RAGE: a flash-fiction horror

by Amanda Ruzsa

Told from an unexpected perspective, RAGE is a flash-fiction horror story set inside a house heavy with grief and history. Families come and go, unaware they are never truly alone. Within the walls, a quiet observer learns their routines, absorbs their joys, and bears witness to horrific happenings.

RAGE is a haunting meditation on loss, anger, and the violence that lingers long after the flames die out

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2026

About the author

Amanda lives in Minnesota with her husband, three children, a dog and two cats. When she isn’t buried in a spooky book, she enjoys baking and spending time with her family— usually watching creepy movies or playing outrageous board games. In her free time, she enjoys collecting Halloween decor, writing macabre poetry, reorganizing her books and coming up with ways to surprise and amuse her friends and family. It has been a lifelong joke among her friends and family that Amanda is a member of the ‘grammar police.’ Writing and reading have always played a huge part in her life, stemming from growing up idolizing the talents of her Mother: a novelist, artist and journalist. Amanda began creating stories and crafting poems at a young age and never stopped. Now, reading and writing is still a huge part of her everyday life, and she feels blessed to be able to share her love of spooky stories with so many.

Reviews

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy and Thoughtful

Another creepy yet thought provoking flash fiction horror. This one also feels oddly sad even while it's scary. Great work!

[Allia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice for the rodents

[S. Policar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is supposed to be horror. A piece of flash horror. But I didn't find it scary, I never find any horrors scary. They evoke other emotions but never fear. This one called on sorrow.
Told from a mouse's point of view; it's his story. It devastated me with it's 31 pages.
It's unique to find horror written from anything other than a humans point of view. Our fears aren't the same as the fears even a small mouse has.
I honestly would have loved this too have been fleshed out more because again, I love these rare stories told from the point of view of someone other than a human.
Either way, this little nameless mouse will get to live on as I read his story over and over like I do all my favorites.

[Rena · Rating 4 out of 5]

My. Heart.

Amanda, what did you do to it?!

A short story that starts so innocent and then turns into something absolutely gut wrenching.

At one point I felt my eyes widen at a connection, a feeling, a ache and I'm not sure I was ready for it.

Absolutely worth reading. It might be small, like a mouse, but mighty.

[Brittani Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

In such a short story, Amanda really knows how to deliver an emotional, gut-wrenching story told from the perspective of a rodent.

Amanda is great at taking something that would be considered ordinary and let her imagination run free. Only with this story, something that some of us may have done results in revenge and tragedy.

I did receive this as a free ARC in return for a review.

[Keri Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a short,gritty revenge story look no further!

Hell hath no fury like a rodent wronged…
This was a dark and short slow burn told from the point of view of the rodent. Never underestimate even the smallest of creatures. I believe I read this book in about 10 minutes because once I started I could not stop. I am looking forward to reading more from Amanda Ruzsa!

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rage by Amanda Ruzsa
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an interesting and entertaining flash-fiction horror story.
It’s not your typical story from a human’s view of their lives. This one is told and felt from a rodent’s point of view and holds feelings of anger and grief.

This book is well written and provokes so much emotion in such a short story.
The House will always remember!!

*I recommend grabbing this short, and fast read!! It’s out now!*

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget Hickory Dickory Dock, this mouse ain't run up no clock. I mean, I ain't got nothing against mice. I find them cute. But this mouse, Rage, should be his name, ain't playing games. Short read and of course surprises.

[Brandon Reviews Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the hell do you mean a quick story about a mouse would make me curl up in the fetal position?!

Read this now!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short very short mouse’s point of view of how humans have murdered his family so he chews through wires and burns them in revenge, I really enjoyed the mouse’s point of view if the house and us as humans

[Remy Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

The connections to everything was fantastic!!! I also love the commentary at how the weakest creatures can be the downfall of the powerful!

[M.E Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the perspective of this story and having a different take. It’s interesting how the author came up with this idea of going to the perspective of the rodent watching family after family and humans being the murders. I loved this story

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭 again my heart

Ma'am! I don't know why I keep setting myself up for heartache with your books, but here I am, sad and heartbroken

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these little flash fictions. The author can pack a good punch in just a few sentences. I of course really can't say anything without spoiling it, but its so quick, I recommend giving it a read. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of her flash fictions

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Ruzsa did it again. Short but excellently done. Her flash fiction books are so intriguing and deep.

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀
Powerful tale of grief and rage! A Completely unexpected, beautifully written, punch to the heart! I became immersed quickly and held onto every word like my last breath. Amanda Ruzsa has a unique way of reframing perspectives and drawing out heavy emotions in short bursts of eerie perfection. I never know what to expect other than a bruised, battered, heart, and having the wind knocked out of me. Fantastic read!
🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀💔🐀

[Micki-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short little book told from the creepy perspective of a mouse it read like poetry on each page. It started out gently but still emotional and sad by the end its gut wrenching sorrow you feel for this poor small creature and his house.