As someone who reads many thrillers and mysteries, I went through this book, feeling the tension and having the curiosity to figure out what was going on, but never truly being afraid. That is, until I read the last page. THAT was unsettling. WOW.

This suicide mystery started off with a bang, but ended with a fizzle. Trigger warning the very first thing that happens in this book is a suicide. At the side of the person who dies is left a notebook that says the thrasher. The thrasher happens to be a group of five students who are led by Zachary Thrasher. They’re more collection of friends than any type of organized group. For our wealthy one is not. It is well known that to be thrashed is to be brought into their group to experience the high life just to be burned out and left for ashes at the end. Well, that habit is coming back to bite them as one person killed themselves over being thrashed. Our main character Jody is the one character without money. She was Zachary Thrasher, best friends and second grade and so she gets to stay with the group. You can tell she has a thing for Zack even though for Zack, this is all platonic. When the story gets started, it’s a few months after the suicide a journal has been found and now all of the thrashers are under investigation for causing the suicide. What follows is both a forward and a backwards timeline of what did happen what’s happening now. We introduced to each of the quirks of the characters what makes them tick what makes them likely to have done something. And also what makes Jody different besides the money thing. This book was addicting. It was very easy to keep listening once it got started. For me the final wrap up in the last hour was kind of like that’s it but at the same time that’s kind of how life is. I do like the epilogue. There is a bit of a supernatural element wound throughout this book and you’re constantly wondering if this is supposed to be a sci-fi book or if the kids are just freaking out. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of Karen McManus or Eli Lockhart, you would probably enjoy this book so pick it up and make up your mind.

This is 100% my favorite Julie Soto book to date and who would've guessed my favorite would be a YA paranormal mystery/thriller?

I was kept on the edge of my seat and completely gripped by this story!

The "Thrashers" are a group of five friends led by Zach Thrasher himself. Rounding out the group we have Paige, Lucy, Julian, and our protagonist Jodi. When one of their classmates commits suicide an incriminating journal is found that alleges the Thrashers bullied her and are responsible for her death. There is a lot more than meets the eye and a lot of underlying themes woven throughout this story.

Not one single person, including the victim, is entirely innocent or entirely guilty.

The more I learned, the more confused I became because this story is NOT cut or dry - there are secrets on top of secrets and an abundance of lies or half truths. You will second guess what you believe to be true multiple times and the paranormal aspect adds another layer to this already intriguing story!

I NEED Julie to confirm there is a sequel in the works because the epilogue opens this up to SO much more.

a hot new bombshell has entered the villa & it’s the thrashers! oh my god this was so so good. right off the bat, the prologue hooks you. i genuinely could not put this down - i read until my eyes were closing and the text looked like alien symbols & then i woke up early this morning to finish.

obsessed with a good ya thriller about rich, cliquey kids and julie soto delivered on that front. the mystery was very well done & i was genuinely scared reading this last night. even though i predicted a few things, it still kept me on my toes and left me needing to keep going.

the mix of supernatural/paranormal & real life mysteries was super fun to read about - it left me trusting no one’s judgement whatsoever and i loved it.

ALSO: there was an unexpected (but very welcome and VERY well done) relationship between two characters that had me actually screaming & pacing the room. ate it up and cleared the plate.

this is perfect for fans of karen mcmanus, holly jackson, and jessica goodman.

This was my first book by Soto, and wow, wow, wow! I listened to the audiobook; the story is full of excitement, lies, bullying, and backstabbing. There were so many twists that sometimes it was hard for me to keep up with who did what and why. I loved it, and the epilogue left me with the feeling that we haven't heard the last of the Thrashers. You will not want to miss this YA mystery.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for allowing me to listen to this audiobook!

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!

🎧 Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky did a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. I would highly suggest the audio for this one!

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

well... this was a RIDE.

Twists. Turns. Reveals. Betrayals. Characters that you instantly connected with. I mean I was REALLY in my feels at multiple times throughout this story. Truly this YA thriller from Julie Soto had it all!

Pretty fast paced (did have a few lags at times (for me) but it always picked back up!) and just a really entertaining read!

Julie Soto’s The Thrashers is a gripping YA thriller that masterfully blends elite high school drama with dark, suspenseful mystery. This story is full of tension and keeps me on the edge of my seat. Julie crafts a narrative filled with morally gray characters, each hiding secrets that blur the lines between victim and villain.

The audiobook, narrated by Eva Kaminsky, enhances the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere, making every whispered secret and ominous revelation even more chilling. I especially love Jesse Vilinsky as the narrator for Emily, whose voice contrasts perfectly with Eva's, adding another layer of depth to the storytelling. With its expertly plotted twists, complex relationships, and an ending that will leave listeners and readers reeling,

The Thrashers is a must-listen for fans of One of Us Is Lying and Pretty Little Liars. This dark, fast-paced thriller will keep you hooked until the very last moment. Personally, I listened to the audiobook twice to catch all the clues and Easter eggs hidden throughout the story.

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.

the narration was well done, however with so
many characters in this story it was at times hard to follow along with who exactly was talking with so much going on (since this is a single narration)

A group of rich kids are caught up in a trial after the death of a classmate who had always wanted to be one of them. Her dream of fitting in ended tragically, leaving everyone wondering if the Thrashers— as they call them —had something to do with it.

Even though this is a YA thriller, I think adults will totally get hooked too. It started off a bit slow for me, but I love seeing an author try something new with a different genre. Definitely gave me “Pretty Little Liars” vibes!

“You don’t have to like somebody to be kind to them.”

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an advanced audio copy 🤎

The Thrashers are the cool group in high school, lead by Zack Thrasher and including Julian, Lucy, Paige and Jodi. Emily, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, commits suicide, and the Thrashers are accused of bullying. Jodi has to decide whether to protect herself or her friends as they face legal consequences and eerie circumstances that make it seem like Emily is still with them.

This book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. It is packed with teenage drama, spooky situations, and surprising twists. It gave me Pretty Little Liar meets A Good Girl's Guide to Murder vibes and I was here for it.

5 stars

3.5 stars [Liked it]

This was a very entertaining read, following a group of high school friends. I was expecting a lot more twists & turns but overall, it was enjoyable. The excellent narration of the audiobook made me want to keep listening.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The audio was great to listen to as well. Eva Kaminsky and Jesse Vilinsky did a wonderful job. They were clear and easy to listen to, and I loved how easily they told the story. Great choices for narrators!

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.

Whoa, that ending left me utterly speechless!! I'm hopelessly addicted to this book and I need my next fix pronto. It reeled me in from the very start, I just couldn't stop devouring it. I'm excitedly looking forward to devouring more of Julie Soto's masterpieces!

The Thrashers takes place over the next year after the suicide of a girl named Emily. Emily was a hanger-on to a group called the Thrashers, the "in-crowd" at the local high school. After Emily dies, her diary entries lead to charges of bullying by the Thrashers. Jodi, one of the Thrashers, struggles with balancing the upheaval of her friend group and her search for answers.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and got hooked on the story. However, there were some things about it that I found confusing at first. I struggled to figure out how Jodi fit into the group. Was she really part of it or was she somewhat on the outside like Emily? I eventually realized that that was the point, but it made getting into the novel a little difficult. I also spent a large portion of the book confused if it was meant to be a ghost story or not.

Many of the scenarios faced by the Thrashers are very adult, and the writing did an excellent job reminding us that our characters are just teens, with plenty of high school emotions mixed into the plot.

I have mixed feelings about many of the Thrashers. Besides Jodi, only one character (who I will not name because spoilers) has any sort of development. But I did really enjoy watching the exploration of this character and the change in group dynamics and relationships that became of it.

The way everything came together in the end was very well done and the final few lines are fantastic.

I got an audio version of this novel from NetGalley, and really enjoyed the audiobook. The narrator is one I've listened to before, and she does a great job portraying the emotions in the novel and voicing the different characters. While her voice does not sound like she is in high school, it lends itself well to that setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

This is without a doubt the best YA book I have read in a long time.

This book hooked me from the very start! Although Jodi is a Thrasher, she constantly feels like she’s the odd one out of the five. And as more things are revealed from Emily’s journal, Jodi is left questioning if her friends are really her friends.

I kept coming up with different theories, but the ending still surprised me! There is a paranormal aspect throughout the book, along with a romantic subplot. I was interested and invested in every single chapter! Oh, I wish I could read more about these characters.

Here is my review from the ebook -- I swapped around between audio and ebook when reading! In many ways the audio was too scary for me, but I think that may be the ultimate compliment? Incredible story and narrator and spooky effects.

INCREDIBLE! Also very spooky. I absolutely could not put this down and was thrilled to get the eARC. I was on the edge of my seat so many times and couldn't believe how things turned out. Don't want to say much more for fear of spoilers! I'd recommend to mature readers in my class & adults too!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the audiobook arc. I have only read romance books by Julie Soto so I was blown away with the suspense and story of this YA book. I was drawn in at the beginning and binged the whole book in one day.
This book should have a TW for suicide or suicidal thoughts is the only negative this that I have
A so call friend commits suicide the night of prom leaving a journal stating how her group of friends bullied her into suicide. They end up all posting bail and not understanding why they were being blamed when they never hung out with the girl.

The Thrashers is solid evidence that Julie Soto’s captivating writing easily transcends genres. Her writing is so compelling that I spent this entire book unaware of where I stood with the main characters. I found myself simultaneously mistrusting but also liking the main cast of characters (yet feeling conflicted for liking them because they’re also portrayed in a way setting you up to not like them). This complexity added another layer to this heart-pounding paranormal thriller. I was hooked from the epilogue through the last page (and finished it in a day because I HAD to know how it ended!).

I personally think this is one that’s better if you jump into it without reading a summary. Just trust that it’s a page-turner and sit back and enjoy the ride!

Huge thank you to Julie Soto, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, & NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This was definitely a little spooky, but I could not put it down! The Thrashers explores high school hierarchy at its worst, and explores the worst consequences! I kept trying to guess what the outcome was, but never could truly guess the truth. The end haunts me still!

Thanks to NetGalley, Julie Soto, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!