This book had me hooked from the very first page and it did not disappoint,
We follow the 2 different POV's first Ruby who is lost in the catacombs under Paris with 3 fellow students and a random guy who was meant to be taking them to a party in said catacombs. The other POV Sean's who is Ruby's best friend and is completely in love with her. He's trying to work out where she and the other 3 girls are since he doesn't believe what the police are saying and they that they didn't run away.
While the girls and Julien are lost somewhere in the hundreds of miles of tunnels it's a matter of finding a way out before starvation and dehydration start to kick in but that's not the only thing they have to worry about. It turns out something might be hunting them in the dark.

Everything was perfect about this book. I found it very hard to put down and when I though I had it all figure out and I thought I knew how it was going to end. I didn't the end was a complete shock and not what I thought was going to happen. I would 100% recommend this book to everyone.

This book feels very young adult, with teen drama, parties, and sneaking out. I really enjoyed the setting in the Paris catacombs, and the story is full of surprises. Overall, it was an exciting read with a fast pace and lots of intensity. Quick and fun!

A heart pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat desperate to know what happens next, with twists and reveals that will keep you guessing until the end.

This book starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. Told with dual perspectives - Ruby, an aspiring travel vlogger whose aspirations lead her to getting lost in the Paris catacombs, and Sean, her almost-boyfriend doing everything he can from the surface to find where Ruby has gone missing. With the timeline ticking down on being able to find Ruby and the others, we don’t know who - if any - will survive to the surface.

This is a perfect read for anyone who is a fan of YA thrillers - filled with drama, romance, betrayals and a shocking twist I didn’t see coming - I was on the edge of my seat until I finished reading.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Penguin Young Readers Group for providing this e-ARC.

I recently went to Paris and knew this was the book to read to hype me up for that trip. I enjoyed following along the journey of our four teens as they’re in Paris. I saw myself in Ruby as I read and really liked her voice within the book. Sean was the hero I didn’t know I needed to see in a book but he was the best. Really enjoyed this book!

I picked this up after visiting the catacombs in Paris last summer, and this is a perfect fast-paced thrill ride to hand to teens! Recommended!

I liked this book and thought it was well written. I thought it was well written and would recommend but it wasn’t my favorite book or anything.

Under the Surface is a thriller that centers on the mysterious Paris catacombs. I've been fascinated by the whole idea of catacombs since I was in middle school (because of Monster High) so naturally I was really excited for this one and it did not disappoint. It follows high school friends Ruby and Sean on their French class field trip to Paris. When Ruby's friend Val sneaks out on the first night to meet a boy, she and a few other girls follow with the intent of bringing her back, but they end up trusting the wrong people and get lost in the labyrinthine catacombs.

I liked the nuanced view on friendship that is explored in the context of this story. Urban doesn't shy away from emphasizing how this whole situation was Val's fault, nor from exploring Sean's dislike of Val. Ruby also ends up reevaluating her friendship with Val in light of this. I thought that Ruby and Sean's relationship was done really well too. We see how they're mutually attracted to each other, but don't know how to tell the other. Sean's feelings for Ruby is also what leads him to push so hard for the investigation into her disappearance, which was really sweet in an unconventional way.

Of course, the descriptions of the catacombs are harrowing. I've seen pictures of the Paris Catacombs and knew that there were rows on rows of skulls, but I never really considered how being amongst that could impact you psychologically. The way that Urban weaves in the history of the catacombs was really interesting too, and contributed nicely to an absolutely insane plot twist.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a fast-paced thriller. And I really enjoyed the characters. I would truly recommend it!

I really ejjoyed this book. Being beneath Paris and seeing what lurked beneath was something I' haven't seen done before. The conspirarcy as believable. and the terror felt palpable. There was a moment or two that got me kind of anxious. I couldn't believe what I was reading on page.

This was a new author for me & I will be reading all the things from her! I LOVED this book so much! All the stars! It had to be on my favorite list for sure! The thrill, emotions, and being at the edge of your seat! It’s such a page turner! I can’t say enough about my love for this one!!

Due to personal reasons i have not read this, but will purchase and read someday! I am giving it 5 stars because between the cover art and premise, i know ill love it!

Ruby and her classmates think they’re heading to an exclusive underground party, but they soon find themselves lost in the dark, winding tunnels beneath the city with no way out. And they're not alone. Something dark lurks beneath the city. Under the Surface is a gripping YA thriller that keeps the pace and tension high. For fans of locked-room thrillers with gripping plots and high stakes. This one’s definitely worth picking up!

Title: Under the Surface
Author: Diana Urban
Genre: YA Horror
Format: eARC
Series: NA
Star Rating: 4.5 stars

tw: theft, parental death, blood, injury, night terrors, death, near drowning, bugs, assault, murder

A special thank you goes to Netgalley and Penguin Group for providing me with a copy of this book. Please know that this does not influence my rating or thoughts on the book itself.

One of my favorite horror movies is As Above So Below, which is about a group of young adults who go into the Paris catacombs and bad things start to happen. When I discovered that there was a YA book about a group of teens going into the catacombs, I knew I had to get my hands on this book by any means necessary. Luckily, NetGalley approved my request so I didn’t have to do anything too crazy. But just so you know, Diana, I would have done a lot of things to get my hands on the book. A lot.

One of the best things about this book was how the teenagers behaved like teenagers. Ruby, the main character, had a huge fight with one of her friends. The reason why was so silly to me and I was starting to get annoyed about it. But one of my friends, who I buddy read this with, reminded me that they are teens. Of course, what we (as adults) think is silly is a big deal to teens. That put things in perspective for me and I enjoyed the book a lot more.

The setting is so well done. The Paris catacombs are so creepy and I can tell that Diana Urban did her research about this place. There is so much history about the catacombs and I learned quite a bit about how vast the catacombs are. It made me really to visit the catacombs and also never want to visit them ever.

I think I will end the review here. This is one of those books where you need to experience it with as little information as possible. Just know you will experience a lot of dread. It pervades the entire book and it will never leave you, even at the very end. I highly recommend this book! Especially if you enjoyed the movie, As Above So Below.

This YA survival thriller was a captivating blend of thrill, disorientation, and claustrophobia, brought to life by a very different type of story; one that I easily pictured in my head as I read the book.
The writing was pretty easy to follow, and I appreciated how the author balanced the mature themes with suspenseful storytelling. The blend of mystery, light horror, and historical theories about the catacombs made it a binge-worthy read. The author’s research shined through, making me as the reader want to visit the catacombs, albeit ones that are guided tours!
The romance had its moments, especially Sean’s devotion to Ruby. The suspenseful twists kept me on edge, even though the main reveal was somewhat predictable. Surprisingly, the friendship conflicts added a relatable layer of drama, capturing the essence of typical teenage chaos. Though the plot and characters were engaging overall, I found myself wishing for more depth in the supporting cast.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a group of teens who are on a trip to Paris. Things quickly go wrong when they go down to the catacombs and get lost.

Positives:
-Great setting
-Spooky vibes

Negatives:
-Too much teenage drama
-Repetitive

I was not a huge fan of this book. I think it started out strong and I loved the catacombs as a setting for this thriller/mystery.

However, as things went on I just kept getting annoyed. I did not like the characters and there was just so much drama. I think because this was YA, it was focusing too hard on the teenage drama part of it instead of the thriller part.

I hope teens like this one but it was not totally for me.

I thought this was going to be more paranormal and was disappointed at first. The more I read though the more intrigued I became. This was one of those books that I couldn't put down. And when I had to I couldn't stop thinking about it. There were some very surprising moments, and I even got emotional a few times. It starts a bit slow but when it picks up, it doesn't stop. A fantastically written book that I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At this point, just tell me Diana Urban wrote it and I will eat it up. The way this author weaves a story that has you feel like you are in it but simultaneously watching from above…. I can’t get enough.

Under the Surface is about a girl, Ruby, who goes on a school trip to Paris with friends, where she wants to create more content for her YouTube channel. Ruby ends up following some friends out of the hotel and into the streets of Paris, where they promptly go missing. Aboveground, Sean won’t give up on finding Ruby and their friends, because he is secretly in love with Ruby and needs her to know. No one knows they are in the catacombs underground until it is too late. Or is it?

Without giving anything away, please just go read this book. The history, the secret love, the mystery and suspense around the missing teens… it is all just done so well.

Thank you to Diana Urban and The Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ruby is thrilled to be spending the week with her friends in Paris. This trip is a chance to prove to Ruby's dad that she can travel on her own and build her YouTube channel that shows the hidden gems of her travels. When one of her friends sneaks out the first night to meet a boy, Ruby is determined to bring her back before anyone notices they are gone. When her friend gives Ruby a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to a party in the catacombs, Ruby agrees to go with two of her classmates. After a series of events, the group finds themselves lost in the catacombs and soon realizes they are not the only ones in the underground maze. Can Ruby and her friends find their way out before it is too late?

If you are a fan of suspense thrillers, I would highly recommend this book. The catacombs give such a creepy atmosphere and the mystery of what is after Ruby and her group made for a great thriller. I enjoyed the dual POVs of Ruby in the catacombs and Sean, who is investigating where the missing girls went. Sean's chapters gave a nice break to the adrenaline-filled chapters of the catacombs. Overall, this was a fantastic read that had me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to review Under the Surface. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Very engaging suspense - unique concept. Got a little repetitive at times, but I think ultimately readers would stick with it to see if they make it out alive. Could have potential for Battle of the Books.

Diana Urban delivers another gripping YA thriller with Under the Surface, a fast-paced and chilling story set in the haunting Paris catacombs. I couldn’t put it down—the pacing kept me hooked, and I found myself flying through the pages.

The concept of being lost in utter darkness beneath Paris, surrounded by millions of skeletons and hunted by something sinister, was both terrifying and compelling. Urban captures that fear so vividly that it’s easy to imagine yourself in the characters’ shoes. The claustrophobia, tension, and stakes felt palpable.

One thing that stood out to me was how authentic the characters felt as teenagers—complete with all the impulsiveness and missteps that come with it. That authenticity made them relatable, but also, at times, frustratingly annoying.

The dynamic with Sean and the people above ground was an interesting contrast to the intensity of the catacombs. At first, it was frustrating that no one seemed truly concerned about the missing teens or actively searching for them. However, as the story progressed, the focus on the parents and the media brought a shift in tone. When the parents entered the picture, you could feel the clock ticking down, adding a new layer of urgency that mirrored the tension underground. It elevated the stakes and gave a broader perspective on the girls’ peril.

I also thought the pining between Sean and the main character was sweet and age-appropriate. Their relationship added some tender moments amidst all the tension. Sean’s journey of defying his father’s expectations and making his own decisions about his future was another aspect I appreciated. It added depth to his character and tied into the story’s themes of independence and self-discovery.

One of my favorite aspects of the story was how the friendship riff was explored and, ultimately, resolved. I appreciated the emotional closure and the nuanced handling of relationships. Urban excels at creating complex characters and balancing suspense with heartfelt moments, and this book was no exception.