Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Under the Surface” by Diana Urban

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

While on a school field trip to Paris, France, Ruby is struggling to confess her feelings to her friend, Sean, for fear that their relationship will fall apart like her connection with her ex-friend, Serena! Little does she know that Sean also wants to confess his feelings to her, but he's fearful of heartbreak as his strict father is forcing him to join the army. When Ruby's friend, Val, makes a reckless decision that traps her and some of her classmates underneath the Paris catacombs, Ruby will do whatever it takes to make sure her group escapes alive, and it’s up to Sean to figure out where Ruby went before time runs out!

From the author that brought you “All Your Twisted Secrets”, “These Deadly Games”, and “Lying in the Deep”, Diana Urban delivers yet another fantastic YA Mystery Thriller reminiscent of “The Descent” that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Urban's word-building not only brings ingenious lore to the Urban Legends of the Paris Catacombs, but also provides the reader with nods and references to historical facts behind said catacombs! Rose and Sean also had excellent character development in their chemistry throughout the novel. Both characters start out struggling to speak their minds or communicate their needs for fear of disappointing others, including their parents, but throughout their journey, it took fearfulness of Death, the fight to survive, and their fear of losing one another for them to realize that life is too short for them to not take chances on one another and their dreams. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it took that time apart for these two to eventually grow stronger together! Do you dare to take the path to the Paris Catacombs? Then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online and in-store shelves on August 17, 2024!

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Tropes to Expect: Psychological Thriller, YA Romance, Friends-to-Lovers, Survival Horror, Pining, Urban Legend Lore, and Secrets and Lies.

-Trigger Warnings: Relationship Angst, Family Conflict, Miscommunication, Toxic Friendship, Tons of Skulls, Explicit Injuries, Brutal Deaths, and Claustrophobic Spaces.

"Under the Surface" by Diana Urban is a thrilling and suspenseful young adult novel that takes readers on a harrowing journey through the dark and mysterious catacombs beneath the streets of Paris. The story follows Ruby and Sean, two high school seniors whose budding romance is put to the test when they, along with Ruby's best friend and two classmates, become lost in the catacombs during a senior class trip.

Urban's writing is fast-paced and engaging, drawing readers in with its vivid descriptions and heart-pounding action. The catacombs themselves are a haunting and atmospheric setting, providing a chilling backdrop for the unfolding events. As Ruby and her friends struggle to find a way out, they uncover dark secrets about the catacombs and each other, adding layers of intrigue to the story.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its well-developed characters, particularly Ruby and Sean, whose emotional journey is at the heart of the story. Ruby's fear and uncertainty are palpable, making her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, while Sean's determination to find her is both endearing and inspiring.

"Under the Surface" is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. With its blend of mystery, romance, and adventure, Diana Urban has crafted a compelling story that will appeal to fans of young adult fiction. Dive into this thrilling tale and discover the dark secrets that lie "Under the Surface."

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
A once in a lifetime party in the catacombs under Paris, what could possibly go wrong? A lot, actually. What a read. I had to set it down a few times to catch my breath because even I beginning to panic about getting lost in the maze of tunnels. I don’t think what happened in the catacombs is what the characters signed up for, but it was an epic and spine-tingling read for us bookworms. Just remember to please respect the dead that rest down there!

I absolutely, 100% LOVED this book. This will be part of my Top 5 books of 2024.

I don’t even know where to start with this one. Yes, it’s on the creepy, thriller side, but there’s so much more to it than that. I felt like I was walking right along side Ruby and her companions.

Urban brings this story to life by including all the senses. I could clearly visualize the catacombs. I could smell the decay and puddle of murky water. I felt when the characters sustained injuries during their adventure. I heard the screams and the footsteps as they ran for their lives. I felt their terror as they stumbled upon dead ends and skeletons. I could only imagine how parched they were with no water or food. There were enough details that I could tell Urban either did her research or explored those catacombs herself.

There were so many twists and turns in this novel, but I loved that they were believable. I was bug-eyed most of the time and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. I just needed to know more!

The only issue I had was I wanted an additional Ruby’s POV chapter between chapters 52 and 53. It just seemed to be a pretty abrupt time jump. Otherwise this book was sheer perfection.

Also, side note: Don’t read this at night while laying in bed. You won’t be able to sleep.

*An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced YA thriller set in the Paris Catacombs? Yes, please. Survivalist thrillers are a favorite genre of mine to begin with and I love a good spooky setting on top of that. I think this easily would have been a favorite of mine if I read it as a teenager. As an adult it was still a fun, fast read overall. I enjoyed the twists and turns. The interpersonal drama between the main characters definitely read as YA which was a little boring to me, however, that’s fully on me because this is a YA book with YA dynamics and I do think it works well within the story. I will definitely be keeping this one on my books to recommend for teen readers who like thrillers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC!

If you’re looking for an intense YA adventure / thriller with a unique setting, this is the book for you. This book is about four high school students attempting to make it to a party taking place in the Paris catacombs but get lost. What follows is a survival thriller with cults, betrayals, and low supplies.

I did like that this book also had a POV from above ground so you could see how close they were getting to finding the girls. This also provided the perspectives of the girls’ friends and families who had no idea what was going on even when you did.

Overall this book took a little to get into, some of the language and actions of the characters feels a bit juvenile considering their ages but this feel away a lot once the action started. It’s an interesting thriller with lots of facts about the Paris catacombs throughout so if that’s something you would like definitely check this book out!

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinteen for an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Under the Surface is out August 13, 2024.

I enjoyed reading this book and the fear I felt for these characters! The twists and ugh everything was so amazing! I really enjoyed everything they went through from fear of getting lost or hurt or stuck forever to the characters battling their own issues with one another. I can’t wait to physically own this book.

Wow! High school students who love thrillers with a little clean romance will eat this book up! Great for fans of Ally Carter, the story happens mostly in the Paris catacombs when a group of high schoolers on a school trip make a poor decision and end up trapped and in danger in the off-limits section of the catacombs. The twists and turns will keep you guessing til the end!

Another winning thriller from Diana Urban! Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. The descriptions were vivid and the vibes were creepy and tense throughout. The pacing was also fantastic and kept me turning the pages!!

I absolutely loved this book! I feel like I just watched a movie. The writing is very atmospheric and the storyline keeps you guessing the whole time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller definitely kept me on my toes, the plot was so unique and interesting. The dual POV added so much more depth to the story but I do think there were some plot lines left unfinished. Overall I would definitely recommend.

4 stars

I was not expecting a ya book to freak me out as much as this one did. The descriptions of the catacombs and the darkness were so eerie and unsettling and I could really feel the fear that these characters were feeling.
The characters were really well developed and very authentic to actual teenagers. The juxtaposition between their personal problems and them being trapped was really interesting and felt like how teenagers would really act. I was super invested in how this book played out and the author does a really good job of keeping you invested all the way up until the very end

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam / Penguin Group for the ARC!

Having toured the catacombs in the past, I’m always excited to see someone’s take on it. This book definitely did not disappoint.

I will say that the first 10% or so of the book felt silly to me, but I’m not in the target audience. However, once the group of four gals met up with Julien and entered the catacombs, it was game on.

There are so many important lessons discussed in this book. The author took a look at dysfunctional teenage friendships. The stakes also became higher and higher, with the stakes being life or death. The revelation of what was really going on felt like something that could really happen, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

This was everything I wanted the movie As Above So Below to be but wasn’t. I’m a huge fan of Urban’s books, so I knew the moment she announced she was writing a YA survival thriller set in Paris’s catacombs, I simply had to read it!


With fast pacing that kept me turning the pages, multi-dimensional characters that had me wanting to laugh or cry, creepy scenes that left my skin crawling, and a claustrophobic, underground setting all wrapped in one book, it’s no surprise that I read Under the Surface in one sitting. The perfect blend of thriller-horror, witty humor, and mystery, Urban’s latest book is a must-buy, ideal for those who enjoy a propulsive read that sets readers on a journey through Paris’s allegedly haunted catacombs, all while tackling important issues like toxic friendships, the fear of abandonment, and the great lengths that people will go to keep the ones they love—even at all costs.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley! I read this in one sitting and there are aspects of the story I enjoyed and parts I didn't. It took me a bit to get into but once it picked up WOW .....A life changing high school trip to Paris takes a turn in the catacombs.... This story felt like I was in the catacombs with Ruby and the group, you feel like there are dark motives at play when the high schoolers get LOST in the catacombs. This would be a wild adaption....

This book had me reading late into the night! I couldn’t put it down! I had to know what the heck was going on! The author did a great job building the tension. I enjoyed the dual POV and the way the story flowed. Though I definitely found Ruby’s chapters to be more interesting than Sean’s.

The setting of the Paris Catacombs was perfect for a thriller. I found myself holding my breath multiple times. The thought of being trapped down there is terrifying in itself, let alone knowing there are masked men on the loose. I won’t say much else because I don’t want to give anything else away.

If you like teen friendship drama, new love, creepy setting, and games of cat and mouse, then I highly recommend checking out this book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group, for allowing me to read an ARC of Under The Surface by Diana Urban.
It would be a mistake to discount this because this is categorized as a YA book; the story is spooky and mesmerizing, and not just for younger readers.
Yes, the main characters are young, but you will love getting to know them and their trials and tribulations. I especially liked how their emotions and reactions felt so realistic. The story is extremely well-paced and builds up to an unexpected conclusion that shocked me. and kind of came out of left field The writing r drew me into the story, and I researched more about the catacombs as soon as I finished the book because the book piqued my interest. If you’re looking for a fascinating, emotional read that will keep you glued to the pages, pick up this book! You won't be disappointed.

This is a tough one to review without giving up too much information. I had a hard time putting this down.

Ruby is with a group of students in Paris. She has a major crush on Sean. Val is her newer best friend. And her old bff was there too. Ruby does travel videos for YouTube and is hoping to get some sponsorships for traveling so she can see the world. Val has made her more adventurous and Sean helps with editing. What Ruby doesn't really see is that Val is also a bad influence. When Val takes off to a party with a boy she met in Paris, Ruby feels like she needs to save her. Two other girls end up with her and they find Val. But the boy offers a chance to see the catacombs. Not the tourist part, but the real thing. Ruby can't resist getting videos and they all go down there. But things go bad quickly. Not everyone will survive and they are all trapped.

The pacing was good and the book felt suspenseful for a YA. I definitely felt the claustrophobia from being underground. It made me feel panicked at times.

I gave this book 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley for my earc.

A totally gripping and scary novel that is intense and fast-paced the entire time. I really cared about the characters and what was going to happen to them.

This was an unputdownable, twisty turny (figuratively and literally) read! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and was invested throughout the whole adventure.

It's not only a story of the survival of Ruby and friends trying the escape the Paris catacombs, but hope and love, with a splash of betrayal and moments that made me gasp out loud.

I loved the relationships that were built throughout the story. There was romance, but also friendships and family relationships. I liked that we got Sean's POV as well to build out the story and make the friends to lovers storyline that much more swoony.

I totally recommend this to anyone looking for a gripping YA thriller with a dash of romance and enough action to keep you invested until the end!

Thank you to Diana Urban and the publisher for the ARC though Netgalley!!!