Very different from Julie’s other stories! I didn’t know much about it as I started reading. It’s a bit like 13 Reasons Why and maybe a Pretty Little Liars vibe to it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to figure out how things were connecting - So-and-so is a bit suspicious?! What did the journal say? Is it just a hoax? Julie wrote this so well that I was both angry at all “the Thrashers” but there was still hope for a love story. I had about 4 chapters left and was wondering how it would wrap up - I think that’s my only critique is the end felt like it wrapped up too quickly based on the progression of the rest of the year. And that ending?! I mean what does it mean?! I’m scared. I kinda want more but I also think it’s satisfying!!!

This book had me HOOKED from the first few chapters. I honestly didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. It had so much drama, secrets & a little hint of romance which I loved! If you are a fan of Holly Jackson, I definitely recommend this book! I had no idea who to trust & was second guessing EVERYONE, even the main character Jodi! I could relate to her throughout the book, especially for being the “black sheep” of the friend group. Also, the things that she dealt with broke my heart. I just wanted to reach into the book & give her the biggest hug. There was one specific character that I think deserved better & I’m still a little sad about it 😭 also, the ending??? Are you kidding??? I feel like I could definitely see Julie Soto writing a sequel to this book. But if she doesn’t, I think it was still wrapped up nicely. Overall, such a gripping book about grief, friendships & so many other things. I definitely recommend it but please check trigger warnings before reading 🫶🏼

A fresh and new novel from Julie Soto! Loved the YA suspense style of the story. It had a different vibe from her other books but was still gripping and hard to put down!

Inject this straight into my veins.

I’m a huge Julie Soto stan and started loving her before she was trad published. Her Rights and Wrongs series and The Auction solidified her as one of my favorite writers. Now that she’s being traditionally published, I want to read every word she writes. Forget Me Not and Not Another Love Song are two of my favorite romances, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from her YA debut, The Thrashers.

The Thrashers was fast paced and so hard to put down. On the surface, our rich kid clique was shallow and mean, but so much more lay beneath the surface. When tragedy strikes their school and they’re blamed as bullies, they learn whether they can trust each other and themselves. The characters were complex and riveting, and the mystery was thrilling. It’s all I could think about for days.

I felt the ending was perfect and wrapped things up really nicely. It was creepy in the most perfect way. But honestly, I just want more Julian.

WOW!

Ok, I did not know what to expect when I picked this up. Young Adult, teen mysteries tends to not be my most popular genre. However, WOW. I was absolutely riveted the entire time. So intriguing, captivating and attention-grabbing. The thrill and the mystery combined with the teen drama and those twists! Julie Soto has done an outstanding job.

This is catered towards teens but I’m nowhere near my teen years and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. So I think people of all ages would love this one! Definitely a hit!

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this ARC in exchange for an early review!

I’m convinced there’s nothing Julie Soto cannot write!! This book is part final destination, part pretty little liars, and part good girls guide to murder. (The latter being a popular YA thriller that this genuinely blows out of the water.) I’m 36-not exactly the target audience-and i finished this in one sitting. It was way too late, and i was a little scared to turn off the light.

Wow. What a wild ride. This book is YA thriller with paranormal twist. I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. And honestly I have not stopped thinking about it ever since I finished.
High school teen drama at its best. 5 friends navigating extremely stressful situations after girl who wanted to be their friend died. I don't want to spoil it for you. But you should read it! And that epilogue?! Omg!

3.50 to 3.75 stars

I enjoyed the story but at times the pacing was a little off for me. It gives I know what you did last summer vibes with gossip girl mixed in. Then ending was surprising and definitely added to make the story worth it however it felt a tiny but rushed. I love Jules writing even though this one wasn't my favorite

I will read anything Julie Soto writes.

I enjoyed this, and this isn't the type of story I typically seek out to read. The pace was quick, it was a bit spooky, and really got aspects of the high school experience right, like how even within the group of "cool kids" everyone still has their own emotions/feelings/experiences they're dealing with that others may not know about. (And, I'm pretty sure everyone knows a Zack!) I loved her ability to write a character you find yourself loving even though they do some not so great things. The ending? Whew!

Many Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the e-arc!

I love this book! I typically don’t read a lot of YA books but this book I definitely recommend reading. Once I started I couldn’t put the book down.

From the first page, The Thrashers had me hooked!

Julie Soto takes a jarring opening and creates a thought provoking YA novel that doesn't shy away from exploring the complexities of young adult life.

I felt so drawn to Jodi and her need to belong to a group while also trying to navigate doing the right thing (something I think so many readers and relate and empathize with). The characterization of Jodi and The Thrashers makes me feel like I am watching a teen drama all over again. This gave me the suspense of Pretty Little Liars and the angst of 13 Reasons Why. I also loved that there was a romantic subplot that I could focus on because I am always a sucker for a romance!

Why I do think some of the content may be triggering to readers, I think overall the novel addresses the sensitive content very tastefully, without overwhelming the reader with copious trauma.

Most of the time I was left theorizing and guessing at what could be happening! By the time I reached the ending I was still wondering what could be happening, which I think makes for a fantastic read! By the end there were still some questions left unanswered, but I think that's what will stick with me and make me want to pick this book up again!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review of this book!

I couldn’t put this book down! I needed to know what came next! It was like a mix of 13 reasons why meets Pretty Little Liars and I ate it up. The friendship dynamics, the character development the mystery and thrill of this story kept me on the edge of my seat! I’m a romance girly at heart - so you know I was rooting for some of these characters to kiss…but that’s just me 😉. This story was very different from any of the other published Julie Soto works I’ve read, but I really enjoyed it! In the end I did have a few follow up questions for some things that happened in the book - but I’m never one to look to closely for plot holes. All in all - it was a ride and I need more people to talk to about it!! So read it!

In The Thrashers, Julie Soto drops us in the middle of typical high school drama, with the friend group around Zack Thrasher being the pinnacle of the in-crowd. But in this case, the drama takes a deadly turn. Are Zack and his friends responsible? Are they really even friends? Soto’s first venture into the YA genre proves that whatever the setting, she crafts robust characters that the reader will react to strongly. As the story unfolds, she delivers surprises and emotions that keep you turning the pages, well past bedtime, though the haunting twists and turns may leave you wanting to keep the light on even after you put the book down.

ALL THE STARS. THIS BOOK IS PERFECT. I could NOT put this one down, and I cannot wait to see what Soto decides to explore next in this world!

The Thrashers by Julie Soto had me hooked from the very beginning! It gave me I Know What You Did Last Summer vibes with its mix of suspense, high school politics, and the dark secrets lurking beneath it all. The dynamic between the popular crowd and the outsiders was so compelling, making every twist and turn even more intense. And that epilogue… WHAT?! I need more. If you love a gripping YA thriller with a dose of drama, this one is definitely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books for the eARC.

Julie has done it again and I need MORE!!
It was such a wild ride, so much mystery!
Characters were relatable, and just as teenagers would be. Jodi's story was personal and her growth was amazing!
The Trashers friendship was perfect; lies, love, forgiveness.
I was blown away by the ending, and I would really hope there is a second part but I doubt it. I want to, no NEED, TO KNOW EVERYTHING julian experienced!

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A review by you!
The Thrashers by Julie Soto
challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25

This book delivers an intense yet gripping mystery centered around a popular group of teenagers known as The Thrashers. The group’s exclusivity and enigmatic nature only amplify their allure, making them the talk of the school. However, beneath their confident façade lies a web of secrets and tension. The story dives deep into the haunting mystery surrounding the sudden and tragic suicide of one of their own, unraveling layers of drama, betrayal, and hidden truths. With sharp writing and compelling twists, this book masterfully captures the complexities of friendship, popularity, and the emotional struggles teenagers often face. It’s a thought-provoking and addictive read that keeps you hooked until the final reveal.

INFINITE STARS!!!! Listen, I went into this almost completely blind, no expectations. This was my very first Julie Soto and I’m a sucker for a YA mystery, so I thought, why not? And am I glad I did. This book was absolutely EVERYTHING. Drama, romance that was perfectly done and just enough for the type of book, mania/obsession, legal aspects, high school drama and real-world problems, this book had everything. Every single player on the board was someone who captivated me and held my interest for varying reasons, and I truly couldn’t put it down. The Thrashers deserves to be read with ZERO spoilers, so I’m going to keep my loving ramblings as vague as possible, but the Breakfast Club vibes were fun too. The golden boy, the bad boy, the queen of the school, the rich girl, the one who will do anything to stay relevant. And that’s just the main cast. Honestly, this book had everything, and the twists kept me going until the very, VERY end. I recommended it at 23% in and I will continue to scream about it from the rooftops now that I’ve finished it. I know this one will stay with me for quite a while, and isn’t that the beauty of a well-written mystery?

4.5⭐️. I have read Julie’s previous books and really loved them. I was very excited to read this book in a different genre. I enjoyed it a lot. I’m an older reader so I’m not naturally drawn to books with high school characters but this one kept me turning the pages despite that. I spent the whole book trying to guess what would happen next and was happy that I never actually figured it out. I was on the edge of my seat and looked forward to reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an e-arc of this book.

I devoured this book in one sitting. The story follows a group of 5 teens known as the Thrashers that are seemingly involved in the death of another student. Throughout the book, tensions escalate, secrets are revealed and not everything is as it once seemed. This is a thriller that I think YA audiences will loooove. The prologue had me hooked from the start, and it was truly a page turner.

There were a ton of theories running through my head as I was reading and some were obvious and easy to figure out, while others took me by surprise when revealed! Soto described high school and the challenges a teenager commonly faces in a way I feel readers will be able to relate to.
The relationship between two characters surprised me, but I was ROOTING for it!!! I absolutely loved it and the way it was portrayed and written was perfect. The ending was quite the twist and I have my fingers crossed that we may someday see a sequel to this!