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The Last
See the future in its true color.
From alternate realities and surveillance states to the cold edges of the Universe, these five speculative tales explore what happens when humanity collides with its own boundaries — and what lies beyond them.
In The Last, Andrzej Wronka delivers sharp, unsettling narratives that probe consciousness, extinction, technology, and first contact with the truly alien.
Dark, dense, and cerebral, this collection is written for readers who grew up with Philip K. Dick, Peter Watts, Arthur C. Clarke, and Stanisław Lem — and are ready to confront the next frontier of speculative fiction.
From alternate realities and surveillance states to the cold edges of the Universe, these five speculative tales explore what happens when humanity collides with its own boundaries — and what lies beyond them.
In The Last, Andrzej Wronka delivers sharp, unsettling narratives that probe consciousness, extinction, technology, and first contact with the truly alien.
Dark, dense, and cerebral, this collection is written for readers who grew up with Philip K. Dick, Peter Watts, Arthur C. Clarke, and Stanisław Lem — and are ready to confront the next frontier of speculative fiction.
- GenresScience Fiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published August 31, 2025
4 people are currently reading
3502 people want to read
About the author
Andrzej Wronka
3 books27 followersAndrzej Wronka is a Polish writer and programmer with a background in physics. His work explores the nature of humanity through the lenses of psychology, philosophy, and futurology, often pushing readers to confront the boundaries of consciousness, technology, and existence.
He debuted in 2017 with the short story collection Ostatni (Polish), followed by his first novel Iluzja in 2022.
The Last marks his English-language debut — a speculative science fiction collection that brings his dark, cerebral visions to an international audience.
He debuted in 2017 with the short story collection Ostatni (Polish), followed by his first novel Iluzja in 2022.
The Last marks his English-language debut — a speculative science fiction collection that brings his dark, cerebral visions to an international audience.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 31, 2025
Sometimes a book doesn’t blow you away, but still leaves you curious about what the author will do next - "The Last" is exactly that kind of read.
It’s a mixed bag for me. Some of the stories tackle big social and ethical questions, but they don’t really bring much that feels new. A lot of familiar sci-fi tropes show up, and the heavy use of technical jargon sometimes makes the stories harder to enjoy than they should be. While this dense, hermetic style may appeal to fans of "hard science fiction" (Whatever the definition of "hard science fiction" is?), it often left me more puzzled than inspired. When the language gets more readable - like in "Rats" or "The Visit" - the ideas feel a bit too familiar, like versions of worlds we’ve already seen, just not as vivid.
That said, what really stood out to me was seeing the author’s growth across the collection. Each story feels like a small step forward in confidence and craft, and "The Mechanist" is easily the highlight - I’d give that one a solid 4/5 on its own. There’s real potential here, and I’d love to see Andrzej take on a longer project where his ideas and characters have more room to breathe.
Definitely curious to see what he does next!
It’s a mixed bag for me. Some of the stories tackle big social and ethical questions, but they don’t really bring much that feels new. A lot of familiar sci-fi tropes show up, and the heavy use of technical jargon sometimes makes the stories harder to enjoy than they should be. While this dense, hermetic style may appeal to fans of "hard science fiction" (Whatever the definition of "hard science fiction" is?), it often left me more puzzled than inspired. When the language gets more readable - like in "Rats" or "The Visit" - the ideas feel a bit too familiar, like versions of worlds we’ve already seen, just not as vivid.
That said, what really stood out to me was seeing the author’s growth across the collection. Each story feels like a small step forward in confidence and craft, and "The Mechanist" is easily the highlight - I’d give that one a solid 4/5 on its own. There’s real potential here, and I’d love to see Andrzej take on a longer project where his ideas and characters have more room to breathe.
Definitely curious to see what he does next!
September 30, 2025
Andrzej Wronka's 'The Last' is a fantastic collection of independent science fiction stories, each offering its own unique universe. The collection spans a wide spectrum, from the last remnants of humanity's struggle to colonize a new planet, to a man frozen in time searching for his place in a digital future, and a cosmic journey to the edge of the universe that questions the very nature of reality.
The stories are not just about technology and space adventures; they delve into deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human, moral choices, and the nature of reality. The atmosphere the author crafts in each story immediately draws you in, leaving you to ponder the complex dilemmas faced by the characters.
If you enjoy original, multi-layered science fiction that leaves you wondering 'what happens next?' and stays with you long after you've finished, 'The Last' is a perfect fit. Highly recommended.
The stories are not just about technology and space adventures; they delve into deep philosophical questions about what it means to be human, moral choices, and the nature of reality. The atmosphere the author crafts in each story immediately draws you in, leaving you to ponder the complex dilemmas faced by the characters.
If you enjoy original, multi-layered science fiction that leaves you wondering 'what happens next?' and stays with you long after you've finished, 'The Last' is a perfect fit. Highly recommended.
October 8, 2025
I’m giving The Last four stars for its ambition and intellect. Andrzej Wronka’s stories are dark, philosophical, and quietly haunting. Each one examines what happens when humanity pushes too far into technology, consciousness, or power itself. “Rats” stood out for me, turning the promise of space colonization into a chilling parable of exploitation. “Epitaph” mixes humor and despair, while “Interface” challenges you to reread and reflect. Some pieces feel dense, but that weight suits the themes. Wronka’s prose is rich, painting futures that feel disturbingly possible. By the end, I wasn’t uplifted, but I was intrigued, wanted more, and a little uneasy about where we are headed.
October 15, 2025
deep
This one wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can definitely see how others—especially people who are into science and deep, technical ideas—would really enjoy it. The writing is solid and thought-provoking, and it’s clear the author put a lot of research and imagination into the story.
While some parts went over my head or felt a bit dense for my taste, I still appreciated the originality and the way it makes you think about the future of humanity and technology. If you’re into science-heavy fiction or big “what if” concepts, this book might be right up your alley.
This one wasn’t really my cup of tea, but I can definitely see how others—especially people who are into science and deep, technical ideas—would really enjoy it. The writing is solid and thought-provoking, and it’s clear the author put a lot of research and imagination into the story.
While some parts went over my head or felt a bit dense for my taste, I still appreciated the originality and the way it makes you think about the future of humanity and technology. If you’re into science-heavy fiction or big “what if” concepts, this book might be right up your alley.
December 10, 2025
Collection of short Sci Fi stories. I found each story left the reader with something to think about. I like it when an author does that to me. I genuinely enjoyed this.
September 11, 2025
The Last is a read for every fan in search of original, thought-provoking, and unconventional visions. The author shows remarkable imagination, offering the reader a chance to see something truly new.
None of the futures presented in The Last inspire much optimism—but each one is followed with the kind of fascination only a skilled storyteller can evoke. And despite his relatively short publishing history, Andrzej Wronka undoubtedly proves himself to be such a storyteller.
Speaking personally, I’d add that The Last carries a sharp, cerebral edge that lingers long after you finish it. It’s more than speculative fiction—it’s a mirror to our present, questioning what humanity becomes when we lose ourselves in the relentless race for power—whether through future technologies, domination over others, or playing god.
None of the futures presented in The Last inspire much optimism—but each one is followed with the kind of fascination only a skilled storyteller can evoke. And despite his relatively short publishing history, Andrzej Wronka undoubtedly proves himself to be such a storyteller.
Speaking personally, I’d add that The Last carries a sharp, cerebral edge that lingers long after you finish it. It’s more than speculative fiction—it’s a mirror to our present, questioning what humanity becomes when we lose ourselves in the relentless race for power—whether through future technologies, domination over others, or playing god.
September 23, 2025
The Last delivers a gloomy, intellectual, and pessimistic set of stories - right up my alley. Each tale leans into bleak themes, with a heavy dose of philosophy and sharp critiques of human ambition. At times, the writing lingers too long on description, which can cramp the pacing of shorter pieces, but the ideas themselves are compelling and often unsettling.
The standout is “Rats,” a novella that makes up the bulk of the book. It begins with the familiar optimism of Golden Age space colonization but quickly curdles into a grim allegory of exploitation and colonialism. While the trope of human settlers oppressing the native population isn’t new, it’s handled effectively here, though some trimming would have tightened the flow.
“Epitaph” explores the disastrous consequences of digital resurrection. It’s unrelentingly bleak but also unexpectedly funny in places. The “seduction” scene, in particular, is a darkly comic highlight. The ending, however, left me scratching my head a bit.
“Interface” is the most experimental piece, requiring multiple reads to fully unpack. Its unusual narrative angle offers a deeply philosophical meditation on identity and perception.
“The Visit” shifts gears into an espionage thriller set in an all-too-plausible near future. It’s fast-paced and has a poignancy that lingers after the last line.
Finally, “The Mechanist” blends philosophy, science, and the personal in ways that sometimes slipped past me, but I appreciated its ambition and interplay of ideas.
Overall, The Last is a thought-provoking and often brilliant collection. While some stories could benefit from leaner prose, the sheer weight of its ideas and its commitment to pessimistic vision make it well worth the read. Andrzej Wronka is definitely a talent to watch.
The standout is “Rats,” a novella that makes up the bulk of the book. It begins with the familiar optimism of Golden Age space colonization but quickly curdles into a grim allegory of exploitation and colonialism. While the trope of human settlers oppressing the native population isn’t new, it’s handled effectively here, though some trimming would have tightened the flow.
“Epitaph” explores the disastrous consequences of digital resurrection. It’s unrelentingly bleak but also unexpectedly funny in places. The “seduction” scene, in particular, is a darkly comic highlight. The ending, however, left me scratching my head a bit.
“Interface” is the most experimental piece, requiring multiple reads to fully unpack. Its unusual narrative angle offers a deeply philosophical meditation on identity and perception.
“The Visit” shifts gears into an espionage thriller set in an all-too-plausible near future. It’s fast-paced and has a poignancy that lingers after the last line.
Finally, “The Mechanist” blends philosophy, science, and the personal in ways that sometimes slipped past me, but I appreciated its ambition and interplay of ideas.
Overall, The Last is a thought-provoking and often brilliant collection. While some stories could benefit from leaner prose, the sheer weight of its ideas and its commitment to pessimistic vision make it well worth the read. Andrzej Wronka is definitely a talent to watch.
September 18, 2025
Andrzej Wronka’s The Last is a collection of short stories that takes the reader on an expansive journey of imagination, ranging from colonial ventures to artificial intelligence, and from totalitarian regimes to consciousness on a cosmic scale. Wronka masterfully explores universal themes such as human identity, ethical responsibility, and the limits of technology, utilizing the rich possibilities of science fiction and speculative fiction.
With its cinematic scene descriptions and philosophical depth, The Last not only speculates about the future but also holds up a powerful mirror to the present. I highly recommend it to all fans of philosophical science fiction who seek a thought-provoking, original, and intense reading experience.
With its cinematic scene descriptions and philosophical depth, The Last not only speculates about the future but also holds up a powerful mirror to the present. I highly recommend it to all fans of philosophical science fiction who seek a thought-provoking, original, and intense reading experience.
December 17, 2025
This book found its way to me via a goodreads giveaway, and I am probably exactly the target audience for this one. I'm a lover of scifi and specifically hard science fiction, and I'm a bleak person with bleak thoughts and a bleak outlook on life generally and human life specifically. I think the first story in my copy of this book had some translation challenges (some of it was a bit difficult to understand). That being said, I loved the first story, the last line truly did make me gasp and feel bleaker than ever before. But art is supposed to make you feel things, so mission accomplished. Well done.
September 24, 2025
The Last weaves a captivating series of stories that traverse the boundaries of human experience, from dystopian societies to the frontiers of artificial consciousness. It blends speculative futures with timeless questions about humanity’s path, making this collection a compelling read. It’s a must for anyone who enjoys sci-fi that challenges the mind and stirs the soul.
September 14, 2025
Wow. I had a friend who won this in a giveaway and would not stop talking about it. I took a chance on it and I absolutely loved your short story collection. Brilliantly written and so creative. I am so happy I decided to read it and found this gem.
October 19, 2025
I love love love this book. I am only done with the first story or approaching the end and I have to say the writing is so beautiful and philosophical. Many thoughts about the philosophical and ethical morals present in today's society, especially underlying themes regarding capitalism and the exploitation of our natural resources for short term benefit. Eventually unchecked this greed can be something that ruins us on Earth and follows us into other planets. Money and the idea of endless progress is so embedded into our culture, it can easily lead to our downfall.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews