Whew!! Fast paced and a thrill ride, this is definitely my favorite Diana Urban book so far!

The pacing of this book was PERFECTION. It never dragged or got boring. By the end of each chapter, I NEEDED to know what happened next. I literally FLEW through this book which is exactly what I want from a thriller! It was so fast paced, heart stopping and a little bit claustrophobic lol. I would definitely try and look up the triggers with this one. It’s YA but a bit descriptive here and there.

I also really loved the added romantic detail to this book and all of the family and friends that were included. It literally brought me to tears by the end and I never usually cry over a thriller. It’s extremely hard to make me tear up in general so you know this one got me right in my feels lol.

The catacombs was honestly the perfect setting for a thriller and I’m so happy she decided to right this! I’ve been looking up the catacombs before I heard this book was releasing and as soon as I did hear about, I knew I had to read it and I wasn’t disappointed!

Overall, EPIC setting, explosive story, heart breaking moments and tender ones. This book had a little bit over everything and I LOVED it!

As soon as Diana, announced this newest book, I had to add it to my list to read. I found this book to share some of the same high intensity vibes as All Your Twisted Secrets. Mix this with being trapped in catacombs and you have me hooked already. As I was reading this book, I could not help but picture the movie, As Above, As Below about a group who does down into the catacombs and finds more than they bargained for. That is what happened to Ruby and her friends.

As the story progressed, I became more and more drawn into the story. It was like I was there with Ruby and her friends, running, screaming, fighting. I could not stop reading this book.

I could see this book being turned into a movie as it grabbed my attention with the storyline for sure. I would not want to be trapped in the catacombs with people after me.

Diana, this is your best book yet! Under the Surface is a nailbiter, edge of your seat read!

Diana Urban's "Under the Surface" plunges us into a suspenseful labyrinth beneath the streets of the City of Lights. Ruby, caught between her burgeoning feelings for Sean and the thrill of a Parisian adventure, finds herself drawn into the dark and dangerous world of the Paris Catacombs.

A Tangled Web of Secrets:

The story unfolds with a captivating blend of teen romance, mystery, and historical intrigue. As Ruby and her classmates navigate the claustrophobic tunnels, they stumble upon hidden chambers and chilling secrets long buried beneath the city. The catacombs themselves become a character, their history woven into the narrative, adding a layer of eerie fascination to the already thrilling chase for survival.

Love in the Time of Darkness:

While the external threat keeps the adrenaline pumping, the core of the story lies in Ruby's internal conflict. Her budding romance with Sean adds a layer of emotional depth, as she grapples with her fear of vulnerability and the possibility of losing him, both above and below ground. The contrast between the romantic Parisian streets and the darkness of the catacombs mirrors Ruby's own emotional turmoil, making her journey all the more relatable.

A Race Against Time:

With Sean frantically searching for Ruby on the surface, the story builds a relentless tension. The dual perspectives, switching between the desperate teens trapped below and the frantic efforts above, keep the reader guessing and the pages turning. Urban masterfully ratchets up the suspense, leaving you wondering if they'll find their way out before it's too late.

More Than Just a Thriller:

"Under the Surface" is more than just a heart-pounding adventure. It explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and facing your fears. As the characters confront their deepest anxieties and secrets in the face of danger, they learn valuable lessons about themselves and each other.

A Must-Read for YA Fans:

With its captivating plot, relatable characters, and a unique setting, "Under the Surface" is a must-read for young adult fans. It's a thrilling escape that will leave you breathless until the very last page.

Final Verdict:

Urban's masterful storytelling weaves together a suspenseful tale of danger, self-discovery, and the enduring power of hope. "Under the Surface" is a chilling yet heartwarming read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

“I never thought I’d die alone in the dark under the City of Light.” Here are reasons to read the YA Thriller book:

French Trip - On a french class trip to Paris
Travel Youtuber - Ruby joins her classmates in sightseeing. And as a travel youtuber, she is anxious to see the secret sights
Catacombs - When her roommate Val is invited to a party in the catacombs, Ruby knows she must keep her from getting in trouble despite wanting to see what the secret tunnels hold
Chase - but they are lost in the dark tunnels, without cell service. And something is chasing them.

First, I want to say a huge thank you for Bookish First and Netgalley for letting me read one of my most anticipated books of the year way before the August release. Diana Urban is one I discovered last year and I am super excited to continue reading her works. This book goes between what is happening with Ruby in her point of view with 3 other classmates, and Sean, who is Ruby’s best guy friend and crush. He propels the investigation along so we can see what is happening up top. To be honest, I was more into what is happening with Ruby as it is very intense and dangerous. But overall, this book got me very interested to know more about the Paris catacombs!

I've needed another Diana Urban thriller the second I finished Lying in the Deep and I have not been disappointed! She does love a good school field trip setting, and it is where she excels. This was just as fast paced and thrilling as that, only with catacombs instead of a murder ship. It reminded me of As Above, So Below meets Guilt with a ton of creepy moments in between. Is there anything worse than being stuck underground? I think not. 10/10 setting and execution.

This one was a wild thrill ride. Dark, tense, and emotional, just how I like my YA thrillers. It had a touch of predictability to make the real twists feel that much more surprising, and a cast of characters that really yanked on your heart strings. Plus, the title was perfect, plot-wise, emotionally, physically, and mentally.

The setting of most of the story is what really made this one though. How terrifying does it sound to be lost in the underground Paris Catacombs?! Visiting the Catacombs sounds both amazing and spooky, but thinking about being lost down there is unimaginable. Combining that with teen girl hormones and stranger danger is pure horror.

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn't put this one down. The characters were fantastic. They were realistic and made me feel all sorts of feelings. The plot twists had me open mouthed a few times, and by the end I was rooting for a rescue, and very satisfied with the whole book.

Thank you Penguin Teen and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was just caused so much stress! And it was so great!

Enthralling is not a strong enough word for good this book is. It is the creepy catacomb survival story of my dreams! Every scene is my worst nightmare come to life! I loved it so so much!

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!