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The Barracks #1
Barrack Five
The ghosts of the past don’t always stay silent...
When Vilém Rehor takes a security job at a former concentration camp, he assumes it will be dreary, but uneventful. But when someone starts carving their name onto the walls of Barrack Five, his supposedly boring job becomes more than he bargained for.
Though he tries to catch the culprit and stop them from vandalizing the historic landmark, Vilém can’t figure out how they’re doing it—he never sees anyone, but that doesn’t mean he’s alone...
As he delves deeper into the mystery of the vandal, he realizes that the Holocaust isn’t over for everyone. The spirit of a girl long gone reveals herself, desperate to be heard.
Can Vilém help this restless soul?
Barrack Five is a historical fiction novelette filled to the brim with emotion and mystery.
When Vilém Rehor takes a security job at a former concentration camp, he assumes it will be dreary, but uneventful. But when someone starts carving their name onto the walls of Barrack Five, his supposedly boring job becomes more than he bargained for.
Though he tries to catch the culprit and stop them from vandalizing the historic landmark, Vilém can’t figure out how they’re doing it—he never sees anyone, but that doesn’t mean he’s alone...
As he delves deeper into the mystery of the vandal, he realizes that the Holocaust isn’t over for everyone. The spirit of a girl long gone reveals herself, desperate to be heard.
Can Vilém help this restless soul?
Barrack Five is a historical fiction novelette filled to the brim with emotion and mystery.
ebook
Published October 27, 2020
203 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Hoffman
16 books383 followersElyse Hoffman is an award-winning author who strives to tell historical tales with new twists. Having studied WWII since the age of thirteen and with interests in fantasy and Jewish folklore, she loves to combine them in her writing. Elyse started writing novels at fourteen and finished her first historical fiction work at fifteen. She has published eight books: five in a series called The Barracks of the Holocaust, and three novels, including The Book of Uriel, Where David Threw Stones, and Fracture. In her spare time, she loves to read, work on pretty keyboards, and hang out with her co-authors - her Goldendoodle Ari and her ex-feral cat, Echo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 16, 2021
*4.5 star ⭐️ novella*
This story follows a security guard named Vilem who works in an old concentration camp. Even now in this time Neo- Nazis are vandalizing camps commemorating the Jewish people who lost their lives. One day during his shift Vilem walks into Barrack Five and notices writing on the walls and thinks some jerky teen did it. He plans on catching them but it happens several more times and he is starting to see a pattern. What teen would be bold enough to to come to a concentration camp so many times and do this. But then he touches the wall and hears a voice. This is the voice of Raya. She takes him on a journey through her memories from age 9 to about 19. This girl was dealt a horrible hand like many teens in Nazi occupied territory. Her soul is stuck in this place and it is up to Vilem to set her free.
*This book does have very graphic details so if you are squeamish prepare yourself. *
This was beautifully written and I will read from this author again. Book 2 here I come.
Happy reading everyone
I received an advance copy from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story follows a security guard named Vilem who works in an old concentration camp. Even now in this time Neo- Nazis are vandalizing camps commemorating the Jewish people who lost their lives. One day during his shift Vilem walks into Barrack Five and notices writing on the walls and thinks some jerky teen did it. He plans on catching them but it happens several more times and he is starting to see a pattern. What teen would be bold enough to to come to a concentration camp so many times and do this. But then he touches the wall and hears a voice. This is the voice of Raya. She takes him on a journey through her memories from age 9 to about 19. This girl was dealt a horrible hand like many teens in Nazi occupied territory. Her soul is stuck in this place and it is up to Vilem to set her free.
*This book does have very graphic details so if you are squeamish prepare yourself. *
This was beautifully written and I will read from this author again. Book 2 here I come.
Happy reading everyone
I received an advance copy from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2020
Firstly this book is only 40 ish pages long , so if you are looking for a short good read , then I definitely recommend this one .
It was a fascinating story , one of which I always love to read about , it wasn't boring or fast paced , or even slow . It is a historical fiction Novelette and it was so worth the read .
It was set in the Holocaust Nazi Germany , a bit sad in places , but just enough to keep me interested .
Basically a young man (Vilem ) gets a job of looking after the concentration camp which is in barrack five ,he is told to keep it clean and tidy on his watch other wise he could be fired , and that includes no graffiti by any teens wondering around the grounds .
On his watch . he heard a noise , went to investigate and found graffiti on the wooden walls , he thinks he had missed someone on the grounds and decided he wanted to find out who had done it ,the next day ,he finds more graffiti on the same wall as before .
He is then contacted by a teen spirit , wanting to tell him of its experiences in the concentration camp and why it hasn't moved on yet .
Raya is the spirit , and she has been stuck here because she has so much to tell someone .
I cant really say more than this because as it was only a short book , it will give to much away .
Or you need to know is , its a good read , friendship between Raya and Vilem and how he helps her .
Some ghosts don't stay quiet and just want to be heard and not forgotten
Would read book 2 for sure .
It was a fascinating story , one of which I always love to read about , it wasn't boring or fast paced , or even slow . It is a historical fiction Novelette and it was so worth the read .
It was set in the Holocaust Nazi Germany , a bit sad in places , but just enough to keep me interested .
Basically a young man (Vilem ) gets a job of looking after the concentration camp which is in barrack five ,he is told to keep it clean and tidy on his watch other wise he could be fired , and that includes no graffiti by any teens wondering around the grounds .
On his watch . he heard a noise , went to investigate and found graffiti on the wooden walls , he thinks he had missed someone on the grounds and decided he wanted to find out who had done it ,the next day ,he finds more graffiti on the same wall as before .
He is then contacted by a teen spirit , wanting to tell him of its experiences in the concentration camp and why it hasn't moved on yet .
Raya is the spirit , and she has been stuck here because she has so much to tell someone .
I cant really say more than this because as it was only a short book , it will give to much away .
Or you need to know is , its a good read , friendship between Raya and Vilem and how he helps her .
Some ghosts don't stay quiet and just want to be heard and not forgotten
Would read book 2 for sure .
September 8, 2024
This is the shortest book of the first saga series, I’m reading is called “Barrack Five” by Elyse Hoffman. She is the youngest author to write about WW2 and published her first novel at 15 years old. This is a work fictional fantasy and Jewish folklore. I must say her writing is brilliant, elegant, and it’s quite interesting and different from what I’ve read different books previously. I am enjoying her first book, and the story is about Vilem Rehor works as a security job at a former concentration camp. When someone starts carving their name onto the walls of Barrack Five. He realises the Holocaust isn’t over for everyone and the spirit of a girl was talking to him and revealing herself and desperate to be heard. Can he help her as a result did she get her wish? You can decide.
November 14, 2020
Vilém Rehor has recently joined as a security guard at a former concentration camp that holds the dreadful memory of holocaust. Just under his nose and that of the authority's, someone starts to carve her name on the wall of Barrack Five. The unpleasant and sorrowful job takes a new turn as he dives into the investigation himself. Soon he realizes that the horror of holocaust is not over for every soul; some linger around with a desire to be remembered.
The book grabbed my attention at the very beginning. The start off was brilliant and pretty relevant to the plot. I absolutely loved how the author portrayed the horrifying history of holocaust through the memory of a young Jewish girl. The emotion behind the piece is very much visible, and is capable of making a way to the reader's heart. The story is easy to follow and even easier to feel. We can barely imagine how many Rayas have left the world with millions of untold stories. I finished the book in a single go, and it did not take much effort. I was simply overwhelmed.
The most terrifying fact is probably that the cruelty is not over yet. The world is still filled with demons, and innocent people are going through unimaginable sufferings every single moment, only because of their faith, race, caste or color.
If you want to take a quick look at the frightening past (or even the equally shocking reality for many people around the world), you should check out this book.
(I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily)
The book grabbed my attention at the very beginning. The start off was brilliant and pretty relevant to the plot. I absolutely loved how the author portrayed the horrifying history of holocaust through the memory of a young Jewish girl. The emotion behind the piece is very much visible, and is capable of making a way to the reader's heart. The story is easy to follow and even easier to feel. We can barely imagine how many Rayas have left the world with millions of untold stories. I finished the book in a single go, and it did not take much effort. I was simply overwhelmed.
The most terrifying fact is probably that the cruelty is not over yet. The world is still filled with demons, and innocent people are going through unimaginable sufferings every single moment, only because of their faith, race, caste or color.
If you want to take a quick look at the frightening past (or even the equally shocking reality for many people around the world), you should check out this book.
(I received a copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily)
December 31, 2020
A short novel but absolutely packed to the rafters with emotion and importance. I'm no stranger to books of this genre and the absolute heartbreak in the truths that they share. This was a very well written account of a little girls memories of a tragic time in our history. Well worth the read and I'll definitely be pursuing the sequels. A beautiful and haunting reminder that every life matters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 18, 2020
An interesting book and a particularly intriguing subject. Book is well written, well paced, and has a remarkably tight—something very difficult in a book this brief.
I received an advanced reader copy for a review.
A good read.
I received an advanced reader copy for a review.
A good read.
December 29, 2020
Barrack Five
In a empty concentration camp so where in the Czech Republic a lonely guard keeps watch . Vilém doesn’t want to be there but it is a job. He is there to guard the buildings against those that would mark them with graffiti.
Vilém feels spirits in the camp where his grandfather was once imprisoned. One day when arrives at work there is a name scratched into the wall of the barracks. When he comes the next day the name is scratched more times. He puts his hand on the carving to wipe away the wood shavings and hears a voice but no one is there.
The girl, a former inmate that died in the camp tells Vilém her story through pictures in his head as long as he has his hand on the carvings.
Is this real, is it a dream of a guard falling asleep on the night shift? Do spirits stay around these horrific spaces, do they want to be noticed? We may never know.
Thanks to Elyse Hoffman and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy of this story for an honest review.
In a empty concentration camp so where in the Czech Republic a lonely guard keeps watch . Vilém doesn’t want to be there but it is a job. He is there to guard the buildings against those that would mark them with graffiti.
Vilém feels spirits in the camp where his grandfather was once imprisoned. One day when arrives at work there is a name scratched into the wall of the barracks. When he comes the next day the name is scratched more times. He puts his hand on the carving to wipe away the wood shavings and hears a voice but no one is there.
The girl, a former inmate that died in the camp tells Vilém her story through pictures in his head as long as he has his hand on the carvings.
Is this real, is it a dream of a guard falling asleep on the night shift? Do spirits stay around these horrific spaces, do they want to be noticed? We may never know.
Thanks to Elyse Hoffman and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy of this story for an honest review.
January 27, 2021
Short but impact ful!
Having read many stories with this subject this one held its own! Velim is a security guard that is not fond of graffiti or vandalism. He starts working at a former concentration camp where a relative was once imprisoned.
Velim is surprised when an area he is responsible for suddenly shows a name scratched into the wall of Barrack Five. The same name is added tallying up to 24 times. Velim is under pressure as it's been deemed to be happening under his watch. He spends the majority of his shift in Barrack Five to catch and put a stop to the vandalism.
Velim has always been sensitive and he is drawn to the name scratched repeatedly into the wall. When he places his hand on the name his life is forever changed.
Short story but the message and depth of it will stick with you!
Having read many stories with this subject this one held its own! Velim is a security guard that is not fond of graffiti or vandalism. He starts working at a former concentration camp where a relative was once imprisoned.
Velim is surprised when an area he is responsible for suddenly shows a name scratched into the wall of Barrack Five. The same name is added tallying up to 24 times. Velim is under pressure as it's been deemed to be happening under his watch. He spends the majority of his shift in Barrack Five to catch and put a stop to the vandalism.
Velim has always been sensitive and he is drawn to the name scratched repeatedly into the wall. When he places his hand on the name his life is forever changed.
Short story but the message and depth of it will stick with you!
November 4, 2022
A must read
Such tragedy that we've all known about, those of us who have lived more than 50 or more years on this earth. But how deeply have we been touched, how hardly have we thought about a single human being, and that one experience that took away a life forever?
I've been just as guilty to bunch the holocaust into clusters. People on trains, people in camps, people in gas chambers. But to narrow that thought down to one, totally innocent person. One human who was tormented simply because he or she was different. And then they are gone; life has gone on, and years later, does anyone remember. We need never forget. And in our memories, narrow them down to just one. God help us.
Such tragedy that we've all known about, those of us who have lived more than 50 or more years on this earth. But how deeply have we been touched, how hardly have we thought about a single human being, and that one experience that took away a life forever?
I've been just as guilty to bunch the holocaust into clusters. People on trains, people in camps, people in gas chambers. But to narrow that thought down to one, totally innocent person. One human who was tormented simply because he or she was different. And then they are gone; life has gone on, and years later, does anyone remember. We need never forget. And in our memories, narrow them down to just one. God help us.
August 6, 2021
This was a short, sweet and poignant story. Vilem is a night guard at an unspecified concentration camp, now a memorial. He meets the ghost of Raya, one of the inmates of Barrack Five and although the experiences of Raya are not a surprise since many of the atrocities have been documented, her purpose is undeniable. She doesn't want to become a nameless victim of the Holocaust, forgotten by the world. She hopes Vilem will remember her and by relating her story, will remember what she suffered.
The story is heartbreaking and had me turning the pages. I have now bought all the series i.e., Barracks 1-4 and I look forward to reading them.
The story is heartbreaking and had me turning the pages. I have now bought all the series i.e., Barracks 1-4 and I look forward to reading them.
March 8, 2021
Intense portrayal of a girl during the holocaust
Anna was a young Jewish girl who was send to barrack 5. She was a photographer and developed her picture. This was a skill the kommandant valued, having her developed his pictures. Terrific
Ble, horrible pictures of Jewish people dying.
This charactization of Anna (the ghost wanting to be remembeted) and the night guard of the concentration camp museum is chilling, heart-rending portrayal of this young teen life and death that brought tears to my eyes.
Recommended.
bookwormsuzy
Anna was a young Jewish girl who was send to barrack 5. She was a photographer and developed her picture. This was a skill the kommandant valued, having her developed his pictures. Terrific
Ble, horrible pictures of Jewish people dying.
This charactization of Anna (the ghost wanting to be remembeted) and the night guard of the concentration camp museum is chilling, heart-rending portrayal of this young teen life and death that brought tears to my eyes.
Recommended.
bookwormsuzy
March 9, 2021
Gripping and very haunting Novella
I read about 14 books a week. Rarely review, many are forgettble. This will stay with me for yeats. Simple premise, story of a teenage Jewess in Czechoslavakia, who is torn from her family into a concentration camp.
This story is o well and sympathetically written, and once over you want to know if 'her history' is found.
Deserves every one of the 5 stars - needs to be required reading in Secondary schools and made into a short film.
I read about 14 books a week. Rarely review, many are forgettble. This will stay with me for yeats. Simple premise, story of a teenage Jewess in Czechoslavakia, who is torn from her family into a concentration camp.
This story is o well and sympathetically written, and once over you want to know if 'her history' is found.
Deserves every one of the 5 stars - needs to be required reading in Secondary schools and made into a short film.
March 9, 2021
Barack Five
A short story to begin the Holocaust Story. A wise and thoughtful depiction that starts with a security guard tending the Barack filled with the Jews, especially one, A young girl who carves her name, Raya Pomnenka, into the wall. A sad story, full of the pain of the girl telling her story to the night guard. Am going to read more of this story, and advise others to do the same.
A short story to begin the Holocaust Story. A wise and thoughtful depiction that starts with a security guard tending the Barack filled with the Jews, especially one, A young girl who carves her name, Raya Pomnenka, into the wall. A sad story, full of the pain of the girl telling her story to the night guard. Am going to read more of this story, and advise others to do the same.
May 26, 2021
Vilém Rehor, a security guard, takes a job at a former concentration camp. He soon experiences the expected but unexpected. He is contacted by someone who’s felt lonely and forgotten for many many years in Barrack Five. This was overall such a great read. Not only does it serve as a reminder of the Holocaust, but it give us an insight to the lives of Jews living in these barracks and an insight as to how their lives were before they were placed there.
Read
March 15, 2021Remembering is most important
This book was more fact then any other I have read. The story has the human element. All the compassion, cruelty, and heartbreak. The Holocaust should be remembered, the people are not shadows. They have a story to tell, and we should take heed an listen....
This book was more fact then any other I have read. The story has the human element. All the compassion, cruelty, and heartbreak. The Holocaust should be remembered, the people are not shadows. They have a story to tell, and we should take heed an listen....
January 1, 2021
Short but good
Effectively told the story.let one remember all the persons who perished and that they all had their individual stories. Persons who doubt the holocaust should read
it
Effectively told the story.let one remember all the persons who perished and that they all had their individual stories. Persons who doubt the holocaust should read
it
January 12, 2021
A gripping take on the Holocaust. I’ve read many books on the subject, but none like this. It’s a must read for any fan of this genre. I hope to read more by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 18, 2021
Beautiful what if
Beautifully and respectfully written, incredibly sad reality for so many. A person who wants someone to know they lived. This will stay with me for the rest of my life. There are lessons to be taken and applied from this story.
Beautifully and respectfully written, incredibly sad reality for so many. A person who wants someone to know they lived. This will stay with me for the rest of my life. There are lessons to be taken and applied from this story.
July 21, 2022
Astonishing
So real! Totally impossible to put down. Bringing personality into the stories and legends. They are captivating almost first-person accounts that lift us from our cozy chairs into the midst of terror and oppression unlike anything seen in modern times.
So real! Totally impossible to put down. Bringing personality into the stories and legends. They are captivating almost first-person accounts that lift us from our cozy chairs into the midst of terror and oppression unlike anything seen in modern times.
November 26, 2022
Barrack Five - a memory
What an interesting way to weave a story. I have always had an interest in reading about the Holocaust.
I am very pleased I chose to read this one.
Congratulations to Elyse Hoffman on writing such a unique story.
What an interesting way to weave a story. I have always had an interest in reading about the Holocaust.
I am very pleased I chose to read this one.
Congratulations to Elyse Hoffman on writing such a unique story.
January 22, 2021
Nothing to remember
I was enraptured by this book. It touched my the fact so many died with nothing left with which there nothing to remember them.
I was enraptured by this book. It touched my the fact so many died with nothing left with which there nothing to remember them.
January 23, 2021
Riveting
An amazing short read. The story it depicted was amazing and the history it represented was upsetting and intriguing. An amazing story.
An amazing short read. The story it depicted was amazing and the history it represented was upsetting and intriguing. An amazing story.
Read
April 8, 2021Quick read! Interesting!
August 8, 2022
Brilliant
Could not put it down, not normally a reader but just had to know what was coming up and how it would end
Could not put it down, not normally a reader but just had to know what was coming up and how it would end
November 12, 2022
It is unbelievable how only 45 pages could make me feel so many emotions. A great little novella.
January 23, 2023
Awesome
Tears filled my eyes as read this heart breaking story. No one should have to go through such horrors as the Jews did
Tears filled my eyes as read this heart breaking story. No one should have to go through such horrors as the Jews did
March 6, 2021
A must read
A very different take, it breaks my heart that so many names are lost to the evil of the Holocaust. We must remember and never forget the deaths of so many.
A very different take, it breaks my heart that so many names are lost to the evil of the Holocaust. We must remember and never forget the deaths of so many.
January 21, 2023
This was a super short read. I felt like I was Vilem and I was the one seeing these visions that Raya wanted him to see. It is graphic but the details are what make you feel like you are there. Great story and I will read book 2.
December 10, 2020
Definitely worth the read.
Excellent story. Short, but poignant. Well worth the $$ and the time. I highly recommend this little, short, sweet book.
Excellent story. Short, but poignant. Well worth the $$ and the time. I highly recommend this little, short, sweet book.
November 8, 2022
This was a rather short book, but packed a powerful punch. I like stories about the Holocaust because they are informative, but they are so sad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews