Under the Surface - Diana Urban

Diana Urban is another one of my must read authors. After reading All Your Twisted Secrets, I stalk everything she writes. In line with Karen McManus, she is able to write twisty thrillers in unique settings that leave you on the edge of your seat. This latest one, set in the Paris Catacombs, was one I had been waiting for since it's announcement. And I loved it!
If you've ever been to the catacombs, you know the setting...dark, chilled, with thousands of eyes of the dead watching your every move. It is the perfect setting for a thriller, and when a group of teens find themselves trapped, the stakes are massive. The tension between each of the characters was great, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the plot beyond just survival and escape. Ruby is relatable, Sean is a golden retriever who won't give up on her. The supporting cast is well rounded and each pull their own weight in the plot. 
The one thing I didn't jive with was what I suppose was meant to be the 'villains'. But it felt...unnecessary. There was enough motivation and conflict within the cast within the inclusion of *no spoilers* so I just kind of rolled my eyes when the villains were revealed...along with their strange motivation. 
Overall, I enjoyed the read, and would love to read more in this setting. 

---