What do you think?
Rate this book
Mouse: A Post-Apocalyptic Short Story
In the Deadlands of New Mexico, a virulent plague has ravaged the remote settlement of Devil’s Table. Mouse, an unlikely young carrier, is hired to deliver life-saving medication to the stricken townspeople. The odds against her are daunting, and her path beset with danger at every step. But hostile guards, bloodthirsty scavengers, and even the town’s draconian mayor will ultimately discover there’s more to this Mouse than meets the eye.
Rich with atmosphere and tension from the first page -- with a powerful climax that will leave you wanting more -- Mouse is a must-read for any fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. For mature readers.
Rich with atmosphere and tension from the first page -- with a powerful climax that will leave you wanting more -- Mouse is a must-read for any fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. For mature readers.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2015
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 5, 2016
I want to start out by saying I would highly recommend this story to just about anyone. I'm recommending it to most of my friends and anyone who ever mentions they're a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction.
This was a quick read which was just perfect for me. I often find myself with just a half hour to read something while I'm waiting for an oil change, car repairs, or at the dog park, so I'm frequently searching for short stories.
I have a criteria for what makes a short story worth it for me, and am all too often let down. I want a story that's short, but does not feel rushed. I don't want to feel like the author struggle with longer stories, so they just went ahead and gave me something short, or that their heart wasn't really in it, but they didn't want to just give up all the time and work they had dome, so they turned it into a short story, instead. I want a story that keeps my eyes glued to the screen the entire time, and I want it to give me things to think about when it's over. Of course, I also want to avoid a ton of spelling errors, poor editing, and that lot. Mouse: A Post-Apocalyptic Short Story, did not disappoint in the least, it is a treasure I am so glad to have found.
Mouse is a young woman who is doing her best to survive in post-apocalyptic New Mexico. She is a short, young blond, described as being sexy, but she is in no way stupid. She is a very powerful female lead, strong, witty, smart, and a no-nonsense individual who is just so refreshingly realistic. If you're looking for a helpless damsel who needs a man to ride in and save her, look elsewhere, Mouse takes care of herself and this isn't a love story. She is a survivor, not a barbie. A carrier by trade, Mouse braves the wastelands and all it's dangers to deliver medicine in exchange for some seed, and the story begins when she reaches her destination, a run down, diseased town called Devil's Table, where the residents are all but wiped out due to a plague and a cruel mayor who seemingly wasted a lot of time requesting aid. Likely waiting until the upper class citizens or the majority of his workforce to become ill before calling for aids, there are only two guards left when Mouse arrives, and the two in question are some of the worst that could be picked. Wicked, stupid, and on a power trip, they assault Mouse and hardly even let her in, despite the fact she has life saving medication she's due to deliver, with guards like that it really shows just how badly the town is being run, and I just love it.
Is Mouse a hero? That's still a debate I am having in my mind, and one I feel every reader will find themselves questioning even after reading the entire story through.
The dialog in this is fantastic. Each character has their own voice, and their personalities come through very well in how they speak. Without taking over the story, the dialog pulls you further into it and really helped me feel anxious for what was going on, at every twist and turn. If you're looking for a suspenseful story, don't even hesitate! Buy this one I don't want to give them away, but suffice to say not everything ends up how it first appears, and Mouse is one clever, clever girl. That's one thing that had me grinning at several points in the story, and time flew by while I was reading it, I was so engaged! Mouse cannot catch a break, it seems, and I was constantly gripping my Kindle tight in eager anticipation to see how she would get through each situation as it rose up. I was shocked at some of the events that took place, and loved every minute! It took me about 30-minutes to read, but left me feeling very satisfied at the end.
I loved this story. I couldn't put it down for even a minute! My poor dogs have been waiting to go to the dog park because I hadn't known I'd get this attached and enthralled by this story, but it held me captive from start to finish! Yes, it could have been longer, but the joy of this story is there is no filler. It's a full, complete story with no time wasted. The ending is perfect as it allows me to think up more to it! If the author ever releases any more stories about Mouse, I will be a loyal and avid reader.
