Julie Soto, known for her USA Today bestselling contemporary romances like “Forget Me Not” and “Not Another Love Song,” ventures into the YA thriller space with “The Thrashers,” and the results are both compelling and unsettling. This supernatural mystery reads like what would happen if “Mean Girls” met “The Haunting of Hill House,” creating a unique blend that will keep readers simultaneously cringing at the social dynamics and jumping at every supernatural hint.
Plot Overview: When Popular Becomes Predatory
The story follows Jodi Dillon, an unlikely member of New Helvetia High’s most exclusive friend group, the Thrashers. Led by Zack Thrasher, this tight-knit quintet (completed by Julian, Lucy, and Paige) represents everything their peers aspire to be. When sophomore Emily Mills—a girl desperately trying to break into their circle—dies by suicide on prom night, the group finds themselves under investigation for criminal harassment.
What unfolds is a masterfully paced mystery that questions the nature of bullying, the power of social exclusion, and the terrifying possibility that Emily isn’t quite ready to let go of her tormentors.
Character Development: The Heart of the Horror
Jodi Dillon: The Reluctant Insider
Jodi serves as the perfect protagonist for this tale—someone who’s always been on the periphery of power, holding her place through childhood loyalty rather than social standing. Soto brilliantly captures Jodi’s internal conflict: her genuine care for Zack (and harbored romantic feelings) versus her growing awareness of the group’s toxic behavior.
Her character arc from passive participant to someone who finally stands up for truth feels organic and earned. The revelation about her father’s alcoholism and her home life adds depth to her need to belong somewhere.
The Thrashers: More Than Mean Girls and Boys
Each member of the friend group is given enough complexity to avoid caricature:
- Zack Thrasher embodies the dangerous charm of someone who’s never had to consider consequences
- Julian Hollister serves as the enforcer, later revealed to have his own complicated relationship with power and abuse
- Lucy Reed and Paige Montgomery represent different facets of how girls navigate social hierarchies
Emily Mills: The Haunting Presence
Even in death, Emily manages to be one of the most complex characters. Soto walks a delicate line, showing Emily as both victim and manipulator—a disturbed girl who crosses boundaries while still deserving compassion. Her posthumous presence drives much of the psychological horror.
Writing Style: Atmospheric and Addictive
Soto’s prose shines in its ability to create atmosphere. The way she builds tension through seemingly normal teenage interactions is masterful. Her experience in musical theater background (evident in “Generation Me” winning Best Musical at the 2017 New York Musical Festival) translates into excellent pacing and dramatic timing.
The supernatural elements are woven subtly throughout—streetlights flickering, strange dreams, mysterious texts—never overwhelming the human drama but adding an increasingly unsettling undercurrent.
Themes That Resonate
The Psychology of Exclusion
The book’s exploration of “Thrashing”—the group’s practice of bringing someone into their circle only to eventually cast them out—feels painfully realistic. Soto captures how exclusion can be as violent as any physical attack.
Privilege and Accountability
The stark contrast between Jodi’s financial struggles and her friends’ wealth provides social commentary without becoming preachy. The way money shields some characters from consequences while others face serious repercussions ring disturbingly true.
Guilt and Justice
The mystery elements drive home questions about collective responsibility. When everyone contributes to a toxic environment, who bears the ultimate blame?
Supernatural Elements: Subtle but Effective
Unlike many YA supernatural thrillers, “The Thrashers” by Julie Soto keeps its ghostly elements ambiguous enough to maintain plausibility while still delivering genuine chills. The séance scene at the rose garden and Emily’s apparent possession of Kiera during a group gathering are particularly effective.
The revelation that many “supernatural” events were orchestrated by Emily’s sister Hannah provides a clever twist that doesn’t diminish the psychological horror—in fact, it might make it worse.
Pacing and Structure: A Page-Turner with Purpose
Soto structures the novel brilliantly, alternating between present-day police investigation chapters and flashbacks that gradually reveal the truth. Each chapter ends with just enough tension to keep pages turning, while the journal entries interspersed throughout add authenticity and fill in crucial gaps.
The final act, where secrets unravel and the supernatural elements intensify, maintains momentum without feeling rushed.
Romance Subplot: Unexpected Chemistry
The developing relationship between Jodi and Julian adds an unexpected layer to the story. Their connection feels genuine—two people who’ve seen each other’s flaws but find something worth exploring. The paint fight scene at prom is one of the book’s most memorable moments, showing Soto’s ability to blend romance with darker themes.
Areas for Improvement
While largely successful, “The Thrashers” by Julie Soto has minor weaknesses:
- Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped (particularly the parents)
- The resolution of certain plot threads feels slightly rushed
- A few supernatural elements could have been more clearly explained (was Emily really possessing people, or was it all psychological?)
Comparisons to Similar Works
Fans of Maureen Johnson’s “Truly Devious” series will appreciate the mystery elements, while readers who enjoyed Gretchen Rubin’s “The Pink Ladies” will connect with the social dynamics. The supernatural elements are reminiscent of Francesca Zappia’s “Made You Up” but with less focus on mental health and more on social trauma.
Final Verdict: A Thrilling Addition to YA Mystery
“The Thrashers” by Julie Soto succeeds as both a teen thriller and a social commentary. Soto has crafted a story that examines the very real ways teenagers can destroy each other while adding supernatural elements that enhance rather than overshadow the human drama.
This book earns its high rating through strong characterization, effective atmosphere-building, and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. While it may stumble slightly in its attempt to tie up all loose ends, the journey is too compelling to diminish its overall impact.
Who Should Read This?
- Fans of psychological thrillers with supernatural elements
- Readers interested in stories about teen social dynamics
- Those who enjoyed TV shows like “Pretty Little Liars” or “Elite”
- Anyone looking for a mystery that doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker side of teenage friendships
“The Thrashers” proves that Julie Soto can successfully navigate genre boundaries while maintaining the emotional depth that made her romance novels so successful. It’s a haunting reminder that sometimes the real monsters are the ones sitting right next to us in class.
