Join the adventures of Phibs and her friends as they navigate life’s biggest hurdles, including what life has next after school, growing up and how every decision makes a ripple through life’s future.

The author tackles the coming of age very well, along with the struggles we all feel.

The ending honestly left me wanting more with a very abrupt ending (not sure in a good way). It feels like it just needs another chapter or two. It left a lot of questions. I’m not sure if the goal is another book or not. And I’m not sure it ever answers exactly what’s going on, which is frustrating as a reader but it was a nice book to get lost in for a bit.

For a debut novel, I’m curious to see what comes next. The pace & world building was good. Some things felt like they could have been explored a bit more. It was nice pacing, otherwise.

This book was fun! It was very different from the other books I've read and it could easily be placed in multiple different genres honestly. If you've been a fan of outer banks, you'll like this book! It seriously gave me alot of the same vibes, it was like outer banks with some creepiness added in!

I liked that perfectly blends the excitement of scuba diving with the mystery of a treasure hunt.
The discovery of the underwater sea cave, rumored to hold buried treasure, sets the stage for a thrilling journey filled with unexpected twists. Phibs and her best friend Gabe's strange transformations add an intriguing and eerie element to the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The presence of treasure hunters and the ensuing danger only heightens the suspense, making it impossible to put the book down. I loved that this book is the blend of light-hearted moments and high-stakes drama. The friendship and loyalty among the characters shine through, even as they face terrifying challenges.

If you’re looking for a delightful and adventurous read that will leave you yearning for your own underwater escapade—minus the creepy transformations, then check this one out.


3.5 rounded

⚝ ꒰ 3/5 stars ꒱ ♡

this was a lovely debut from Rachel Reiss. this book gave me chills by hitting two of my biggest phobias — claustrophobia and thalassophobia. Out of Air grips you from the beginning and doesn't let you go as you follow a group of friends searching for hidden treasures in the deep ocean as they discover new mysteries and unravel buried secrets. it had just the right amount of thriller/horror vibes with a sweet spot for romance.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ♡

The writing on this one didn't blow me away but I really enjoyed the oceanic horror and scuba diving aspects of the book. I am a scuba diver and it's so rare to see it portrayed in fiction in a way that's accurate and captures what's really magical about it. It's a fast read and a fun spooky thriller although a lot of questions remain unanswered at the end.

This book is so unlike anything I’ve read before. I want to give a huge shoutout to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this book before its release date in exchange for a truthful review.

The beginning of the book had me in my Outer Banks moment. A group of friends from different backgrounds coming together in the own “Salt Squad” family. It was truly heart warming and I loved how each character clearly had their own defining qualities. Their diving adventures and quest to find lost treasures had me on the edge of my seat. The first half of the book I couldn’t put down. I needed answers. Every chapter ending in a cliff hanger. As I got to the middle to end, I felt things feel more flat. Yes there was mystery to be solved. Peril and tension in the group, but it just didn’t live up to the excitement of an ending I thought it could have. I also felt the ending left me with more questions than answers. Seems unfinished in some ways. I still think it’s a great read especially if you love Outer Banks or any book with some mystery and adventure. Still a solid 4 star in my opinion

I couldn’t put it down. This was such a fun, unique read for a debut novel.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books for the ARC

I really enjoyed this story! Gave me a little bit of outer banks vibes with the treasure hunting and the group of friends! I thought it was great and fast paced! Filled with action! I would definitely recommend!

I have the biggest weakness for horror/thriller books about the ocean. I immediately had to pick this up.

Five friends go on one final scuba dive in Australia before they head off to college where they find a hidden cave. Of course they have to explore and after they return to shore, they start to notice strange changes. Later on the friends are taken as ransom by treasure hunters in an effort to gain knowledge on the location of this cave.

This was an entertaining read and had me curious about what was happening to them internally. I was less interested in the treasure hunter aspect of this story though. It reminded me a bit of the Outer Banks show. This story alternates between the past and present day. At times it felt a bit slow but I loved the urban legend feel that this had.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

TW: body horror, death, gore, violence, murder, injury detail, blood, kidnapping

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: LOVED the book and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Definitely a good read and would recommend it for most people.
⭐️⭐️⭐️: It was a decent book, but something about it didn't meet expectations.
⭐️⭐️: Didn't really enjoy it.
⭐️: Did not like it at all and probably wouldn't recommend.

If you're a fan of Outer Banks, The Goonies, the Dive Club show on Netflix, or maybe even H2O: Just Add Water, then you will enjoy this book! We follow five dive obsessed teens and along the way they find themselves finding treasure, testing friendships, getting themselves into dangerous and fatal situations, and uncovering secrets the ocean hid within her depths.

I want to thank Rachel Reiss and Netgalley for the early access to read this book. I enjoyed this book very much. I had been trying to find something that fit the vibe of Outer Banks for awhile, so when I came across this book I got so excited! It's a fun, atmospheric, yet also creepy read, that has you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I also appreciated that this was not a spicy book. If you're looking for a book that's toned down in that area, this is a great pick. Overall, I believe most people who enjoy YA, thriller, and mystery books would like this book, so dive in and have an adventure!

This review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram on May 13, 2025.

This is one of the few books that is written with such talent that the reader can feel the experience as they read. I enjoy the book while it is not the type or genre I usually read there is a lot to like and it will be a hit with the YA group.

Thank You to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this adventurous read in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

In this book we follow 'Phibs' & her diving group the Salty Squad as they adventure down under to have a final summer trip before they all head their separate ways at college. Now, will this trip bring them closer together or create a greater shift in the already rocky relationships? Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. There were a few aspects that I found to be a little rough around the edges and could have been smoothed out a little more, but those parts did not sway me from loving this book as a whole. I thought the attention to detail that was put into the story to help noobs that don't know diving terms was amazing, I felt so immersed in the ocean and the world there. I feel like I can start diving tomorrow, I won't though.. this book will keep me out of the ocean for the next few months.

Out of Air is a page turning YA thriller, I absolutely could not put this book down. If you were like me and binged the first season of 'Outer Banks' during the shutdown and have been chasing the high of that show ever since, this is a good start. For a YA there were elements of suspense I have not been able to find in a lot of my reads. I found myself holding my breath with Phibs as she was racing towards the surface, the relationship drama filled my teenage angst heart, and with a little hint of fantasy this book had me feeling all of the emotions. For a Debut, this book stands tall and I am very excited for the future of Reiss' work.

Overall, this was a cute read. It was definitely something different than the spicy romances that I read. I don’t mind reading YA books but I did feel a little too “old” for this one at certain points. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!

Oh my god, I don’t know what to say. I loved this so much. I was pitched this book after seeing that it was kinda like outer banks and I love the premise of the show so I wanted to give this a chance and I’m so glad I did. I normally don’t read thriller or horror novels but I’m glad that I decided to branch out. I loved the idea of this book because I love the ocean and stories that can be told. I just wish this was longer, the story was really started to pick up and the next thing I know I’m on the last chapter and the ending is kinda an open ending and I don’t know how to feel. I just wanted and needed more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss is a gripping and atmospheric YA novel that masterfully blends science fiction with emotional depth. Set in a future where the world is plagued by environmental collapse and air scarcity, the book follows the journey of Cassie, a teenager living in a world where every breath is precious. When the air supply becomes even more limited, Cassie’s survival instincts are put to the test as she navigates an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world.

Reiss excels at world-building, creating a hauntingly believable society where the consequences of climate change are felt on a personal level. The tension between the characters' desperation for survival and the moral dilemmas they face is palpable. Cassie is a compelling protagonist—resilient, resourceful, and flawed in a way that makes her easy to empathize with. Her journey is as much internal as external, exploring themes of identity, sacrifice, and the will to live in a world that seems to be running out of both resources and hope.

The pacing is swift, with enough twists and moments of intense action to keep the reader engaged, but it’s the quieter, more reflective moments that truly stand out. The relationships between the characters, particularly Cassie and her companions, are nuanced and well-developed, adding layers of emotional complexity to the story.

One of the standout features of Out of Air is its relevance to current global concerns, particularly regarding climate change and sustainability. While the book doesn’t preach, it forces readers to reflect on the consequences of environmental neglect and the fragility of the world we inhabit. It’s a chilling reminder that the future we’re building today may not be one we want to inherit tomorrow.

While the ending may leave some questions unanswered, it does an excellent job of leaving the reader both satisfied and contemplative. Out of Air is a thought-provoking, fast-paced dystopian tale that will resonate with fans of YA fiction and anyone interested in the intersection of science fiction and climate activism.

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you to Netgalley and Rachel Reiss for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. This underwater thriller packed a punch all the way through the book. If you are intrigued by underwater mysteries, treasure hunting, cave lore, mild body horror, and "will they run out of air" tension; this book is for you. The detailed descriptions of underwater scenes immersed the reader into the diving experience. The vibrant colors, animal life, and structures were beautiful visualizations that brought the story to life.

★★★★

"... there's a hint of a possibility that maybe one day I'll never be out of air again."

Out of Air features a group of friends bonded over the love of scuba diving who've reached an inflection point in their relationship. Everyone is poised to go their separate ways after graduation, and so they decide to take one last vacation to dive together. Throughout the trip, their impulses and secrets put them in situations that result in strange changes in them.

Horror novels are not typically something I reach for, so I am SO glad I had the opportunity to read this one! This book was legit scary y'all and I did NOT want to put it down once I started. The tension between Phibs and Gabe, the layers to the friendships within the group, the body horror (my favorite kind of horror), and the stakes hooked me early on and kept me on board.

Rachel Reiss makes these characters feel real. Her descriptions of diving, while perhaps indulgent, are riveting and lush, and seem well informed by her background in diving. Her choice in employing an unreliable narrator and starting the story after fissures have formed in friend group helped the pace and immersive experience of reading this book. I also loved the romantic subplot, tinged as it was with the melodrama of 18 year old trying to find their place in the world.

I wish the book had been a little longer, and we'd spent more time with the changes some of the characters experienced, and more time with the characters in general. And while we got some closure about Phib's mom, I will admit I was expecting a little more. Highly recommend this to folks who like their horror scary but not too scary, love reading about the ocean in detail, and are interested in found family themes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early!

This book came at a really great time as I started going down the scuba rabbit hole - of course, I got scared out of ever trying scuba diving, but the idea still brews.

Out of Air is a story of friends, diving, adventures, treasures, treasure hunters, twists and turns!
It was an enjoyable and easy read.

4.5 stars!

This was a really fast-paced, tense story. The pacing was solid, and the short timeframe of the story really amped up the tension.

You can tell that Rachel has incredible amounts of experience diving - she was able to write about it in a way that was informative (and educational!) without having it bog down the flow of the story. I will say, sometimes the main character's emotional reactions felt muted, so some of the revelations that happened later on in the story didn't hold as much of a punch as they maybe could.
It was adventurous, with a dash of some magical realism and heaps of creepy ocean/body horror vibes, as well as a sprinking of romance and a core of found family. This was so impressive for a debut book, and I can't wait to read what Rachel Reiss comes up with next!

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the scuba scenes and the treasure hunting aspect. I wish the reasoning for why the cave air pocket changes you the way that it does had been fleshed out more. I definitely would have liked a deeper dive into the cave lore. All in all it was a fun and thrilling read.