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The Transition
A transgender teen’s post-op recovery is derailed when he is bitten by a werewolf and his body begins to change. A thought-provoking page-turner that will haunt you for days!
Hunter’s life is at a turning After years of fighting his father for it, he’s gotten top surgery. He’s finally starting to feel comfortable in his own skin . . . only to be attacked by a strange creature in his backyard.
Luckily, his best friend Gabe intervenes, and Hunter is able to walk away from the incident with his life—and new body—mostly intact. Still, something isn’t right. First, his wounds are healing . . . strangely. Then there are the feverish nightmares, and his teeth . . . they’re falling out of his head.
Enter Mars, Hunter’s other best friend, who points out the That mysterious creature was a werewolf, and Hunter is becoming one too—unless they can figure out a way to kill it.
Now, Hunter, Gabe, and Mars are in a race against time. A voice that could only belong to the creature itself is worming its way into Hunter’s head, and as the days pass, it’s getting louder. It promises revenge on Hunter’s transphobic peers if he succumbs to his lycanthropic transformation. Or he can reject the monster and fight alongside his friends before the body—and life—he’s fought so hard for slips away for good. The choice is Hunter’s.
Hunter’s life is at a turning After years of fighting his father for it, he’s gotten top surgery. He’s finally starting to feel comfortable in his own skin . . . only to be attacked by a strange creature in his backyard.
Luckily, his best friend Gabe intervenes, and Hunter is able to walk away from the incident with his life—and new body—mostly intact. Still, something isn’t right. First, his wounds are healing . . . strangely. Then there are the feverish nightmares, and his teeth . . . they’re falling out of his head.
Enter Mars, Hunter’s other best friend, who points out the That mysterious creature was a werewolf, and Hunter is becoming one too—unless they can figure out a way to kill it.
Now, Hunter, Gabe, and Mars are in a race against time. A voice that could only belong to the creature itself is worming its way into Hunter’s head, and as the days pass, it’s getting louder. It promises revenge on Hunter’s transphobic peers if he succumbs to his lycanthropic transformation. Or he can reject the monster and fight alongside his friends before the body—and life—he’s fought so hard for slips away for good. The choice is Hunter’s.
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First published September 30, 2025
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About the author
Logan-Ashley Kisner
4 books236 followersLogan-Ashley Kisner is a Vegas-born author who writes about trans kids surviving the horrors (supernatural or otherwise).
His socials are usually @transhorrors, or you can find him on his website, loganashleykisner.com
His socials are usually @transhorrors, or you can find him on his website, loganashleykisner.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
January 29, 2026
AJW has been my entry point into horror-adjacent stories with trans protagonists, and since then, I can’t seem to get enough. There’s something especially powerful and gut-wrenching about teenage trans rage that pulls at my heartstrings.
Hunter has just undergone his top surgery when he’s attacked by something that looks like a huge feral dog. His injuries are grisly, but they quickly stop bleeding... and they don’t hurt. At all. After tentatively establishing an actual werewolf situation with his friends’ help, Mars and Gabe, the path should be clear - kill the monster, stop the infection that makes Hunter lose his hard-won bodily integrity. It might not be so easy when the monster in question brings Hunter a sense of familiarity.
I just love how YA stories don’t flinch from the uncomfortable topics - gender dysphoria, body horror, cruelly casual transphobia (intentional in the form of bullying, or otherwise - even the condescension of the “well-meaning” people concerned about trans kids going through transitioning and potentially regretting it can be very harmful). Makes it into a potentially triggering read, especially at this backwards time, but I’m sure it can provide a great catharsis.
All I have to do is make it two more days and this might finally be over.
I tell myself this as if I haven’t been telling myself that for my entire life. Just a few more years and I’ll start testosterone; just a few more years and I’ll have my perfect chest; just a few more years and I’ll stop feeling like I’ve got trans branded on my forehead. Never now. Never soon. Always somewhere in that distant, unspecified future. It makes my skin crawl.
Hunter may not appeal to many readers, he’s not exactly likeable, but I’m pretty sure he’s not meant to be. He can be seen as a very passive character for most of the story, letting things happen to him while often snarling at his friends who are trying to help. And still, given what he’s dealing with, he’s easy to sympathise with. Most of all, he’s supposed to be relatable to the trans kids who go through transition and still find themselves angry and confused and hurt because society rarely lets that be an easy fix.
I genuinely could have done without the love triangle/possible poly situation between Hunter, Mars, and Gabe, because the plot itself provided enough drama. I know teenagers and their feelings tend to be messy, even (or especially) in life-threatening situations, but it doesn’t need to be a rule. But... maybe that’s just my grumpy self wanting some meaningful friendships speaking because I truly liked both Mars and Gabe, and they were a much-needed beacon of hope for Hunter.
I very much appreciated that I actually couldn’t tell where exactly the story is heading - what would be considered an actual happy ending to Hunter’s situation? In hindsight, it’s quite clear, but I actually hesitated, and that says something.
they make us monsters, hunter. they belittle us and treat us like animals. they all deserve it because they make us monsters, but we can make them regret it.
Hunter’s complicated relationship with his father was a great addition that grounded the story in reality even more for me. This supportive yet often absent and very much could-be-better parental figure didn’t try to be yet another monster in this story, and that was a relief.
Obviously, I can’t speak with any kind of authority on the matter, so at the end of the day, I’m just glad books like this one exist for people who might need them, who might feel seen. My actual rating would have been 3,5 ⭐ but I was so damn moved by the end of the book, I say fuck it, rounding up with zero regrets.
Hunter has just undergone his top surgery when he’s attacked by something that looks like a huge feral dog. His injuries are grisly, but they quickly stop bleeding... and they don’t hurt. At all. After tentatively establishing an actual werewolf situation with his friends’ help, Mars and Gabe, the path should be clear - kill the monster, stop the infection that makes Hunter lose his hard-won bodily integrity. It might not be so easy when the monster in question brings Hunter a sense of familiarity.
I just love how YA stories don’t flinch from the uncomfortable topics - gender dysphoria, body horror, cruelly casual transphobia (intentional in the form of bullying, or otherwise - even the condescension of the “well-meaning” people concerned about trans kids going through transitioning and potentially regretting it can be very harmful). Makes it into a potentially triggering read, especially at this backwards time, but I’m sure it can provide a great catharsis.
All I have to do is make it two more days and this might finally be over.
I tell myself this as if I haven’t been telling myself that for my entire life. Just a few more years and I’ll start testosterone; just a few more years and I’ll have my perfect chest; just a few more years and I’ll stop feeling like I’ve got trans branded on my forehead. Never now. Never soon. Always somewhere in that distant, unspecified future. It makes my skin crawl.
Hunter may not appeal to many readers, he’s not exactly likeable, but I’m pretty sure he’s not meant to be. He can be seen as a very passive character for most of the story, letting things happen to him while often snarling at his friends who are trying to help. And still, given what he’s dealing with, he’s easy to sympathise with. Most of all, he’s supposed to be relatable to the trans kids who go through transition and still find themselves angry and confused and hurt because society rarely lets that be an easy fix.
I genuinely could have done without the love triangle/possible poly situation between Hunter, Mars, and Gabe, because the plot itself provided enough drama. I know teenagers and their feelings tend to be messy, even (or especially) in life-threatening situations, but it doesn’t need to be a rule. But... maybe that’s just my grumpy self wanting some meaningful friendships speaking because I truly liked both Mars and Gabe, and they were a much-needed beacon of hope for Hunter.
I very much appreciated that I actually couldn’t tell where exactly the story is heading - what would be considered an actual happy ending to Hunter’s situation? In hindsight, it’s quite clear, but I actually hesitated, and that says something.
they make us monsters, hunter. they belittle us and treat us like animals. they all deserve it because they make us monsters, but we can make them regret it.
Hunter’s complicated relationship with his father was a great addition that grounded the story in reality even more for me. This supportive yet often absent and very much could-be-better parental figure didn’t try to be yet another monster in this story, and that was a relief.
Obviously, I can’t speak with any kind of authority on the matter, so at the end of the day, I’m just glad books like this one exist for people who might need them, who might feel seen. My actual rating would have been 3,5 ⭐ but I was so damn moved by the end of the book, I say fuck it, rounding up with zero regrets.
June 12, 2025
In THE TRANSITION, Hunter will have the worst month of his life. Only most of that will be because of the (trans) werewolf thing.
An expanded list of content warnings can be found here (trust me, you'll probably want them), and I've even thrown together a little soundtrack to help the horrors go down easier.
Stay brave.
An expanded list of content warnings can be found here (trust me, you'll probably want them), and I've even thrown together a little soundtrack to help the horrors go down easier.
Stay brave.
August 26, 2025
4.25 stars!
Unsurprisingly, this book is great! With its twists on werewolf tropes, The Transition vividly explores the fears and anxieties that trans people have surrounding both transition and detransition.
Hunter is a few weeks post top surgery and ready to start the rest of his life when a wolf bites him and sets in motion and new and uniquely horrifying transition. We've all heard about werewolf analogies when in comes to transition and largely that idea has been reclaimed by the trans community as empowering, but Kisner takes it in a different direction, instead emphasizing how becoming a werewolf goes against bodily autonomy in the way that transition doesn't. It's a super impactful story with a great cast of complicated characters with messy feelings, which I love. I'm having top surgery in less than two weeks (insert confetti here) and by the time this review goes up I will be a few weeks post-op, so the place that Hunter is in his transition hits very close to home.
Update 8/26/25: I am almost 6-weeks post op and had just about the easiest recovery I've heard about! Definitely no werewolves involved.
If you are trans and reading this book, I do recommend heeding the content warnings. The Transition discusses a lot about social anxiety surrounding being trans and the doubts that lead to detransition, which are important to see represented but can also be difficult to read about. Take care of yourselves, because god knows it's not the best time to be a trans person in the US. Still, as the book outlines, we aren't alone in this.
I'm glad that political turbulence can't stop books like this from being written and ending up in the hands of the people who need it. Stay strong, folks!
Thank you to Logan-Ashley Kisner and Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
Unsurprisingly, this book is great! With its twists on werewolf tropes, The Transition vividly explores the fears and anxieties that trans people have surrounding both transition and detransition.
Hunter is a few weeks post top surgery and ready to start the rest of his life when a wolf bites him and sets in motion and new and uniquely horrifying transition. We've all heard about werewolf analogies when in comes to transition and largely that idea has been reclaimed by the trans community as empowering, but Kisner takes it in a different direction, instead emphasizing how becoming a werewolf goes against bodily autonomy in the way that transition doesn't. It's a super impactful story with a great cast of complicated characters with messy feelings, which I love. I'm having top surgery in less than two weeks (insert confetti here) and by the time this review goes up I will be a few weeks post-op, so the place that Hunter is in his transition hits very close to home.
Update 8/26/25: I am almost 6-weeks post op and had just about the easiest recovery I've heard about! Definitely no werewolves involved.
If you are trans and reading this book, I do recommend heeding the content warnings. The Transition discusses a lot about social anxiety surrounding being trans and the doubts that lead to detransition, which are important to see represented but can also be difficult to read about. Take care of yourselves, because god knows it's not the best time to be a trans person in the US. Still, as the book outlines, we aren't alone in this.
I'm glad that political turbulence can't stop books like this from being written and ending up in the hands of the people who need it. Stay strong, folks!
Thank you to Logan-Ashley Kisner and Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!
Happy reading!
September 23, 2025
Got an arc from ALA
this was fun! Very much a love letter to classic horror that manages to blend humor with OH DEAR GOD WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT. I devoured it (pun only semi intended) in about two days. Also I’m not sure if the parallels/subtle criticism of trans infighting was intentional or just very applicable but assuming it was: I see what you did there.
