I wasn't sure what to expect going into this one and ended up being pleasantly surprised. I didn't realize this would have supernatural elements and I was here for it.

I enjoyed the story a lot. I don’t dive (and never will), but the descriptions made me wish I was a little more adventurous—though I’ll probably stick to watching documentaries from the safety of my couch 😂.

The characters are good too and I was invested in the outcome. I read this one quickly as I had a hard time putting it down. This would make a good beach read if you like spookier stories while enjoying some sunshine.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

Review of Out of Air

Wow. This book made me realize just how terrifying the ocean can be. The diving scenes were so vivid I actually felt that claustrophobic pressure of being deep underwater, with only a tank of air between life and death. Rachel Reiss absolutely nails the atmosphere — it’s eerie, haunting, and at times completely unsettling.

I really connected with Phibs. She’s not the perfect heroine; she’s struggling with belonging, family issues, and that ache of being the outsider in a group of friends who sometimes don’t treat her the best. That made her journey into the cave — and everything that followed — so much more impactful. The body horror and strange transformations added this creepy, almost mythic layer that stuck with me after I finished.

The middle dragged a little, and I wanted a bit more clarity in the ending, but honestly, the tension and mood carried me through. It’s one of those books that leaves you unsettled in the best way — like the sea itself is still whispering at you.

If you love ocean horror, dark YA thrillers, or stories about friendship tested by impossible choices, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ (3.5-4/5)

Thriller, mystery, fantasy and suspense all included with a tough of romance…what more could you ask for? Phoebe’s mother left her with her grandmother when she was young and never returned. Phibs love of the sea has her with a group of divers after high school on an Australian Island. She seems to be drawn to the water as if it calls to her. Discovering a few gold coins and an underwater cave has caused danger and a possible curse. Well written with great underwater scenes.

YA thriller set in the water is for me I guess! Somehow I have read a few titles recently that fall into that niche and have really enjoyed all of them. The water (in this case, ocean) becomes a presence of it's own, creating an eerie atmosphere. The ways in which we saw friendship dynamics play was really enjoyable as well.

Out of Air is an atmospheric, chilling, and immersive thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. Five friends discover a mysterious underwater cave off the coast of Australia, and what starts as an exhilarating dive quickly turns dark and horrifying. The ocean itself feels like a character here, vast, beautiful, dangerous, and unforgiving, and the setting is captured so vividly that I often felt like I was swimming alongside the characters.

The story perfectly balances adventure, horror, and emotion. There are strong themes of friendship, identity, power, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the people we love. The creeping dread builds with every chapter, and the body horror elements were unsettling without ever feeling gratuitous. I especially enjoyed the transformation aspect, which was handled with both physical intensity and emotional depth.

The dynamics within the Salt Squad were engaging, tight-knit but complicated, with secrets simmering beneath the surface. I loved the formed-family vibe, the summer freedom mixed with socio-economic divides, and the way their relationships were tested when the ocean turned from playground to nightmare. The comparisons to Outer Banks are fair, but this book stands firmly on its own with its unique blend of thriller and horror.

If I had any critiques, it would be that the miscommunication trope felt a little drawn out at times, and I wished for a slightly more conclusive ending. Still, the open-ended conclusion added an extra layer of eeriness that lingered long after I finished.

Overall, Out of Air is sharp, strange, and unforgettable. With treasure, secrets, horror, and heart, it’s the kind of story that will make you think twice before diving into the deep. Highly recommended for fans of Our Wives Under the Sea or anyone who loves their thrillers with a terrifying twist.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5 stars)

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Teenagers scuba-diving for treasure and discovering a supernatural cave. Whats not to like? I will say that this was a clean original story. I don't think I've ever come across a scuba YA title. Fun, adventurous, but definitely on the angsty side! I think its was a nicely paced fun teen read. This didn't rock my world but a perfectly serviceable summer YA read!

So I kind of expected more like scuba diving running out of air kinda horror.
The parts related to scuba diving was fun and I enjoyed hearing about the friend group dynamic.
I didn't really care about the main girl and her struggles or the romance. I don't think any one specific character was fleshed out well.

Out of Air is an eerie and atmospheric thriller set against the backdrop of one last summer before adulthood. Phoebe “Phibs” Ray joins her friends for a scuba diving trip that turns into something far more dangerous after an encounter beneath the water leaves her changed. The ocean setting is vivid and claustrophobic, and Reiss captures both the excitement of youthful adventure and the creeping dread of something supernatural waiting in the depths. It’s unsettling & immersive, and I really loved the setting - I felt like I was under the water, trapped. Loved it and it's a PERFECT read for summertime especially.

Out of Air is a YA horror/supernatural thriller and I think it’s a pretty good one! I really enjoyed the various mysterious elements of the story and while I was able to predict some of the plot, there were still some surprises. I thought the characters were well-written and I enjoyed that while there was a romantic element, it didn’t overwhelm the rest of the story. Of course the teenage characters make some questionable choices, but there wouldn’t really be a story if they didn’t and besides, who didn’t make some questionable decisions at that age?

Overall, I found this book to be unique in the category of YA horror/supernatural thrillers and I think that teenage readers will absolutely love it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review an eARC of this title!

really enjoyed this book and the journey of the main character and all that they went through. It kept me on my toes and what would happen in the story.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and St. Martins Press for copies of Out of Air! Here are my thoughts.

Phoebe and her friends love diving. They are constantly exploring the water and have quite the social media following. The group is doing one last diving trip before they go their separate ways for school. There they discover a sea cave which seems to cause a strange illness in Phoebe and Gabe. Will the group figure out what’s going on before Gabe and Phoebe succumb?

This is a summery read. I loved the scenes taking place in the beach and and water! I’ve never been scuba diving, but it was fun to learn about how it works and go along with the group on their underwater adventures. I wasn’t sure what the genre was going to be for a while. It felt like a summery adventure when it suddenly took quite the horror spin!

I was more invested in the story once the stakes increased. The horror turned into a suspenseful mystery, and I wasn’t sure how things were going to unravel. There were a few unexpected twists that I truly didn’t see coming.

The ending was alright. I was hoping to have a few more of my questions answered but most things were tied up!

But tonight, in the head of night, it’s just a formality. Largely because none of us - even Lani - knows what to expect in this dive. Except for a cave, which holds more questions than answers.

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss
🤿🤿🤿🤿

QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Phoebe Ray discovers a hidden underwater cave while on a diving trip with her friends. Her and her best friend Gabe discover the air pocket within the cave that saves them, but when they finally surface strange changes start happening to them.

FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
Wow. Just. Wow. While I didn’t always love the change in timeline. I couldn’t put this book down. I think it’s in the top three for summer.
You have a past the characters can’t forget, hidden caves, sea diving, and mysteries. Highly recommend putting this at the top of any summer reading list.

This story hooked me from the very first page with its mix of adventure, friendship, and creeping horror. Phibs is a fearless diver but still uncertain on land, and her authentic bond with her friends makes the unraveling of their final summer together all the more tense and heartbreaking.

The underwater setting is vivid and immersive—I could feel the pressure of the dive and see the flicker of light across the coral walls. But the real pull comes when the eerie, otherworldly elements surface: unhealing wounds, haunting whispers, and the chilling sense that the ocean has claimed Phibs and Gabe. The blend of survival thriller and supernatural horror kept me turning pages, equal parts fascinated and unsettled.

At its core, this is a story of transformation—sometimes chosen, sometimes forced, sometimes monstrous. With high stakes, relentless suspense, and a heroine who must embrace her darkest self to protect the people she loves, it’s a haunting and unforgettable read.

This story had a fantastic setup—teen scuba divers, hidden treasure, and a mysterious cave off the coast of Australia. The diving scenes are vivid and atmospheric, some of the strongest parts of the book, and Phibs makes for a solid lead with depth and heart.

Where it wobbled for me was in the shift from treasure-hunting adventure to supernatural horror. The eerie cave and its strange effects overshadowed the treasure-hunting drama I was hoping for, leaving the rest of the Salt Squad feeling more like archetypes than fleshed-out friends. The pacing also dragged in the first half and then rushed through the ending.

Still, Reiss’s writing is strong, the atmosphere is immersive, and the creepy cave elements will definitely appeal to fans of supernatural YA thrillers. It wasn’t quite the “Outer Banks with flippers” I expected, but it’s a unique, eerie summer read with heart and potential.

Wonderfully chilling book that keeps you up late from sheer ANXIETY of needing to know what happens, holding your breath and rapidly turning the pages. Filled with all kinds of Nope, nope, nope moments. Could never. Not me. Peace out homie, I’m gone, exit stage right. Absolutely recommend.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this, but I wasn’t disappointed.

Phoebe “Phibs” and her four friends were famous after finding ancient coins. They loved diving and spent their last summer doing just that. But during one of those dives, something strange happened to Phoebe and Gabe, one of her best friends and crush.

This was such an interesting read. I was unable to stop turning the pages because I was curious about what exactly was happening to them, Gabe especially.

The whole exploring the ocean and discovering everything in it was written so well.

I will say that some parts were a bit predictable. And I did still have some questions in the end. But this was such a unique read, and I enjoyed it.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday Books for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story blends the eerie, atmospheric vibe of Wilder Girls with the adventure and friendship dynamics of Outer Banks, set against an exotic Australian island backdrop. The concept of scuba-diving friends discovering treasure—and then facing a mysterious, transformative power—felt fresh and intriguing.

I enjoyed the underwater setting and the mix of suspense, supernatural elements, and coming-of-age themes. The tension between friends and the threat from treasure hunters added some exciting stakes.

That said, the pacing was uneven, and some plot threads felt underdeveloped or rushed. The characters, especially Phoebe, had moments of strong voice but didn’t always feel fully fleshed out emotionally. The horror elements were atmospheric but could have been deeper and more unsettling.

Overall, this was a solid, engaging read with unique worldbuilding, though it didn’t quite reach its full potential. Fans of dark YA adventure with supernatural twists may find a lot to enjoy here.

Treasure hunting in underwater cave goes terribly wrong in this thriller, horror. Everything was so clear. The story had a very eerie feeling, kind of like I myself was underwater fighting for air. I liked the end. The friendships were good. Out of Air reminded me of Outer Banks.
It's a perfect summer read if you were a fan of unsettling reads this might just be for you.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC.

Loved this so much!! Such an adventurous, fun time! I was hooked from the very beginning and on the edge of my seat until the very end. Highly recommend!

Out of Air by Rachel Reiss is a gripping and introspective thriller that follows Olivia, a woman whose life takes a terrifying turn after a scuba diving accident leaves her with amnesia. As she struggles to piece together her memories, she uncovers secrets that challenge her sense of identity, safety, and truth.

Reiss masterfully blends suspense with psychological depth, creating a tense atmosphere that keeps readers guessing. The story explores themes of memory, trauma, trust, and self-discovery. Olivia is a compelling protagonist—vulnerable yet resilient—and the pacing keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

This is a smart, emotionally layered mystery perfect for fans of domestic thrillers and psychological suspense. A page-turner with heart and depth.