Under the Surface by Diana Urban
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Ruby, Sean and their classmates take a trip to Paris with their French class. Ruby and Sean both have unshared feelings for each other. When one of their friends is invited to a secret underground party in the catacombs, Ruth goes after her to make sure she’s okay. The girls quickly realize this might not have been the best idea and discover they are helplessly lost.
I found this fast paced trapped thriller full of just the twists and turns that I needed. Full of turn by turn, literally, surprises. You get the dual POV as the search for the girls is going on at the surface. A must read!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an arc for my honest review.
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Man oh man does Diana Urban not disappoint. I know it's early in the year but Under the Surface might be my favorite book for the year! Never have I read a book that made me feel claustrophobic, arachniphobic, or this scared of what will happen next. Honestly I feel like I was Ruby treading along the catacombs, fighting for her life.

The premise is about a girl named Ruby who's class is going on a trip to Paris. However, Ruby's best friend sneaks out the first night to meet a mysterious French boy, Ruby goes after her with two classmates, but caves to another temptation: attending mystery boy’s exclusive party in the Paris catacombs, the intricate web of tunnels beneath the city, home to six million long-dead Parisians. Only they never reach the party. Underground, as something sinister chases them, they get lost in the endless maze of bones, uncovering dark secrets about the catacombs… and each other. And if they can’t find a way out, they’ll die in the dark beneath the City of Light. Aboveground, Sean, Ruby's friend/crush, races to find the girl he loves as a media frenzy over the four missing teens begins.

This was such a heart pounding adventure and I ate up every minute of it. I could not stop thinking of this book and I think I told just about everyone I know they should be getting it when it comes out in August! Definitely 5 stars!!

Under the Surface had such an appeal to me with the story being mostly based in the catacombs and pitched as a horror story. Even the idea of some of the story being in Paris had such a great appeal. Unfortunately this book fell really short for me, Instead of feeling like a horror story it just felt like a high school drama story. I did love some of the imagery of the catacombs and the history along with it and I wanted more of that along with the horror vibes. I just couldn't bring myself to be invested in the drama or care about any of the characters.

I never was bored with this book at all. Usually, I can’t read books with teenagers being the main characters, but the author did great at writing these characters, their backgrounds, personal stories, and fleshing out the plot. You can also tell she did her research. So Ruby and her class are on a trip to Paris and they are already interested in the catacombs. She catches one of her friends about to go down with a boy for a party. So her and a couple other friends join…and not going to say no more, but they got more than they bargained for. This had me on the edge of my seat. This, I would say is more of a thriller than horror. Still a great read.

This was SO good!

An extremely tense, very fast read, so much so I finished it in 3 days. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to even read this due to my extreme claustrophobia, but I persevered because the story was just so good. Four teens are lured into an illegal entrance to the Paris catacombs with the promise of a secret party, but they very soon find themselves lost, injured, and on the run from mysterious people in creepy masks. While I could not relate to anyone who would choose to follow a strange French boy down a sewer tunnel, I could absolutely relate to the themes of loss and complicated friendships the teens navigate as they try and find their way to the surface. So well done!

I don’t usually read the genre but I found the concept really intriguing! The suspense made it so that I finished the book in one day. What I didn’t love was the teenage characters - it was very obvious that they were written by an adult and it brought me out of the narrative more than a couple times ! Overall I enjoyed it.

Holy moly, this was everything I thought it would be! As an avid enthusiast of horror films that trap characters in tight spots, like "The Descent," I've always been captivated by the genre. However, one such movie, "As Above, So Below," which revolves around the harrowing tale of adventurers lost in the Parisian catacombs, always left me wanting more. I approached this novel with the anticipation that it would fill the void that the film left.

And it certainly did.

In "Under the Surface," we're not presented with ghostly terrors, but rather the palpable dread of navigating the perilous catacombs and the uncertainty of misplaced trust. We follow Ruby, who is drawn to the thrill of exploring the catacombs' non-tourist sections. Alongside her and three peers is a dubious Parisian guide, leading them into a labyrinthine nightmare. As they encounter one peril after another, dealing with injuries, dwindling resources, and the absence of communication, their situation spirals. Ruby is haunted by the thought that her remains could join the six million others entombed within the catacomb's walls.

