Title: Waiting for the Sun
Author: Alyx Shaw
Length: 4,400 words
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m Science Fiction
Rating: C+
Blurb:
Sebastian has never been happier than he is now, living on the warm, wet jungle planet Sferkkaa. As a naturalist his days are filled with new and wonderful creatures to study. However, when Tiff takes Sebastian to speak to his cousin Draephus about one of the local animals, Sebastian gets an unexpected surprise…
Review:
I’d enjoyed the first sip with these characters – Life out There – reviewed here, and was looking forward to reading more from these two unusual heroes. The story begins well with scientist Sebastian wanting to find out more about a breed of sentient creatures known as Faylans. Sebastian’s lover, Tiff, takes him to see his cousin who keeps Faylans and knows a lot about them and whilst there Sebastian gets and unexpected and very welcome surprise.
Whilst I still liked this story, I didn’t connect with it as much as I did the first book. The humourous parts didn’t work and seemed a little out of place in what otherwise is quite a peaceful story of relationships and a chance encounter which brightens Sebastian’s day. This was especially the case in Sebastian’s reaction to Raski, Draephus’ lover, which was just too over the top and a little silly and spoiled what could have been a poignant ending of the story for me.
Having said that, there were still parts which I liked a great deal. The Faylan’s were an interesting breed and it fit well with Sebastian’s inquisitive character that he should want to know more about them. The connection between Sebastian and Tiff was strong and the sex between them hot and romantic. The penultimate scene was beautifully done with vivid descriptions and I thought Sebastian’s emotions during that scene were well described, bringing a lump to my throat.
Overall, this story was a mixed bag, the descriptions of the setting and the relationship between the heroes were the highlights for me, but the humour didn’t work. However, humour is subjective, and so there may be many readers who will like that part and I urge you not to be too put off that it fell flat for me.
Well I’m sorry you didn’t like it, but as you said humour IS subjective.
Um… not to nitpick or anything, but… Sferkkaa is the name of the planet. Tiff is the name of the boyfriend.
You are right, Alyx, humour can be a tricky thing because everyone is different and what works for some doesn’t for others. I did like some of the other parts especially the scene towards the end.
Sorry about the mix up with the names, you were right to point it out. Not sure how I managed to do that! I’ve changed it to the correct name.
Ah we all suffer from cranial flatulence from time to time.