Lying in the Deep Book Review
Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban book review and recommendation with NO SPOILERS
Date: 6-02-25 Post Written By: MK Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Book Cover Rating: 8.5/10
(My personal opinion)
Title: Lying in the Deep
Author: Diana Urban
Pages: 384
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Mystery
Subplots: Thriller, Romance, Jealousy
Romance Level: 1.5/3
Publisher: Razorbill
First Published: 2023
Number of Editions: 8
Goodreads Rating: 3.62/5
# of Goodreads Ratings: 5,467
Amazon Rating: 4.0/5
# of Amazon Ratings: 347
Common Sense Media Age Recommendation: 14+
Movie/TV Show?? : No
Book Type: Standard
POV Type: Single, First Person
Pacing: Uneven- Slower Start, Faster Ending
Generally: Whodunit at sea, ex’s, murder mystery
Blurb:
After being jilted by her ex-boyfriend and best friend, Jade couldn't be more ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime—11 countries in 4 months, all from the luxurious Campus on Board ship—and to wedge an entire globe between her and the people who broke her heart.
But when Jade discovers the backstabbing couple are also setting sail, her obsession with them grows and festers, leading to a shocking murder. And as their friends begin to drop like flies, Jade and her new crush must race to clear her name and find the killer they’re trapped at sea with….before anyone else winds up in body bags.
My Review
Main Characters:
Jade Miller- Jade is a college student from Stanford. Her dad left her when she was ten, and her mom is not very supportive. She loves to travel, and can sometimes be reckless. She is a part of the Campus on Board program.
Lainey Silverton- Lainey is the daughter of a massive pharmaceutical company owner. She is also Jade’s ex-best friend. She first met Jade at Stanford. She is rich, and people often try to use her for her connections. She can come across as a mean girl, but has a compassionate side as well. She is also a part of the Campus on Board program.
Silas- Silas is Jade’s ex-boyfriend. But, since their break-up a few months ago, he is now with Lainey. And neither of them will speak to Jade. He also went to Stanford. He was a rising baseball star, until he hurt himself in a skiing accident last year. Now, his scholarship to Stanford is likely lost, and he’s not sure how he will stay. Over the summer, he got an internship working at Lainey’s dad’s pharmaceutical company. Lainey convinced him to join the Campus on Board program.
Felix- Felix is a fairly mysterious character. He is on the Campus on Board program, but he did not go to Stanford with Jade, Lainey, and Silas. He is caring, but also more reserved for the most part.
These were fairly average characters. They did many things I didn’t 100% agree with, and some of their actions felt forced. But, they all had great character development. They weren’t particularity memorable, but I didn’t have many problems with them.
Character Rating: 5.4/10
Setting:
This book takes place on a Campus on Board ship in the Atlantic.
This was an atmospheric….well….atmosphere, and a unique physical setting. I really enjoyed how this book took place on a boat, meaning it was a fairly restricted, limited setting. I felt that this helped add to the murderous, fearful tension coming from this book. Setting this book on a boat was definitely a GREAT choice!!
Setting Rating: 9.1/10
Plot:
This was a fairly average, young adult, mystery book. The plot was interesting and hooking, but nothing particularly sophisticated or completely thought through. I enjoyed hearing about the mystery, but honestly guessed most events before they happened. Only one small part of this plot really surprised me. The pacing was also uneven, causing the beginning of the book to be significantly more boring than future chapters. Just to be honest, jealousy was also a major theme in this book, and the whole thing felt a little overdone to me.
Plot Rating: 5.3/10
Writing:
This was one of my first Diana Urban books, and I didn’t have a very strong opinion of her writing. It didn’t get in my way of enjoying this book whatsoever, but didn’t sweep me off my feet either. The writing was fairly tense, but also left something to be desired.
Writing Rating: 6.4/10
Ending:
I have mixed feelings about this ending. It did wrap up the plot and answered most of the readers’ questions. But, it didn’t surprise me at all; I guessed 90% of the twists. I also think some kind of epilogue would have been AMAZING.
Ending Rating: 6.6/10
The Overall:
Overall, this felt like a fairly average young adult, thriller book. The setting stood out as amazing, with a tense atmosphere, secluded boat, and countdown. But, the rest of the book really felt like any other YA book. My main criticism would be the uneven pacing, causing the beginning of the book be fairly slow. The plot and ending were exciting….I suppose… but I guessed 90% of the plot twists before they happened. The outcome also felt fairly clear to me. So, this book wasn’t something to avoid, but to me at least, didn’t stand out either.
Overall Book Rating: 6.5/10
I would maybe recommend this book
Help independent bookstores by buying on Bookshop: Lying in the Deep
Or buy on Amazon: Lying in the Deep
ChatGPT’s Opinion: Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban is a YA thriller set aboard a Semester at Sea-style cruise, where protagonist Jade Miller tries to escape heartbreak but ends up entangled in a murder mystery. The novel is praised for its atmospheric setting, emotional depth, and clever twists, with the confined cruise ship and international ports enhancing the suspense. Jade’s journey from betrayal to self-discovery adds emotional weight, though some readers found her decisions frustrating and the pacing slow in the early chapters. Overall, it's a gripping, twist-filled story that appeals to fans of suspenseful and emotionally charged teen mysteries.
About the Author:
Diana Urban is a bestselling, award-winning author of dark, twisty thrillers, including All Your Twisted Secrets and Under the Surface, an Indie Next Pick and Junior Library Guild selection, and her novels have been published internationally. When she’s not torturing her fictional characters, she freelances in video game narrative writing and previously worked in digital marketing for startups. She lives with her husband and cat in Boston and enjoys reading, playing video games, fawning over cute animals, and looking at the beach from a safe distance.
-
Under the Surface
All Your Twisted Secrets
These Deadly Games
Off the Trail
Firsts and Lasts
View Diana Urban’s books on her website: Dianaurban.com
Or on Amazon: Diana Urban’s Books
-
-
ChatGPT.com (ONLY for specified “ChatGPT’s opinion” portion of reviews and small information gathering)
What did you think of this book??
Reach out below anytime! Whether to share your opinion of this book, comment on mine, ask for similar suggestions, or ask for more clarity/spoilers for this book. I’d love to answer any questions, share more opinions, or hear your thoughts!! Thanks so much!!
More Reviews!!
