wordsuponwords's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lexitrumble's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite. The premise was good, the writing was great, but the execution of this one didn’t work for me. I’ve got a few tropes/narrative devices of which I’m just not a fan, and this was one of them.
katiiekhaos's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a quick read and enjoyable but didn’t evoke any strong emotions of wow factor for me. The premise was really interesting, and while the atmosphere was a little uncomfortable it never reached a point of being scary or unsettling.
While it has horror themes it doesn’t have the feeling of a traditional horror story. Which may be where I was let down, I was expecting something more scary.
It’s well written and a fairly unique story, but was just lacking something more for me to rate it higher.
While it has horror themes it doesn’t have the feeling of a traditional horror story. Which may be where I was let down, I was expecting something more scary.
It’s well written and a fairly unique story, but was just lacking something more for me to rate it higher.
sydneylive's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mattiereads's review against another edition
4.0
Out Behind the Barn is a novella told from the POV of two younger boys. It’s only about 100 pages but in those pages you grow attached to these characters through the amazing writing and character development.
The chapters are only a few pages so you will fly through this one.
It was an unexpected ending that broke my heart and made me cry.
Definitely recommend this one!
The chapters are only a few pages so you will fly through this one.
It was an unexpected ending that broke my heart and made me cry.
Definitely recommend this one!
rheynir's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
shawna_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Her eyes. They see the world how I see it. There's a twinkle in them, like they've got love to give."
Two boys live on a secluded farm with Miss Maggie, a woman who takes care of them. Some days she brings people back to the farm to join their family, which in turn makes the boys excited.
At only 125 pages, Boden and Lutzke weaved together a beautiful novella. A horror story that tugged on your heartstrings. I enjoyed the perspectives of the two young boys and the mysterious build up of events. I had an idea of what was going on, but the reveal at the end took it to another level. I was not ready for an emotional read, but I loved every minute of it!
That is all I'm going to say before I spoil anything as it is fast paced. Just know that it was dark and tense, yet beautifully written.
Two boys live on a secluded farm with Miss Maggie, a woman who takes care of them. Some days she brings people back to the farm to join their family, which in turn makes the boys excited.
At only 125 pages, Boden and Lutzke weaved together a beautiful novella. A horror story that tugged on your heartstrings. I enjoyed the perspectives of the two young boys and the mysterious build up of events. I had an idea of what was going on, but the reveal at the end took it to another level. I was not ready for an emotional read, but I loved every minute of it!
That is all I'm going to say before I spoil anything as it is fast paced. Just know that it was dark and tense, yet beautifully written.
kimhawk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
paulataua's review against another edition
4.0
Unusual oddity! It presents itself as horror and has lots of the hallmarks of the horror genre, but it is more or a puzzle story where you spend most of the time trying to work out what has happened, and still is in the process of happening. The thing about Lutzke and Boden that attracts me is that with both of them, things are never quite what you expect them to be. Enjoyable read!
readingbookswater's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Five stars. Original storytelling and well-paced for a bleak but suspenseful story. Mysterious horror, maybe a touch of folk horror. Sad, beautiful descriptions, plenty of creepiness and overall excellent writing. I loved the ending.