Out of Air by Rachel Reiss

The quick cut: A group of friends who enjoy diving discover a few gold coins together and find their lives changed. 

A real review: 

 Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing the arc for an honest review.

 Hobbies are important for expressing yourself in a unique way that is fun to you. For some though, these hobbies also create a sense of adventure or danger. For a group of friends enjoying their last summer together after high school, that is definitely an element when they dive together.

 Six months ago, Phibs and her four closest friends found some gold coins while on a dive. It's a discovery that launched them into social media fame. Now, they're spending their summer together after high school going on a diving trip to a remote Australian island. It all starts normal until two of them discover an underwater cave rumored to have treasure. They also start to experience unusual changes, like whispers and oozing wounds. What is happening to them? 

 This book attempts to create a sense of danger and intensity, but for me this was overused. Everything happened with so much panic and anxiety that I felt drained by the end. You need a proper balance in order to truly feel the stress of the important moments. Without those relaxation points included, it all feels the same level of importance. 

 Phibs as the protagonist here isn't as likeable as I hoped she would be. Again, this is because everything is done in a panic. Too overused and you never really organically feel like you know the characters any other way. 

 The one thing I did enjoy was the ending. I don't want to say too much, but it's dark and appropriate. 

 A diving adventure that is all angst. 

My rating: 3.5 out of 5