2.5 stars

Nooo. I wanted so much more from this! The premise?! It promised so much and this gave so little...

How on earth could a book with the premise of a bunch of teenagers trapped and lost in the Paris catacombs while being hunted down by something sinister be so... boring?? I felt like I was trapped in this book. This moved so incredibly slow. And Sean's perspective? Completely unnecessary. The synopsis made it sound like Sean was going to be traversing the streets of Paris as he raced against the clock to save his friends but dude didn't even figure out they were in the catacombs until the end.

The reveal of the "sinister something" that is hunting the girls in the catacombs was so anticlimactic and annoying. Really? That's where the author wanted to go? I don't want to spoil anything but I will say if you are hoping for something supernatural/paranormal/creepy as hell... you aren't going to get it here. The sinister something is just regular old people doing regular old shitty people things. The biggest twist in this story was actually the fact that the author killed people off. I feel like in a lot of YA authors will stop short of killing people in these survival situations but Diana Urban was knocking 'em off left and right. So, good for her because those sections of the story were actually shocking and interesting.

My other pet peeve was all of the secrets and animosity this group of girls had. It just felt silly given the survival situation that they were in that they would be focusing on petty fights and toxic friendships. You all can fight it out on the surface when you get out of this hellscape you don't have to do it right now. In fact, the catty fighting is what serves as the catalyst for them getting "caught" in the catacombs because they're being loud and not paying attention and I hated that. But then everything wraps up so quickly and easily? There we are, in a high point of tension and action, and then boom!... now everyone is in the hospital and everything is solved and wrapped up in a cute little bow. Disappointing.

I do think that this would be great adapted onto the screen but it just felt meh as a book.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #PenguinYoungReadersGroup for the book #UnderTheSurface by #DianaUrban. A group of teens decide to attend a party in the underground catacombs on Paris. They never make the party as something evil is chasing them. Sean, another friend of the group, goes in search to find them. Will they be saved?

Claustrophobic. Terrified. Devastated. These are just a few things I felt while reading Under the Surface. We get to follow a small group of teens making decisions that only teens would think are wise. There is a great mix of character development and plot.

The inspiration for this story came from the author, Diana Urban, getting momentarily left behind and lost on a group tour in the catacombs. I believe this real-life experience added depth to the emotions conveyed by the characters throughout the story.

I've seen some complaints about some of the arguments and catty behavior that goes on after the main characters are lost in the catacombs. However, I found it authentic and believable, considering the genuine terrors they were facing, along with the stress of being lost for three days.

The use of dual narrators was nicely done. It brought in a sense of hope amid the dark and gloomy setting "under the surface."

Lastly, I have to mention the absolutely gorgeous cover art. It's the perfect glimpse into the plot, without giving anything specific away.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read. All opinions are my own.

This book was darker than I expected but I really liked it. Some things I was able to figure out but not fully and I enjoyed that. Ruby was a fun main character to follow. She was so smart but would do anything for her friends which made sense as to why she ended up lost in the Catacombs. There were some complicated characters in this book, one that I couldn’t help but root for and one that infuriated me. The alternating POV with Sean, Ruby’s friend and crush, made the story better. He is so loyal and so wonderful and I love that sweet boy! The ending was A LOT but it was really good in my opinion.

Are you a fan of:
🏃 Survival thrillers?
🇫🇷 Paris?
🔦 Exploring hidden or forbidden locations?
💀 Claustrophobic reads?
👯 Friendships put to the test?

If you answered yes to any of the above, I have the book for you!

Under the Surface is a fast-paced and intensely claustrophobic survival thriller set in the restricted parts of the Paris catacombs. Can you imagine being lost there? I absolutely would never get close to that possibility, but our main character Ruby has done just that with a group of friends and a guy they just met while on their trip for school. I know…cue the red flags! Thankfully for Ruby, she has someone searching for her on the outside and Sean is determined to use every means possible to find her.

If you want to be swept away to Paris for a much darker story to fill that Olympics shaped hole in your heart, this is the book to do that!

4 creepy stars! 💀⭐

Right from the start, Under the Surface had me under its thrall. With a pace much like dynamite that was married with many a poignant revelation, my fingers flew at speed as I inhaled page after page. One of the best pieces to the puzzle, however, was that this YA survival thriller had a locked room mystery at its core. I mustn’t forget, though, that adding to the fun was an epic game of cat-and-mouse, which was both claustrophobic and chilling as well as riddled with unending suspense.

