Do you ever read a book and can understand the characters thoughts, fears, and goals so intrinsically it’s like they were an extension of you? Yeah, well that was how Old Wounds played out for me.
I cannot begin to explain how much this story meant to me. To hear and read the different perspectives of Erin and Max and to both understand them and learn a new side of identity and gender issues was the most impactful part of this story.
The horror was perfectly executed— not in the literal cryptid itself, but the people Erin and Max had to face. The raw fear and violations they both faced added to the sort of “if you know, you know” feeling of it all.

There isn’t much I can critique other than confusing text in certain places. A tightening up of some sentences and scenes would do this book immense justice. But I also have aphantasia so do with that what you will.

Speaking of my favorite thing ever, Old Wounds passed the aphantasia test! Despite the confusion in some places, it was so easy to get into and understand what the characters looked like (even the cryptid), what the places looked like, and the general vibes of the story.

Woohoo! 5/5

Logan-Ashley Kisner has created what will someday be called a literary horror classic with Old Wounds, pulling the transgender experience to the forefront of the most common horror tropes. To say I loved this book would be an understatement!

Max and Erin live two very different realities as trans teens. Max, denied his identity by friends and family holds complicated emotions of jealousy towards his ex, Erin, who has received seemingly endless amounts of support during her own transition. Erin, however, has her own battles and feelings of concern for Max that lead her to accept his invitation to roadtrip from Ohio to California to start a new life where they can be free to be who they truly are. But their plans are soon derailed when they stumble into the path of a monster known to devour girls.

What follows is a blood-bath worthy of horror fans’ attention and praise. Using tried and true horror storytelling devices, Kisner weaves a unique story that asks ‘just who the hell is the sacrifice here when neither of our characters are cisgender?’ and ‘do monsters and cryptids understand gender identity?’. Instead of reinventing the horror genre to fit trans characters, Kisner seamlessly adjusts the parameters of the genre to create space for trans-centered stories. The end result is one hell of a good book.

*Endless thanks to Ashley-Logan Kisner, Random House Children’s (Delacorte Press), and NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for honest review.*

this was a slow start of a book for me but it got going, felt low-key slow burn dread to me as these two trans kids fought for their safety. the prose and imagery were excellent and well done.

This is that good horror shit I want. Two trans kids running away from transphobia only to find themselves lost in the woods with this monstrosity. Peak. They are flawed little white (and exes rip) and there is plenty to the blood and gore of this. For a debut author to be so good with imagery and prose I am impressed. I could see this as like a Netflix series or a movie.

Despite a bit of a rough start, I really enjoyed Old Wounds! The book was well-paced, the writing was engaging and evocative, and I really connected with both of the protagonists. Something I often worry about when I read books marketed as “trans horror” or “sapphic thriller” or whatnot is that they’ll end up hiding behind their identity labels and not end up delivering anything of substance, but Old Wounds was a solid book that easily stood on its own. The beginning didn’t grab me— it felt hard to believe that Erin would run away from home that easily— but once I got to the meat of the plot, I was hooked. Max is clearly supposed to be a flawed character, but there were definitely moments when I found him a bit more unlikeable than I suspect the author intended. A solid 4-star read— would especially recommend for high schoolers!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the eARC.

I sat down to write this review as soon as I finished but I feel my mind still reeling from the wild ride that this book was. I want to start with saying there aren’t nearly enough horror stories where trans characters are the protagonists rather than the perpetrators. Years of watching horror movies like Sleepaway Camp, Dressed to Kill, and Psycho have left a raw, torn feeling. There’s a strange sort of attachment that comes to these movies when you’re queer and desperate to see yourself, but they’re crumbs of representation that do more harm than good, no matter how we try to reclaim them. That there are more stories coming out like Old Wounds, where the trans kids are the heroes of their stories rather than villains, is a triumph. Old Wounds felt like a ode to slasher movies, but in this one, the kids don’t die and the killers aren’t invulnerable.

There was something about the flaws of two protagonists — Max and Erin, a trans boy and a trans girl who had broken up abruptly and come back together to move across the country — that were their most endearing features. Max is full of venom while Erin conversely is frustratingly guileless in a way that balances each other out. Being in each of their heads is a delight. Even as they bicker with each other, you want to be on both of their sides. There wasn’t a moment I didn’t adore both of them, whether they were at their worst or their best.

I wish there had been more time spared for the weird cult aspect of the story to really add some weight to it. It felt sometimes to be only mentioned in passing in a way that made me forget there even was more at play than just a rural lynch mob for two trans kids. If you go in expecting some cool cultish dressings to the story, you’ll be disappointed.

I won’t get too much into the plot and themes of the story as it feels like something you need to just go in and soak in the author’s message and draw the conclusions yourself but I will say the story is rich with metaphor that lead to a satisfying, hope-filled ending. I can’t wait for more in depth analysis from people who are smarter than me when they get their hands on this story. (“It doesn’t eat what it doesn’t kill.”)

Overall, Old Wounds was a deeply satisfying love letter to trans perseverance in the framing of a supernatural horror. I knew when requesting the arc it felt tailor made to my interests and I loved it every bit as I thought I would. The bits that were hard to get through felt purposeful and gritty, and the satisfaction of the finale made it all feel worth it by the end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(ARC)

This book was honestly a mindf*ck of feelings, on one hand, we have the page-turning edge-of-your-seat thriller/horror aspect of there being a monster in the woods who eats people and the townsfolk sacrificing unsuspecting innocents to said monster, and our two leads finding themselves in the middle of that while, on the other hand, we have our two leads going through their struggles and emotions with things like mental health, grief, transitioning, and familial issues which I'm not gonna lie made me tear up at times. The author amazingly tied those two things together, leaving us with a captivating and entertaining story. This book makes me feel like I'm watching a horror movie and that is exactly what I wanted out of it. The only reason this book got a 4 star and not 5 is simply because I felt like we were left with a lot more questions than I personally would have liked, i wish some things were a bit more closed-ended and/or explained more in the end, but overall i had such a fun time reading this.

I loved this book. If a monster only attacks girls, what will happen when it comes across two trans teens. Erin is a confident trans girl who was mostly supported through her transitioning, while Max is a trans boy who is forced to deny himself. They run away towards California, but come across all kinds of evil in rural America. This book reads like a classic horror movie, from the set up to meeting the backwoods folks who may be more than they appear, to the gratuitous blood and gore. This is not an easy book to read. There is a lot of violence and anti trans hate, but it does put a blinding spotlight on the reality of the trans experience. This was an engrossing read, pulling you in as Erin and Max fight to survive.

Two trans kids, Max+ Erin, are trying to escape their rural hometown. On their way to California they're derailed by homophobic rednecks who want to sacrifice Erin to a local cryptid that only eats girls. But what happens when the Beast encounters a trans-girl?

If you’re a fan of monster horror movies you're going to love this tensely plotted story. Erin has some awesome find Girl energy and Max's snark is legendary.

These rednecks didn't know what they were getting into when they waylaid these two kids
TW: transphobia, gun violence, blood queer bashing

Read this if you: love monster movies, like complex queer and trans protagonists

Old Wounds was a good YA horror. It is about how terrible it can be to stuck in a car with your ex for a long period of time. Mind you the 2 main characters are trans which brings a whole lot of stress and pain on its own. This book also represents the harsh reality of gender violence. They both ran away together in hopes they were hard to track down so they can just finally be themselves. The narrative of this book was well written. Please make sure to check your trigger warnings before you start reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I am not usually a horror fan, but the premise of this book had me curious. As a non-horror fan, I was nervous about levels of gore and other horror elements, but I think the author did a great job of toeing that line and finding a good middle ground for a YA story.

I was instantly drawn in by the family dynamics and presentation of our two main characters, and the story itself is woven together so well with their complex binds, fears, traumas, and hopes that it was difficult to put down. I finished this book practically in one sitting!

This debut novel is a poignant and terrifying trans horror story. Max and Erin, estranged exes, embark on a road trip from Ohio to Berkeley, California in hopes of finding a safe place to be themselves. As they drive through small-town Kentucky, they are soon running for their lives from both real and possible monsters. A great premise and a poignant tribute to the trans youth who didn't survive horrific nights.

OLD WOUNDS by LOGAN- ASHLEY KISNER may just be one of the best books that I’ve read this summer!

Kisner’s forward to the book saying how Max and Erin being trans isn’t ALL they are, but that it’s a very important part of who they are let me know almost immediately that I was going to fall in love with this book.

If you’re looking for a bit of trans/queer horror to kick-start those eerie autumn vibes, please let it be OLD WOUNDS. Come for the cryptid, stay for the resilience of trans youth who fight for their right to exist. Whether it’s a mysterious beast in the woods (what’s its stance on gender bioessentialism, really? iykyk) or a couple of transphobes in the Midwest, this book will unsettle you.

But it is also a beautiful reminder of the comfort and empowerment we find in community. Erin and Max may have some unresolved issues to tackle, but the respect and love they have for each other is at the core of their story. I could barely put this book down as soon as I picked it up! And I’m excited to add it to my library when it comes out on September 10.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher(s) for giving me access to the eARC! I can’t wait to see what Kisner does next.

An unabashedly queer story that tells several perspectives and experiences. While it is absolutely a horror, the horror comes more from how our MCs are treated than the from the monster. Yes, there is a monster, but it's not necessarily the big bad of the story. Had some pacing issues for me personally, but I think this is a really important book to have our there and lots of teens will enjoy it. Definitely for fans of Andrew Joseph White.

Old Wounds is an emotionally raw & tender story that tackles both internal and external transgender topics with a sharp tooth and tongue, all wrapped up in a wonderfully queer horror metaphor. Our main characters, Max & Erin, are hard not to fall in love with immediately, from their complicated history to their general rapport they were an absolute treat to read and go on this adventure with. The stand-out of this book is definitely the way Kisner explores transness so fiercely and thoughtfully and going even further to elevate the commentary by delving into in how Max and Erin exist in the world with both shared *and* uniquely individual trans experiences. Reading the acknowledgements and learning that this story comes from a love of horror movies (and specifically watching them through a queer lens) makes so much sense when you experience all of the complexities and layers of symbolism Kisner lays out for us in this. The cherry on top is one of my favorite elements in horror, challenging the audience's preconceived notions about what a monster really is. While hopefully obvious for most readers, it's just as impactful and relevant to recognize the monstrosity in our everyday society, in laws being passed and harmful rhetoric that continues to persist. Kisner does a great job with the pacing in this, balancing wonderfully fraught moments of tension with soft moments of confronting emotional vulnerabilities.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Due to unforeseen life circumstances, I have only been able to sit down and read this book now, and I will be picking up a copy as soon as I post this.

When I first saw this book mentioned on Twitter, I jumped at the chance to be an ARC reader for it. It has everything I've ever wanted to see in a novel, especially trans characters and some kind of strange, unknowable force of nature that humanity cannot hope to understand. Old Wounds definitely delivers on both, and it has some of the richest characterization I've ever seen.

Max and Erin are such beautiful, flawed, interesting, and imperfect characters that make you care about them right away, which ratchets the tension of the book higher and higher. They are such an amazing juxtaposition of experiences. Max has just freed himself from being denied from transitioning into a man while Erin has been allowed to transition, though the process has not necessarily been easy for her. Max's parents are not supportive; Erin's mother is trying even as she has flaws. Neither of them have it truly easy; both of them have their own unique struggles, and where they are so similar, they are also so different, which makes for utterly captivating writing.

Old Wounds is easily a 5 star read. The tension, the struggles, and the importance of a book like this cannot be understated. And it absolutely wrenched open my chest every time they discussed the reality of trans people we've lost due to the prejudice and bigotry in this world. There is something so raw and so beautiful in the way they are both fighting, in the way they were both survivors even before they ended up in Kentucky, fighting for their lives in the most literal sense.

Utterly stunning book. I hope to see more trans horror in the future, and this book has my hopes high.

Max and Erin are two teens embarking on an epic road trip from Ohio to California. That sounds banal, until you learn that both Max and Erin are transgender, they used to be a couple, and they haven't spoken in two years until Max asked Erin to accompany him on his escape from his transphobic family. Just when they're settling into the journey and overcoming the strangeness of their relationship, their trip is halted with a flat tire...and then the horrors begin.

Although the exposition leading to the real action was a little long for a relatively short novel, this book was a nail-biting horror story, and I loved every second of it. Kisner manages to cover the topics of gender, toxic family dynamics, teen relationships, and new beginnings. And if you've ever wondered how a gender-specific, murderous backwoods cryptid interprets the existence of trans people...you'll find your answer here. As in real life, however, sometimes the real horror may be in what humans can do to other humans.

I was able to read this digital ARC thanks to Netgalley. There were a handful of continuity errors and misused vocabulary, but I suspect those will be fixed before the final published versions. Overall, I'm adding queer horror as my new favorite genre.

Oh, I wanted this to be good, and it did not disappoint! Kisner does an excellent job talking about the trauma in Max’s past while still making this a story of trans joy and resilience. Literally battling monsters. Even though we all know the real monsters are other humans.

Altogether this was a quick, breathless read, and the best bit of horror I have read in a while. The scenes are well drawn and immersive. I will 100% be looking for more from this author.

Oooof. This is a hard read. It’s difficult to read about human beings treating other humans horribly. However, it’s really important to have trans narratives, and this is a good addition to the genre.

Two trans teens, one male, one female, find themselves in the middle of nowhere with a broken down vehicle. Considering they made themselves impossible to track, they both are completely at the mercy of some people with nefarious intentions. Add some typical horror elements, and you’ve got yourself a page-turner.

CW: There’s a lot of blood and gore here. The cover should warn you what you’re getting into.

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the eARC. All opinions are mine alone.

Old Wounds follows two such teens Erin and Max, as they attempt to make their way to California when their car breaks down. Despite being stranded in the middle of nowhere, this backroads town seems to be suffocating the two. As horrific as the potential to be outed, there seems to be something more bestial lurking in the shadows. It’s up to Erin and Max to set aside their history and work together to save themselves.

The story is visceral, gripping, and possesses some of the most realistic depictions of the transgender experience from totally opposite ends of the spectrum. Max and Erin not only have their own fully realized voices, it’s those voices that carry the story and make the seemingly unbelievable monsters all the more real. Protect trans kids.