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How We Broke
Dani and Eric spent their childhood summers at a cabin deep in the woods. Now a rebuilt luxury vacation property, it's as distant from what it once was as they are from each other. Drawn to the house after their father's death, the siblings try to reconcile their estrangement from one another. But the past isn't the past, and the Polaroids Dani took their last summer together are a reminder of how present their pain really is. With storm clouds gathering...and an apparition stalking them from the shadows...Dani and Eric cannot escape the looming reminders of the tragedy that has defined, and might end, their lives.
- GenresHorror
70 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2020
202 people want to read
About the author
Bracken MacLeod
69 books396 followersBracken MacLeod is the Bram Stoker, Splatterpunk, and Shirley Jackson Award nominated author of the novels, Mountain Home, Come to Dust, Stranded, and Closing Costs, as well as three short fiction collections including LET NOT YOUR SORROW DIE, coming this fall from Bad Hand Books. He's a former litigator who used to represent victims of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and racial discrimination.
He lives outside of Boston with his wife and son, where he is at work on his next novel.
He lives outside of Boston with his wife and son, where he is at work on his next novel.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 11, 2020
From my review of CHIRAL MAD4 where this story was originally published:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"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...
"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.
August 28, 2020
4.0 Stars
This was an interesting novella that blended together a classic haunted house story with supernatural elements involving photography. As someone who loves the intersection of horror and technology, I really enjoyed the parts involving the photos. The sibling dynamics were well done and a refreshing change from the typical couples that normally appear in these types of stories. Overall, a short, but enjoyable read with a strong ending.
This was an interesting novella that blended together a classic haunted house story with supernatural elements involving photography. As someone who loves the intersection of horror and technology, I really enjoyed the parts involving the photos. The sibling dynamics were well done and a refreshing change from the typical couples that normally appear in these types of stories. Overall, a short, but enjoyable read with a strong ending.
December 19, 2023
This is a strong, moody novella about the aftereffects of abuse and trying to come to terms with that and loss later in life. The tension is built slowly despite the brevity of the story, and the reader is left to wonder if there's supernatural intervention or a series of natural tragedies. The two characters, a brother and sister, are portrayed quite well, and the linking idea of a series of Polaroid snapshots is quite interesting. It's a quick and very good (but bleak) read.
March 27, 2020
3.5
(Gifted by The NightWorms)
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.
(Gifted by The NightWorms)
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.
May 23, 2020
Dani and Eric spent their childhood in a cabin and after their dads death. Dani has the great idea of going to the cabin of recreating some old photographs and reconnect with her brother.
I dunno if y’all have seen those movies like shutter or Polaroid (on Netflix). Those movies always turn out so freaking cheesy but I love cheesy horror movies. Alright hold up now pump the brakes .. this book is not cheesy. There is something scarier about reading horror where there are shadows in pictures. This book truly scared me so much .
I dunno if y’all have seen those movies like shutter or Polaroid (on Netflix). Those movies always turn out so freaking cheesy but I love cheesy horror movies. Alright hold up now pump the brakes .. this book is not cheesy. There is something scarier about reading horror where there are shadows in pictures. This book truly scared me so much .
March 8, 2020
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.
June 1, 2021
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.
January 16, 2021
A heart wrenching story of estranged siblings from a dysfunctional family searching for closure and finding......something else. It was a hard read.
March 25, 2020
3.5 out of 5
Thanks so much to Night Worms and Thunderstorm Books for providing us lucky subscribers with this exclusive, signed special edition in our March packages.
I enjoyed this little novella (and it is LITTLE, 69 pages to be exact) in one sitting today. This was a fun little flash of emotion, dysfunction and creepiness! It’s a two person show, as we follow estranged siblings Dani and Eric on a trip to what was once their family vacation cabin in the woods. The pair are forced to travel to the cabin for the first time in several years after their father’s death. During this time together, Dani and Eric must confront long-buried family secrets that have always casted a shadow over their childhood summers
This novella has a great deal of buildup, but it left me wanting so much more! I wanted more about the family members, more details of those childhood summers and devastating secrets
.
That being said, I do love family dysfunction and broken relationships against an eerie, atmospheric backdrop!
Thanks so much to Night Worms and Thunderstorm Books for providing us lucky subscribers with this exclusive, signed special edition in our March packages.
I enjoyed this little novella (and it is LITTLE, 69 pages to be exact) in one sitting today. This was a fun little flash of emotion, dysfunction and creepiness! It’s a two person show, as we follow estranged siblings Dani and Eric on a trip to what was once their family vacation cabin in the woods. The pair are forced to travel to the cabin for the first time in several years after their father’s death. During this time together, Dani and Eric must confront long-buried family secrets that have always casted a shadow over their childhood summers
This novella has a great deal of buildup, but it left me wanting so much more! I wanted more about the family members, more details of those childhood summers and devastating secrets
.
That being said, I do love family dysfunction and broken relationships against an eerie, atmospheric backdrop!
May 1, 2020
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.
May 9, 2020
I started this book about three weeks ago. As soon as I had an inkling of what might be coming, I had to set it aside. I had to ready myself.
I'm glad I waited, rather than pushing through in one sitting on that first day.
Not much in the way of subject matter actually gets to me. This did.
