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.

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!!!

There are aspects of the story I enjoyed and parts I didn't. The romantic relationships I could take or leave; they didn't really rise to the point of significance. For me, someone who is admittedly picky about romance, they were a distraction from the platonic drama, the chilling subterranean setting, and the heart-pounding story about being lost somewhere the characters might never be found. The author nails the pace of unfolding plot twists while maintaining a claustrophobic, threatening atmosphere. Four stars.

Under the Surface by Diana Urban

A high school trip to Paris leads to a terrifying trip in the catacombs ….

When Ruby and her high school class go to Paris on a week-long trip, Ruby is bound to make the most of it. When her friend, Val, sneaks out to meet a boy and go to a party, Ruby follows to make sure she’s safe and doesn’t end up in more trouble than usual. They never dream they’ll end up beneath the city in the infamous catacombs; there, along with her estranged friend, Selena, and a few others, they become hopelessly lost and to add to that terror, there’s something more perilous than the dark following them.

This is such a dark and atmospheric story, told from Ruby in the catacombs in turn with her love interest, Sean, up above, as each try to puzzle out what’s happened/happening. While there’s so much threat and thrills happening, I couldn’t help but love the themes of friendship lost and found again that came in the face of danger.

I’m a huge fan of survival horror/thrillers and Diana Urban didn’t let me down!

Thrilling, dark, and disturbing!

My thanks to @PenguinTeen for this gifted copy!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Under the Surface was an absolute RIDE. I loved every minute of the story. The catacombs of Paris have always been one of the creepiest things to me (hello As Above, So Below), so when I saw that there was a book about it? SOLD. Ms. Urban did a great job of weaving together multiple POVs that were easy to follow and equally engaging. I will certainly be adding a copy of this to my shelves!

I have been dying to read this book and it did not disappoint. It had everything!! Romance, angst, suspense and mystery! I can't wait to have a physical copy on my shelf

A fun, fast-paced, claustrophobic YA thriller.

I'll admit it took a while for me to get into the story, but soon as it gets rolling, it's fabulously intense and creepy. I loved how Diana wrote the catacombs and wove in the history/lore of the cataphiles, and the friendships in this book were really strikingly done. I also really enjoyed seeing both Sean and Ruby's perspectives, and how well they complimented each other plot-wise!

Super grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc--I definitely recommend this for fans of Karen McManus and Jessica Goodman!

A heart-pounding flight in the dark below the City of Light!

Loved the latest by Diana Urban! Another wonderful YA thriller that keeps the reader guessing who to trust and who is next!

What a ride, this book took me through all the emotions. A must read for thriller fans. Told through different POVs, Ruby lost and being hunted in the Paris catacombs and Sean looking for her. The author was able to create a claustrophobic atmosphere on these pages and told one heck of a story. I recommend Under the Surface for anyone looking for a spooky read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! #UndertheSurface #NetGalley

Sadly, I didn't find this book to be that compelling; rather, it read more like a high school drama than a scary narrative. I did enjoy parts of the catacombs' visuals and the history that went with it, and I wish there had been more of that in addition to the scary atmosphere. It was boring to me after halfway through. I did enjoy the character development though!

<b>3.5 stars, rounded up</b>

I’ve read all of this author’s YA thrillers and this one was very different for her. This book follows four teens trapped in catacombs beneath Paris. Definitely a unique premise for sure!

There’s a sense of urgency the pervades the book, as well as a very claustrophobic feeling throughout. Urban really did a good job bringing the creepy catacombs to life! The characters were interesting and different enough that I didn’t get them confused.

While I did find certain aspects predictable, I definitely enjoyed the ride.

Under the Surface is an absolutely amazing book and kept me guessing until the end. Genuinely one of the most stressful books I’ve ever read, and I now must read all of Diana Urban’s work. Her writing style is addicting, and to know that this book was inspired by her own trip to Paris is just the icing on top. Thanks to NetGalley and Diana Urban for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title. I can safely say that this will be recommended to everyone I cross paths with.

4.5 stars
This book was a wild ride! I went to the Paris catacombs in high school (circa 2007 I think?), and I am obsessed with Paris so reading this book was a no brainer.
It starts out with just a regular school trip to Paris for our main character Ruby. Her 2 best friends Val and Sean are with her, along with her ex-best friend and current nemesis Selena. Ruby has a YouTube channel (Ruby's Hidden Gems) and wants to film cool places around Paris for her channel. Val is a risk taker. She meets a boy who gets her to slip away at night to a party. Ruby goes after her and ends up accidentally taking Selena and another girl Olivia with her so they don't get caught sneaking out. The party ends up being in an illegal part of the catacombs and after a fall down a well, Selena gets spooked and runs before the others can get down to her. Then they are all lost in 300km of an underground maze. Above ground, Sean does everything he can to find the girls.
Once the girls are lost in the catacombs, I literally couldn't breathe while I was reading. I'm not claustrophobic, but having been in the catacombs and imagining being lost with a bunch of bones lining the walls was so terrifying. It was easy to get lost in the story because I had to know if they were going to make it out. Ruby had a much bigger part than Sean, but Sean's part was necessary so we had that knowledge of what was going on above ground which was almost more nerve wracking because we knew where the girls were and they didn't. There were a lot of twists towards the end that I didn't see coming and one thing I kind of did. There were some things that totally shocked me and just made my heart break.
The writing style was great, it kept me interested through every single page. It was action packed and extremely intense. I feel like I really got to know the characters, both underground and above ground. The only thing that threw me off a little was how many times Ruby stated that her mom died in child birth. It was crucial to her growth throughout the book, but it was said so many times that it kind of took me out of the story sometimes.
If you are looking for a travel thriller that has a huge horror aspect, I will 100% be recommending this one!

The way this book played out was beyond my expectations! I’m not sure I’ve read a survivalist type thriller before where a group is stranded and trying to get themselves free but I devoured this one. I loved the way the characters of this book had to work through some personal issues while they tried to find their way out of the catacombs. This felt like something new that I haven’t read before and I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much!