If you liked Hell Followed With Us, you’ll like this
this was fun! Very much a love letter to classic horror that manages to blend humor with OH DEAR GOD WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT. I devoured it (pun only semi intended) in about two days. Also I’m not sure if the parallels/subtle criticism of trans infighting was intentional or just very applicable but assuming it was: I see what you did there.
If you liked Hell Followed With Us, you’ll like this
Want to read
September 10, 2024haven't read old wounds YET but I'm already deeply invested in anything Logan is bringing to the table
June 5, 2025
This is trans horror at it's very best. It's about transformation, about how painful it can be to exist in a world that seems determined to fight who you truly are, and how living a life while trans is absolutely, fully worth it.
September 23, 2025
How far would you go to keep the body you’ve dreamed of having since puberty slapped you in the face?
Hunter is a 17 year old trans teen, and after years of fighting with his father for it, he’s finally had top surgery. Dad is… supportive now, but took a lot of convincing.
The healing is going as to be expected, he’s making sure to not lift his arms up too high, and massaging his scars to help diminish their appearance.
But one day, while he and his best friend Gabe are hanging out at his home, Hunter is viciously attacked by something while letting his dog Norman outside. Gabe arrives just in the nick of time with a hockey stick, and breaks it over the back of the beast attaching Hunter. It runs off, and Gabe and Hunter start to assess the damage.
He was bitten twice, on his arm and his leg, but the wounds are closing up suspiciously fast…
Over the next several days, Hunter’s body begins to betray him. His cycle returns, which is strange because he has been without the pesky thing since starting testosterone two years ago. His skin starts to react to a silver necklace that he’s had for over 3 years. A tooth rots out of his head overnight. But it’s his other best friend Mars that points out the obvious. We might just be dealing with a case of lycanthropy.
It’s a race against time, and pestering over-protective parents while the trio tries to figure out how to save Hunter from befalling the curse of the creature that attacked him.
I feel like the intended narrative in this is going to go over a lot of people’s heads, but I’d like to try to spell it out. This is an exploration of the loss of bodily agency that trans people have been experiencing for decades. This story struck so incredibly many chords.
Hunter’s connection to the lycanthrope highlights the anger that blooms from the societal treatment of transness, especially as a teenager… and the way that it just constantly has to be swallowed down. The unrelenting wave of hatred that ends up resolving into self destruction… the question that is answered in this book is, do you fall victim to that hatred, or do you face it head on?
Hats off to Logan-Ashley Kisner on this one, it was fantastic.
Hunter is a 17 year old trans teen, and after years of fighting with his father for it, he’s finally had top surgery. Dad is… supportive now, but took a lot of convincing.
The healing is going as to be expected, he’s making sure to not lift his arms up too high, and massaging his scars to help diminish their appearance.
But one day, while he and his best friend Gabe are hanging out at his home, Hunter is viciously attacked by something while letting his dog Norman outside. Gabe arrives just in the nick of time with a hockey stick, and breaks it over the back of the beast attaching Hunter. It runs off, and Gabe and Hunter start to assess the damage.
He was bitten twice, on his arm and his leg, but the wounds are closing up suspiciously fast…
Over the next several days, Hunter’s body begins to betray him. His cycle returns, which is strange because he has been without the pesky thing since starting testosterone two years ago. His skin starts to react to a silver necklace that he’s had for over 3 years. A tooth rots out of his head overnight. But it’s his other best friend Mars that points out the obvious. We might just be dealing with a case of lycanthropy.
It’s a race against time, and pestering over-protective parents while the trio tries to figure out how to save Hunter from befalling the curse of the creature that attacked him.
I feel like the intended narrative in this is going to go over a lot of people’s heads, but I’d like to try to spell it out. This is an exploration of the loss of bodily agency that trans people have been experiencing for decades. This story struck so incredibly many chords.
Hunter’s connection to the lycanthrope highlights the anger that blooms from the societal treatment of transness, especially as a teenager… and the way that it just constantly has to be swallowed down. The unrelenting wave of hatred that ends up resolving into self destruction… the question that is answered in this book is, do you fall victim to that hatred, or do you face it head on?
Hats off to Logan-Ashley Kisner on this one, it was fantastic.
October 15, 2025
WOW. I did not know I needed or wanted a trans werewolf story. I have never been interested in werewolves before. This GOT me. Such a fantastic exploration of the trans experience and the “othering” that occurs from small-minded people. Hunter’s internal wrestle with what it means to be a monster and what it means to be himself was masterfully done and the deep-seated convictions of the wolf added such a profound nuance to his sense of identity. Characters you’ll root for, romance(s) you’ll swoon over! Read this one STAT, y’all.
August 5, 2025
3.5 - 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Earlier this year, I read Logan-Ashley Kisner's debut and completely adored it. I knew immediately that I wanted to check out his sophomore novel, especially seeing the comps to Ginger Snaps. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed my time with this book.
The story follows Hunter, who after having top surgery, is attacked by a werewolf. We follow him as his body begins to change in ways completely out of his control, while he and his friends are scrambling to find a cure before his first transformation.
Hunter was such a compelling main character. He is truly going through the most stressful month of his life. Kisner continues to write his protagonists as flawed and nuanced people and allows them to make mistakes. It feels especially important to show trans characters being imperfect and still deserving love and care.
The horror elements were done very well, especially the body horror and the terror of your body becoming unknowable to you. There was a chapter that leans a bit experimental and I was very surprised and impressed by Kisner's approach. I think the character dynamics in this book are captivating. I found Hunter's relationship with the werewolf that changed him so fascinating. I also really enjoyed what the author termed the "biblically accurate love triangle" and the outcome. I loved how firmly Gabe and Mars were in Hunter's corner and fought to protect him. I also really loved how well Kisner captured how emotionally devastating a friend breakup can be, even years after the fact.
Logan-Ashley Kisner has quickly become a new author to watch for me. I'm so interested in seeing what he continues to do in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children's Books for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Earlier this year, I read Logan-Ashley Kisner's debut and completely adored it. I knew immediately that I wanted to check out his sophomore novel, especially seeing the comps to Ginger Snaps. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed my time with this book.
The story follows Hunter, who after having top surgery, is attacked by a werewolf. We follow him as his body begins to change in ways completely out of his control, while he and his friends are scrambling to find a cure before his first transformation.
Hunter was such a compelling main character. He is truly going through the most stressful month of his life. Kisner continues to write his protagonists as flawed and nuanced people and allows them to make mistakes. It feels especially important to show trans characters being imperfect and still deserving love and care.
The horror elements were done very well, especially the body horror and the terror of your body becoming unknowable to you. There was a chapter that leans a bit experimental and I was very surprised and impressed by Kisner's approach. I think the character dynamics in this book are captivating. I found Hunter's relationship with the werewolf that changed him so fascinating. I also really enjoyed what the author termed the "biblically accurate love triangle" and the outcome. I loved how firmly Gabe and Mars were in Hunter's corner and fought to protect him. I also really loved how well Kisner captured how emotionally devastating a friend breakup can be, even years after the fact.
Logan-Ashley Kisner has quickly become a new author to watch for me. I'm so interested in seeing what he continues to do in the future.
June 15, 2025
I. Am. Feral. As often as being trans feels like a fight against the rest of the world, it just as often feels like a fight within myself. Do I risk my safety to ensure I'm being properly represented as myself, or do I compromise my mental and emotional health to try to gain physical safety? Do I let someone else's hatred kill me, or do I let my self hatred kill me? Just when Hunter has checked his "ideal self" boxes, he's forced to undergo a change he did not consent to. Compounded by the bullying he's undergone for years, this transformation pushes him to the very edge of sanity, and the option of becoming a monster only gets more and more appealing. Kisner explores the internal battle Hunter faces in a realistic and intimate way, demonstrating that the vulnerability needed to form meaningful connections with people and the strength to stand up for oneself can go hand in hand. Lady Gaga was right, love is like a brick, you can build a house AND sink a dead body.
This book is scary, in a visceral and gorey way. It's gut wrenching and heartwarming in all the right places. It made me nauseous, it made me laugh, and it made me cry. It's brilliant and it's beautiful and it's the kind of book that makes me wish I could write a review worthy enough for it. I'm a diehard Kisner fan at this point, and I cannot wait to read what he comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
This book is scary, in a visceral and gorey way. It's gut wrenching and heartwarming in all the right places. It made me nauseous, it made me laugh, and it made me cry. It's brilliant and it's beautiful and it's the kind of book that makes me wish I could write a review worthy enough for it. I'm a diehard Kisner fan at this point, and I cannot wait to read what he comes up with next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 31, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book!
Kisner DELIVERED with this one y’all! The slow crawl of Hunter’s transformation gave me similar vibes to Benji from Hell Followed With Us in the best way. The voice of the wolf in his head was well in that I couldn’t tell if it was Hunter or an outside consciousness at first, and I’m not sure if Hunter could either.
My main issue was mostly just with the formatting of the actual e-book, because there were times, when the voice was becoming more coherent, that I had trouble differentiating between the voice in hunter’s head and the other ‘regular’ text on the page. Not sure if it was just the font chosen, but I’ll find out when my physical book arrives in September (because I 100% preordered as soon as I was able).
Kisner DELIVERED with this one y’all! The slow crawl of Hunter’s transformation gave me similar vibes to Benji from Hell Followed With Us in the best way. The voice of the wolf in his head was well in that I couldn’t tell if it was Hunter or an outside consciousness at first, and I’m not sure if Hunter could either.
My main issue was mostly just with the formatting of the actual e-book, because there were times, when the voice was becoming more coherent, that I had trouble differentiating between the voice in hunter’s head and the other ‘regular’ text on the page. Not sure if it was just the font chosen, but I’ll find out when my physical book arrives in September (because I 100% preordered as soon as I was able).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2025
unflinchingly faces the reality of the inward effect of trans people’s othering and how it inflicts self-doubt and self-loathing as violence, doing so in such a way that if you can’t relate personally, you still feel the weight of that burden through every page. despite the horrors that come with being trans in a cis society, transness itself is inherently liberating, and this novel is an excellent reflection on the difficulty of navigating those contradictions while still trying to figure out exactly who you are and who — or what — you want to be in this world.
i love these characters and i love their relationships with each other, and i see a lot of myself in all of them. the depth of interiority and vulnerability we’re allowed to see with hunter in contrast with his external walls is striking. the switch to second person perspective for chapter 18 and the follow-up gut punch of chapter 20 will stay with me forever.
a bookshelf necessity!
i love these characters and i love their relationships with each other, and i see a lot of myself in all of them. the depth of interiority and vulnerability we’re allowed to see with hunter in contrast with his external walls is striking. the switch to second person perspective for chapter 18 and the follow-up gut punch of chapter 20 will stay with me forever.
a bookshelf necessity!
October 14, 2025
!!!!!!
feeeeelings ah
Easy one of the best books of my life, y'all need to read this fr.
feeeeelings ah
Easy one of the best books of my life, y'all need to read this fr.
Want to read
January 2, 2026I saw a hockey stick on the cover....
October 14, 2025
there is just something so so satisfying about this book. i love the setting, the build up, how the characters reflect real trans people and thoughts. it does an excellent job at conveying how much friendship matters and the complexity of growing up.
this isn't just a horror book though! i laughed so many times reading this, i was tense, i was filled with joy, i was even in tears at points. even if you are not trans it still hit home, everyone knows how it feels like to want to just be some kind of normal, to be authentically yourself and for that to be enough. i cannot wait for logan to break into the adult genre, i will read anything he puts out!!!
this isn't just a horror book though! i laughed so many times reading this, i was tense, i was filled with joy, i was even in tears at points. even if you are not trans it still hit home, everyone knows how it feels like to want to just be some kind of normal, to be authentically yourself and for that to be enough. i cannot wait for logan to break into the adult genre, i will read anything he puts out!!!
December 30, 2025
4 Stars
This is a great book with a very niche audience that I hope manages to find it. It's high-concept horror à la Paul Preciado, heavy in the theory in a good way. Do I generally recommend it? I guess so, though I'm not sure I know a lot of people who will really appreciate it. Still a good book. Just, you know, for the right person.
Anyway, I could say more, but I've saved all that for my full review over at Gateway Reviews. Swing by if you feel like it!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This is a great book with a very niche audience that I hope manages to find it. It's high-concept horror à la Paul Preciado, heavy in the theory in a good way. Do I generally recommend it? I guess so, though I'm not sure I know a lot of people who will really appreciate it. Still a good book. Just, you know, for the right person.
Anyway, I could say more, but I've saved all that for my full review over at Gateway Reviews. Swing by if you feel like it!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
October 3, 2025
eARC received from Netgalley.
For context, I read the Old Wounds ARC in early 2024 and loved it. I immediately cataloged this authors work alongside other YA horror authors that I had read and loved, like AJW and Freddie Kolsch. His next works were highly anticipated by me and I was itching to get my hands on an early copy. And boy oh boy- did Kisner knock it out of the park again. Deep, raw emotion collides with the skin in a mess of teeth and flesh in The Transition. As somebody who experience their teenage years as a semi-closeted transmasc, Hunter's transition struck home. Watching him tumble through every stage of euphoria and grief imaginable while fending off a werewolf was both lovely and thrilling. I was enraptured by the supernatural of it all, which is usual for me, as I normally stray clear of any werewolf content, but the idea of Hunter becoming the hunter was a little too intriguing to ignore. All that said, I will forever enjoy YA books about the horrors and the highs of being trans, and the fight we wage to be ourselves, whether it be against others or even ourselves.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
For context, I read the Old Wounds ARC in early 2024 and loved it. I immediately cataloged this authors work alongside other YA horror authors that I had read and loved, like AJW and Freddie Kolsch. His next works were highly anticipated by me and I was itching to get my hands on an early copy. And boy oh boy- did Kisner knock it out of the park again. Deep, raw emotion collides with the skin in a mess of teeth and flesh in The Transition. As somebody who experience their teenage years as a semi-closeted transmasc, Hunter's transition struck home. Watching him tumble through every stage of euphoria and grief imaginable while fending off a werewolf was both lovely and thrilling. I was enraptured by the supernatural of it all, which is usual for me, as I normally stray clear of any werewolf content, but the idea of Hunter becoming the hunter was a little too intriguing to ignore. All that said, I will forever enjoy YA books about the horrors and the highs of being trans, and the fight we wage to be ourselves, whether it be against others or even ourselves.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
December 11, 2025
Once I read and enjoy an authors books, I usually will gravitate towards their books as soon as I find out about a new or upcoming release. When that happens, I don’t really feel a need to read the synopsis. I pick up a book based on how the cover makes me feel, overall vibes and my love of the person who’s writing it. Needless to say, I did NOT know I was about to read a werewolf story.
I’ve heard the correlation between mermaids and transgender kids. Being able to easily shift from human to fish-person is a beautiful way to explain not feeling correct in the body you were born in. Never has it come to mind that werewolves also shift in a similar way. So when I started reading this and realized where it was going, the lightbulb of curiosity sparked and I was shocked no one had done this before. A trans werewolf is ICONIC! I’ll be taking no notes on that!
Almost immediately after he has his top surgery, Hunter is bitten by what he thinks is a rabid dog. Overtime, little things make him think that more could be going on. Like an aversion to silver. The necklace he’s warn for years has begun to burn and his tooth suddenly turns black and falls out, only for him to find it was one that had a filling. If it wasn’t for his two best friends, he’d be all alone, because his father is always leaving him alone and his mother lives hours away.
On top of what he’s already dealing with, he has to also contend with the transphobic and misogynistic comments from bullies at school. Constant harassment from one of his ex-best friend’s boyfriends, who at one time assaulted him, only for that same friend to choose to believe her boyfriend’s lies.
It seems like his life is about to implode and that’s all before he starts hearing a voice in his head that isn’t his own.
This was such a well written and smart idea for a YA horror novel. My one complaint is animal death. I don’t have many triggers, but on page animal death is something that makes me physically ill. I was warned before going into this, so I expected it and it had less of an impact. Had I not been warned, I would have lost my sh!t and thrown the book. I’m glad I didn’t, because it was so freaking good.
I’m a Logan-Ashley Kisner super fan! Give me all the queer horror please and thank you!!!!
Thank you to the publisher and author for my gifted finished copy!!!
I’ve heard the correlation between mermaids and transgender kids. Being able to easily shift from human to fish-person is a beautiful way to explain not feeling correct in the body you were born in. Never has it come to mind that werewolves also shift in a similar way. So when I started reading this and realized where it was going, the lightbulb of curiosity sparked and I was shocked no one had done this before. A trans werewolf is ICONIC! I’ll be taking no notes on that!
Almost immediately after he has his top surgery, Hunter is bitten by what he thinks is a rabid dog. Overtime, little things make him think that more could be going on. Like an aversion to silver. The necklace he’s warn for years has begun to burn and his tooth suddenly turns black and falls out, only for him to find it was one that had a filling. If it wasn’t for his two best friends, he’d be all alone, because his father is always leaving him alone and his mother lives hours away.
On top of what he’s already dealing with, he has to also contend with the transphobic and misogynistic comments from bullies at school. Constant harassment from one of his ex-best friend’s boyfriends, who at one time assaulted him, only for that same friend to choose to believe her boyfriend’s lies.
It seems like his life is about to implode and that’s all before he starts hearing a voice in his head that isn’t his own.
