I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

10/10. This book was mysterious, creepy, frustrating and ignited passion. What an incredible story. I can’t wait to see what this author does next.

***TRIGGER WARNINGS: loss of a loved one, transphobia, and suicide***

Old Wounds follows Max and Erin who are both transgender. They used to date but Max has not spoken to Erin in two years. Max wants to run away and Erin agrees to go with him. They soon find themselves stranded and separated in creepy woods of rural middle America. Their is a creature only own feeds on girls the locals are searching for their next sacrifice. Erin and Max have to come together to survive while also working on repairing their relationship.

Before I say anything negative about this book I want to focus on the positive. I loved that this book focused on trans characters and the struggles that they go through. I loved that the author included trans resources in the book as well. This book did not shy away from hard things that trans people go through. With that said this book was not what I was excepting. I wanted a horror book and that’s not really what I got. I felt like the horror was just a small part of this book. This book mostly focused on gender, identity and acceptance, which is so important and I’m glad that that is such a strong message in this book. BUT I was in the mood for horror and the horror parts weren’t that great in my opinion. But this book was good and it was focused on such an important topic. I think this is worth the read. Just wish the plot had a bit more horror.

This is a solid, straightforward story. It’s something that we’re all familiar, reading almost like a spooky story told around a campfire.

Where the novel really shines, in my opinion, is the characters and the pacing. The protagonists Erin and Max are so real, so complex in their emotions and relationships, that it doesn’t take long to start supporting them with all your heart. I’m obviously always overjoyed to see trans stories being told.

The pacing was also A+. The action gripped me through ifs entirety and considering how short my attention span has become, I consider it a major feat when a book can make me forget about my phone.

What keeps this from being five stars for me is how straightforward it is… perhaps another subplot or twist would’ve brought this into my *favorites* list. But overall, I would still very much recommend this!

I eagerly await Logan-Ashley Kisner’s upcoming work.

This was a fantastic book. It drew me in immediately with the intricacies of a trans relationship and kept me with the spooky plot. The idea was incredible and the representation was everything I have ever wanted in a book about trans people, from a trans person.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

This book, while I did enjoy it, harkened me back to teen horror films. You know those type of movies where a rambunctious and overconfident group of teens who love to flaunt their immortality stumble upon a deserted house in the middle of a dark forest with no cell phone service? They know it’s not safe to get out of their car, yet they get out of it anyway and knowingly walk towards the creepy spider infested house containing the monsters hungrily awaiting them?? Well, if you’ve decided to read this book, you’ve come to the right place. Read on.

Erin and Max plan an escape from their transphobic life in Ohio to the green pastures of Berkeley CA. They tell no one of their decision to run away from their intolerable homelife. So to throw any scent off their trail they jump in their jalopy which is a beat up Impala, and as they begin their journey to their promised land of Berkeley, they decide to make the (not so) brilliant move of taking a detour off the safety of the paved and well traveled HWYs to the backroads through Hicksville USA. Huge mistake. Anyone remember the movie Deliverence? The word “yikes” immediately comes to mind. Then they compound said huge mistake #1 by ditching their cell phones in Hicksville USA. HUGER MISTAKE #2. Can you hear those banjos strumming yet? I’ll say no more. Read the book. It gets better my friends.

All kidding aside, I really did enjoy this book. Erin and Max have dreams and come hell or high water, they will try by any means necessary to realize them. With all their foibles they had me rooting for them all the way to the last page. I found myself humming That’s What Friends Are For with a grin on my face and a lump in my throat.

**Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC!**

3.5/5 ⭐️🌟

I was provided with an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review, so here it is!

Surprisingly, this is my first ever Trans-centric novel, so I went into this not knowing exactly what to expect. In saying this, I actually really enjoyed that aspect as a major focus of the novel itself. It helped to explore topics which I have never read before, and it gave me additional insight into the struggle and daily life of a trans person.

Putting that centric topic into a horror novel was very intriguing to me. The horror itself was quite captivating and exhilarating, but perhaps I am not the correct audience for the overall relationship between the two main characters. It felt a little forced at times and a little confusing in a few major conversations/exchanges between the characters (which had nothing to do with the trans aspect of the novel). At times, I just got annoyed by how “teenagery” they were being, such as becoming upset over innocuous events. Again, I might be too old for this type of angst; it bothered me more than intrigued me.

Besides the teenage relationship between the two main characters, the horror itself, and the situation in which they found themselves, kept me on the edge of my seat. It took me a few days to get through the first half of the novel, but I was able to get through the second half of the novel in one day, which speaks to the intensity of the horror.

All in all, I found it to be an enjoyable novel, and I am very excited to have delved into a topic that I’ve never read before.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this!

Really good first book! This was trans horror and I really enjoyed it. I was angry a lot while reading, as I’m sure most humans would be. I was joyously egging on the main characters to walk away from this terrible town. More for the people than for the monster, honestly. Well done and will look forward to more. I have a feeling we will see more of Logan Ashley Kisner. Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC. So glad to see horror as a choice again.

What a seriously exciting and scary book. The author’s note at the beginning states that while the two lead characters happen to be trans, this is not a book written just to have representation and I totally agree. Their experiences as trans youth help make the characters who they are and explain their ability to handle such crazy adversity but they are fully rounded people that you truly come to care for by the end of the book.

The story itself, the monster, this messed up town and its horrible men is so action packed and suspenseful, this is one you will read in just a sitting or two for sure. There are some really fantastic action sequences towards the end that had me cheering and screaming at my Kindle!

One thing you need to know about me is I am a horror movie girlie. However, I have never read a horror book before, but I’m glad this was my first one.

I loved both Erin and Max as MCs. I love three dimensional characters and they were that. If the discussion of gendered sacrificial rituals in regards to a cryptic doesn’t interest you, who even are you?

My only complaint is it was kinda left open ended, but that is a staple of the horror genre so not a big complaint (more just personal preference).

Highly recommend giving this debut novel a read!

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ever decided to run away from your life to california to escape a home filled with violence about you being trans [amongst other things] and then had to deal with randos hunting you, and a monster that may or may not want to eat you?

Okay admittedly me neither, but thats exactly what goes down with the two protagonists of this novel. It's a sharp, instant classic in YA horror, that will resonate with queer people instantly. It feels real, and terrifying, even before the monster waiting in the woods sets its sights on them.

From conversations about gender essentialism in relation to cryptids, to frank depictions of the trials of being trans, and figuring out who the hell you are when the world would prefer you just...not, OLD WOUNDS is one for every queer horror reader.

I said what I said.

Old Wounds is a wildly innovative story. Kisner can surely tell a story, and as much as a horror baby as I can be—many times feeling beyond scared and nauseous from the very serious themes outside the horror elements—I was inevitably drawn into Max and Erin’s stories. The writing is so vivid I truly felt like I was watching a movie. Loved the high stakes and final person energy coming from the both of them it was awe-mazing. The characters throughout felt very strong and tangible, I immediately felt a kinship with the leads, and was invested in their journey early on. And I liked that they were flawed in their own ways, it was just incredibly human and relatable. The pace was excellent, felt very quick and I definitely wanted more. I will surely be checking out more books from Kisner in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

Everything you could ever hope for in a horror novel but so rarely get all at once: tight plot, strong characters, supernatural elements and a perfect ending. I don't even know what to gush about without spoiling any of the surprises or delicious details that make this story an absolute triumph for the trans community. As I already told the author: I fully expect to see this make it to film one day soon; it has Mike Flanagan worthy plot tension and fiery queerness in spades (and all without tokenizing its darlings).

Old Wounds is one of the first books that I’ve read where the title ends up hitting me right in the feels.

The story of two trans teens setting off is an interesting story on its own; add in a night of absolute horror and you’ve got yourself a rip roar in’ good time.

I struggled a bit to stay fully immersed in the story, and found I would “bounce out” somewhat frequently and have to reread paragraphs.

There is one section where Max exits the water twice without reentry and that is one of my biggiest book pet peeves- hoping to get that info to the publishers before it goes live, though.

Other than that this is a great queer horror novel and I’ll definitely read more from Logan-Ashley in the future.

This book was a wild, wild ride and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I found the characters of Erin and Max to be really compelling. They acted like authentic ‘teenagers’ which is to say selfish, short-sighted, and emotional but trying their absolute best. They had distinct voices with each of their POVs and you can see how their experiences shaped who they were.

On the other hand, I really wish the antagonists were more realized and three-dimensional. This isn’t to say that I wanted to see their ‘good’ side or have them be redeemed. But there were a lot of unanswered questions about how and why people did the things they did. This is all hand-waved away with a line about how in real life, we don’t get answers. But that’s the point, this is a book! I want some answers at least.

Old Wounds brings me so much excitement for the future of horror lit. This is not just horror with trans people. This is TRANS-CENTRIC horror. The character's transness is integral to their lived experiences, their worldviews, and their nightmares.

With references to trans history and media as well as tons of rad symbolism, Old Wounds has a lot of discussion points. I anticipate this book will be a great fit for book clubs. On the other hand, while I wouldn't call this book light reading, I think it can be enjoyed for the thrill of it if analysis isn't your thing. I love a good creature-feature!

I recommend heeding the author's note and minding content warnings. While this book features fictional horrors, it also taps into very real horrors that trans folks face.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for the chance to check this ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

this was exactly what i was looking for in a book! as a trans person it was so amazing to read and we need more queer stories in this genre. i am so very excited to see this authors journey <3

This was a very interesting story and I really loved the mixed horror and thriller and self realization elements. Max and Erin go through a lot in this book and their struggles of being trans teens and the struggles they go through during the events of the book are done very well and I was really impressed with how those aspects were handled. Would highly recommend if you like lgbtq+ literature and love movies like Cabin in the Woods and Midsommer.

"Old Wounds" by Logan-Ashley Kisner is a raw and haunting exploration of trauma, healing, and the indelible marks left by past experiences. Kisner's storytelling is both poignant and unflinching, diving deep into the psyche of characters who are grappling with their histories and seeking redemption. The narrative is beautifully written, with a lyrical quality that juxtaposes the harsh realities of the characters' lives. Through its intricate plot and deeply human portrayals, "Old Wounds" offers a powerful commentary on the enduring impact of pain and the resilience required to overcome it. This novel is a testament to Kisner's ability to weave a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, making it a must-read for those who appreciate nuanced and emotionally charged fiction.

I received this book through Netgalley for an honest review.

Old Wounds is about two transgender teenagers on the run to California. Though when they get stuck in a small town after having "issues" with their car they soon find out this place harbors a monster that demands a “female sacrifice".

My stomach dropped reading this, I cried, I laughed, this had a bit of everything and it was an absolute joy/terror to read.
Between feeling for both characters and their personal struggles as you follow what's going on in their lives now as they try to survive as newly adults and being trans in a town that just wants them both dead and their backstories one showing what it's like living in a transphobic household and the other being in a broken home but still having the support they needed to become who they were meant to be all the while ending up here with their ex.

Old Wounds not only shows you what it's like to live in a transphobic situation but also a misogynistic one. Slowly learning that this monster might not be the enemy they quite thought it was and that it might just be the people around them.