The novel's oppressive atmosphere is masterfully crafted, making the moments of respite through Sean's alternating viewpoint a welcome relief. It provides a glimpse into the outside world, where the disappearance of Ruby and her classmates begins to capture global attention. Sean's ingenuity in the search for his friend is both refreshing and engaging.

Incorporating the dynamic of Ruby and her former best friend trapped together heightens the suspense and emotional stakes. The narrative is relentlessly fast-paced, leaving no room for lulls. Both Ruby and Sean are in a desperate race against time, and just when you anticipate the author might settle into familiar young adult storytelling tropes, the plot takes astonishing turns. Brace yourself for jaw-dropping revelations and moments that will leave you asking, did she really JUST DO THAT??

This thriller pulls no punches. This is a must-read for thriller fans!

This is a trip of a life time. Ruby gets to go to Paris for her senior year trip with her French class. Even better, she gets to go with the boy she secretly loves and her best friend. Ruby's big dream is to document her travels and post to youtube and grow a following. So when the opportunity to explore the Paris catacombs with a cataphile arrises, though skeptical at first, she takes it.

Under the Surface includes drama, betrayal, adrenaline, plot twists, and much, much more. My heart was pounding and my jaw was dropping through the whole book and because of that, I truly enjoyed it. For the past several weeks I have been spiraling down the Paris Catacombs rabbit hole. Diana Urban did a terrific job portraying the catacombs and the dangers that lurk beneath. The way she describes it is spot on. She gives it the exact creepy and eery vibes that it deserves. The characters were well developed and so was the storyline. Even though this was a teen & YA story, it didn't feel that way at all. It feels like one of those books that really anyone could read and enjoy.

4.5 rounded up to five stars

This is a YA thriller about a group of girls on a school trip to Paris who end up lost in the catacombs beneath. I love that this was life or death not only being lost in catacombs of Paris. It made the stakes higher and really kept the anticipation up. We just could’ve done without the second POV chapters.

Speaking of which, what was the point of Sean? Why was he even needed? We did not need to know what was happening upstairs. And we really didn’t need a man to save the women. They were doing their best with an invompetent lead. I hate his chapters.

I hated Val and I hated Julien. She was a selfish psychopath and he was just an ignorant kid. It got tired pretty fast but once the twists start happening I was able to get over it.

Im happy they weren’t skeletons but were killers(?) in the catacombs? I don’t want to give to much away but having a real threat following after them really raised the stakes and I loved that! Also had something else I’m a fan of but don’t want to spoil it

All in all, this was a great thriller YA read! I just wish there was less of Sean’s useless POV that we could’ve learned in a single chapter at the end.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6352583552

*I received an ARC of Under the Surface from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing you gotta know, I suppose, before you read this review is that I had no idea Diana Urban existed, let alone that she's been writing for A While now. I know, I know: all her long-time readers are trying to reach into the screen to strangle me now. But this fact is important, because I believed, when I was reading it, that Under the Surfacewas a debut novel. I was going to be all, 'Of course, like all debuts, it's not perfect, but (!) it's a super strong start!' See, I can be nice. However, now that I have become aware that she's written, what?, 3 books--well, 4 if you count UTS--a short story, contributed to an anthology, and writes narratives for video games...

Under the Surfacetakes readers on a survival-thriller ride underthe streets of Paris. That's right--UNDER. How cool is that? Anyway, readers join protagonist Ruby as she hunts for fodder for her YouTube channel (I can't tell if I want to cringe or not) Ruby's Hidden Gems in the Paris catacombs. The book also features Ruby's love interest's POV spliced throughout. (He's on the top, less dangerous, bit of Paris.)

UTS is a perfect pick for Young Adult readers--they will likely devour this in one or two seatings, rave about the setting and excitement, and weep about some of The Happenings. The premise of the novel really is gripping.

That being said, I wish a more skilled writer had gotten to write this. (Oof, that sounds unkind! Sorry, sorry, sorry!) Overall, my takeaway was this: awesome premise, less awesome characters, less good "twist", and questionable stylistic choices...And yet--and yet! I am glad I read it, and would read it again, no problem. Would skip Love Interest's parts though.

Ruby is excited to be with her friends on a school trip to Paris. One of the things on her must-do list is to visit the catacombs. When her friend Val is distracted by a cute Parisian guy's promise of a party, Ruby's gut feeling is to make sure Val doesn't do anything foolish. When the so-called party is supposed to be in the catacombs, Ruby is excited thinking filming it will help her travel YouTuber channel Ruby's Hidden Gems. But things go wrong right off the bat and what at first seemed to be a fun adventure has turned into a very real horror show that can have deadly consequences for all involved.

