Two trans kids heading for the legal safety of the coast become trapped in a small town where they immediately and predictively learn about the local monster that eats young women, but they're here to mess with the gender binary for man and beast alike. The horror beast is a combination otherworldly/eldritch creature and just big ol' scary beast monster in the woods, though of course the real horror is society—in macrocosm, the legal devolution and undervaluing of the safety and wellbeing of trans kids across the U.S., and in microcosm, this one, specific, terrifying small town where people think it's reasonable and maybe a little fun to sacrifice young women to their local cryptid. Maybe there are some allegories in there, but there's also just a lot of scary times in the woods—a very effective and satisfyingly scary YA horror novel.

This was an interesting book and one worth the read. The struggles that trans people face is real, and this book highlighted just a few of them. I don’t think that any book anywhere will ever be able to do justice to the injustices that they face, but this book sure tries. The part that didn’t work so well for me was the pacing in the beginning. I felt like I was reading a slow paced, gothic horror, and couldn’t understand why everyone was raving about how fast paced and amazing it was. But I was determined to keep going, so I set it down and picked it back up later, what do you know about 10% later in the book, it was almost as if a switch had been flicked and I was reading a whole new book. Things took off and I was hooked! This was about the 50% mark of the book, and at this point I didn’t want to put it down. I loved reading about the monster, and everything Max and Erin were faced with. The ending was also great and I just loved it. I wish that the beginning would have been reduced by about 25% or more so it wouldn’t have felt like such a slog. I wanted the whole book to have the pacing that the second half did, had it been that way this would have been a knockout of the park for me.

Old Wounds came straight out the gate with a plot that hooked me and kept me reading. It was one of those books I was thinking about when I wasn’t reading it (high praise for me). But honestly, the part that really engaged me as a reader was the character development. Kisner does such a good job fleshing out Erin and Max, you are devoted and angry and full of righteous indignation as the plot moves forward. Top. Notch.

This story takes you on a journey with Erin and Max, two trans kids from a middle-of-nowhere town hoping for a new beginning on the west coast. But as they leave their past behind (hopefully) and head toward new beginnings, the worst kind of adventure awaits. The plot thickens… constantly. The mayhem that occurs is simultaneously intriguing and maddening. Kisner does a beautiful job balancing some horror/sci-fi-feeling aspects with cultural issues that deeply need to be addressed.


I would definitely recommend this one.

Old Wounds does so much incredibly well. It joins a number of trans horror narratives where the societal pressures of trans life are the real monster, and the supernatural elements are either representative of cultural violence against trans people (as in titles like Alison Rumfit's Tell Me I'm Worthless and Brainwyrms) or in this case, the pressures that trans people face from the world are scarier than the monster is.

Old Wounds is about Erin and Max, two trans teens who set out to travel from Ohio to California so Max can safely transition away from his abusive family, who are determined to force him to live as a girl. When they pull off for a pit stop, they are corralled into a fight for their lives as sacrifices to a small town's cryptid monster. Erin has been able to both socially and medically transition with a supportive single mother, while Max began to socially transition, but abuse and the threat of being institutionalized as mentally ill have forced him to detransition completely under the enforcement of his terrified mother and her physically abusive partner. Max and Erin used to date, but Max suddenly disappeared from Erin's life completely before asking her to come with him on the road trip.

Some spoilers follow in discussing issues I had with this book:

As a trans person myself, I love a lot of this book. The character motivations are clear, they are flawed but make sense and emotionally they read as teens struggling with hard issues who are able to overcome those issues which overshadow (and in fact make it possible to counter) the threat of the monster. However, the mid-book revelation that Max hates Erin for what he perceives as her perfect life and easy transition feels mishandled to me; not in his feelings but in the way that Erin reacts. Erin's transition, especially, is presented in a way that seems unrealistically perfect and free from the general societal pressures that trans women face, especially the constant pervasive threat of violence and necessary hypervigilance to avoid violence. Other than that, I loved it.

Even with how I felt this was mishandled, the book still sides with Erin, clearly, and Max knows that these feelings are displaced anger that shouldn't be directed at her. In fact, Erin is also particularly badass during the falling action of the book, which puts her in some real classic horror movie survivor territory, and Max is not far behind in the cool-horror-protagonist department. The resulting takedown of the town's misogynistic cultist/monster wranglers (they only feed women to the monsters based on some toxic assumptions about gender roles) is especially satisfying, as is Erin and Max's ultimate reconciliation.

I do recommend this book. The characters are well drawn and the story is fun. However, I wish it had been more balanced in its representation of different trans identities.

Views are my own and do not represent my institution.

I was a huge Supernatural fan growing up, and this book reminded me one of the episodes in the first season called the scarecrow. It's one of my favorite episodes so naturally I really enjoyed this book! I also loved how much we get to learn about the two protagonists. Great read, and I've already bought it for my collection!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC for this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

WOW. WOW. WOW. This was both terrifying and incredible. I love how Max and Erin fended for themselves against all those people and how Erin's goal from the beginning was to stop this from happening to any more innocent people. The Beast was also a very interesting entity in how it didn't go after Max and Erin because they're the only ones who didn't run. the way that it also seemed to like Erin's company was really funny to me too. Although there was a lot of blood and murder and transphobic remarks from parents and other people in their lives in this story the journey that Max and Erin had was worth the read. I'd highly recommend this everyone. Make sure you check TW's!

I loved finding out in the acknowledgements that this was originally conceived as a screenplay, because it absolutely comes across as a love letter to horror movies/final girls and has such a cinematic aspect to it. However, it manages to accomplish what so many books-that-began-as-screenplays cannot and actually makes literary sense. The sense of place and character are extremely well-established and there are moments of truly lovely writing. Most importantly, this is totally and firmly in the YA category and yet it isn't teachy or preachy at ALL-- in fact I would say both the monster metaphors and the discussions of gender have multiple layers of complexity. I absolutely loved Erin and kind of hated Max (which feels built into the story) but it made his journey all the more compelling. Logan-Ashley Kisner, you're a king and I hope you continue to write books forever.

I'm having a hard time deciding what I want to say about this book. The book itself was okay. The cover is killer! The concept was really cool and had so much potential. It just fell flat for me. Erin was such a baddie, but Max? Max really made me contemplate putting this into a DNF pile. Erin and the story really kept me reading. Max chapters had me rolling my eyes. The big bads were flat and not very convincing. The cryptid? Ugh it could have been so fun! It had so much potential, but I fear it wasn't utilized properly. There was so much potential here and it just missed the mark. It wasn't horrible, but like Erin's aim...it wasn't perfect enough.

Thank you NetGalley, Logan-Ashley Kisner, and Random House Children's for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner will be released September 10, 2024!

A beautiful story about two trans teens stuck in a small town haunted by a monster or well a creature anyway. Loved every second of this book.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Old Wounds was absolutely the most original horror I've read in AGES. I love the fact that we get moral & ethical situations laid out, and honestly a fantastic reflection of the world we all exist in right now. It was both fiction horror, and.... current? LOVED it. I loved the characters, the pacing was perfectly laid out, and I was left wanting more. Can't wait to read future works by this author!

This book asked the important questions like, ‘Do monsters adhere to the gender binary?’. I really enjoyed the realness of the characters and the complexities of their relationship. At first I found it to be a little unlikeable but as the book progressed I think they really filled in as characters in a way that was true to life. The effects of the monster were really cool and I enjoyed that trapped feeling. As always humans are far more monstrous than anything supernatural. Erin was BADASS, that's my girl! And love seeing a story set in the midwest that also honors the struggles of queer and trans people amongst bigots and legislation that would rather see them dead.

By the end, I was in love with this book and the characters despite a slow start. For a horror novel, it felt like a long time before the horror aspect started coming into play, and it was incredibly difficult for me to connect with Max's character as well. It took several sittings for me to get through the first half of the book. Once I really got into the body of the story and the horror aspect picked up, though, I couldn't put it down and finished the second half of the novel in one afternoon.
These characters have been through a lot in their lives; they take those hurts and weaponize them to protect themselves and each other. I'm proud of Max and Erin for that. In the acknowledgements, the author thanks spite as a motivator, and that is one of the most relatable things about this story.
Also, no spoilers, but I love the ending. Both the end of the story proper and the epilogue itself. The way they're written feels so human, not necessarily pretty but satisfying in the ways that matter.
Definitely heed the content warning listed in the Author's Note because there are some very heavy themes throughout this story. If that doesn't scare you away, though, I absolutely recommend this book to you. It's painful. It's complicated. It's beautiful.

This is hard book to read. Whew. As someone who lives in Ohio the small town imagery when kids were driving through towns was spot on. Erin and Max are try to escape Ohio and make to California but it's not an easy trip fro two trans kids. They will face the horrors for the real world, they will be separated at times. Eventually finding themselves faced an actual supernatural horror and they must be able to save themselves. This book scary in lots of way. Its scary based on how the real world treats trans people and as well the real monsters we encounter daily.

I adored every second of this book. The tense energy of this book did not let up, and the internal struggles of Max and Erin were well-written and well-fleshed out. I do not want to provide too many spoilers, but this horror story was short and sweet with a wonderful dose of human monsters tied with the supernatural. I do wish that we had more interactions with the townsfolk, but at the same time, it was balanced well with the reality of two teens working towards their survival against several adult men hellbent on sacrifice.

Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner is an absolutely thrilling and atmospheric read that I couldn't put down. The story follows two transgender teens, Erin and Max, who find themselves trapped in a small, isolated town with a terrifying secret. The locals believe they must sacrifice a girl to an ancient monster to keep the sun rising, and they’ve decided that Erin, in their twisted minds, fits the bill. What follows is a pulse-pounding fight for survival as Erin and Max navigate the horrors of this town, all while grappling with their complicated past and the terrifying uncertainty of the future.

The eerie atmosphere Kisner crafts in Old Wounds is what first drew me in, but it’s Erin and Max who kept me hooked. These two characters are so compelling, layered, and real that I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The way their relationship develops through the story is wonderful, full of tension, unresolved feelings, and ultimately, a deep sense of loyalty and love. The mystery of the town and its dark rituals kept me guessing, but what I found particularly fascinating was the book’s hypothetical exploration of how a cryptid monster might perceive gender. It’s a concept I hadn’t seen explored before, and Kisner handles it with a thought-provoking sensitivity that adds depth to an already gripping tale.

What I loved most about Old Wounds is how it showcases the resilience of Erin and Max in the face of so much hate and violence. Seeing queer characters fight back is incredibly cathartic, and their courage in the face of such dire circumstances is nothing short of admirable. This book has all the spookiness you could want for the season, with an added layer of emotional depth that makes it truly unforgettable. However, it's important to note that the story does deal with heavy topics like self-harm and suicide ideation and attempt, so take care of your mental health while reading. That said, if you’re looking for a chilling, thought-provoking, and ultimately empowering read, Old Wounds is one you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Logan-Ashley Kisner for an eARC of Old Wounds in exchange for an honest review. 

**This review contains mild spoilers**

Everything about this book: yes, Yes, YES!!!!

I love how this book was able to capture how it feels to be a trans person with other trans people around when everyone is at a different part of their transition. The way that the transitions of the two main characters, Max and Erin, flow together and separate at times is amazing.

I also love that there wasn’t some magical resolution where Max’s parents became accepting all of a sudden. This is a reality for many trans people out there and I appreciate it being shown in media.

The narration switches between Erin and Max, and dips sometimes into the past to give more context to the present. I feel Logan-Ashley Kisner did a wonderful job with this and I was never confused as to who was narrating and if it was the present or past that was being described.

The horror elements were definitely there, but it wasn’t too much that someone like me, who typically doesn’t like horror, couldn’t handle. Everything was tastefully done and written.

Thank you Logan-Ashley Kisner for writing a brutally honest story of two trans kids and what it’s like to be trans in this world. The good times and the bad times. I have never felt my experience as a trans person has been reflected in the media until I read Max’s story and for that I want to thank you.

If you are trans, have trans friends, or are just wanting to read more about the trans experience, please do yourself a favor and read this book.

5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eArc!

SUCH a great debut novel. Logan-Ashley Kisner is incredible at capturing the classic horror vibes. I felt like I could picture the whole book playing out in my mind like an 80s horror movie.

