingly accurate. She mixes this with a reimagined version of the Atlantis myth. Instead of Atlantis being one city, it was a global empire that sank because of the hubris of its leaders.
This serves as a warning.
The Waterfire Saga book series mirrors our own world's issues with climate change and ocean health without being "preachy." The destruction of the reefs and the poisoning of the waters are plot points that drive the characters' desperation.
What most readers get wrong about the ending
People sometimes complain that the ending of Sea Spell is too abrupt. But if you look closely, the clues for how it all wraps up are scattered throughout the first three books. It’s a "puzzle box" style of writing. The resolution of the bloodline curse and the way the talismans are finally used is actually a masterclass in foreshadowing.
Also, can we talk about the romance? Mahdi and Serafina’s relationship isn't a simple "happily ever after." It’s complicated by duty, distance, and the fact that they are literally fighting a war. It’s refreshing to see a YA series where the romance doesn't completely overshadow the main plot.
The legacy of the series in 2026
Even though the last book came out years ago, the Waterfire Saga book series has a massive cult following. Fans are still making "songcasting" playlists on Spotify and designing their own "luma" art. There’s something timeless about the "hero’s journey" when it’s submerged in such a vivid, dangerous world.
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If you’re looking for a series to binge that has:
- High-stakes political intrigue
- Genuinely scary villains
- Complex female friendships
- Detailed world-building
- A touch of ancient mystery
Then you need to pick these up.
Don't let the covers fool you. This isn't a "sparkly mermaid" story. It’s a story about survival, sacrifice, and the power of a few individuals to change a broken system.
To get the most out of the series today, start by reading the books in order—skipping to the end or reading out of sequence ruins the tension. Check out the official maps provided in the hardback editions; they are crucial for tracking the characters' movements across the globe. Finally, pay attention to the lyrics of the songs within the text; they often contain the "hidden" history of the world that explains the characters' motivations before they even realize them themselves.
The best way to experience this world is to go in blind, without looking up spoilers for Sea Spell, because the twists in the final act are some of the most satisfying in the genre. Grab a copy of Deep Blue and see how long it takes you to get hooked. It probably won't be long.
Next Steps for Readers
- Read in Order: Start with Deep Blue and progress chronologically to Sea Spell to ensure you catch all the subtle foreshadowing regarding the Great Orbs.
- Examine the Songcasting: Pay close attention to the italicized "songs" in the text; these aren't just filler but represent the magic system's technical mechanics.
- Reference the Maps: Use the maps included in the physical editions to understand the geopolitical layout of the six kingdoms, as the distances traveled play a major role in the pacing of the war.
- Explore the Mythology: Research the real-world myths of the Iele and Atlantis to see how Jennifer Donnelly subverted these legends for her narrative.