What worked: Edge-of-the-seat suspense with vivid descriptions of the catacombs kept me totally engaged. Alternating POVs drive the tension and adrenaline-packed action of this story.

I liked the interactions between Ruby and Val. The two at first seem to be opposites. Add Selena, the former best friend who has never forgiven Ruby for a betrayal. When Selena insists on tagging along on the adventure, none of them can even begin to imagine what is in store for them.

There's also Sean, the best guy friend who wants more. Ruby also wants more to their relationship but fears her feelings are one-sided. It doesn't help that the one time she did act on the attraction, it came back to haunt her. Sean has his own struggles and doubts which include his father's assumption that he'll go to West Point after high school.

Once readers are down in the forbidden parts of the catacombs, the descriptions ooze with creepiness. Urban did her research! The endless rolls and shelves of bones of the dead are haunting. Add to that a conspiracy theory. Plus, the element of trust is one that all the characters must come to grips with. Can Ruby trust Selena even though a painful friend breakup hangs between them? And who really is Val? It seems all have secrets. The biggest thing though is to overlook those and work together.

There were a few things I didn't know like what is a Cataphile? It's an urban explorer who illegally tours the Mines of Paris which are the tunnels that are no longer used. The Catacombs are a subset of that network. Or the idea of people sneaking off into forbidden parts. Plus, the Catacombs is a 200-mile-long ossuary. That's longer than I thought! And it adds to the really real threat of actually getting lost if someone isn't paying attention on a tour.

Creepy thriller set in the underground caverns of the Paris catacombs. Darkness and the very real possibility of being lost forever bring confessions, reveals, and also hope of forgiveness. This is one emotion-packed ride through Paris!

This book hooked me from the beginning. There were so many moments where I found myself holding my breath waiting to see what would happen next. There were a few twists that I didn't see coming and while there were many juvenile moments this book is about teens so teen drama should be expected. Overall this book really surprised me and it was a great read.

I’m struggling hard with reviewing this one. The core story is great: 10/10. It’s interesting, compelling, suspenseful. The problem is that it gets bogged down by all this other stuff that isn’t as great:

First and foremost, the writing is unbearable. Every other sentence is a cheesy simile to the point that it’s like painful to read. It comes across as exceedingly juvenile and makes what could have been a fantastic story that much less hard hitting.

My other gripe is the petty drama. There is so much going on in this story that it felt shallow and pointless to continue reverting back to this childish high school drama. I actually think it’s quite insulting to teenagers: I promise we’re not so self-centered that we wouldn’t be able to put aside pointless boy drama in a literal LIFE OR DEATH situation.

I’m also just salty because I loved Julien…but that’s an issue for another day

Wow! What a novel adventure. I could not put this one down.

Paris, catacombs, YouTube travel channel, late night adventure….what could possibly go wrong?!?!

After being suffocated for her whole life Ruby wants to go adventuring and explore the world around her. On the cusp of adult hood a school trip to Paris is the perfect opportunity to show her dad (and herself) that she is capable to go off on her own. When she trying to protect her friend from making a horrible choice of following a stranger alone into the catacombs for a party she discovers more than just la cité des morts. The question is will she and her friends survive or be come another soul of the catacombs….

YA survivalist story set in the Paris catacombs? Sign me up!

I sat down expecting to chip away at this over the course of a few weeks, and ended up devouring it in 24 hours. Couldn’t put it down. The hero of this book is the pacing - gripping, action packed (internal + external), and quickly gets to the meat of the story while providing enough buildup to feel invested in the characters. Once it picks up, it doesn’t let up until the end.

The setting was fascinating, and set a strong tone right off the bat. Descriptive enough to set the scene and be able to envision it, without taking away from the fast paced action. Shifting POVs offered brief reprieves without detracting from the plot line, but rather deepened it.

My only potential thorn to this rose of a book, is that I would have preferred the ‘villain motivation’ to have gone in a slightly different direction - but that’s ultimately a matter of preference and I think the way it was written works well within the context of the story and the target YA reader audience.

Ultimately I felt like in many ways this should have been a 4 star read. Yet it has je ne sais quoi (Mr. LeBrecque would be so proud!). The writing style, the pacing, and the dynamics amongst the teen characters is captivating in a way that was unexpected and above & beyond a lot of books in this YA genre space.

My hope is that the author will consider writing additional survivalist stories based on true events. Either way I can confidently say that if she writes it, I will read it!

I have always been interested in the Paris catacombs, and so when I saw this book was set there I was really excited. I really enjoyed the storyline and was totally not expecting all of the twists and turns. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

Under the Surface is claustrophobic, intense, and deeply atmospheric. The synopsis had me at Paris catacombs and survival thriller, and I was not disappointed!

I inhaled this book - it kept me on the edge of my seat. In addition to exploring themes of friendship, loss, and love, the story is imbued with eighteenth century Paris history. The catacombs come to life in the pages - the reverence of being among the many dead, the cloying claustrophobia of being below the surface, and the sights and smells of the dark and damp tunnels.

Under the Surface had all the elements I look for in a thriller, and reminded me of Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, the starter to one of my all-time favorite series. The story delivers in every way! I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Surface is the perfect teen read. After finishing this book I realize I was not the target audience, but I enjoyed the read anyway. This books is about friendship, loss, and the connections we can make or lose on the journey through life. I liked the thriller aspect of this book although the scares were not what I expected going into the book. I love the setting of the catacombs (that’s what pulled me in) but I think the setting could use a little more description. Overall I would recommend this book to others.

Wow. I couldn’t stop reading this book, I devoured it in one sitting. Fast paced, terrifying, heartfelt, suspenseful, these are just some words I would use to describe this book. I may be biased because I am and have always been obsessed with the Paris Catacombs and this book just did it so much justice. It also added another favorite topic of mine that added even more to my enjoyment, but I won’t say what that is as it’s a major spoiler. The writing was fantastic to the point where I legit had to take a puff of my inhaler because I was feeling so claustrophobic. I wasn’t expecting this to be as terrifying as it was. I love too that it takes the found footage of the lost explorer that was a real story back in the 90s (you can watch it on YouTube) and adds to the lore, this adds an extra layer of scare factor. I thought I would be annoyed about the teenage drama that was unfolding and I actually really thought it was weaved into the story in a way that I feel real teenagers would act like in these situations they are in. I feel the book was the perfect length and gave time for everything to play out and have answers to questions that come up. This book will keep you guessing, making you constantly need to turn the next page, and pure enjoyment alone, this is my favorite book of the year so far.

Get ready to dive into this heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping, mind-bending YA thriller that unfolds in one of the eerie, haunted real-life locations: the catacombs of Paris! Diana Urban takes you on an underground adventure where danger lurks in the dark, and every second counts!

It’s a tense, exciting, thrilling experience, with expertly crafted suspense that will leave you breathless.

The story follows a group of high schoolers on a trip to Paris with their teachers. Ruby, eager to gain attention for her YouTube travel channel where she explores secret and sacred locations, has a crush on Sean, who helps edit her videos. She's accompanied by her adventurous best friend Val, whose famous TV persona parents add to the mix.

Ruby still feels guilty when she sees her ex-best friend Selena, now attending the same trip with her girlfriend.

Their uneventful trip takes a dramatic turn when Val meets a charming French college student who invites them to an underground party. Despite Ruby's attempts to dissuade her, Val leaves the hotel without informing her. Ruby follows, determined to ensure her friend's safety, only to run into Selena, her former best friend turned nemesis, and Olivia, the valedictorian with a quirky demeanor around Sean. Together, they embark on a search for Val.

Their journey leads them to Julien, a mysterious French boy who dares them to explore the catacombs for the ultimate party experience. Ruby sees this as a chance to boost her YouTube channel, while the others view it as a thrilling challenge. However, their adventure turns perilous when one of them gets injured, and they become lost in the dark, unable to reach the party.

As they struggle to find their way out, they realize they've become prey to dangerous hunters, and their fight for survival begins.

Can Sean uncover the truth about their disappearance and alert the authorities? Or are they on their own in their desperate struggle to escape and survive?

While the main mystery may stretch believability, the action-packed storyline, themes of love, hate, betrayal, and survival are well-developed. The riveting pace keeps you on the edge of your seat, and the satisfying conclusion earns this Parisian thriller four stars!

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/ G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.