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.

This was a great read! It was a crazy tale but sheds light onto the struggles as a transitional teen. It was very interesting and I’m so glad I read it.

old wounds is an upcoming horror novel about a kentuckian cryptid that is fed young girls as sacrifice in exchange for stopping bad things from happening in the local community. but when sex and gender are not the same, how does it decide who to choose?
when two trans teens, on the run from conservative ohio, find themselves trapped in the backwoods of this folk-esque nightmare, they are forced to come face-to-face with this dilemma, as well as the beast itself. is max a danger to erin, or is erin a danger to max?
logan-ashley creates the ultimate trans horror akin to the powerful voice of alison rumfitt. the themes are sharp and the discussions controversial. the feeling of dread follows you throughout like a creature in the night.
i see myself in max and my trans sisters in erin. our voices are finally being heard and represented, and i cannot wait for logan-ashley to be at the forefront of this media liberation. thank you to netgalley and to the author for this arc.

This book was incredible! I loved the rich imagery and the fantastic characters. This was done so well! It was so refreshing to see trans main characters and have the plot centered around their queerness. I’d love to see more stories like this! Maybe if there were it would t have taken me until 40 to come out. Kudos to the author, what a phenomenal first novel!

*Thriller*Excitement
While this was not my favorite book, I did enjoy the story. It was different from my usual reads. The characters were great. Would definitely recommend this book.

This book exceeded all my expectation. Two transgender teenagers leave Ohio to head to California for a better life. During this road trip they experience car trouble leaving them in a small town. The locals in this town aren't what they seem to be. This book kept my interest throughout and had me cheering for the teenagers until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley & the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cryptids, horror, LGTBQIA+ , great trans representation what else could get better? Murder, death? This was a great book, fast read and at some points I was terrified for max & Erin. I felt like I was sitting there in the backseat of the car. I would definitely read another by this author. I can’t wait to read the final proof & more by this author. Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for ARC!

Trans horror is so special, and this book is purely, unequivocally trans. It's hard to explain the starkness with the way it portrays the feeling of your very being shoved into a box to die a slow, horrifying death, and how much fear, anger, and pure need can come from that reality. Not only that, this book is so sure in its transness, it reveals in it, in the right for trans kids to exists. As much as being trans can cause horror, it is not their fault that some deny their reality. Who they are is not a question. Yes, they can be messy and emotional and make wrong decisions, but they are all that and they are still trans.

Supernatural horror twists with the horror of humanity, and it makes for a fantastic book.

I devoured this book …pun intended! It was what I want in a thriller with lots of twists and some nail biting scenes. I loved reading about characters that are normally written about and we need more. Stories with trans people can be just as compelling as a cisgender person. Those kids had a lot of spunk. They fought monsters that were human and supernatural.

Powerful and gripping. An emotional journey through 2 characters talking about their experiences with transitioning all while running from a crypitid ready to consume them both.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was really well done! Beautiful characters and storytelling, a compelling narrative, and it really propelled forward and rested in appropriate sections. Really great