Definitely not a bad book, just not my cup of tea. The plot dragged in the beginning a bit, and I feel like there was less of the cryptid than I had initially imagined there'd be.

This is hands down one of my favorite books I've read this year. Which, considering the amazing books I've gotten my hands on, is saying something.

I literally couldn't put it down. I read it all in one sitting, skipping lunch because I couldn't bear to put it down. There are so many things I could say about this book--how much it horrified me, how much it made my heart hurt, how much I've ranted about it to friends in the last few days, how unapologetic and vivid the writing was, how much I adored these two messy flawed trans kids--but the biggest thing I've found myself thinking about it how it managed to be hopeful, heartfelt, and empowering. This story wouldn't have worked or captured me in the way it did without that. Because while the horror was great, those things were what lifted this book to fantastic.

It never flinched, it never let up, it had a chokehold on me the entire time I read, and this is a book I'm already wishing I could read for the first time again.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two trans teens leave their homes in Ohio for San Francisco, but they don’t get far until things take a frightening turn.
Lost in a small town in West Virginia they encounter monsters they must try to survive. What’s worse, a mysterious creature? Or murderous humans?

This story was action packed, but also had heart. The author did a great job of showing the trauma Max had faced in the past, and why that has led to hi current actions and attitudes. Erin is along for the ride, but wondering why.
The story separates the two and they both must use their wits to try and survive and get back to each other.
The setting of the story is a perfect creepy backdrop for the monster in the woods, and the murderous humans hunting the pair. This would be a perfect read for Halloween season.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read an e-arc of this book.

I LOVE queer horror and Old Wounds is just another example of why. The way that the trans characters are not just ‘trans characters in a scary book’ but are THE trans characters in this wonderfully spooky book is everything. I can’t put into words just how beautiful the prose is, how amazing the characters are fleshed out into being these unique and deeply real people and how much I loved the movie that played in my head while reading this. I can’t recommend this enough, I couldn’t put this down and there’s a reason for that.

This review is also posted on Goodreads! Thank you so much to the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this INCREDIBLE arc for free. 🖤🏳️‍⚧️

I LOVE trans horror and have to read everyone I find, and this one is now one of my faves in the genre. Horrifying, brutal and with fantastic trans characters leading the story.
These characters felt like so many people I’ve met. I’ve known these people and it made me love them and worry about them in a way that made the story feel so real.
The monster reveal? Fantastic. Loved the allegory of the monster to the trans characters, where the people scared of them were the real danger the whole time. The horror in this is so well handled in a way that it doesn’t shy away from its themes, but isn’t over the top in a way where it becomes too much. Just a fantastic example of horror writing.

I have only one crit with this book, and one that sadly drove me crazy the whole time.. Throughout this book the main characters talk alot about escaping their home town. Talk about how they were alone, had no resources, were outsiders. Their home town? Columbus ohio. The 15th gayest city in the US. Also, very much a city, not even close to a town. Speaking as a reader who grew up in appalachia and moved to columbus for college, columbus is seen by many queer small towners as a city to go to for resources. I know countless people who drive hours to columbus for their gender affirming care. It just drove me crazy everytime they were mourning their small town upbringing and it was columbus, I really wish the author chose an actual small town for the characters to be running from to make it seem more real.

Overall, loved this book. Finished it days ago and its still stuck in my brain, can’t wait to add a copy to my personal library.

Damn. Just - damn.

I had no idea what to expect going into this, but it had everything I'd hope going into it - fantastic sharp writing, complex main characters, a creepy cryptid that may or may not be what it seems - and so much more. I feel like I can't gush like I can without going too in depth in the story. It very much feels like a book I would love to talk about with friends who've also read it.

I saw some reviews going on about how the monster wasn't that scary or didn't play a bigger part in the story than they thought it would, but I think they're missing the point. The monster in horror stories typically represent the overall real fear behind it, and in this book it's the very horrible reality of transphobia, the lengths it would go to in order to erase trans people from existence. The monster is never the thing with glowing eyes and sharp teeth; the worst ones are those who wear human faces.

That's all I really have to say about the story. What I really recommend is for everyone to go into this only have read the synopsis. Trust me - it's so much better this way.

Trans kids are probably the bravest human beings on the planet.

This book rocked, and I stayed up way too late reading it. But honestly, isn't way-too-late the best time for horror?

Kisner's writing is razor-sharp and thrillingly visceral, and when you pair that with a lightning-strike plot and characters that radiate from the page, you've got a 5-star read from me that had me burning through each chapter. I loved Erin and Max so much, and I really can't stress how much I was locked into their road-trip from hell. Trans people have had to fight for their lives since the beginning of time, and, as a result, Max and Erin were two of the most believable horror protagonists I've had the pleasure of meeting. Absolutely give this book a go if you want a goosebumps-raising, bloody scream in the dark of a story with a heaping side of heart.