Take time, before and during your read, to let your eyes explore the cover. Really look it over, as it is fantastically well done! Mouse at first looks like a tired, warn out young woman who is beaten down and done with it all . . . but as you really explore the cover and read the story, you're going to notice that, up close, her expression isn't tired. She's looking up, out onto the horizon for the adventures that await her, and she has a smirk of someone who is far more clever than anyone gives her credit for. The wisp of blue hair betrays her for the proud woman she is, who knows her power and is worth more than people realize. She's not some poor lost soul, nor is she a victim, she is a warrior, and she is owning this apocalypse!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
I really loved Mouse. I love that even though she has a revealing outfit, she's not a tramp, or trashy in any way. She is her own self and she doesn't let anything stop her.
The way she tricked the guards into drinking the poison was awesome. She wasn't given that poison explicitly to poison the guards with, she had it on her! She KNEW it smelt like agave alcohol and knew she'd likely run into someone who would want it, and wouldn't ask for permission. She's set up so many tricks and protection for herself without it being noticeable, I love that! Most of the time, your eyes are going to be drawn to her machete and her rifle, as well as her two grenades. Using one to conceal Heroin was genius! She for sure is not the drug using type, she is much too smart for that, but she keeps it specifically to use as a way out of nasty situations. To me, at least, I felt like she could take on the whole world and come out ahead and smiling.
When she ignored the boy's cries and pleas for help, I had a pit in my stomach thinking this would either turn out as her going "well . . . I can't ignore such a plea" and showing herself off as just another hero, or she really would be as callous as she comes across. In the end, when she blows up the mayor's office I was in shock, and even more so when she doesn't immediately become the mayor or go and lead everyone to safety, she's more realistic than that. The boy stops her and she almost seems to have it planned, like she wanted him to stop her. As if he had to prove that he was still willing to try, even after she shot him down before.
I wish that poor kid luck, and I hope to someday read more about Mouse! Who proves herself to be far more than meek little prey.
This was a quick read which was just perfect for me. I often find myself with just a half hour to read something while I'm waiting for an oil change, car repairs, or at the dog park, so I'm frequently searching for short stories.
I have a criteria for what makes a short story worth it for me, and am all too often let down. I want a story that's short, but does not feel rushed. I don't want to feel like the author struggle with longer stories, so they just went ahead and gave me something short, or that their heart wasn't really in it, but they didn't want to just give up all the time and work they had dome, so they turned it into a short story, instead. I want a story that keeps my eyes glued to the screen the entire time, and I want it to give me things to think about when it's over. Of course, I also want to avoid a ton of spelling errors, poor editing, and that lot. Mouse: A Post-Apocalyptic Short Story, did not disappoint in the least, it is a treasure I am so glad to have found.
Mouse is a young woman who is doing her best to survive in post-apocalyptic New Mexico. She is a short, young blond, described as being sexy, but she is in no way stupid. She is a very powerful female lead, strong, witty, smart, and a no-nonsense individual who is just so refreshingly realistic. If you're looking for a helpless damsel who needs a man to ride in and save her, look elsewhere, Mouse takes care of herself and this isn't a love story. She is a survivor, not a barbie. A carrier by trade, Mouse braves the wastelands and all it's dangers to deliver medicine in exchange for some seed, and the story begins when she reaches her destination, a run down, diseased town called Devil's Table, where the residents are all but wiped out due to a plague and a cruel mayor who seemingly wasted a lot of time requesting aid. Likely waiting until the upper class citizens or the majority of his workforce to become ill before calling for aids, there are only two guards left when Mouse arrives, and the two in question are some of the worst that could be picked. Wicked, stupid, and on a power trip, they assault Mouse and hardly even let her in, despite the fact she has life saving medication she's due to deliver, with guards like that it really shows just how badly the town is being run, and I just love it.
Is Mouse a hero? That's still a debate I am having in my mind, and one I feel every reader will find themselves questioning even after reading the entire story through.
The dialog in this is fantastic. Each character has their own voice, and their personalities come through very well in how they speak. Without taking over the story, the dialog pulls you further into it and really helped me feel anxious for what was going on, at every twist and turn. If you're looking for a suspenseful story, don't even hesitate! Buy this one I don't want to give them away, but suffice to say not everything ends up how it first appears, and Mouse is one clever, clever girl. That's one thing that had me grinning at several points in the story, and time flew by while I was reading it, I was so engaged! Mouse cannot catch a break, it seems, and I was constantly gripping my Kindle tight in eager anticipation to see how she would get through each situation as it rose up. I was shocked at some of the events that took place, and loved every minute! It took me about 30-minutes to read, but left me feeling very satisfied at the end.
I loved this story. I couldn't put it down for even a minute! My poor dogs have been waiting to go to the dog park because I hadn't known I'd get this attached and enthralled by this story, but it held me captive from start to finish! Yes, it could have been longer, but the joy of this story is there is no filler. It's a full, complete story with no time wasted. The ending is perfect as it allows me to think up more to it! If the author ever releases any more stories about Mouse, I will be a loyal and avid reader.
Take time, before and during your read, to let your eyes explore the cover. Really look it over, as it is fantastically well done! Mouse at first looks like a tired, warn out young woman who is beaten down and done with it all . . . but as you really explore the cover and read the story, you're going to notice that, up close, her expression isn't tired. She's looking up, out onto the horizon for the adventures that await her, and she has a smirk of someone who is far more clever than anyone gives her credit for. The wisp of blue hair betrays her for the proud woman she is, who knows her power and is worth more than people realize. She's not some poor lost soul, nor is she a victim, she is a warrior, and she is owning this apocalypse!
SPOILERS AHEAD!!!
I really loved Mouse. I love that even though she has a revealing outfit, she's not a tramp, or trashy in any way. She is her own self and she doesn't let anything stop her.
The way she tricked the guards into drinking the poison was awesome. She wasn't given that poison explicitly to poison the guards with, she had it on her! She KNEW it smelt like agave alcohol and knew she'd likely run into someone who would want it, and wouldn't ask for permission. She's set up so many tricks and protection for herself without it being noticeable, I love that! Most of the time, your eyes are going to be drawn to her machete and her rifle, as well as her two grenades. Using one to conceal Heroin was genius! She for sure is not the drug using type, she is much too smart for that, but she keeps it specifically to use as a way out of nasty situations. To me, at least, I felt like she could take on the whole world and come out ahead and smiling.
When she ignored the boy's cries and pleas for help, I had a pit in my stomach thinking this would either turn out as her going "well . . . I can't ignore such a plea" and showing herself off as just another hero, or she really would be as callous as she comes across. In the end, when she blows up the mayor's office I was in shock, and even more so when she doesn't immediately become the mayor or go and lead everyone to safety, she's more realistic than that. The boy stops her and she almost seems to have it planned, like she wanted him to stop her. As if he had to prove that he was still willing to try, even after she shot him down before.
I wish that poor kid luck, and I hope to someday read more about Mouse! Who proves herself to be far more than meek little prey.
April 29, 2016
With the flood of post-apocalyptic books on the market, it’s tough to stand out lately, but author Ryan Henry manages to do just that with his addictive short story. But don’t let the fact that this is a short story fool you; he manages to pack quite a punch in a mere 23 pages! We meet Mouse, who by appearances you might think an unlikely heroine. She is tasked with delivering life-saving medication to the townspeople of Devil’s Table, located somewhere in the New Mexico desert. A plague has decimated most of the population and standing her way are brutish guards, scavengers, and an oppressive town leader.
Henry manages to create some wonderfully vivid characters, particularly Mouse, who is a badass chick among a lot of guys who have reverted back to their primitive nature (not a big step back for a lot of them!). Ryan’s combination of rapid-fire pacing, unpredictable plot turns, and sharp dialogue made this one a winner for me. I’d definitely love to see another story featuring Mouse. If you are a fan of gritty, adult post-apocalyptic settings, this is the one for you.
Henry manages to create some wonderfully vivid characters, particularly Mouse, who is a badass chick among a lot of guys who have reverted back to their primitive nature (not a big step back for a lot of them!). Ryan’s combination of rapid-fire pacing, unpredictable plot turns, and sharp dialogue made this one a winner for me. I’d definitely love to see another story featuring Mouse. If you are a fan of gritty, adult post-apocalyptic settings, this is the one for you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews