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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Very entertaining. I liked how complicated the ending was.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into The Thrashers with high hopes because Julie Soto is a fave, and the setup was promising. Elite high school friend group? Secrets? Creepy messages from beyond the grave? Count me in. Unfortunately, this one unraveled fast and left me more frustrated than entertained.
Let’s start with what I felt worked: Julian. He was honestly the only character I connected with and felt had any real depth. He wasn’t overly cruel or fake deep like the rest, and his arc felt the most grounded, though even his ending felt weirdly unfair compared to others (Zack, looking at you 👀).
But everything else? Kind of a mess.
Jodi as a protagonist made no sense to me. We’re told she’s not really close to the Thrashers, yet she’s somehow constantly involved, sticking around people who openly treat her like an outsider. It felt like the book couldn’t decide if she was part of the group or not. And for someone who repeatedly felt left out, she went so hard trying to protect them… for what? Loyalty? Peer pressure? Nostalgia? The book never gave a compelling answer.
Then there’s Jodi’s whole "I’m the good one" act. While the rest of the crew at least owned their messy behavior, Jodi’s self-righteousness just came off as irritating and fake. I found myself liking her less and less as the story went on.
Also, let’s talk about the police in this book. I mean… what were they even doing? Some major plot points required them to overlook the most basic evidence. The investigation felt like a cardboard cutout of what should’ve been a high stakes mystery.
And Jodi withholding critical info from the cops? WHY. Especially since she wasn’t even close with Emily. It felt like drama for the sake of drama, not a decision grounded in character logic.
The supernatural stuff? Super vague and underdeveloped. I couldn’t tell if we were leaning into paranormal or just using it as a plot device. Either way, it left more questions than answers and not in a satisfying “ooh, mysterious” way, but more like “wait… did I miss a chapter?”
The pacing also suffered. The beginning pulled me in, but halfway through, the tension fizzled out and I just wanted to be done. And the ending? Wildly unsatisfying. I expected some twists to not land, but the entire resolution felt absurd.
Was this the worst book ever? No. I think teens who like twisty drama might still enjoy the ride because it does have that YA Netflix drama feel. But if you’re looking for something coherent and emotionally resonant, this isn’t it. At all.
This had all the ingredients for a great YA thriller, but the execution just didn’t deliver. I’m still a fan of Julie Soto, but The Thrashers wasn’t the hit I hoped it would be.
Let’s start with what I felt worked: Julian. He was honestly the only character I connected with and felt had any real depth. He wasn’t overly cruel or fake deep like the rest, and his arc felt the most grounded, though even his ending felt weirdly unfair compared to others (Zack, looking at you 👀).
But everything else? Kind of a mess.
Jodi as a protagonist made no sense to me. We’re told she’s not really close to the Thrashers, yet she’s somehow constantly involved, sticking around people who openly treat her like an outsider. It felt like the book couldn’t decide if she was part of the group or not. And for someone who repeatedly felt left out, she went so hard trying to protect them… for what? Loyalty? Peer pressure? Nostalgia? The book never gave a compelling answer.
Then there’s Jodi’s whole "I’m the good one" act. While the rest of the crew at least owned their messy behavior, Jodi’s self-righteousness just came off as irritating and fake. I found myself liking her less and less as the story went on.
Also, let’s talk about the police in this book. I mean… what were they even doing? Some major plot points required them to overlook the most basic evidence. The investigation felt like a cardboard cutout of what should’ve been a high stakes mystery.
And Jodi withholding critical info from the cops? WHY. Especially since she wasn’t even close with Emily. It felt like drama for the sake of drama, not a decision grounded in character logic.
The supernatural stuff? Super vague and underdeveloped. I couldn’t tell if we were leaning into paranormal or just using it as a plot device. Either way, it left more questions than answers and not in a satisfying “ooh, mysterious” way, but more like “wait… did I miss a chapter?”
The pacing also suffered. The beginning pulled me in, but halfway through, the tension fizzled out and I just wanted to be done. And the ending? Wildly unsatisfying. I expected some twists to not land, but the entire resolution felt absurd.
Was this the worst book ever? No. I think teens who like twisty drama might still enjoy the ride because it does have that YA Netflix drama feel. But if you’re looking for something coherent and emotionally resonant, this isn’t it. At all.
This had all the ingredients for a great YA thriller, but the execution just didn’t deliver. I’m still a fan of Julie Soto, but The Thrashers wasn’t the hit I hoped it would be.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I listened to it super quickly, so it was interesting. Good twists but wasn't anything mind blowing.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a complicated YA novel!
It doesn't follow any other YA that I've read. The characters here were complicated and really flawed. At times they were plain unlikable. But that's what I like in books, characters that make it hard for you to root for but you also kinda root for.
Our main character is Jodi, who's in the elite group called The Thrashers. Named after Zach Thrasher, Jodi's childhood best friend. And the reason she's in the group. The others, Julian, Lucy, and Paige, are all rich.
The story starts after a former clinger on, Emily Mills dies. And her journal reveals the cruelty of the Thrashers and points in their direction as being the cause of Emily's death.
This causes the fractions in the Thrashers to come to life. There's always been a sense of competition for Zachs attention. He's the "golden boy" who they all flock to. He's also the one who inadvertently causes the competition between the group.
They are insurable, and you really want the truth to win out. Are they responsible for Emily? Is she tormenting them from beyond?
It doesn't follow any other YA that I've read. The characters here were complicated and really flawed. At times they were plain unlikable. But that's what I like in books, characters that make it hard for you to root for but you also kinda root for.
Our main character is Jodi, who's in the elite group called The Thrashers. Named after Zach Thrasher, Jodi's childhood best friend. And the reason she's in the group. The others, Julian, Lucy, and Paige, are all rich.
The story starts after a former clinger on, Emily Mills dies. And her journal reveals the cruelty of the Thrashers and points in their direction as being the cause of Emily's death.
This causes the fractions in the Thrashers to come to life. There's always been a sense of competition for Zachs attention. He's the "golden boy" who they all flock to. He's also the one who inadvertently causes the competition between the group.
They are insurable, and you really want the truth to win out. Are they responsible for Emily? Is she tormenting them from beyond?
mysterious
sad
tense