Bonus Points: The cultural references were *chef's kiss* and absolutely beefed up those moments in the narrative where so often I find myself taken out of the story when authors try to make such allusions. A couple more kindred spirits to Old Wounds that live in the same filing cabinet of my heart are the Attack the Block (I love me a furry, toothy monster), Jeepers Creepers (F- it's director tho, he's the real creep), and Desperation by Stephen King. Like Steve, I have a lot of cars-going-bad anxiety, okay?

Pick this one up on September 10, 2024. My many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher(s) for the digital ARC.

"Old Wounds" by Logan-Ashley Kisner is one of those books that grabs you by the throat from page one and doesn’t let go until the end—and even then, you’ll be thinking about it for days. It’s like Midsommar meets a trans horror survival story, and honestly, I’m here for every minute of it. The tension between Erin and Max is chef’s kiss—so much unresolved history, but then BOOM, small-town cult weirdness happens, and suddenly all that drama feels like the least of their worries. The twists were so sharp I had whiplash, and the monster? It’s legit terrifying, but also kind of a metaphorical boss fight for their identities. All I’m saying is, if you’re into queer horror that digs into the complexities of survival, both emotional and literal, this one’s a must-read.

While this isn't my first go around with trans horror, it may be my favorite thus far. I really appreciated that this wasn't just a horror story with a trans person at the center, but the complexity of their experience was directly informed by Erin and Max's social and physical transitions. I really enjoyed that as you really get into the conflict, the monster isn't what you think it is. At the end of the day, in this story and all other horror stories that trans people experience in real life, the monster at the heart of these experiences are people. I also really enjoyed exploring the question, do cryptids conceptualize gender? Overall I absolutely loved this concept, I loved how deeply we explored these characters, and I loved the inclusion of the horribly real experiences of trans people that were murdered. Now they will live forever.

*I will share this review online closer to publication date.

*Sacrifice in the Shadows* is a gripping thriller that melds intense horror with a deeply emotional narrative. In this pulse-pounding story, Erin and Max, two transgender teens, find themselves stranded in a remote Kentucky town with a horrifying secret: the locals believe they must offer a female sacrifice to an ancient monster that prowls the woods. This novel is a harrowing and imaginative ride, perfect for fans of *Midsommar* and *Hell Followed with Us*.

Erin and Max are on a journey to California—Max eager to start his transition, Erin grappling with the reasons for their trip, and their complicated past hanging between them. Their plans take a nightmarish turn when they end up in a small, insular town where the locals adhere to a gruesome tradition: an ancient monster only emerges if a girl is sacrificed, and it only consumes what it kills. With the locals convinced that Erin is the ideal candidate for their dark ritual, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The tension in *Sacrifice in the Shadows* escalates with every chapter. The sense of isolation and dread is palpable as Erin and Max face not only the monstrous entity lurking in the woods but also the terrifying hostility of the town’s residents. The story deftly explores themes of identity, survival, and the struggle against an oppressive fate, using horror as a lens to delve into deeper emotional truths.

Erin and Max’s background adds layers of complexity to their predicament. Their struggle for survival is intertwined with their personal journeys and their fight for acceptance and understanding. The irony of their situation—that the locals unknowingly target individuals who have already endured profound personal battles—adds a poignant edge to the story.

The narrative excels in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, with the isolated setting and the ever-present threat of the monster enhancing the sense of urgency. The ancient monster, a chilling embodiment of the town’s darkest beliefs, adds a compelling supernatural element that keeps readers on edge.

*Sacrifice in the Shadows* is more than just a thriller; it is a powerful exploration of resilience and self-discovery under the most extreme circumstances. The novel’s blend of horror and emotional depth ensures that it resonates on both a visceral and psychological level. With its vivid descriptions, relentless suspense, and multifaceted characters, this book is a standout read that will captivate and haunt readers long after the final page.

I’d give this book a 4.5 but rounded up to 5 since we can’t do half stars and I think this is an important book to have out in the world for young queer teens to see themselves in the stories they read. Even the horror stories.

First, thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children’s and Delacorte Press for the ARC of this book.

Second, check your triggers on this book. It’s got a lot of transphobia and homophobia in it. As well as some misogyny and then some.

I just finished this and I’m still at a bit of a loss on how to even describe it. It was heavy, but it was so well done.

This is a LGBTQIA+ YA horror that follows two trans teens, Erin & Max, who used to be friends until two years prior. Erin doesn’t know what she did to make Max cut her off, but when they are 18 and he invites her to runaway to cali with him, she accepts.

I won’t lie, I didn’t care for Max in the beginning. I thought he was an ass to Erin and I didnt fully understand why she’d go along with him. As the book progresses we get more insight into each character and it really helps you to understand where each of them is coming from. Being teens is hard, but being trans teens makes it harder, especially in a conservative area.

The book started a bit slow for me. I know some of the build up was needed, but the pacing was just a little off for me in the beginning, but it picked up quickly and boy did it pick up.

So aside from the author writing about trans teens and the hardships they go through and writing that so well. He also did a phenomenal job with the horror. I felt myself tensing up and times and holding my breath.

I can’t wait to see what else this author comes out with.

I will always be a proponent for more Trans stories, especially those that can be read by younger audiences. Not only is this a deeply entertaining book, it helps people see themselves more in stories.

The question of whether cryptids and folk beasts are gender bioessentialists is so simple and brilliant that I'm mad I'd never thought of it before, but also delighted that Kisner's exploration was so well done.

This is a brilliant debut novel. The narrative gives the reader two completely different perspectives on the trans experience, both of which were written very realistically. The fear of simply existing openly as a trans person, along with the complex relationships that come with it, was wonderfully shown through these pages. This story was both thrilling and compelling. The pacing made it even harder to put down, and the fact that the author studied film really enhanced the imagery. My few critiques would be that I feel some scenes should be cleaned up, as I found myself a bit confused at times on where we were in the space. Additionally, I still have questions that I wish had been answered, but I'm sure the characters in the story share this sentiment. I do hope this novel reaches the right eyes, as I feel the portrayal of Erin and Max conveys such an accurate representation of immense fear and anger that comes with living as a transgender teenager in America today.

I don’t normally go for horror, but when I read the premise of this story, I knew I had to read it. And I am so glad I did. It was both scary and thought-provoking and I genuinely found myself scared while reading it. At the same time, though, I really resonated with the characters and thought it had some truly beautiful prose. I think this is going to become a classic in queer horror.

Definitely more thought provoking than scary, I highly recommend this for the trans narrative but as a horror story it is quite a slow start and a rapid conclusion.

Max and Erin both have dramatically different trans coming out stories, despite coming out at the same time and in the same time. Erin is immediately accepted by her family, while Max is violently forced to de-transition by his. Max has asked Erin to drive across the country with him to California when he decides to make his escape to a new life. It's during this road trip that their car breaks down in a small town with a creepy ghost story in a strange wood. And the longest night ever.

This book features a lot more real life horrors that trans people face than any time spent with the cryptids, and the human villains encountered are much scarier than any fictional beasts. The horror story itself is quite a slow burn, and it takes probably over half the book for any of the real action to start, but the creepy build up and the tension really accumulates throughout, and the atmospheric horror is incredibly well done. The back stories of Erin and Max and their motivations were very deeply developed as well. This is an incredibly well done character driven novel.

The only criticism I have, besides the overall slowness, is that the book spent quite a bit of time focusing on the movie Boys Don't Cry which felt like kind of an outdated reference for a book aimed at teenagers. I also would've liked to see them discovering a bit more about the back story of the beast or the town, which didn't feel unresolved as much as only briefly explored.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the trans representation, and I felt like I learned a bit about their experiences. This eerie read left me with some questions, but was heart-pounding at times. I would recommend this title to sci-fi thriller lovers!

In a last ditch attempt to escape his homophobic family, high school graduate Max runs away with his ex-girlfriend Erin only to be held hostage in a town that demands a girl sacrifice twice a year. The only hitch: Max is trans, as is his ex-girlfriend. Forced apart with the townsmen holding Erin hostage, Max attempts to fight his way back to her only for the townsmen to have determined that Erin is not eligible as a trans girl. With the sacrificers now trained on Max, both Max and Erin are forced to work together to survive while also facing the issues that originally pulled them apart. Old Wounds is a heart gripping, teeth clenching thrill ride that philosophically questions gender while locked into the maw of folkloric beast. Logan-Ashley Kisner is exactly the next author we need writing trans horror in this day and age, and I can’t wait to see what Kisner has in store for us next.

Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner presents a heartfelt exploration of personal trauma and healing. While the novel offers a genuine look into its characters' struggles, its narrative may feel predictable to some readers. Overall, it provides a reflective reading experience with moments of emotional depth.

This pulse-pounding thriller offers a fresh and terrifying take on the classic monster story. By centering the narrative on two transgender teens, the author introduces a unique and compelling dynamic to the tale. Erin and Max's journey is one of self-discovery and resilience, as they navigate not only the physical dangers of their situation but also the internal struggles of their identities.

The isolated setting of a small Kentucky town creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread, heightening the tension as the teens find themselves trapped in a deadly game. The author's promise of a twist on the traditional monster mythos is intriguing, suggesting a creature that is as complex and terrifying as the human villains who seek to appease it.

With its exploration of themes of identity, survival, and the power of the human spirit, this novel promises to be a thrilling and thought-provoking read for fans of horror and coming-of-age stories alike.