The Subway: A Thriller Novel

by Jae Jae

From a statistical perspective, the amount of bad luck that Gemma seems to have shouldn’t even be possible.

Having to take the subway to school was bad enough, but then, a group of masked men decided to take her and a bunch of other passengers hostage, drag them into some abandoned tunnels, and force them to play in their twisted version of hide and seek where the loser would end up . . . well, to put it simply—dead.

On top of having to get away from a bunch of lunatics, Gemma also has to deal with Archer Daniels, who also happens to be the school heartthrob. She swears that she would never fall for those charming green eyes of his.

But some things are easier said than done.

Genres: Thriller

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 21, 2021

Reviews

[Romysaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

“You’re the only girl I know who can make blood and sweat look sexy.”

I can't believe the rating, honestly.

I found this very randomly, never heard about the author nor the book, just picked it up because I am a slut for fast short reads.

But it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable thrillers I have read lately.

Was the story original? No. I almost predicted everything from the first chapter.
Was the plot strong? twisted? Absolutely not.
Was there anything impressive? No.
The writing style was mid also, but funny and very easy going.

But did I eat this up? Finished it in one sitting? Was giggling.. smiling.. blushing.. and dying with anticipation while reading?

Yes, yes and yes.

My babies Gemma and Archer
They're cute, funny and both badasses with a real attitude. I really loved every second of this, unpredictable but absolutely I am not complaining.

No one introduced me to the pleasure of cheesy thrillers like this book did.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. Can I rate this 5 stars? No. I can’t. However, this book was still good. It’s a nice short read if you want some action, thriller, and a sprinkle of romance. Personally, I believe the author could’ve gone farther with the story and possibly added more detail (as in plot detail) Overall, I did enjoy this book (even though it was also a little cheesy at times).

[cait ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

march 18, 2025: was this an objectively not very good book? sure. was this not a very mature book? sure. was it still the funniest thing i’ve ever read? definitely.


march 23, 2023: this book was so funny but I physically can’t give it four stars

[Abrar · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

[La Femme Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 4.5

Gemma’s lousy luck just got worse. Having to take the subway to school was bad enough, but then, a group of masked men took her and other passengers hostage, dragged them into some abandoned tunnels, and forced them to play a twisted version of hide and seek where the loser ends up dead. Gemma also has to deal with Archer, the school heartthrob. She swears that she would never fall for those charming green eyes of his. But some things are easier said than done.

As a New Yorker who rides the subway often, Jae Jae unlocked a new fear in me! Mind you, I read some heart-pumping scenes on the train, with my paranoia to the max! I quickly visualized Jae’s realistic writing perfectly as I got lost in this deadly hide-and-seek game. I don't say this often, but Gemma may be one of my favorite protagonists. She's hilarious, witty, tenacious, and morally grounded. As for Archer, at first, he came off cocky, but he managed to win me over with his fearless and protective nature.

Gemma and Archer together were a hoot! Their continuous banter made the narrative so entertaining, while the author still maintained the petrifying undertone. I had a fun time with this wild ride, even if a few parts were a bit far-fetched. Overall, THE SUBWAY delivered an action-packed scheme of exciting and fast-paced tension that had me scanning pages obsessively. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because the end concluded abruptly. Besides that, I highly recommend this dark, comedic thriller. Now, off to the sequel I go!

[Einsteinonabudget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan just lost his mind in the end 🙃. I really thought Archer would die, like for real for real, thought he was gonna be sacrificed for the plot’s sake. I did not expect the lol she demon, I just want to deliver one backhand slap. I. DONT. CARE. that she is only 6. By the way why did only Gemma suffer blows like a rag doll like Dayumm, her body can take some heat 😭.

I’m so excited that there is a sequel 💃🏾.

[Maddi ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun entertaining, short book. It's lacking in certain areas and the story itself is a little wild but its funny AF so I'm overall pleased I finally read this. It has been on my tbr and I'm not disappointed.

This author is going to be a guilty pleasure I just know it. It's a quick and easy read and Archer, the LI is gorgeous. This man is so easy to imagine in person and I love it. Give it a read! I imagine I'll go on to read the sequel.

[Rissa Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and thrilling

I love the characters and the action in the book . I do wish that we got a little more insight to the characters like what triggered the bad guy or what happened to the little girl or even archers background but overall I would read again it was action filled and suspenseful.

[grime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. I originally read it on Wattpad before she published it but I bought the book bc it’s that good 😭🙌🏻. One thing thats a huge ick for me is when the romance takes up most of the book and little action or plot, however this book had just the right amount; more action/plot, a decent chunk of romance.

[KReid09 · Rating 4 out of 5]

To survive the have to trust eachother

Action packed, with a hint of teen romance. Gamma and Archer have gone to school together for a long time but only ever said a handful of words to each other, now in order to survive the have to trust the other.

[Nela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowww this book was good, short, and intense. I enjoyed the romance and the thriller part of it, wish it was longer.

[Smilla VAa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book made my stomach TURNNNNNN like man, it's like kinda a short book but it does so much, really one of the best reads I've ever had.

[Steven Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick read. I wished it were longer

[sugmaballzr · Rating 5 out of 5]

i actually read this on wattpad before it got published officially and to this day i still remember it!!

[Ivy Obonyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Heather Tillsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, I read it before it was officially published. Not bad but not my favourite.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

you feel romance and thrill in one.

[Autumn Davidson🥹 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder, horror, short thriller with a hint of romance, yes ma’am🔪🔪😘👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

[Apollo Oriel Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! It is soo good!! Read it on Wattpad and honestly blown away in a warm sense of comfort and intrigue in the writing

[Rebecca Mcmurray · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY IMMACULATE 10000/10

[Local miss.andrist꩜✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years back. It's cringy, has a questionable plot and it's irritating(sometimes), but tbh I loved it sm😭

[Abigail Burden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, really gory. Not super ghost scary if you like that kind of book. I would not recommend it for any kids under 14.

[Mina.Sadee · Rating 2 out of 5]

uhm yeah creepy... uhhhh I was hoping for a sad ending not whatever that was.

[Ashley Coetzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

wanted more intense thriller action

[the labyrinth writes back · Rating 3 out of 5]

the writing style itself wasn’t spectacular but it was a really good book and i enjoyed it. kept me intrigued the whole time and was a good quick easy read

[Melody Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Smart idea for a horror story but not enough jumpscares, plus Gemma was being really annoying.

For example, while one of the masked men was dragging her, she was complaining, “aren’t you gonna kill me already!?!”
Girl shut up, are you seriously asking to get killed by him? 💀💀💀

And the part where Archer confesses to Gemma could’ve been SO MUCH better! He should’ve confessed after they both escaped, but nope! He confessed while he and Gemma were handcuffed inside the subway that was on fire 😑

Why did Archer take so long to shoot the guy in the sheep mask who kept talking crap? I was complaining and kept yelling at him to shoot him already, I didnt have all day

Also the fact that Gemma and archer were watching Dora the Explorer in the last chapter was just straight up stupid, just why 💀
Ig it was trying to add some humor to the ending but it failed so bad

Don’t waste your time reading this, it’s somewhat scary but has trashy humor and romance that should have been remade

[Dreambibliothek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

After months I finally got the book.

The writing style wasn’t always exceptionally great but I still really enjoyed this book. And can we please just for a moment appreciate the name Archer. I don’t love his name.

[liko wan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a 3.5/5. I love this sm, i first read it in 2016 (pretty sure) but the full thing wasn’t available on wattpad and I was a broke 11 year old that didn’t have a card so I couldn’t buy the book, plus I thought I’d just forget abt it naturally bc who cares.

But as the years went on I’d always randomly wonder abt the books ending and what happened but never cared enough to buy the book. But then last month I started reading book I randomly saw it on amazon and knew I had to buy it

[zain ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Please read it!! I read it through wattpad and now she published a book , I just bought it!! One of my favorite thriller story!!

[I’m just a girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so unique and I absolutely loved it. 3.5 ⭐️