Review: The Thrashers - Julie Soto

Review: The Thrashers - Julie Soto - May 2025

When I spotted The Thrashers during one of my voucher-shopping trips, I knew I had to have it. The premise immediately reminded me of Kara Thomas's razor-sharp YA thrillers like The Cheerleaders, and honestly, who could resist that cover? (Yes, I'm absolutely guilty of judging books by their covers, and this one had me completely smitten.)

Julie Soto delivers something slightly different than what I expected, though no less compelling. While I went in anticipating a full-throttle thriller, what I found was more of a legal drama with YA sensibilities—think courtroom tension meets high school hierarchy. It's edgy without being exploitative, which is a delicate balance that Soto manages beautifully.

Set at New Helvetia High (and yes, the font connection came to mind), the story revolves around the school's most powerful clique: The Thrashers. Named after their charismatic leader Zack Thrasher, this group—consisting of Zack, Julian, Paige, Lucy, and Jodi—rules their social ecosystem with an iron fist. Cross them, and you'll find yourself "Thrashed," their particular brand of social destruction.

Jodi fascinated me most as a character. She's essentially the group's DUFF, tolerated only because of her childhood friendship with Zack. While the others bask in wealth and privilege, Jodi exists on the periphery, always present but never quite belonging. It's a dynamic that rang painfully true to my own high school observations.

When Emily, desperate to join their ranks, takes her own life after being rejected, her parents demand justice. The resulting legal battle becomes the heart of the novel, with The Thrashers facing charges of bullying that led to Emily's suicide. Interestingly, Jodi emerges as the sole exception—Emily's family believes she was the only one who showed kindness.

As the trial unfolds, Jodi begins questioning everything: her place in the group, the nature of her friendships, and whether loyalty built on childhood bonds can survive the harsh light of truth. Would they have cared about her without Zack as the connecting thread?

Julie Soto's exploration of toxic friendship dynamics feels authentic and unflinching. The legal framework provides structure while allowing for deep character development. Fans of Kara Thomas, Jessica Goodman, and Karen McManus will find familiar territory here—the same sharp social commentary and morally complex teenagers, just filtered through a courtroom lens rather than a mystery plot.

The Thrashers proves that YA doesn't need murders or disappearances to create compelling drama. Sometimes the most devastating crimes happen in plain sight, one cruel word at a time.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mdP2o8