Beautifully written with enough humor, awkwardness, and love to make me believe Eric and Dani were real siblings and Bracken and Paul were just relating their shared story. That it felt so real made it all the more horrifying.
Do we all have that uncle?
I'm glad I waited, rather than pushing through in one sitting on that first day.
Not much in the way of subject matter actually gets to me. This did.
Beautifully written with enough humor, awkwardness, and love to make me believe Eric and Dani were real siblings and Bracken and Paul were just relating their shared story. That it felt so real made it all the more horrifying.
Do we all have that uncle?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
You can read my full review at: https://mediadrome.wordpress.com/2020...
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.
April 4, 2020
I am not a horror book fan at all, but the cover alone intrigued me.
This book had me hiding in my covers lol
The imagery alone and what wasn’t said scared me more. It kind of reminded me of the horror movie where they video evidence of an ancient evil spirit and it comes to life. That movie gave me nightmares for months. Thankfully this book was not like that entirely.
The two twists I did not expect. So bravo to both authors!
This book had me hiding in my covers lol
The imagery alone and what wasn’t said scared me more. It kind of reminded me of the horror movie where they video evidence of an ancient evil spirit and it comes to life. That movie gave me nightmares for months. Thankfully this book was not like that entirely.
The two twists I did not expect. So bravo to both authors!
August 17, 2020
Great, short, creepy horror/psychological thriller book. I was extremely impressed by the writing as I've never read a book written by two authors before. I honestly couldn't tell who was writing what, it flowed perfectly. I guessed the ending pretty easily, but I don't think crazy unexpected twists were the point of this book. Creepy, shadow monsters that we/the characters never figure out what's real and what's not, my kinda book!
March 28, 2020
How We Broke follows Dani and Eric revisiting childhood memories at the family cabin after the death of their father. Both heartbreaking and darkly suspenseful, I read this book in one sitting and highly recommend it. Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson are a formidable team and I’m looking forward to more from these two.
March 29, 2020
HOW WE BROKE, is face pace and suspenseful. Two siblings are recreating a family vacation through a project using Polaroids. Each sibling suffers from childhood trauma that stems from vacationing at the cabin at the end of the drive where the Polaroid project ends. This book grabbed a hold of me and I could not put it down until the end.
April 1, 2020
At under 70 pages 'How We Broke' moves quickly to tell the story of a pair of adult siblings who return to the family cabin after years away. There are hidden memories that bubble to the surface, and what happens to them begins to reach supernatural limits. Or does it?
A quick, enjoyable read.
A quick, enjoyable read.
May 28, 2020
A gripping heart wrenching tale of two siblings picking up the pieces of their broken childhood Bracken MacLeod and Paul Michael Anderson take you on a ride that will leave you aching for the characters in this story. Although it was only 69-pages long it was quite the emotional roller coaster ride that left me wanting more but satisfied with what was delivered.
March 20, 2020
Review coming
March 25, 2020
Got this from #nightworms and loved it.
Dark themes.
Dark themes.
April 2, 2020
Such a great story of the things that bring us together and tear us apart.....of course there’s always the things in the background.
May 20, 2020
Wow! I read this little novella at breakneck speed. The dread, doubt, shadows, darkness mounted quickly. This will stay with me a long time. I'm shaken. I'm broken.
December 31, 2020
Family secrets are a nightmare in and of themselves and these two authors turn these families secrets into a scary situation! Great, short read!
February 1, 2024
This was very quick and easy read but it leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions.
March 9, 2020
For such a short little novella, this story packs a huge wallop of a punch. This story highlights how badly we can be damaged by our family - by those who are supposed to love and care for us the most.
Eric and Dani come back to the place where they spent some of their childhood summers, hoping to close some of the distance that has grown between them over the years. Each holds a dark secret that has been slowly eroding their relationships and their very selves. Each is hoping to finally come clean to the other in this, the place of their biggest childhood trauma. But something else has come back with them. Is there truly another entity there at the cabin? Or is this just one more symptom of their eroding minds?
Reading this story was hard. These siblings are carrying some serious baggage, and they are not okay. What I can't fathom is that neither of them guesses at the other's secret - and that is very strange to me because all the signs are there. They are not subtle signs either - they are blatant. I guess each is so wrapped up in their own pain that they can't see the pain in others. But really, how can their parents not have guessed? How can their friends/coworkers/therapist/ whomever not have figured something out. These are two adults on the brink of complete breakdown.
Just writing this review is making me want to cry. The story is powerful ya'll.
Read it. You'll understand.
Eric and Dani come back to the place where they spent some of their childhood summers, hoping to close some of the distance that has grown between them over the years. Each holds a dark secret that has been slowly eroding their relationships and their very selves. Each is hoping to finally come clean to the other in this, the place of their biggest childhood trauma. But something else has come back with them. Is there truly another entity there at the cabin? Or is this just one more symptom of their eroding minds?
Reading this story was hard. These siblings are carrying some serious baggage, and they are not okay. What I can't fathom is that neither of them guesses at the other's secret - and that is very strange to me because all the signs are there. They are not subtle signs either - they are blatant. I guess each is so wrapped up in their own pain that they can't see the pain in others. But really, how can their parents not have guessed? How can their friends/coworkers/therapist/ whomever not have figured something out. These are two adults on the brink of complete breakdown.
Just writing this review is making me want to cry. The story is powerful ya'll.
Read it. You'll understand.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews