This follows a group of kids on a week long school trip to Paris, and the dangers they find themselves in underneath this beautiful city.

They haven’t been there long when Ruby’s friend sneaks out to meet a French boy at a party, and Ruby leaves to go find her, bringing along two other classmates. A party underground in the catacombs is where they are heading, but stuck in the catacombs with a dangerous presence following them is where they end up.

For days, these four teenagers traverse these deadly catacombs, finding horrors lurking around every corner. Above, Sean gets increasingly worried about Ruby and her whereabouts. An investigation into the missing Americans ensues, uncovering a bigger, more sinister string of missing persons cases in the city.

I really enjoyed this! The dynamic between each of the group lost below, and the ways in which Sean and others put pieces together above were so alluring. There is drama and betrayal, which I love in a ya thriller… the what led up to the persons present being put in that particular situation is always fascinating.

I was anticipating this one for so long and I was not disappointed.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for my arc!


To say this was my most anticipated YA book of 2024 is a massive understatement. I absolutely adore Diana Urban and her books and Under the Surface was no different. Set in my favorite city in the world, you are taken deep into the Paris catacombs and this story stressed me out and made me cry so many times I lost count. Fast paced and with characters you can’t help but Root for. I highly reccomend this!