As for the characters, they were dead on renditions of true-to-life, genuine teenagers. From their clique-ish behavior to invincibility complexes, they felt as real as could be from the first page until the last. Granted, the dialogue did get a bit sappy at times, but, if memory serves, I too thought that way as a teen. What really won me over by the end, though, was Ruby’s dynamic character arc. Perfectly delivered as well as an emotional hole in one, it just couldn’t have been better.

All said and done, with delicious cult vibes, mysterious subplots, and plenty of villains, heroes, and even a frenemy or two, I was easily swept up by Ms. Urban’s newest novel. It was so addictive, in fact, that I flew through the 350+ pages in under twenty-four hours. After all, from the immersive dual POVs and eerie setting that was written to perfection, there just wasn’t a thing missing. So even if you’re no longer a teen yourself, go out and grab this book today. A quick, easy read, you definitely won’t regret it. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Diana Urban, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

The moment I read the description for Under the Surface, I was hooked! What could be more thrilling than an adventure, mystery, and romance all mixed into one!? I thought it was great that there were alternating points of view to ensure the reader is like a fly on the wall from all sides of the unfolding adventure. From the first page of the book, action pulled me in and I liked the pace throughout the book. Some French words used in parts of the book were a nice touch to contribute to the feeling of being in France. Exploring the catacombs with the characters was very interesting and as the book progressed I was at the edge of my seat frantically reading to find out what happens next! Thank you to Diana Urban and NetGalley for an eARC of Under the Surface, I really enjoyed reading it!!!

Ruby’s French class is going to Paris! She is so excited She has a crush on Sean but is afraid to tell him how she feels about him. Sean has been waiting for Ruby to give him a clue that she is interested in him. Will she do it? Ruby is excited to be in Paris as she wants to find locations for her YouTube channel, “Ruby’s Hidden Gems.” When she is asked by her bestie, Val if she wants to go to the party Julian has invited Val to. Val is excited as the party is taking place in the Paris catacombs. Ruby says no and tells Val she shouldn’t go but Val says she is going. Ruby sees her goes off and grabs her former BFF Selena and Olivia to go after Val to stop her. They end up going into the catacombs and get lost. How could Julian get lost? He has been in the catacombs many times. As they try to find an exit out of the catacombs, they realize that they are running out of the meager snacks and bottles of water. They hear voices and realize they are being cased. Julian ends up being found out to be with these guys. They are a cult and initially had plans for Val. What were there plans? Will the girls escape? Meanwhile Sean is trying to help the French police but is told they don’t need his help. He will only get in the way.

The author has written a thrill ride through an eerily claustrophobic setting of the catacombs. The author’s writing was leading me to frightening at what was a very fast-paced scenes which I enjoyed reading. The novel is very exciting.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 stars rounded up)

Under the Surface offers a thrilling adventure set in the eerie Paris catacombs. Ruby, a travel YouTuber, and her friends end up lost underground after chasing her friend Val to a secret party. The catacombs' creepy setting adds to the suspense, and Sean's role above ground is a nice touch.

While the atmosphere is gripping, I felt the focus on character relationships overshadowed the survival thriller aspect I was hoping for. The setting could’ve been more vividly described. Overall, it's a fast-paced read with an intriguing premise and a stunning cover.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the eARC!

Ummm, WOW. Diana Urban did such an amazing job with this book. Her writing made you feel like you were actually IN the story. Now I want to go to Paris and explore!

This book was everything I expected and more! It was soooo hard to put down. Getting lost in the Paris Catacombs is already scary enough but add in a mysterious French boy acting as tour guide, four teenage girls with complicated feelings toward each other, and being chased by mysterious people? That's a recipe for a good book. I absolutely loved having no idea what was going to happen next and being on the edge of my seat the entire. All the different dynamics and relationships between the characters were also so fun to try to unravel and figure out why people were acting in certain ways. Sean and Ruby's relationship was especially fun with him trying to track her from above the surface and her thinking about him the entire time while stuck in the catacombs.

I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking for a romantic thriller/suspense story!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Teen, and Diana Urban for this arc <3

UNDER THE SURFACE by Diana Urban is a YA thriller that's full of dangerous adventures and teen angst. The plot is interesting and contains some genuinely suspenseful moments. However, the pacing is somewhat uneven, and the contrast between the immediate physical danger and the characters' interpersonal drama can be jarring.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Diana Urban for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Under the Surface coming out August 13, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a couple books by this author and I really love her writing. She always mixes elements of horror and mystery that I love. I think the setting of the Paris catacombs was really interesting. I’ve never been, but I’ve heard some things about them. I think the characters were interesting with their backstories. There were a couple bad decisions made, but that’s to be expected in a horror story like this one.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA horror books!

I’m a big fan of Urban and her writing! Under the Surface by Diana Urban is another phenomenal YA thriller.
An incredible survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger and hope.
Urban's writing is both atmospheric and engaging, drawing readers into Ruby and Sean’s world with crisp prose and vivid imagery.

Thank You NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Under the Surface by Diana Urban is an exceptional thriller that grabs readers from the first page and doesn't let go. Urban’s masterful storytelling and intricate plotting create a riveting narrative full of unexpected twists and deep psychological suspense. The novel’s well-drawn characters and intense atmosphere make it an unforgettable read, showcasing Urban’s talent for crafting compelling and immersive fiction. This book is a must-read for fans of gripping, high-stakes drama.

My thanks to G.P Putman's Sons/Penguin Random House for the ARC of "Under The Surface" in exchange for an honest review.
First thing I want to do is compliment the publishers and the artist-designer responsible for that terrific cover art.. Clever, precise rendering of what's in store for a reader, a breathless thrill ride that combines YA horror and romantic teen angst all in one package. A genuine rollercoaster ride that makes a reader want to make sure their safety bar is locked in position before they zoom off into danger.
Ruby, Selena Val and Olivia are on their high school trip to Paris when an unwise adventurous impulse leads them into no end of peril. Julien, a charming French boy, promises to lead them into one of the wild secret parties held deep in the city's legendary, but notoriously creepy catacombs.
Big surprise........the girls and Julen find themselves seriously lost within the endless dark tunnels stacked with bones and skulls from centuries of corpses. Stumbling from one literal dead end to another, they also discover they don't just face a fate of dying from thirst or starvation. They're not alone. They've become hunted prey of something or someone sharing the catacombs with them. And some of those ancient corpses appear a little fresher than ancient.....more like newly murdered.
Since nobody knows where the girls went, the suspense generated here is relentless. Main character Ruby and her three companions struggle to survive as they carry the weight of connected backstories filled with friendships ripped apart by betrayals and romantic misunderstanding. As their situation grows more harrowing and dire, up above them Sean, Ruby's longtime crush (and vice versa), makes a desperate attempt to out-think the slow moving police in finding out how and where the girls disappeared into.
A fast fun read, this one, sometimes scary, sometimes heartfelt and all of it designed to keep you glued to it to the very end.

I'm so glad I got an ARC for Under the Surface! It was tense, romantic, and thrilling! From the moment our protagonists set foot in Paris until the very end, this book keeps you engrossed. I admit, I did have to take breaks at parts where it got super tense/scary because I was so sucked in, it felt like I was right there with them. The descriptions painted a very visceral picture of what it was like to be trapped in a creepy bone cave. The ending was beautiful (though in some aspects, bittersweet for spoilery reasons I won't get into).

Overall, excellent writing. Great story. Five stars from me!

I just got back from Paris where I was pick pocketed and had planned to go to the catacombs but did not have the money. After reading this book I want to go even more. I Also had a bit of ptsd reading it. The book starts out as a ghost/horror story but eventually turns. Interesting mystery but the reading kevel was lower than I expected. Some of the dialogue and the situations were too grade school for me.

An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

This was really good. Highly entertaining, with great tension and characters. Highly recommended!

*4.5 stars rounded up*

What would you risk to become a YouTube sensation?

Ruby’s Hidden Gems is a budding travel channel in which high schooler Ruby (with some editing help from her classmate-but-maybe-more-than-just-a-classmate named Sean) finds & films obscure locations, discovering & documenting the beauty in being anywhere & everywhere. On a class trip to Paris, Ruby & two other students on the trip get talked into descending into the restricted areas of the catacombs beneath the city by her friend who’s essentially in it for the adrenaline rush & the cute French boy that’s promised to guide them. Sean didn’t realize the girls snuck out, but he starts to wonder where exactly Ruby & the three other girls went when they don’t come back…

This YA thriller has so much going for it! The creepy setting with an array of hazards, the multiple POVs as Sean is aboveground trying to citizen detective & use the media for good while the girls are simultaneously down in the dark being pursued by an unknown presence, the normal teenager relationship drama mixed in with the very real possibility of death, & skeletons (lots & lots of skeletons). I also loved the Lord of the Rings & Star Wars references! I had never read a book from this author before but now I’m a fan.

Thank you to NetGalley & G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!