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richardleis's review
5.0
This little novella full of big revelations and emotions really got to me. I have an irrational fear of photographs—not the process of taking photos but photos themselves, with all their potential to reveal and unleash things that couldn't have been there in reality—and this story's Polaroids and digital photos splicing the past and present together really creeped me the hell out. The authors tapped into many other fears as well with their beautiful and haunting prose. There are shadows in the light and shadows in the dark, and there's also a walk down a hill that truly frightened me.
But the story's larger concerns also got to me. Two adult siblings return to the cabin in the woods they used to vacation in as children. What they find there claws open the trauma they suffered that left them broken. Will truth and revelation be their salvation after they try to reconnect, or will the past rip them to shreds? The conclusion left me in tears.
An incredible (and incredibly quick) read. I'll be seeking out more of Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson's writing.
But the story's larger concerns also got to me. Two adult siblings return to the cabin in the woods they used to vacation in as children. What they find there claws open the trauma they suffered that left them broken. Will truth and revelation be their salvation after they try to reconnect, or will the past rip them to shreds? The conclusion left me in tears.
An incredible (and incredibly quick) read. I'll be seeking out more of Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson's writing.
wellwortharead's review
4.0
A heart wrenching story of estranged siblings from a dysfunctional family searching for closure and finding......something else. It was a hard read.
crystal_staley's review
dark
emotional
sad
5.0
Wow this short book really packs a punch! We follow a brother and sister as they are visiting a cabin they went to as kids. We learn their older brother disappeared many years ago and as adults, the siblings have drifted apart. Perhaps this trip will be a way to reconnect? There is a lot of emotion here due to secrets that they’ve both been keeping. And something appears to be lurking in the shadows. This was super spooky for me! I really loved this story.
motherhorror's review
5.0
From my review of CHIRAL MAD4 where this story was originally published:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2606358995
"Right out of the gate is the story, HOW WE BROKE written by Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson: two of my favorite authors. This story is about grown siblings revisiting some painful memories from their past through a project that the sister is conducting through a series of polaroid pictures taken during a childhood vacation destination. The suspense was delicious--I hung on every word. A very compelling collaborative effort."
It is such an honor to have been able to give this story its own life in the form of this special, exclusive, signed, limited edition from Thunderstorm Books for Night Worms. It's my hope that Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson get a ton of new fans from this one, stellar story.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2606358995
"Right out of the gate is the story, HOW WE BROKE written by Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson: two of my favorite authors. This story is about grown siblings revisiting some painful memories from their past through a project that the sister is conducting through a series of polaroid pictures taken during a childhood vacation destination. The suspense was delicious--I hung on every word. A very compelling collaborative effort."
It is such an honor to have been able to give this story its own life in the form of this special, exclusive, signed, limited edition from Thunderstorm Books for Night Worms. It's my hope that Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson get a ton of new fans from this one, stellar story.
tattooedhorrorreader's review
4.0
Dark little tale with a novels worth of emotions packed in its pages. Really enjoyed the concept & the character building for such a short story.
stranger_sights's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
You can read my full review at: https://mediadrome.wordpress.com/2020/06/29/how-we-broke-by-bracken-macleod-and-paul-michael-anderson/
This short-form saga (definitely a thing) of the lasting effects of grief, trauma and loss will blow your mind. It’s definitely not an easy read in spite of its length though – don’t go into it thinking otherwise. Like I said above, it’s HEAVY and it does not let up.
You should definitely read this if you’re feeling emotionally fortified. But otherwise, maybe hold onto it until you are, cuz it is tough. But also a bit hopeful, so there’s that.
This short-form saga (definitely a thing) of the lasting effects of grief, trauma and loss will blow your mind. It’s definitely not an easy read in spite of its length though – don’t go into it thinking otherwise. Like I said above, it’s HEAVY and it does not let up.
You should definitely read this if you’re feeling emotionally fortified. But otherwise, maybe hold onto it until you are, cuz it is tough. But also a bit hopeful, so there’s that.
abbie_'s review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This novella was the perfect example of how horror doesn’t have to be all blood and guts and bodily fluids everywhere. It’s a quiet yet haunting family drama, featuring a brother and sister who go back to their family’s cabin in an effort to confront their old demons. I was reminded of what I love about horror - that creeping sense of unease and dread which inches its way up your spine, all the while knowing you’re safe in your cosy home. I lowered my rating because I found a lot of the dialogue clunky and there were too many ellipses and italics threw me off, and a few too many cheesy lines.
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