Another Queer YA horror to add to your tbrs ! I stayed up way past my bedtime last night reading Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner , I didn't want to put it down !

I appreciated that we were given dual point of views. I loved Erin's character and while I found Max frustrating his feelings were always real and raw even if they didn't fully make sense at times it didn't make his feelings less valid. I loved the determination Erin had for herself, for Max, for them individually and for their relationship. No matter how much Max pushed she never fully gave up on him.

The creep and spookiness of the story was on point. The entire atmosphere and the blend of paranormal with real world men monsters. It kept you turning pages to see what would happen next and on the edge of my seat hoping both MCs would survive.

Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner is a young adult horror, with kickass transgender leads, real emotion, a monster in woods , cryptids, small town crazies, fighting to survive, and a satisfying ending . 👾
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Old Wounds is incredibly poignant for a horror novel. The trans experience in full display. The freedom, fear, pain, and hope is laid on display. And it works to the point where you care about these characters and their survival so much that the supernatural monster becomes almost secondary to the true experience of being trans.

Erin and Max are two trans people from Ohio. They used to date but something tore them apart. When they decide to run away to California and claim their lives on their own terms without the stares and bigotry, they wind up in Kentucky and are quickly realising they've stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

A creature is said to live in these woods and the locals aren't exactly happy about who they are. This creature demands a sacrifice of a girl every six months and it looks like Erin and Max are on the menu.

As they try to just survive, the line between gender is brought into play and this novel focuses on that with great effect. It's a tense, thrilling, remarkable narrative which has a lot to say and isn't shy about saying it. That's a compliment by the way.

This is a fantastic, frightening creature feature and an unflinching glimpse into the trans experience. Both the creature and the heart wrenching bigotry are equally horrific.

I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

Erin is a girl trying to move on with her life after being abruptly cut out of Max’s. Max is a guy who is struggling to make his true self his only self. These two transgender kids are fighting back against the oppressive systems they grew up in. Max, out of nowhere, asks Erin to go on a life-changing cross-country road trip to California where they can start fresh as the people they know themselves to be. But when they find themselves stranded in the middle of a creepy town that seems to be mostly white men, things get horrifying.

The sheriff seems to be the typical jovial homeboy, but the way he tells Erin and Max about the legendary beast running around the woods surrounding the town is sketchy. Then there’s the old man in the diner who won’t stop staring at Erin and who accuses Max of using the wrong bathroom when he goes into the men’s room. Things just keep going from bad to worse as the locals decide that Erin is the perfect candidate to sacrifice to the Beast’s appetite for girls, which makes Max collateral damage them. The problem is the locals don’t know Erin and Max’s biggest secrets, and that those secrets are what have them fighting so hard to stay alive in the first place.

When I picked Old Wounds out of the TBR list, I was solely basing my judgment on the fact that the author is trans + queer, and the cover art is striking. When I read the description of the plot, I was hooked. When I started reading the book, well let’s just say that if life hadn’t gotten in the way I would have finished the whole thing in less than a day! It was thrilling, invoking, and downright scary at times. I love cryptid stories. I love redemption arcs. I love stories where tough lives create magnificent people who can survive anything. This book has it all, and then some.

The scary parts were not the chase scenes, the Beast scenes, or even the fact that Erin and Max get trapped in some kind of alternate time slip while this is all happening to them. The scary parts are how relatable the teens' lived experiences were. The inner dialogue for both Max and Erin tugged at the heartstrings and made me want to beg them to listen. To hold them and tell them they are not alone. I haven’t read a novel in a long time that made me feel like I wanted to be there for the main characters. In reverse, I also haven’t had a book make me hate people I didn’t know as much as I hated the antagonists in this one, especially Max’s mom. It was so reflective of real life that I had visceral responses to reading the pages describing his horrendous homelife.

This book comes with major content warnings. Please don’t read this book if you cannot handle the emotions that these triggers will bring up. It is intensely close to home for a lot of us queers, and I rarely say that a book needs as many warnings as people like to slap on them. The gaslighting, transphobia, religious bigotry, and misogyny are real in this book in ways that I could feel to my core. I loved this book for what it was, but I also heeded the warnings and took it in chunks rather than rushing through like I wanted to.