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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Old Wounds" defied my expectations, but I thoroughly enjoyed the journey it took me on.
The story follows two transgender teenagers, Max and Erin, on their quest to reach California. Max's motivation is clear - he's eager to begin his transition. Erin, on the other hand, is still trying to understand why Max ended their relationship two years ago.
Their plans take an unexpected turn when they enter a small rural town, forever altering the course of their lives. Suddenly, they're faced with a terrifying reality: a monster is hunting them, and the local townspeople seem all too willing to offer them as sacrifices.
Initially, "Old Wounds" appears to be a typical contemporary road trip story, complete with minor setbacks that conveniently bring the main characters closer together. However, this novel delivers something entirely different.
Raw and intense, this book explores the full spectrum of human emotions. It strips away pretences, leaving readers vulnerable, only to reveal that one's worth transcends others' opinions. Potential readers should note the trigger and content warnings before diving in.
I must add how I admired how the main characters were simultaneously similar yet worlds apart. I found myself championing Max's needs and feelings while also deeply empathising with Erin's emotional journey too.
As the author emphasised, this isn't merely a book written for the sake of representation. It's a purposefully crafted narrative, powerful and unyielding, seamlessly integrated into the horror genre. "Old Wounds" demands to be taken seriously and deserves every accolade it receives.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good YA horror read with thorough LGBTQ+ representation.
The story follows two transgender teenagers, Max and Erin, on their quest to reach California. Max's motivation is clear - he's eager to begin his transition. Erin, on the other hand, is still trying to understand why Max ended their relationship two years ago.
Their plans take an unexpected turn when they enter a small rural town, forever altering the course of their lives. Suddenly, they're faced with a terrifying reality: a monster is hunting them, and the local townspeople seem all too willing to offer them as sacrifices.
Initially, "Old Wounds" appears to be a typical contemporary road trip story, complete with minor setbacks that conveniently bring the main characters closer together. However, this novel delivers something entirely different.
Raw and intense, this book explores the full spectrum of human emotions. It strips away pretences, leaving readers vulnerable, only to reveal that one's worth transcends others' opinions. Potential readers should note the trigger and content warnings before diving in.
I must add how I admired how the main characters were simultaneously similar yet worlds apart. I found myself championing Max's needs and feelings while also deeply empathising with Erin's emotional journey too.
As the author emphasised, this isn't merely a book written for the sake of representation. It's a purposefully crafted narrative, powerful and unyielding, seamlessly integrated into the horror genre. "Old Wounds" demands to be taken seriously and deserves every accolade it receives.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a good YA horror read with thorough LGBTQ+ representation.
Only trans authors should write horror because they’re best at it!! Absolutely loved this so so much.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
hopeful
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Outing, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received this book from NetGalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
I'm honestly not sure what to make of this book. The primary thing I want to say is to read the trigger warnings in the author's notes. I also need to emphasize that there is something that I at least believe to be classified as sexual assault that is not within the trigger warnings, which the reader should be aware of.
Beyond the trigger warnings I don't fully understand this book. While it is a horror one, it made me feel less scared and more sad really, though I am outside the age range recommended for it.
I read this book over the course of 9 days, which is a bit long for me, so that could be why it feels this way, but the pacing felt rushed, especially towards the end as things wrapped up.
The good things though, are that these characters felt real. They react in ways I think a person would actually react if faced with what they're facing, and their actions have lasting consequences, instead of just ending with the book ending. It's not every day you get a story like that, though it does seem to be becoming more common now.
Overall, I'm glad I read this once, and maybe I'd need to read it again to fully understand what happened in it, or maybe it's meant to leave you confused (which also is not my favorite kind of story). It's an interesting edition to trans horror at the very least.
I'm honestly not sure what to make of this book. The primary thing I want to say is to read the trigger warnings in the author's notes. I also need to emphasize that there is something that I at least believe to be classified as sexual assault that is not within the trigger warnings, which the reader should be aware of.
Beyond the trigger warnings I don't fully understand this book. While it is a horror one, it made me feel less scared and more sad really, though I am outside the age range recommended for it.
I read this book over the course of 9 days, which is a bit long for me, so that could be why it feels this way, but the pacing felt rushed, especially towards the end as things wrapped up.
The good things though, are that these characters felt real. They react in ways I think a person would actually react if faced with what they're facing, and their actions have lasting consequences, instead of just ending with the book ending. It's not every day you get a story like that, though it does seem to be becoming more common now.
Overall, I'm glad I read this once, and maybe I'd need to read it again to fully understand what happened in it, or maybe it's meant to leave you confused (which also is not my favorite kind of story). It's an interesting edition to trans horror at the very least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Transphobia, Violence, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated