Release date: September 10 2024
Publisher: Usborne Books
Pages: 337
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

Erin and Max are two trans kids, just trying to get to California. Max is desperate to finally be able to transition, and Erin is longing to understand why she’s on this trip to begin with, after Max suddenly broke up with her two years earlier.

But when they find themselves stranded – and eventually separated – in the creepy woods of rural middle-America, they suddenly have much bigger problems.

First, there’s the creature that, according to legend, feeds on girls, hunting them through the shadows.

And then there are the locals, who are searching for a female sacrifice. If either of them hope to survive to see the sunrise, Erin and Max will have to come together and stop from their attackers, from each other, and, ultimately, from themselves.

Review

Old Wounds follows two trans teens – Erin and Max as they attempt to journey cross country to California to a new life. When they become stranded in a small town in the middle of nowhere they soon find all is not what it seems and must do everything they can to escape.

This is such a well crafted story that really focuses in on these two characters and their lives. I thought the characters were really well developed and there’s lots of character growth as Max and Erin attempt to find themselves during this terrifying situation. I also liked the way Kisner explored the dynamics between the two. Max is so desperate to get to California, to transition and start a new life. Meanwhile Erin is trying to understand who she is to Max since they’ve barely spoken since he broke up with her.

This story is fast paced and captivating, I ended up reading this one in just a few sittings. The story is atmospheric and there are some really scary moments in this book. The story very much focuses on gendered violence and there are quite a few content warnings to check too.

Overall this was a thoroughly gripping and thought provoking book one that I know fans of YA horror/thrillers will be absolutely hooked by.