Book Review: Under the Surface by Diana Urban

Book Details


Author Diana Urban
Country	United States
Language	English
Published	August 13, 2024
ISBN	9780593625088
Pages	368

Genre:

Fiction, Mystery Thriller, YA, Horror, Romance

Story Setting:

Paris Catacombs

What To Expect:

Survival, Betrayal, Suspense

Readability:

Fast-Paced, Engaging, Intense

Book Review

A Dark and Twisty Adventure

Under the Surface is a book about, four teenagers—Ruby, Selena, Val, and Olivia—who find themselves lost in the notorious catacombs beneath the city which is Paris.

The book makes the readers draw in too deeply. The novel commences with a usual school trip: Ruby is excited to be in Paris with her classmates, veiling her feelings for Sean, her friend who is equally eager to spend time with her.

Nonetheless, the trip quickly twirls into a living hell when Ruby’s best friend, Val, sneaks off to meet a mysterious boy and drags the group into an underground party that never materialises.

From there, the story dives into a breathless thriller, where every turn threatens their lives.

The real brilliance of the book lies in how it uses the claustrophobic, bone-lined tunnels of the Paris catacombs as a character in itself.

The oppressive darkness and labyrinthine passages create a chilling backdrop for the unravelling of relationships, the disclosing of secrets, and the fight for survival.

Urban does a stellar job of maintaining a relentless pace while gradually turning the screws tighter, making each step into the shadows more dangerous than the last.

Complex Characters Facing Sinister Forces

Ruby, the central character, is the beating heart of the novel. Her initial confidence and desire to prove herself—both to her friends and on her YouTube travel channel—quickly crumble as the group becomes lost, forcing her to confront deeper insecurities and buried tensions within the group. Ruby’s coming of age character is one of the highlights of the novel where she transforms from a naive teen to someone who understands the burden of her choices..

Val, on the other hand, provides the friction that propels much of the story. Reckless and determined to experience the catacombs at any cost, her decisions catalyze much of the group’s troubles. Meanwhile, the dynamics between Ruby and her estranged former friend Selena, as well as Olivia, the quirky valedictorian, add layers of tension that feel authentic to the high school experience. Sean, Ruby’s love interest, remains largely in the background, offering brief moments of respite as he frantically searches for her above ground, unaware of the true danger she’s in.

A Thrilling Exploration of Trust and Survival

Urban’s writing is fast-paced, and her use of alternating perspectives between Ruby and Sean keeps the reader constantly on edge. The frantic action is balanced by quieter moments of character reflection, where Ruby and the others are forced to reckon with both their internal demons and external horrors. Themes of trust, betrayal, and the delicate lines between friendship and survival weave through the narrative, making the book emotionally charged beyond just its physical stakes.

The setting of the Paris catacombs is used to chilling effect—its history of being home to six million dead Parisians heightens the atmosphere of dread. Urban’s descriptions are vivid enough to give you a sense of the place’s haunting presence without slowing down the action. If you have a taste for claustrophobic, pulse-pounding thrillers, Under the Surface delivers on every front.

Final Thoughts

Under the Surface is an example of a thriller, the gripping story should be. While some elements, particularly the romance subplot with Sean, may feel slightly unripe, the book’s pacing and twisty plot more than makeup for these minor shortcomings. Urban blends action, suspense, and emotion with ease into a compulsively readable package. For fans of YA thrillers who love a touch of macabre and psychological tension, this book will keep you turning pages late into the night.