This book blew me away! It had me in the edge of my seat the entire time. I was so nervous and wasn’t sure who to trust. I loved getting to know everyone’s backstory and their strengths and weaknesses. I loved when the girls came together to survive even though they had problems in the past. I was pleasantly surprised at the depths of the plot and character development. Even though this was YA, the story held my attention and it never felt too young.

Highly recommend this thriller,l and romantic survival story!

I can’t not even fully describe how much this book changed me. As I went through the journey in the catacombs with Julien, Ruby, Olivia, Selena, and Val, I realized that people actually have been through situations like that. This book feels so real and show the true raw feelings in terrible situations. I am glad I read this book and it definitely met my expectations. <3

This was a nerve wracking and claustrophobia inducing read.

Ruby’s on a school trip to Paris and within hours of arriving her friend Val sneaks out to go to a party. A catacomb party. Ruby goes after her to stop Val but the promise of an adventure in the forbidden underground is too great for Ruby, a budding travel vlogger to pass up. Soon Ruby, Val and two other girls from school are lost in the catacombs with limited food and water, no service and no map. I’ve seen it described as a “propulsive story” and that is the perfect description, it was fast moving, I couldn’t put it down. I had no choice but to keep reading and moving forward like Ruby and the others had no choice but to move forward through the dark cramped passages of the Catacombs.

This book had my heart rate up. I was biting my nails. I was crying. I was nervous, scared, sad, hopeful. I was at the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next! Did I mention I CRIED? Like sobs.

It was also fascinating and I wonder what research the author did on the catacombs. I never want to set foot down there but I am truly intrigued and want to learn more. I’ve been looking at photos and videos. I really was able to imagine these dark, tight passageways with skulls and bones as I read.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

As someone who has been to the Paris catacombs and obsessed over the catacombs and cataphiles, this was a thrilling read. I have wondered what it would be like to enter the not public areas, and I feel like this gave a great glimpse albeit a suspenseful one. I've seen videos of people in the catacombs, and the author really helped build that world out.

I did find the FMC a bit annoying, but this story captured my attention so I was able to to overlook it. If you don't like bones or tight and enclosed spaces or potential cults, maybe don't read this. But if you are like me and love the catacombs, definitely check it out.

The moment this book appeared on my radar, it had my attention. Not only do I love a good thriller book, but over the years I have watched many videos of Urban Explorers going down into the Paris Catacombs. Macabre but fascinating at the same time, and very easy to see how easy they could be to get lost in. So naturally a thriller book about that happening went straight onto my tbr. And I wasn't disappointed.

This was my first time reading a Diana Urban book, but it definitely won't be the last. Her writing style is fantastic, and I loved the dual narration, allowing the reader to know what was going on both under the surface and above it. The various sub-plots (friendships, future planning and romance) tied in well, contributing to the main plot rather than feeling like they were just there for the sake of it.

Filled with twists and turns, some which are teased gradually and others which come as a complete shock, Under The Surface had me gripped right from the start. I could have easily read this in one sitting if other responsibilities had allowed for it - and as it was, the fast pace and short chapters had me struggling to put it down even when I absolutely had to.

*I received this copy in a giveaway from the author, thank you!*
Another incredible and pulse pounding thriller from Diana Urban!! I was hooked from the start and could not put this book down! It had me feeling every emotion possible and I absolutely loved it.

I never really considered myself claustrophobic until reading this book 😅

Under the Surface was SO stressful. I feel like there were no moments of downtime and there was constant tension. Pretty sure my heart rate was elevated the whole time I was reading 🤣

Julien was probably my favorite character. It was so hard to get a read on him and he really kept me guessing. There were quite a few characters that I was suspicious of. Diana Urban did a really great job with the suspense in this book.

I was not expecting so many of the things that ended up happening! I was hooked from the beginning, but as soon as I got to a certain part, I flew through the rest, needing to know how it was going to end.

I had a feeling I was going to love this book, but I didn't expect to cry so often. I truly felt for Ruby and Sean and adored their love story. All of the characters felt like real people grappling with realistic problems and betrayals, and being set in the Paris catacombs made for a stunningly atmospheric read. I couldn't put this down and read it within one day. It's now one of my all-time favorites and I can imagine rereading this many times. HIGHLY recommended.

Word of advice, if a strange man promises to take you to a party underground (especially in the catacombs) don’t go with him… no matter how fun the party sounds.

Okay now that we’ve established that, this book stressed me out in the best way. The book follows Ruby and three other teens who had been visiting Paris with their school and through a series of unfortunate events find themselves trapped in the catacombs with a complete stranger. There’s so much tension, a lot of drama (especially because two of the girls who are stuck with Ruby are her current and former best friends), some moments that kind of terrified me, and also other moments that made me wanna cry.

Oh and there’s also a little romance, it’s definitely a subplot but I loved it. Sean is Ruby’s best friend and the entire time that she’s missing he’s desperately trying to help people find her. Their dynamic in the few scenes that they’re together really melted my heart.

There is so much that I want to talk about, especially some SHOCKING revelations that happen in the last like 30% of the book but I can’t. So, basically, if you like thrillers, people lost in a maze of tunnels lined with skeletal remains, and most importantly baddies who will do anything it takes to survive, then this is the book for you.

Thank you as always to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the early copy.

Under the Surface by @dianaurban is another fantastic thriller from this author. Every new chapter offers some kind of suspense and this book is filled with everything including love, betrayal, secrets, lies, hope, and peril. If you’ve ever even wondered what lurks in the Paris catacombs, then you’ll need to pick up this novel in July. It will be the perfect Summer Thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat.

While on a class trip in Paris, France, our main character Ruby and some friends go out on their own to have some non-school sanctioned fun and end up lost in the prohibited section of the catacombs. Not only are they lost, but something is chasing them, pushing them further and further into the deadly maze. Aboveground, Ruby's friend Sean (who could be turning into more than a friend) will not stop searching until he finds Ruby safe and sound.

This book was thrilling and creepy, with just the right amount of claustrophobia from the tunnels mixed with teenage drama and angst. The friendships and relationships felt real and layered, and I love the way that a romance was developed through alternating viewpoints even though the characters were apart for a large majority of the book.

Overall this novel was fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely be recommending to the teens (and adults) at my library.

This was such a wild ride of a book. I was hooked from the very first page! I loved the dual POVs from rubys perspective being stuck in the catacombs and Sean’s being in the surface desperate to find her. The added conflicts between the 4 girls and the cult aspect really knocked it out of the park.

Fast-paced, thrilling, and a little creepy!

This was my first book by this author and I was hooked! I liked the switched points of view even though it wasn’t every other chapter. Really helped to tell the story.

I also enjoyed the setting - I’ve always thought the catacombs would be a creepy place for a setting and I was right.

There are a few unanswered questions or perhaps things that were a little coincidental but I was hooked enough not to care.

I do take issue with one thing that happens around the 55% mark that I felt like seemed unnecessary - but it’s a personal feeling and didn’t take away from liking the overall book.

Note: Some language.

My rating: 4.5*
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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to the Penguin and to Diana for an early copy of this book. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in a day. I will forever be a Diana urban super fan. This book was terrifying and terrific is the best possible ways. As I previously studied abroad in Paris I loved all of the facts and hot spots that made its way into the book, it was as if I was back on my trip. This book truly kept me on the edge of my seat gripping on for dear life and I loved every moment of it!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This story is an exciting survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days. It is told from alternating perspectives between Ruby and Sean. It appreciated the dual POVs so we could see both sides of the situation. While Sean is on the surface trying to help, Ruby and her other friends race to escape the dangers that lurk within the catacombs.

The pacing was done really well and I thought that the story never dragged. The twists and turns kept coming and it was a chilling cat and mouse type thriller. This definitely isn’t a low stakes type of story. I also think Diana does a great job writing unlikable characters and morally grey ones. I think this story would make for a great movie. There was a small romance plot that did help brighten the tone of the story and made me root for Ruby and Sean. I do wish we had been able to see them together more but it wouldn’t have made the story what it was.

Overall I enjoyed this YA cat and mouse thriller, It was fast paced and claustrophobic at times. I definitely recommend this if you’re a fan of Diana’s other books or YA thrillers in general.

Hugest thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC

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!