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Beyond the Boundary Fence
What lies beyond the boundary fence, is something that should be left well alone. The new housing estate, Golden Pastures, is a quiet place with quiet streets, and quiet people. For fourteen-year-old Brody Webb and his struggling parents, it's a new start, and a second chance at making their family work. But when Brody's dad is laid off and his mother is forced to work long hours, things return to the way they have always been. For Brody, it's a lonely life spent riding his bike and dodging his drunken father.
That is until Brody meets Todd, Zoe and Mike. Three kids that become the closest friends he's ever had. However, beyond the estate's boundary fence, deep in the surrounding Bushland, a sinister presence is awakening. Something that stalks the bush at night, something that needs to feed. And following the disappearance of one of his friends, Brody must find the courage to venture deep into the bush, and confront an old evil that has been waiting years to rise up, and have its revenge on the world.
That is until Brody meets Todd, Zoe and Mike. Three kids that become the closest friends he's ever had. However, beyond the estate's boundary fence, deep in the surrounding Bushland, a sinister presence is awakening. Something that stalks the bush at night, something that needs to feed. And following the disappearance of one of his friends, Brody must find the courage to venture deep into the bush, and confront an old evil that has been waiting years to rise up, and have its revenge on the world.
178 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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June 8, 2021“Stay out of the bush!”
In mythology, the edge of the known world is often marked by some boundary such as a wall, a fence, a bridge, and to cross over it is to invite a confrontation with the unknown. There’s a fence at the edge of the new estate where Brody and his parents have come to live. The fence divides the town from the surrounding bushland, and Dad’s drinking is a problem, so Brody wants to spend as much time away from home as possible. But his first encounter with the neighbourhood kids is an unpleasant one—until they change their minds and adopt him into their group.
When they decide to cross the fence to explore a rundown mansion, the ancient inhabitant warns them to stay out of the bush. At first they think he’s just a crotchetty old man, but there are things out there that crave human flesh.
Swearing and issues such as alcoholism will make Beyond the Boundary Fence unsuitable for younger readers, but Stefan Taylor’s latest tale is a well-told, engaging horror story for older teens and young adults.
In mythology, the edge of the known world is often marked by some boundary such as a wall, a fence, a bridge, and to cross over it is to invite a confrontation with the unknown. There’s a fence at the edge of the new estate where Brody and his parents have come to live. The fence divides the town from the surrounding bushland, and Dad’s drinking is a problem, so Brody wants to spend as much time away from home as possible. But his first encounter with the neighbourhood kids is an unpleasant one—until they change their minds and adopt him into their group.
When they decide to cross the fence to explore a rundown mansion, the ancient inhabitant warns them to stay out of the bush. At first they think he’s just a crotchetty old man, but there are things out there that crave human flesh.
Swearing and issues such as alcoholism will make Beyond the Boundary Fence unsuitable for younger readers, but Stefan Taylor’s latest tale is a well-told, engaging horror story for older teens and young adults.
June 9, 2021
Beyond the Boundary Fence written by Stefan Taylor explores the loyalty of a group of young people drawn together through the rejection of others. Through the story this ‘community’ learns to depend on each other as it faces a malevolent evil simmering below the surface of the Australian bush which is now reacting to the encroachment of ‘white’ settlement – in this case a new housing development. Stefan creates a believable, tight and fast moving plot, which for the reader produces an unexpected but realistic ending. The book explores many issues that affect and impinge on young people in our society today for the world is not all happy endings. The book gives possible frameworks for young people to explore and tackle the many issues that they will meet as they grow and mature. I can recommend this as a good read that kept my attention to the very end.
June 12, 2021
This intriguing little book, with its for nicely developed teenage characters and scary plot is a great read, especially on a dark and windy night!
May 23, 2021
An incredible, thrilling adventure, as soon as I read the first page I couldn't put it down. Twisting and turning at every step, it captures every horrifying detail perfectly, would 100% recommend!
January 17, 2017
A chilling read with profound character interactions that have you sitting into their adventures and nightmares. Taylor has a craft for dialogue and on the horror front, can certainly take you to some very dark and disturbing regions.
A very satisfying novella that will grip you from chapter 1. A book you won't want to put down. Recommended reading.
A very satisfying novella that will grip you from chapter 1. A book you won't want to put down. Recommended reading.
August 13, 2023
There is an interesting sub-genre of Australian horror, exploring the margins of our rusted-on society and what lies beyond our understanding in the vast antipodean wilderness. We are indeed, as AD Hope opined almost a century ago - just timid second-hand Europeans, pullulating timidly on the edge of alien shores.
"Boundary Fence" is such a tale. It is one of Stafan's early novels, and tells the story of Brody, a teenage loner trapped in a broken family, and his struggles to adapt to a new school and suburb on the cusp of the Australian bush, and the monsters that lurk beyond the fence. It is essentially a tale of friendship, young love, growing up, and facing one's fears.
I actually think this is an excellent book for young horror fans. The horror, while pretty full on, is not especially gory, and the intimacy between the principle characters does not delve too deeply into troubled waters.
This is a smooth, easy read. Well crafted, with some likeable characters you can get behind.
"Boundary Fence" is such a tale. It is one of Stafan's early novels, and tells the story of Brody, a teenage loner trapped in a broken family, and his struggles to adapt to a new school and suburb on the cusp of the Australian bush, and the monsters that lurk beyond the fence. It is essentially a tale of friendship, young love, growing up, and facing one's fears.
I actually think this is an excellent book for young horror fans. The horror, while pretty full on, is not especially gory, and the intimacy between the principle characters does not delve too deeply into troubled waters.
This is a smooth, easy read. Well crafted, with some likeable characters you can get behind.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews