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The Poisoner's Last Ride: A Post-Apocalyptic Love Story
Found in Apt. 1724, Osaka Tower Block, Southwest City 3:
Hello, Tenant,
Welcome to what used to be our apartment. If you intend to read on, then you should know the truth about what happened to us.
The annotated We couldn’t take living here anymore. We’ve been “Sector Auditors” (yes, Poisoners) for Southwest City 3 for some time now, and while our lifestyle has undeniably been better than the average Citizen’s, when you’ve a permanent target on your back due to your job, the only way you can survive on your terms is by living on the run out in the Wastes, and we’re willing to risk it, even if it means the end of our creature comforts…
…and even if it challenges our relationship with each other.
So enjoy your time here while you still have it. We don’t envy you whatsoever.
In all sincerity,
S&S
Oct. 15th, Year 72 Post Res.
P.S. We’ve left a little bit of (real) cake in the fridge. Thought it would be nice to leave some for the new Tenant. Enjoy!
Hello, Tenant,
Welcome to what used to be our apartment. If you intend to read on, then you should know the truth about what happened to us.
The annotated We couldn’t take living here anymore. We’ve been “Sector Auditors” (yes, Poisoners) for Southwest City 3 for some time now, and while our lifestyle has undeniably been better than the average Citizen’s, when you’ve a permanent target on your back due to your job, the only way you can survive on your terms is by living on the run out in the Wastes, and we’re willing to risk it, even if it means the end of our creature comforts…
…and even if it challenges our relationship with each other.
So enjoy your time here while you still have it. We don’t envy you whatsoever.
In all sincerity,
S&S
Oct. 15th, Year 72 Post Res.
P.S. We’ve left a little bit of (real) cake in the fridge. Thought it would be nice to leave some for the new Tenant. Enjoy!
- GenresHorror
125 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2023
51 people want to read
About the author
Kenzie Jennings
25 books134 followersKenzie Jennings is an English professor suffering in the sweltering tourist hub of central Florida. She is the author of the Splatterpunk Award nominated books Reception and Red Station (Death’s Head Press). Her short horror fiction has appeared in the anthologies Rampage on the Reef, Slash-Her, Baker’s Dozen, Slice Girls, Worst Laid Plans: An Anthology of Vacation Horror, Dig Two Graves, Vol. 1 and Deep Fried Horror: Mother's Day Edition.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 13, 2023
Holy moly, what a wild ride! Love that references to the Mad Max story. Great characters and an unexpected twist or two. Highly recommended!
July 13, 2023
One thing I’ve come to love with Jennings writing is she gets right into the grossness, and sweetness at the core of humanity. This is something I look for in a post-apocalyptic story as well. So when I saw Kenzie wrote a post-apocalyptic tale, it was a no brainer instant read for me. My gut reaction wasn’t wrong, this IS a crazy car crash scene of a ride set after the end of the world; but it’s so much more. There’s heart for both characters; and the world here. The writing is crisp, the storytelling is great, and the scenery is so dusty and worn out I could feel grains of sand in my teeth. A post apocalyptic story that even the Toecutter himself would enjoy. K thx.
July 3, 2023
I love Dystopian stories, I love tales set during or after the Apocalypse. I enjoy the bleakness, and the hope that shines through during the moments of humanity. Turns out, Kenzie Jennings loves these tales, too! The only difference between her and I, is that she has an immense talent which allows her to tell one of these stories perfectly. The Poisoner's Last Ride was a spectacular experience for me. There was action, tension and drama just as there should be. The characters were believable and complex, even though the story itself is fairly short. And boy did she make this one twisty! I KNEW where this was going, I was sure of it! And then, all of a sudden, I knew nothing and was just as shocked as the characters when I found out the secrets behind everything.
To make sure I leave this spoiler-free, I can't comment on one of my favorite things about Kenzie's book. It has to do with a favorite movie that Kenzie and I share (I learned we have some things in common in the afterward) and I kept envisioning scenes from this movie while reading this. Especially toward the end. I don't want to just put it out there because it was so fun for me to read and make my own comparisons, I wouldn't want to take away someone's fun!
Highly recommend! Perfect for fans of the Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian sub-genres. Or fans of just great stories, in general!
To make sure I leave this spoiler-free, I can't comment on one of my favorite things about Kenzie's book. It has to do with a favorite movie that Kenzie and I share (I learned we have some things in common in the afterward) and I kept envisioning scenes from this movie while reading this. Especially toward the end. I don't want to just put it out there because it was so fun for me to read and make my own comparisons, I wouldn't want to take away someone's fun!
Highly recommend! Perfect for fans of the Post-Apocalyptic and Dystopian sub-genres. Or fans of just great stories, in general!
August 25, 2024
I've never seen Mad Max. I - hold on a sec while I dodge the items being thrown at me.
...ok I'm back. So the MM references got by me. However, we all bring our own menagerie of movies watched and books read as we take in something new. As I read The Poisoner's Last Ride, I felt connected to, and nostalgic for, some of my favorite dystopian literature - particularly, Logan's Run (the fantastic book, not the cheesy movie), which remains one of my favorites. Jennings's story, in a short amount of time, explores several different relationships from one woman's perspective and also in the context of a new world. The protagonist is hardened by her environment but manages to maintain an internal "regularness" that I could still relate to, especially as a female reader. The world and character building achieved in 125 pages is impressive.
To be clear, The Poisoner's Last Ride reminded me why I love dystopian fiction. It gave me similar feelings as some of my vintage favorites, while standing apart as something more nuanced and modern (and female friendly).
I am so thrilled to see more women authoring horror and dystopian stories and Kenzie Jennings is one of my new favorites.
...ok I'm back. So the MM references got by me. However, we all bring our own menagerie of movies watched and books read as we take in something new. As I read The Poisoner's Last Ride, I felt connected to, and nostalgic for, some of my favorite dystopian literature - particularly, Logan's Run (the fantastic book, not the cheesy movie), which remains one of my favorites. Jennings's story, in a short amount of time, explores several different relationships from one woman's perspective and also in the context of a new world. The protagonist is hardened by her environment but manages to maintain an internal "regularness" that I could still relate to, especially as a female reader. The world and character building achieved in 125 pages is impressive.
To be clear, The Poisoner's Last Ride reminded me why I love dystopian fiction. It gave me similar feelings as some of my vintage favorites, while standing apart as something more nuanced and modern (and female friendly).
I am so thrilled to see more women authoring horror and dystopian stories and Kenzie Jennings is one of my new favorites.
September 10, 2023
Spoiler Free
It's really easy to take the dystopian, post-apocalyptic trope and go really big with a doorstop of a book. And those books totally have their place, but sometimes, what you want is a short punchy story that gets to the point.
The Poisoner's Last Ride is one of those books that focuses on Siobhan as she tries to escape her city's draconian laws with her partner Seth, and make the dangerous journey across a Mad Max-style wasteland to find her mother.
Kenzie Jennings squeezes a truly memorable violent death scene inside a school (one that I desperately want to see on film 😂), in a book that takes the genre in a largely nonviolent direction.
Jennings hasn't let me down once, which makes me excited to read her collection of shorts at some point before the end of the year!
It's really easy to take the dystopian, post-apocalyptic trope and go really big with a doorstop of a book. And those books totally have their place, but sometimes, what you want is a short punchy story that gets to the point.
The Poisoner's Last Ride is one of those books that focuses on Siobhan as she tries to escape her city's draconian laws with her partner Seth, and make the dangerous journey across a Mad Max-style wasteland to find her mother.
Kenzie Jennings squeezes a truly memorable violent death scene inside a school (one that I desperately want to see on film 😂), in a book that takes the genre in a largely nonviolent direction.
Jennings hasn't let me down once, which makes me excited to read her collection of shorts at some point before the end of the year!
November 10, 2023
Exploding eyeballs, murderous Scavs, Delorean simulations and CAKE!
It's all here in Kenzie Jennings' fast and furious ode to post-apocalyptic action thrillers couched in a dark love story pockmarked with gnarly violence and sharp-edged prose.
If you enjoy flicks like Mad Max, Judge Dredd, and Looper, you'll flip for Kenzie's tight and trippy novella. Vivid and fluid, it feels like the novelization for a cult film from 1986 that slipped out of our collective consciousness due to a clerical error. There's even a little bit of Richard Stanley's Hardware in there too.
I finished it faster than your face can explode from being overdosed by an Auditor.
And I wager you will too...
It's all here in Kenzie Jennings' fast and furious ode to post-apocalyptic action thrillers couched in a dark love story pockmarked with gnarly violence and sharp-edged prose.
If you enjoy flicks like Mad Max, Judge Dredd, and Looper, you'll flip for Kenzie's tight and trippy novella. Vivid and fluid, it feels like the novelization for a cult film from 1986 that slipped out of our collective consciousness due to a clerical error. There's even a little bit of Richard Stanley's Hardware in there too.
I finished it faster than your face can explode from being overdosed by an Auditor.
And I wager you will too...
July 13, 2023
What a wonderful love letter to fans of the post-apocalyptic genre! I really enjoyed this latest story from Ms. Jennings. I'd like to talk about some of my favorite parts, but I don't want to spoil anything. Just a great postapoc story. I highly recommend it, as well as her other books.
October 29, 2023
Strong beginning. I quite enjoy the gruesome death. It’s a fun sci-fi story with a love story to carry you to the finish line. Personally I’m not a big fan of Sci-Fi but I quite enjoyed this one. It’s a nice cozy story for rainy days.
April 7, 2024
Why, oh why isn’t this book being spoke about more?
It’s sooooo bloody good!
Makes me wanna lose myself in Judge Dredd comics and Mad Max films.
Such a good story and a fantastic female lead.
Oh, and one of the best vehicle chases I’ve ever read.
I loved this very.
Read it! X
It’s sooooo bloody good!
Makes me wanna lose myself in Judge Dredd comics and Mad Max films.
Such a good story and a fantastic female lead.
Oh, and one of the best vehicle chases I’ve ever read.
I loved this very.
Read it! X
July 30, 2023
This was a fun ride (see what I did there?) and I read it in one sitting. I love the pieces spread throughout giving homage to the post-apocalyptic genre. And the ending was perfect and unexpected.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews