From page one, I was very intrigued by this book. I knew it’d be an excellent YA suspense, but I was not expecting such an incredible in-depth look at toxic friendships, especially in a group dynamic with different social classes. Jodi was such a fantastic character. She was very easy to relate to and her conflicts about protecting her friends versus holding them accountable were so well done. I also LOVED Julian’s character. I felt like the pace was pretty steady throughout the book which is always a plus. The ending was just so good, especially those last two chapters. I think this is one of my top YA reads this year for sure and I’d LOVE another one by Soto.
CW: alcoholism, suicide, bullying, underage drinking, car accident, injury, child abuse, sexual assault

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the digital readers copy!

4.5 rounded up. Thank you St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy! The Thrashers is out May 6, 2025!

The Thrashers. They’re those kids from high school. You know the ones. Popular and the kids everyone wants to be friends with. Emily Mills is desperate to be added to their friend group of five. Except The Thrashers can’t stand Emily, and one night she ends up dead. We follow Jodi, the one friend who isn’t wealthy and isn’t a beauty queen, as she works to figure out what exactly happened to Emily, and if her friends are to blame.

This book expertly examines the American high school experience - the anxiety of being the “different” friend, wondering if your friends are hanging out without you, social hierarchies, and the delicate line of boundaries and bullying. Throughout the book, Jodi constantly battles with her self doubt and whether or not she really belongs in The Thrashers. Except when Emily, her overeager classmate who cannot take a hint, tries to join The Thrashers, Jodi is quick to put Emily in her place. When details are revealed about Emily’s death, all The Thrashers seem to blame. We follow Jodi as she unravels what happened and if she can really trust her friends. And if they’re even truly her friends?

This book had me guessing who to trust the entire time. I was DESPERATE for the slow burn romance and honestly wanted more of it! I loved Jodi’s growth as a character and the choices she made toward the end of the book. Like I was so proud of her?? The “paranormal” bits added to the drama but I could’ve done without some of it because the Thrashers were put through the wringer omg. I did guess the ending and I felt it could’ve been more “twisty”. Overall, this book was a freaking blast to read and I need Netflix to make this into a movie!! I’m a Julian-stan forever 🫶

🩷 YA thriller
🩵 Popular crowd / high school friend group
🩷 Mystery / who can you trust
🩵 Unrequited love
🩷 Twists / paranormal / spirits
Spice: 🫑 one kissing scene

(TW: suicide, death of a parent, abuse, alcoholism)

This has been a difficult review to write, and I have gone back and forth on what to submit as a review after thinking critically about the themes in this book.

I want to stress that as an ADULT reading The Thrashers by Julie Soto, I thought the book was… interesting? I didn’t NOT like it - it was an interesting read and though it was predictable in places, it was still an enjoyable read.

For me, I had issues with the morals/values/and personalities of the majority of the characters, and I also wasn’t a fan of the resolution

I also don’t know that I think that book is appropriate for young adults readers. I l feel like this book could potentially perpetuate the myth that people who attempt or commit suicide are only doing so far attention, rather than due to mental health issues.

Lastly, there needs to be a trigger warning at the beginning of the book alerting the reading to the topics of suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, parental death, and sexual assault to name a few. I went into this book blind based off of the description and had no idea I would be hit with the topic of suicide on page one of the story.

Ummm... What??? Is this my new favorite Julie Soto book? And it's a YA thriller?? Yes, yes it is. And that's after rating both her previous books 5 stars. I am shocked, blown away by this book. This is a book that does not read YA, in the sense that it isn't "good for a YA", it is just plain GOOD. I loved the depth and nuance to the characters. The twists were unexpected. And there was the perfect little romantic subplot (eeeeek, I love them).

The only thing I would say is I hope this will be published with some sort of trigger warning (even just a page at the front that provides a link to the trigger list). The first time I picked this up I was very put off by the opening scene. I had a much easier time the second time I picked this up and knew somewhat what I was getting into. Given that this is getting published as YA, I think it is all the more crucial.

Final verdict: loved it. Didn't want to put it down. It's in the category of "I wish I could read this again for the first time."

Special thank you to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I absolutely loved this book at devoured it in a day. It’s got real life situations that a mixed with a little paranormal. It definitely has some heavy topics with it and some trigger warnings but it teaches a lesson that words matter and speaking bad about people behind their backs can ruin lives and hurt more people than you could ever intend,

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC!

I ventured out of my usual reading comfort zone and read *The Thrashers* by Julie Soto. It was a bit of a different vibe for me, but I'm glad I made the leap. While the story started off a bit slow, it quickly picked up and became an enthralling read that kept me turning the pages.

The narrative delves into some heavy topics, including drug use, suicide, and bullying. In many ways, it reminded me of the show *13 Reasons Why*, as it explores the ripple effects of Emily Mills' tragic suicide. A few months after her death, we’re introduced to "The Thrashers," a popular group of five friends who find themselves at the center of a court case, labeled as Emily’s former bullies. As the protagonist, Jodi, unravels the truth, she discovers that both her friends and Emily’s journal aren't as honest as she was initially led to believe.

What I appreciated about *The Thrashers* is how it challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of friendship and the darker sides of adolescence. The ending was particularly interesting, leaving much open to interpretation. It's the kind of conclusion that invites discussion and self-reflection, and I personally enjoy that in a book.

Overall, Julie Soto has crafted a thought-provoking story that tackles significant issues with sensitivity. Even though YA isn't my usual genre, *The Thrashers* has definitely left its mark on me. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling read that invites deeper thought about human relationships and the struggles many face during their teenage years.

WAAAAAAAAIT WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT

That was so twisty and exciting!!! JULIE SOTO WTF!!!! I am obsessed. I had so much fun reading this book and trying to figure out where the truth was among all of the lies and misdirection. The hints of <spoiler>PARANORMAL ACTIVITY</spoiler> were always just *right there* to make you wonder.

I thought Jodi was a great MC and I often found myself relating to her as the odd one out in a friend group, feeling left out, and often nice to others out of obligation rather than sincerity (sorrryyyyy). I enjoyed how even though this is fully a teen thriller/mystery....there was a lot of personal growth that happened in the 5 mc's lives as well.

I am so impressed with Julie Soto's genre hop and I cannot wait to see what she is up to next!!! LOVED THIS!!!!!!!!!!

The Thrashers follows a group of teens, named after their de facto leader, Zack Thrasher, accused of malicious bullying when a student commits suicide. Jodi Dillon is hanging on by a thread to her childhood friendship with Zack. When he gets arrested under suspicion for Emily’s death, many more secrets come to life about the group of well-off Sacramento rich kids, and Jodi will need to decide if she should be Thrashed.

I completely ate up this story. The audiobook narration by Eva Kaminsky was so captivating, she made Jodi and all the characters extremely likable and I really enjoyed her delivery overall.

Props to Ms. Soto for creating a super interesting mystery, it’s like I was reliving some of my favorite 90s/2000s teen movies. I loved the unpredictability of the plot with the addition of a supernatural sub-theme, there was action, tension, and suspense. Not to mention angsty teen feelings, friendship drama, and so many morally gray characters (Team Julian 4EVA ✌🏼)

I really really liked the paranormal aspect of the book and just I wish it leaned into it a little tiny bit more. But that’s totally not a negative, the book had many interesting things to say and it was a great read/listen.

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio for the free review copies.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for providing the copy of The Thrashers by Julie Soto. I was riveted to the pages to see what happened next and how Jodi would fare. I enjoyed her POV and her story. The other characters weren’t very likable but they also felt real. I wasn’t a fan of the somewhat supernatural elements, but I understood why they were needed. I loved how unpredictable the story was and I would love to see this book as a TV series or movie. It encapsulated the teen experience/feelings, at least as I remember them. The emotional aspects and the themes of what friendship means make The Thrashers a wonderful choice for teens and every school library should have a copy! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

This is so much more than a young adult novel. The story will suck you in and keep you hooked throughout. I had reminders of several other stories and tv shows and movies that I have consumed in recent years as I read this book. 13 Reasons Why sticks out the most. I'm not sure if anyone else got that? Soto is a talented writer and I'm grateful to have been able to read this. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The book hooked me from the very first pages. I kept coming up with different theories and guesses, yet the ending still caught me off guard! I didn’t see that coming, and even after finishing, I can’t stop thinking about it. The author didn’t provide direct answers to every question, which makes it a great book to read with someone and discuss certain moments. This is my first book by the author, and I enjoyed the easy style; I definitely want to read her future works. All the characters are different, with their own struggles, secrets, and pain; they are not perfect. The story is told from the perspective of the FMC, which gives a sense of an unreliable narrator. A group of teenagers, their acquaintance has taken her life, and someone among them is guilty, or not? Who is truly a friend, and how not to feel out of place? They are called the Thrashers, and they are suspected of bullying that drove their friend, who doesn't want to leave them after her demise...

Thank you SO much for the ARC of The Thrashers.

This title was absolutely a step away from what I normally read. While I enjoy YA and have read many titles in YA contemporary, I have grown to avoid high school settings and high school aged kids in a contemporary setting without fantasy, now I usually read fantasy YA books set in other worlds. I am absolutely glad that I ended up deciding to break my rule about high school books and read this one. I have been so deep into fantasy or just rom com that I was not sure what to expect. The book absolutely sucks you in with the mystery and the drama, that does not feel childish in any way.

The book felt at first almost predictable but the paranormal aspects and the characters still kept me engaged. There were certainly points that kept me on the edge of my seat and not where I thought it was headed. Then it felt like it wrapped up nicely… and FINALLY you get to the very very end. Just a fragment and my mind said hold up a second! This is not a book to skip out on and just enjoy the ride all the way through! I truly felt Thrashed after the end of this book. It is going to live rent free in my mind for a while now.

I really enjoyed this dark thriller as I retired from teaching and now can read about things I'm glad never happened to my students! This novel involves a group of tight-knit students called The Thrashers who do everything together--often dangerous stunts--and will never "out" the others. But when young woman--Emily--dies of an apparent suicide in the bathtub, things get dicey and protagonist, Jodi decides to investigate. But we all know how cliques guard their own and some secrets are better left undiscovered!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Wow! This book had me captivated right away. I could NOT put it down. It was the perfect combination of social drama mixed with suspense and mystery, with a touch of spooky. I loved everything about it.

The way I could NOT put this book down!!! And then I woke up to flashing lights outside my window the day after I finished it, and I was genuinely scared (it was just lightning). Like I am a grown adult and this book had me quaking in my boots.

You know how Colleen Hoover broke out of her mold with Verity and it ended up being like her best book... I think this might be Julie Soto's Verity. I have read ALL of her work, even the fanfiction. Julie Soto is an "auto-buy" for me (I'm not salty I was declined the ARC of Rose in Chains, okay maybe I'm a little salty). I am notorious for not reading a synopsis. If I know and love the author, I will read the book. That is how I ended up reading this book. One chapter in and I was like "is this YA?" and halfway through, "is this a paranormal thriller?"... It was so different from what I'm used to reading by Julie(but Julian did have a little bit of a Draco vibe).

I do have tiny complaints but they are minor spoilers, so beware before revealing. Also note that I read an ARC, so this may be changed by the time the book is published. [I was a little disappointed in how info-dumpy the ending was. It felt rushed and/or shortened. Everyone just confessing all of their sins to Jodi? It didn't feel realistic. (hide spoiler)] But that epilogue though!!! I'm going to be thinking about that twist for the rest of my life!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I unintentionally read this book in one sitting. I just couldn't bring myself to put it down. I will say that it took me a minute to get into it, but once I did...hours went by without me noticing.

This hit the same teen thriller notes as Pretty Little Liars (Season 1). Emotionally, this really hit home with Jodi's feelings of insecurity within her friend group. The relationships between all the characters were so well written. This book could've been twice as long and I would've gladly kept reading.

Julie Soto was already an auto-buy author for me, but I'll definitely be recommending The Thrashers to everyone. Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I have been wanting to read this since it was announced .
When I saw I could read the arc on Netgalley. I did not hesitate.
I don't usually read thrillers that often but I had to read it since I loved everything Julie Sotos has written.
Book review:
This book had my emotions on what felt like roller coaster at times. I swear this friend group just could not catch a break.
It's such an easy read. Which I can attest to since I binged it in one day. It's about five friends dealing with the aftermath of a classmate "Emily Mills" tragic suicide. I liked the group dynamic and how it showed them in highschool dealing with issues and insecurities. You can just tell everyone has a secret throughout the book but I still wanted to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. The epilogue was a little evil for me cause what do you mean I need more details! You can't just leave me at that. If you are thinking about reading this do it you will not regret it.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins press/Wednesday books for allowing me to read this digital arc and review it.

Julie Soto’s The Thrashers is a gripping YA thriller that plunges readers into the dark, high-stakes world of New Helvetia High’s elite friend group. With a sharp, suspenseful plot and morally complex characters, this novel will keep you hooked from the very first page.

Soto masterfully builds tension, layering eerie messages and chilling events that suggest Emily’s presence still lingers. The novel’s pacing is relentless, making it impossible to put down.

With its intense atmosphere, shocking reveals, and high emotional stakes, The Thrashers is a standout YA thriller. It’s the kind of book that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers questioning just how far they’d go to protect the truth—or themselves.

I’m admittedly not the target demographic for this book but I like Julie Soto’s work and dabble in YA fantasy so I wanted to give The Thrashers a try.

The premise felt somewhat like Pretty Little Liars meets Gossip Girl, where a close group of friends are mysteriously haunted following the suicide of a wannabe groupie. Honestly, each one of them was more insufferable than the last and they came off one-dimensional and caricatures of what adults think teenagers are like. I could vaguely relate to the feeling of wanting to fit in but not to the extent of desperation shown by Jodi, the main character, or Emily, the dead girl catalyst.

Despite being a mystery/thriller, there weren’t any satisfying plot twists and the ending left more questions than answers. I sincerely hope the epilogue isn’t intended as an opening to a potential sequel.

This dark academia thriller is a slow burn with jump-scare moments that left me with more questions than answers. Once the paranormal elements came into play, I was hooked and at the edge of my seat. Soto manages to create 6 unique characters and you’ll create a love-hate relationship with each of them. Who is the true villain, and who is the victim? I constantly felt myself switching perspectives to determine the truth, but the epilogue is something I never could’ve prepared myself for and I can’t believe it was left on such a cliffhanger!

Although marketed towards the YA audience, older readers will thoroughly enjoy this book as well. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC.