I’ll be honest, the way this started out I didn’t know if I was going to finish or even fully enjoy this book. I was really looking forward to this one because I was really excited for Julie’s first YA release. At first it kind of reminded me of other YA thrillers— and I did question is this just another same old story… however I ended up getting really sucked into the story. I started and finished this book in one day. I will say that it is pretty slow so if you’re expecting a fast paced narrative this moves much more like one of those limited Netflix crime dramas. All I will say right now is make sure to read that damn epilogue!!!

This story does deal with some tough topics so check out trigger warnings!

Thank you so much to the publisher for the advanced review copy!

Jodi knew two things for certain:
1. Her friends weren’t welcoming to newcomers trying to join their circle.
2. A girl was dead.

Jodi was the kindest of her friend group, but she never quite fit in. Unlike the others, she didn’t come from wealth, but her best friend, Zack Thrasher, had gathered them all together like Pokémon, and before long, they were known as The Thrashers. The most popular group at school.

When a new girl arrived, she latched onto Jodi, seeing her as a way into the group. Her goal was clear: to become one of The Thrashers. But her plan took a sinister turn, and soon, Jodi’s friends found themselves on trial for the girl’s murder.

I don’t usually enjoy ghost stories, but I did like this book ALOT. At first, this book gave me 13 Reasons Why vibes, but after finishing it, but I take that back. While the plot followed a similar trajectory, Julie Soto added an unexpected twist that made it a compelling read. I was a bit disappointed with the ending, but perhaps that’s because I’m hoping for a sequel. It felt a little too open ended for my liking.

Sleep? Who needs her?! I’m usually not one to pick up a mystery/thriller book, but I’ve loved everything Julie Soto has written and I knew she wouldn’t steer me wrong! ‘The Thrashers’ had me in a chokehold from the first chapter and the fact that I binged this in about 2 days is very telling that I had the hardest time putting it down. The main characters had some good arcs and development overall. I completely ate up the ‘animosity’ between Julian and Jodi - nearly all of the highlights on my kindle are to do with them. A creepy and twisty roller coaster that will have you reeling and second-guessing everything you’ve read. I got literal GOOSEBUMPS for so many scenes.

Thank you so much for advanced access to a reader’s copy of this book!

the way julie soto can write just about anything at this point and she never misses. the thrashers is a YA thriller that is quite through provoking and puts the high stakes drama in a unique perspective.

also as someone who is born and raised in sacramento, this was so fun to experience. outside of the thought provoking plot, it was special to see the city i grew up being represented in a book by a local author.

4.5 🌟 and (as I expected) Julie Soto crushed her YA Thriller debut 👏

Such a bingeable and eerie read while also capturing the insecure experience that is high school so well! Following from Jodi’s perspective was so raw and real with complex emotions around self, family and her friend group: The Thrashers. It was so well written with multiple scenes where I was on the edge of my seat! And that epilogue?! SO good! No notes from me and I highly recommend everyone pick up a copy when it releases!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼

4.5 rounded up! This was SO GOOD and incredibly addicting. I had full body chills throughout the whole book because it’s equal parts mystery and supernatural haunting vibes. Plus that epilogue made the whole book that much better for me!!

This story kind of reminded me on 13 Reasons Why, which was a big phenomenon when I was in college and of course the show was really big too. The Thrashers has lots of similar themes from bullying to TW suicide to high school friend drama. I have a feeling this is going to be a really big book!

Read if you like:
😱 YA thriller
👀 lots of drama
👻 haunting and seances
🌶️ no spice (mentions of sex & one makeout scene)

I don't typically read thrillers, but when I saw that Julie Soto wrote one, I jumped at the chance to read this story. The Thrashers kept me captivated the entire time and I never once thought I had it all figured out. I felt like I was on a roller coaster with the amount of twists and turns that were coming at me. Julie created such memorable characters and it was almost like we were right there with them, along for the ride. Definitely give this one a chance. You won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for the ARC!

This book was phenomenal! I absolutely loved it! Told from the perspective of Jodi Dillon, childhood best friend to the eponymous Zack Thrasher, is a member of the popular group at Helvetia High. Zack, Julian, Paige, Lucy, and Jodi are the popular clique dubbed "the Thrashers" who have a reputation as the scenemakers but also for getting kids "thrashed" when the group no longer has use for them. One such student was Emily Mills, who committed suicide over her treatment by the group. When the police start digging into Emily's murder, all of the Thrashers are brought in for questioning. As Jodi tries to puzzle out who did what and what actually happened, strange occurrences begin to happen, streetlight anomalies, strange dreams, sleep paralysis, and near death events. I was deeply engrossed in the story and stayed up reading long past my bedtime - this is one you won't want to miss!

This book is brilliant and also a bit haunting! I couldn't take a break and needed to know all the secrets and confessions. The last few chapters made me feel physically ill as it all unraveled. I'm questioning myself because I was rooting for each character in different ways and equally hating them all. Julie Soto captured what it's like to be a teenager dealing with all the toxic environments, including friendships and home life.
I hated Hannah's secrets at the end so much and have no idea how someone would heal from all of that.

Did the epilogue mean there is a book 2 or???

Words are beyond me. I don't like thrillers because I hate anticipation but this had me reading for hours until I had a headache and had to force myself to go to sleep. I had such high expectations going into this book and it didn't disappoint one bit. Honestly, the story is nothing new. But it felt like nothing I've read before. Julie Soto is such a great writer and I'm so thankful that I got to read this early thanks to NetGalley.

Jodi's character was much more interesting than I initially thought. She victimized herself a lot more than she realized. When that became clear to me, I was shocked by her double-sided-ness. She was definitely a Thrasher. There is no way the rest of them "let" her hang around with them for this long if she wasn't. I'm sad for her that she didn't realize how they were truly her friends until the end when she lost all of them. I adored Lucy and Paige caring for Jodi.

Julian was my favorite character as he was consistent throughout the story and owned up to his mistakes. I like rude, blunt, evasive but secretly genuine personalities. He reminds me of Callum Nova in The Atlas Six. As soon as I saw the hints that he was going to be the MMC, I was all for it. Every time he showed up for Jodi, I was so happy.

I can't believe Zack and Paige got away with their actions though. Paige's confession at the end was so disappointing because I liked her. I was rooting for all of them actually. I kept hoping none of them were actually as bad as others made them out to be.

The epilogue killed me. I can't have it end like this... I need a Julian sequel. Please.

P. S. came back three days later to say that I'm still thinking about this book. This is definitely going to be one of my favorite books this year.

My Thoughts: This book was addictive. I could have devoured this book in one sitting if real life didn't get in the way. I quickly became invested in figuring out the truth behind the lies and secrets. But it was the paranormal touch that often gave me chills and had me occasionally glancing over my shoulder too. Jodi and her friends took different approaches to find themselves outside their identity in the "Thrashers" group, and it was interesting to see how that affected them as friends. Such a fun and thrilling read, and I am so excited to know there's a second one. Whether you loved high school or hated it, you're not going to want to put this one down!


What you will find:
📔Drama, Drama, Drama
📔YA Thriller
📔Paranormal Activity
📔One of Us is Lying Vibes

3.5 rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this YA novel about a group of friends being blamed for a classmate's apparent suicide. I liked the characters and the relationships between them. There were not one-dimensional evil stereotypes (as is often the case in these kind of YA books), rather believably insecure and flawed although the envy of their classmates. As always, I enjoyed Soto's writing.

I was hooked from page one! This was so well written and kept me engaged the whole time. I was getting Pretty Little Liars vibes, and loved it.

From goodreads -
-Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.-

I think the characters were very well written, and the plot flowed well. It was easy to digest and see where the story line was going. I did half way guess how it would end, but the last paragraph and epilogue THREW ME THROUGH A WALL. My jaw was on the floor with how this book ended.

It's a who-dun-it that leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger. All the loose ends are tied up except for the will they won't romance and the supernatural element. If you want a book that finishes with a nice little bow, maybe this one isn't for you. It's a decent book; the writing and the main character is likable, but the other characters don't have many redeeming qualities. It's still an entertaining read, and I finished it in a few days, 3.25 stars!

This is a fantastic YA thriller that consumed in one day. The story is engaging it keeps you turning the page to the end and this is a must add to your library catalog.

I like young adult fiction and I like Julie Soto, but this book did not work for me. I did not find any of the characters very likable and therefore I struggled to get through the story. Still, Julie Soto is a talented writer and this may just be a me problem.

Wow what a fun ride this book was! Literally could not put it down! Julie Soto has become an favorite author of mine and I am so grateful for the early copy to enjoy!

Pretty little liars meets 13 reasons why. But with a twist.

This book was INSANE. The ending? I literally had to reread the last 2 chapters to full take in what I just read. I am awestruck, confused, surprised, and also need to know more because WHAT.

The characters in this book felt SO real. I felt like I was living through this with them. Completely invested and submurged myself into this book. I will be thinking about this for so long.

🪦 ┊ “ the night i died was supposed to be my prom night. ”

The Thrashers is about a group of popular and (mostly) rich friends dubbed the Thrashers, named after Zack Thrasher, the so-called leader of their super exclusive circle. The other members, Paige, Lucy, Julian, and Jodi orbit around him, and fiercely guard the group from newcomers. After Emily Mills, a girl that desperately wanted to be a part of the group, kills herself, strange (possibly supernatural) events begin to unfold around them.

One thing this book does a really good job of is holding your attention until the very end. I read it all in one sitting because I was so interested in finding out just what was going on behind Emily's death. Everything with the detectives, the unsettling texts from an unknown number, and all the near death experiences, made me all the more interested.

The Thrashers were all pretty distinct and felt multi-faceted; they made both kind and cruel choices that made them feel all the more human. I kept going back and forth on whether I liked a character or not because they were just so unpredictable. The side characters were all right, though we didn't get as close to them as we did the Thrashers. I think we were supposed to like Oliver and Nikita but they didn't really feel like good friends. ALSO, the main detective was such an asshole. She spent pretty much all of her screen time trying to get Jodi to crack by insulting her and telling her that she's the obvious outlier of the group.

Okay, I think I can officially say that Julie Soto can do no wrong. She writes Kylo Ren inspired love stories, YA thrillers and even has a highly sought after Romantasy I am about to devour?! She’s just flexing at this point 😆😍 (I haven’t read Rose in Chains yet but I’ll be back with that review soonish)

Expect 👉🏼 YA thriller, Cliques/Cool Kids/High School Bullies, Ghosts, Who is Guilty, Friendship

Jodi is only cool by association. Her best friend Zach Thrasher is rich, popular and the one every girl wants. She exists on the outskirts of her cool-kids, friend group. But she’s a Thrasher. Everyone wants to be a Thrasher. When Emily—a girl who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher—dies, things start to change. Weird things start to happen and a journal surfaces. Jodi will have to figure out who is lying and where her loyalty belong.

This book was so much fun. Ask me if I turned it off once while I was listening… I didn’t 😆😍 I loved figuring out what was going on. I didn’t trust anyone!

I thought Jodi could have picked up on things a little quicker but if I were 17 and in her shoes, I probably would have been a little clueless too 😆

The whole friend group was such a fun dynamic. Add in some possible super natural elements and it just ups the ante.

My only complaint is that I would have loved a little more romance *hint hint* *cough cough* 👀🙏 because I think it would be sooooo good. I am hoping we get more of this world in the future.

4.5/5