mercedesn24 's review for:

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

4.0

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The Thrashers by Julie Soto starts off slow, but once it finds its rhythm, the tension builds fast, and I was hooked. While I initially found it a bit hard to follow, I couldn’t stop reading. There’s something about the way Soto unravels the mystery that kept me invested, even when I wasn’t sure where it was going. And that ending? Totally unexpected, I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but it definitely left an impression.

What I love most about this book is how perfectly it captures everything I crave in a YA thriller: morally gray characters, high-stakes friendships, slow-burning suspense, and just enough romance to keep things interesting. Soto knows exactly how to balance eerie atmosphere with emotional depth, and the ghostly, symbolic touches like the street lamps and supernatural elements gave the story an almost dreamlike edge.

If you're into YA thrillers with supernatural twists, slow-burning tension, and messy friendship dynamics, The Thrashers belongs on your TBR. It’s sharp, haunting, and lingers long after the last page.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for the copy of this e-ARC!