Julie Soto, known primarily for her contemporary romance novels like Forget Me Not and Not Another Love Song, takes a bold leap into the young adult thriller realm with The Thrashers. This departure from her usual genre demonstrates Soto’s versatility as a writer, though the transition isn’t without its rough edges. The result is a compelling, albeit sometimes uneven, exploration of privilege, friendship, and the devastating consequences of social exclusion.
Plot Overview: When Popularity Turns Deadly
The story centers around Jodi Dillon, an unlikely member of New Helvetia High’s most exclusive clique: the Thrashers. As the only non-wealthy member, Jodi exists on the periphery of this elite group through her childhood friendship with Zack Thrasher, the group’s unofficial leader. When Emily Mills, a desperate wannabe Thrasher, dies by suicide on prom night, the group finds themselves under investigation for allegedly bullying Emily to death.
What follows is a masterfully constructed mystery that keeps readers guessing until the final pages. Soto weaves supernatural elements throughout the narrative as the Thrashers experience increasingly bizarre and threatening incidents—from car accidents to electrical malfunctions—that seem orchestrated by Emily from beyond the grave. As Detective Harding digs deeper into Emily’s journal and the group’s past, Jodi must choose between protecting her friends and revealing the truth about their toxic dynamics.
Character Development: Complex Portrayals of Flawed Teens
Jodi Dillon: The Reluctant Insider
Jodi serves as both narrator and emotional anchor for the story. Her working-class background creates natural tension within the group, and Soto effectively uses this dynamic to highlight class divisions in modern American high schools. Jodi’s character arc—from passive follower to someone who finally stands up for what’s right—feels authentic, though occasionally rushed toward the novel’s climax.
The Supporting Cast: More Than Stock Characters
The other Thrashers—Julian, Lucy, Paige, and Zack—could have easily devolved into stereotypical rich kids, but Soto gives each nuanced motivations and hidden depths. Julian’s transformation from antagonist to love interest might seem forced to some readers, but his complexity as a character who takes responsibility for his actions adds layers to the narrative. Zack, despite being positioned as the golden boy, reveals manipulative tendencies that make readers question everything they thought they knew about him.
Emily Mills: The Ghost at the Heart of It All
Perhaps the most intriguing character is the deceased Emily Mills herself. Through journal entries, flashbacks, and increasingly supernatural manifestations, Emily becomes fully realized despite (or because of) her absence. Soto’s portrayal of Emily as both victim and manipulator challenges readers’ perceptions and adds moral complexity to what could have been a straightforward tale of bullying.
Writing Style: Soto’s Genre Shift Shows Promise
Soto’s transition from contemporary romance to young adult thriller demonstrates both her strengths and areas for growth. Her character dialogue feels authentically teenage, and she excels at capturing the petty cruelties and complex social dynamics of high school life. The pacing is generally excellent, with short chapters that maintain momentum and well-placed revelations that keep readers engaged.
However, some of Soto’s romance writing habits occasionally bleed into the thriller elements. The developing relationship between Jodi and Julian, while emotionally satisfying, sometimes detracts from the murder investigation’s urgency. Additionally, certain supernatural elements feel underdeveloped compared to the very grounded psychological thriller aspects of the plot.
Themes: More Than Just a Whodunit
Class Consciousness and Social Hierarchy
The Thrashers by Julie Soto succeeds most brilliantly in its examination of wealth disparity and social stratification in American high schools. Jodi’s perspective as someone struggling to fit in with her affluent friends provides sharp commentary on how economic privilege shapes teenage relationships. The casual mentions of private tutors, designer clothes, and vacation homes contrast starkly with Jodi’s reality of frozen dinners and her father’s drinking problem.
The Psychology of Bullying
Soto doesn’t shy away from exploring how bullying operates in modern high schools. The concept of being “Thrashed”—socially elevated and then brutally discarded—serves as a metaphor for the cruel games teenagers play with each other’s emotions. The novel asks uncomfortable questions about how good people can participate in systems of exclusion without recognizing their own complicity.
Truth and Consequence
As the mystery unfolds, Soto examines the price of keeping secrets and the complicated nature of truth. Each character must confront their own version of events and decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for their friends—or for justice.
The Supernatural Element: Hit or Miss?
The paranormal aspects of The Thrashers by Julie Soto represent both the novel’s most ambitious element and its most divisive. While some readers will appreciate the creative ways Emily’s presence manifests—flashing streetlights, possessed smartphones, mysterious texts—others might find these elements clash with the otherwise realistic portrayal of teenage life.
Soto deserves credit for not fully explaining every supernatural occurrence, leaving readers to debate what’s real and what’s guilt-induced hallucination. The séance scene, in particular, showcases her ability to blend horror with psychological thriller, creating genuinely unsettling moments.
Critique: Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its many strengths, The Thrashers by Julie Soto isn’t without flaws. The resolution, while satisfying, feels somewhat rushed. Several plot threads concerning Emily’s elaborate revenge scheme and Hannah’s role as the mysterious texter could have been developed more thoroughly. Additionally, some of the adults in the story—particularly Detective Harding—veer toward caricature rather than full characterization.
The romance subplot, while adding emotional depth, occasionally undermines the story’s darker themes. The timing of Jodi and Julian’s relationship development sometimes feels convenient rather than organic, particularly given the gravity of their legal situations.
Comparison to Similar Works
Readers familiar with Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars will recognize the blueprint of privileged teenagers with dark secrets, but Soto adds her own touches. Unlike these series, The Thrashers maintains tighter focus on a single mystery while providing more grounded character motivations. The supernatural elements set it apart from straightforward psychological thrillers like We Were Liars, though it doesn’t reach that novel’s level of sophisticated plotting.
Final Verdict: A Worthy Genre Experiment
The Thrashers represents Julie Soto’s successful expansion beyond romance into the thriller genre. While not perfect, the novel offers compelling characters, sharp social commentary, and enough twists to keep readers guessing. This is an engaging, well-crafted book that doesn’t quite achieve greatness but certainly entertains.
Soto’s greatest achievement here is creating morally complex characters who feel authentically teenage while grappling with adult consequences. The novel works best when focusing on the psychological aftermath of Emily’s death and the friendship dynamics within the Thrashers, rather than when it leans too heavily into supernatural elements.
Who Should Read This
The Thrashers by Julie Soto will appeal to:
- Readers who enjoyed One of Us Is Lying but want more supernatural elements
- Fans of Gossip Girl looking for something with higher stakes
- Young adults interested in stories about class differences and social dynamics
- Anyone who appreciates mysteries with strong character development
Final Words:
The Thrashers succeeds as both an entertaining mystery and a thoughtful exploration of teenage friendship dynamics. While Soto’s genre shift shows room for refinement, her natural talent for character development and dialogue creates a novel that’s worth reading despite its occasional missteps. For readers seeking a thriller that treats its young characters with complexity and respect, this book delivers on most of its promises.
The real triumph of The Thrashers lies not in its supernatural gimmicks or even its central mystery, but in its honest portrayal of how easily ordinary teenagers can become complicit in extraordinary cruelty. In an era where social media can amplify every slight and miscommunication, Soto’s exploration of the consequences of exclusion feels particularly relevant.
Whether Emily Mills returns from beyond the grave or merely haunts the guilty consciences of those who wronged her, the message remains clear: in the end, we’re all haunted by the people we fail to see.