This was such a well written and smart idea for a YA horror novel. My one complaint is animal death. I don’t have many triggers, but on page animal death is something that makes me physically ill. I was warned before going into this, so I expected it and it had less of an impact. Had I not been warned, I would have lost my sh!t and thrown the book. I’m glad I didn’t, because it was so freaking good.
I’m a Logan-Ashley Kisner super fan! Give me all the queer horror please and thank you!!!!
Thank you to the publisher and author for my gifted finished copy!!!
September 13, 2025
This is such a fascinating exploration of physically transitioning, bodily autonomy, and self-acceptance. I don't reach for horror really ever, but this premise was so intriguing I couldn't resist, so I demanded my weak stomach get its shit together and couldn't put it down.
TW: Transphobia, including deadnaming & hate crimes; Blood & gore; Death of named characters (gruesome but not overly detailed); Dead animals, including graphic descriptions (bird, coyote, werewolf); Needles; Self-harm (skin-picking, burning); Panic attacks (on-page); Discussion of suicide
CW: Body horror; Pet death (overall theme, no graphic depictions); Body dysphoria; Menstruation; Mentions of vomiting
Hunter just got top surgery and his drains removed, finally feeling more like his true self, even though he stills hold a lot of resentment for his father who delayed his physical transition. Then Hunter is attacked by a werewolf and begins to notice strange occurrences, like his period returning, an aversion to silver, his nails growing thick and sharp, and vivid nightmares. With his two best friends Gabe and Mars by his side, Hunter needs to kill the werewolf that changed him to stop his own changing and get his old life—and his old body—back.
The werewolf transition is (obviously) a metaphor and it's so well-executed. The whole time we're in Hunter's head as he battles anxiety, depression, panic, self-loathing, jealousy, hatred, loneliness, and body dysphoria. His house keeps getting destroyed so the cold winter air seeps in, furthering the creepy, survivalist atmosphere. The use of past werewolf myth was fun to see integrated as well.
*Very mild spoilers below, including in the description of the representation*
In a classic YA move, the parents are all noticeably and conveniently absent and the characters skip school with nearly zero consequences. The ending was a tad rushed as well, though I do find it satisfying. I wish Annie's character was utilized more, and I wish there was a better wrap up regarding the friendship breakup. But the epilogue was so perfect I can mostly forget my other qualms with the ending.
Rep: trans bisexual main character; half-Filipino, non-monogamous, bisexual side character; Korean, gender-questioning side character
Many thanks to Get Underlined for the early copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
TW: Transphobia, including deadnaming & hate crimes; Blood & gore; Death of named characters (gruesome but not overly detailed); Dead animals, including graphic descriptions (bird, coyote, werewolf); Needles; Self-harm (skin-picking, burning); Panic attacks (on-page); Discussion of suicide
CW: Body horror; Pet death (overall theme, no graphic depictions); Body dysphoria; Menstruation; Mentions of vomiting
Hunter just got top surgery and his drains removed, finally feeling more like his true self, even though he stills hold a lot of resentment for his father who delayed his physical transition. Then Hunter is attacked by a werewolf and begins to notice strange occurrences, like his period returning, an aversion to silver, his nails growing thick and sharp, and vivid nightmares. With his two best friends Gabe and Mars by his side, Hunter needs to kill the werewolf that changed him to stop his own changing and get his old life—and his old body—back.
The werewolf transition is (obviously) a metaphor and it's so well-executed. The whole time we're in Hunter's head as he battles anxiety, depression, panic, self-loathing, jealousy, hatred, loneliness, and body dysphoria. His house keeps getting destroyed so the cold winter air seeps in, furthering the creepy, survivalist atmosphere. The use of past werewolf myth was fun to see integrated as well.
*Very mild spoilers below, including in the description of the representation*
In a classic YA move, the parents are all noticeably and conveniently absent and the characters skip school with nearly zero consequences. The ending was a tad rushed as well, though I do find it satisfying. I wish Annie's character was utilized more, and I wish there was a better wrap up regarding the friendship breakup. But the epilogue was so perfect I can mostly forget my other qualms with the ending.
Rep: trans bisexual main character; half-Filipino, non-monogamous, bisexual side character; Korean, gender-questioning side character
Many thanks to Get Underlined for the early copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
September 21, 2025
Thank you @delacortepress for the advanced copy to review!
This is my first book by @transhorrors and it will definitely not be my last. I absolutely ADORED this horror novel. Not only was it scary and kind of gross (especially at the end lol) but it tackled coming of age and it is about a trans bi teen who just wants to feel like himself.
Hunter was an incredibly easy character for me to root for, even as he was attacked in his back yard. I absolutely LOVED the found family in this book with Gabe and Mara being Hunter’s people, especially as his dad was never home and his mom lived in a different state. Their sweetness with him was the best:
I lived for Hunter’s inner monologue and all of the feelings he had just pouring out of him. His love for his best friends was evident and their love was the same for him. I loved how Gabe wanted to stomp the hate out of Hunter’s bullies and how Mars worked on the practical solutions to their… little problem. (Eek!)
The social commentary in the novel is truly fantastic and I loved all of the insight into Hunter’s body dysmorphia, especially after being attacked. His journey was so hard to follow because I just wanted him to be happy!! (Yes… I know it’s a horror book but a girl can dream! lol)
I really loved the ending and the journey to get there was so satisfying. I found myself absolutely flying through the pages to see what would happen and I was epically pleased by Hunter’s story. (Also Gabe and Mars. IYKYK)
Out on 9/30 so don’t miss it!!! You still have time to preorder. And I’m going to dive into Old Wounds!!
This is my first book by @transhorrors and it will definitely not be my last. I absolutely ADORED this horror novel. Not only was it scary and kind of gross (especially at the end lol) but it tackled coming of age and it is about a trans bi teen who just wants to feel like himself.
Hunter was an incredibly easy character for me to root for, even as he was attacked in his back yard. I absolutely LOVED the found family in this book with Gabe and Mara being Hunter’s people, especially as his dad was never home and his mom lived in a different state. Their sweetness with him was the best:
I lived for Hunter’s inner monologue and all of the feelings he had just pouring out of him. His love for his best friends was evident and their love was the same for him. I loved how Gabe wanted to stomp the hate out of Hunter’s bullies and how Mars worked on the practical solutions to their… little problem. (Eek!)
The social commentary in the novel is truly fantastic and I loved all of the insight into Hunter’s body dysmorphia, especially after being attacked. His journey was so hard to follow because I just wanted him to be happy!! (Yes… I know it’s a horror book but a girl can dream! lol)
I really loved the ending and the journey to get there was so satisfying. I found myself absolutely flying through the pages to see what would happen and I was epically pleased by Hunter’s story. (Also Gabe and Mars. IYKYK)
Out on 9/30 so don’t miss it!!! You still have time to preorder. And I’m going to dive into Old Wounds!!
November 6, 2025
picked up this book at my local bookstore before it was officially released and decided to read it now for a school paper i'm writing with the question of "why do monsters feel like such a good trans allegory?", and this book definitely delivered.
quote i loved: "I just sit there, staring at my hands, thinking about the last thing the voice said to me: We are beyond their comprehension. "
hunter was way more relatable than i envisioned in different ways than i was expecting. very happy i picked up this book :)
quote i loved: "I just sit there, staring at my hands, thinking about the last thing the voice said to me: We are beyond their comprehension. "
hunter was way more relatable than i envisioned in different ways than i was expecting. very happy i picked up this book :)
Read
April 29, 2025i'll talk about it when it's closer to release
October 20, 2025
[ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review]
Trans YA horror mixed with werewolves! You really can have it all.
Hunter, a trans teen, is just trying to recover from his top surgery when he’s attacked not only by a gigantic dog (but we all know it’s more than that) and also verbally and emotionally attacked by his long-term bully. Lucky for him, he’s got his two bffs Gabe and Mars by his side through it all… even when things start to get too out of hand.
This was really great. A bit darker and heavier than I was expecting, but that’s not a bad thing. A really strong submission for YA horror and even better that it’s a trans story. A great spooky time read, but would be perfect year round, too.
Trans YA horror mixed with werewolves! You really can have it all.
Hunter, a trans teen, is just trying to recover from his top surgery when he’s attacked not only by a gigantic dog (but we all know it’s more than that) and also verbally and emotionally attacked by his long-term bully. Lucky for him, he’s got his two bffs Gabe and Mars by his side through it all… even when things start to get too out of hand.
This was really great. A bit darker and heavier than I was expecting, but that’s not a bad thing. A really strong submission for YA horror and even better that it’s a trans story. A great spooky time read, but would be perfect year round, too.
December 3, 2025
This was a beautiful and complex take on the transgender experience, set against the backdrop of lycanthropy.
Loved the relationship between Hunter and his best friends, and how his relationship with Gabe evolves.
Great story, well written.
Loved the relationship between Hunter and his best friends, and how his relationship with Gabe evolves.
Great story, well written.
August 31, 2025
3.5 stars!
This book read like a film but in a good way, I feel like I flew through it and was immersed in the story while reading.
The way it took the familiar warewolf lore and respected that while still adding new intriguing elements was clever and well done.
I liked Hunter as our main character, he’s sympathetic, messy and realistic as he goes through the worst month of his life, poor guy.
My only major critique is that I felt like the supporting cast weren’t fully fleshed out. I enjoyed Mars and Gabe as characters, particularly Gabe’s storyline, but I feel like they could’ve done with a bit more attention.
Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This book read like a film but in a good way, I feel like I flew through it and was immersed in the story while reading.
The way it took the familiar warewolf lore and respected that while still adding new intriguing elements was clever and well done.
I liked Hunter as our main character, he’s sympathetic, messy and realistic as he goes through the worst month of his life, poor guy.
My only major critique is that I felt like the supporting cast weren’t fully fleshed out. I enjoyed Mars and Gabe as characters, particularly Gabe’s storyline, but I feel like they could’ve done with a bit more attention.
Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.
January 31, 2026
Serious, complex, current subject matter, compelling yet challenging, and then ... bang! A werewolf!? What the heck?
The MC comes across as painfully sympathetic, even as the reader wants to reach out and interrupt every mistaken move! (Powerful writing.) Disappointed in the usual teen tropes though - extreme lack of supervision by parents (all the HS characters), inept handling of bullying by the administration, complete distrust of authority by the characters, not a CLUE to report violent attacks or their own missing animals. Complete self-absorption by the MC, and all the supporting characters let the victim call the shots?
And yes, a werewolf story is FUN, but this becomes increasingly annoying.
It seems the story is trying to tell the experience of a trans person, and its unclear if the author realized it was actually arguing against?
The story also plays fast-and-loose with guesses and 'rules' about lycanthropy, applying convenient bits of vampire lore and witchcraft that - sorry - just don't track.
Lots of stupid and lame plot points made - that could have just been 'side-stepped' instead. Regardless, it is a fun read.
The MC comes across as painfully sympathetic, even as the reader wants to reach out and interrupt every mistaken move! (Powerful writing.) Disappointed in the usual teen tropes though - extreme lack of supervision by parents (all the HS characters), inept handling of bullying by the administration, complete distrust of authority by the characters, not a CLUE to report violent attacks or their own missing animals. Complete self-absorption by the MC, and all the supporting characters let the victim call the shots?
And yes, a werewolf story is FUN, but this becomes increasingly annoying.
It seems the story is trying to tell the experience of a trans person, and its unclear if the author realized it was actually arguing against?
The story also plays fast-and-loose with guesses and 'rules' about lycanthropy, applying convenient bits of vampire lore and witchcraft that - sorry - just don't track.
Lots of stupid and lame plot points made - that could have just been 'side-stepped' instead. Regardless, it is a fun read.
Want to read
October 3, 2025"A transgender teen’s post-op recovery is derailed when he is bitten by a werewolf and his body begins to change."
werewolf horror, hell yeah
werewolf horror, hell yeah
October 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Y'all... I think we need to bring back teen paranormal stories. And paranormal stories in general but like. This is it. This is what we're looking for. This is what we deserve.
The pros: First of all, I want to shout out this line: My brain is a haunted house, a myriad of ghosts dancing across my eyelids. It just fucks hard and I keep thinking about it. I know that's kind of a #aesthetic line that's quotable and everything, but it just came in the middle of some crazy shit and struck true, I don't know what to tell you. But branching off of that, the prose in this is great. It's a believable 1st-person and Hunter has a very solid voice, but lines like the one above that are more prose-y don't feel out of place. Beyond that, Hunter in general is a great character, as are Mars and Gabe. I love them dearly, I loved their chemistry. The antagonists were also very interesting, even Ethan and Damien, who could've easily been one-dimensional. They don't have as much flesh on them as our main trio, of course, but they are more than one-note, and I appreciate that. And the whole deal with Riley, my god, that was compelling. I love how everything with her and Hunter was handled. For the horror aspects, I found the body horror to be suitable for a werewolf book :> It was fun, it was gross, and it blended very well with the trans story. The queer elements are also well-done, the complexities expertly shown in a way that I, as a queer person, understand, and I think will still be easily readable for those who are not. Hunter's inner turmoil is a big star of this book, and I really loved it. The tear between being A Good Trans Kid and standing up for yourself, wrestling your doubt and the oppression you face, it's just very real and very well-done. I'm not sure how many more ways I can say it - I loved it! It was a great read!
The cons: I have very few, and they didn't bog me down too much. I think the biggest one is that this book lowkey expects you to be knowledgeable on other werewolf media. Ginger Snaps is the one referenced the most, which is a movie I hadn't even heard of before reading this book. You can still understand what you need to about how werewolves work in this book just fine, it is explained, but the references definitely started to bug me a little. The only other thing was that I felt there was a bit too much plot convienence with Hunter and his dad not noticing things. I understand their relationship is strained, but when the house gets wrecked, I'd expect a little more pushback.
Overall, a great read!! I look forward to reading more from Logan-Ashley Kisner now that he's on my radar!!
Y'all... I think we need to bring back teen paranormal stories. And paranormal stories in general but like. This is it. This is what we're looking for. This is what we deserve.
The pros: First of all, I want to shout out this line: My brain is a haunted house, a myriad of ghosts dancing across my eyelids. It just fucks hard and I keep thinking about it. I know that's kind of a #aesthetic line that's quotable and everything, but it just came in the middle of some crazy shit and struck true, I don't know what to tell you. But branching off of that, the prose in this is great. It's a believable 1st-person and Hunter has a very solid voice, but lines like the one above that are more prose-y don't feel out of place. Beyond that, Hunter in general is a great character, as are Mars and Gabe. I love them dearly, I loved their chemistry. The antagonists were also very interesting, even Ethan and Damien, who could've easily been one-dimensional. They don't have as much flesh on them as our main trio, of course, but they are more than one-note, and I appreciate that. And the whole deal with Riley, my god, that was compelling. I love how everything with her and Hunter was handled. For the horror aspects, I found the body horror to be suitable for a werewolf book :> It was fun, it was gross, and it blended very well with the trans story. The queer elements are also well-done, the complexities expertly shown in a way that I, as a queer person, understand, and I think will still be easily readable for those who are not. Hunter's inner turmoil is a big star of this book, and I really loved it. The tear between being A Good Trans Kid and standing up for yourself, wrestling your doubt and the oppression you face, it's just very real and very well-done. I'm not sure how many more ways I can say it - I loved it! It was a great read!
The cons: I have very few, and they didn't bog me down too much. I think the biggest one is that this book lowkey expects you to be knowledgeable on other werewolf media. Ginger Snaps is the one referenced the most, which is a movie I hadn't even heard of before reading this book. You can still understand what you need to about how werewolves work in this book just fine, it is explained, but the references definitely started to bug me a little. The only other thing was that I felt there was a bit too much plot convienence with Hunter and his dad not noticing things. I understand their relationship is strained, but when the house gets wrecked, I'd expect a little more pushback.
Overall, a great read!! I look forward to reading more from Logan-Ashley Kisner now that he's on my radar!!
November 28, 2025
we are beyond their comprehension
There's some pretty obvious hints being dropped about the themes of Logan-Ashley Kisner's The Transition in the title. This is the story of Hunter, a transman, who is bitten by a werewolf soon after his top surgery. He then has to deal with the changes to his body as his incipient lycanthropy clashes with the side-effects of his surgery, with the assistance of his best friends Gabe and Mars. But the story is not as simple as it may seem. There's a lot going on here in terms of how trans people relate to their bodies, who gets to make the decisions about what happens to them, and how far people that don't experience gender dysphoria can ever understand those that do. I think, at one level, the metaphor in this book might be expressing that feeling in a way that I, a cisgendered man, can understand.
On another level, I think this book is fundamentally about trust. Trusting people to know their own bodies, and know what's best for them. Trusting our friends when they tell us something we don’t want to hear. Trusting that the people who say they love us and care for us do love and care for us. This novel is particularly good at giving us characters whose motivations we understand, even when they conflict with one another and have different ideas about the proper course of action. But at their best, they trust one another.
I should also stress that The Transition is good at a basic storytelling level. There's a couple of leaps (), but most of what happens makes sense within the world created in the novel. On the flip side of that, this is supernatural storytelling as a highly layered metaphor with multiple possible interpretations - it's very easy to suspend disbelief over a couple of left-field choices. In general, this is an excellent book and I look forward to Kisner's future works.
December 12, 2025
The horror aspect is a very slow build, but i really lived the use of becoming a monster to be a better outcome for these characters rather then being seen as queer and othered throughout life. It’s a fun read, about young relationships and self identity, as well as creatures that wonder through your backyard at night. I really enjoyed it and would recommend. I personally used the audio book format for this one but it was really good.
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