120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Enjoy overnight NZ-wide delivery from our NZ-owned independent bookstore! 🎉

Darker Water

Brief Description
A claustrophobic YA sci-fi thriller set in the ocean's depths, where three teens are trapped in a terrifying struggle for survival. 'A creepy and claustrophobic deep-sea thriller.' Wren James, author of The Quiet at the End of the World 'A voice that can dazzle across generations.'... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2299
Pre-order
Releases 17th November 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Darker Water" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

A claustrophobic YA sci-fi thriller set in the ocean's depths, where three teens are trapped in a terrifying struggle for survival.

A claustrophobic YA sci-fi thriller set in the ocean's depths, where three teens are trapped in a terrifying struggle for survival.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A claustrophobic YA sci-fi thriller set in the ocean's depths, where three teens are trapped in a terrifying struggle for survival.

'A creepy and claustrophobic deep-sea thriller.' Wren James, author of The Quiet at the End of the World

'A voice that can dazzle across generations.' Femi Fadugba, author of The Upper World

'I was completely hooked.' Amy McCaw, author of They Own the Night

'Every page had me gasping for air.' Melissa Welliver, author of To The Death

2089, four kilometres below the ocean surface . . .

Underwater stations are home to hundreds of miners, engineers and biologists, all tasked with excavating and processing the miracle bacteria that is the solution to the energy crisis, ProLEC.

Betty, a miner, is at the bottom of the pecking order despite her years of experience.

Maia, a newbie engineer, knows she has the smarts to become a ProCORPer and make it to the very top.

Audley, a biologist, is on track to become the youngest science lead ever.

But something is very wrong with the ProLEC. Peaceful sea creatures are becoming bloodthirsty fiends, unprecedented power cuts and tremors wrack the station. As the three grow closer to the truth, and to each other, they are in far more danger than they could ever imagine.

The first in a thrilling new series perfect for fans of Ben Oliver, Neal Shusterman and Wren James.

'Immersive and clever.' Kenechi Udogu, author of Augmented

'A page-turning mystery thriller.' K. L. Kettle, author of Control Alter Delete

'I couldn't put it down.' S. A. Gales, author of iNSiDE

'Totally gripping.' Kathryn Clark, author of Things I Learned While I Was Dead

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571390526

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 18 June 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Emma Read was once a very sensible biologist, now she is the author of children's books, including the Milton the Mighty series and The Housetrap. She is also a big fan of the side hustle, being a long-serving member of WriteMentor, as well as a tutor with Creative Writing Ink, a freelance novel editor, as EmDashED, and owner of StorySpinners - a creative writing club. She lives in Bath.

Also by Emma Read

View all
  • Milton the Megastar
    Milton the Megastar follows Milton, whose superstardom is stressing him out: the events, the glamour, the adoring fans! When Dad and Greta plan a holiday in Hawaii, Zoe knows she has to take her best spider pal along for the ride: he needs a break. But in the end, the trip is hardly a holiday.
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Milton the Mighty
    When little spider Milton discovers he’s been branded deadly on social media–and is targeted by pest-killers BugKILL–he fears for his life and the future of his species. Alongside his BFFs, big hairy Ralph and spindly Daddy-long-legs Audrey, he searches for a way to clear his name… But to succeed, Milton realises he must communicate with his house humans, a schoolgirl...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • Silent Night
    A spooky read for ages 10 and up! All is calm, but something's not right... When Masen, Conor and Joss wake up in the caravan on Christmas morning, a chill of unease fills the air. Their presents sit untouched in the house across the way, but their parents are nowhere to be found. Outside, a blizzard rages. Families don’t just...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Housetrap
    The Housetrap by Emma Read follows Deliah, Sam, and Claude as they venture inside a mysterious mansion in pursuit of little sister Amity. No sooner have they found her than the floor beneath their feet starts to twist and turn, causing the house to rearrange itself like a giant Rubik’s cube. To escape, they must solve the puzzle—and the century-old...
    Paperback
    $2099
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    The Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
    Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Royalslinger
    K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.