Rating: 4.25 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
A week ago, Hercules was content with his life as a committed psychotherapist and one half of a couple. Then his partner left him for another man and his car was hit by a meteorite. The noise of this and the fact that car alarms are set off brings Herc’s neighbors outside, including street newcomer, Pyotr.
Pyotr (pronounced Pee-yo-ter, thank you Atom Yang!) comes to Herc’s notice, not only for his knowledge that the damage was caused to his car by a meteorite and not a meteor, but because he offers Herc a lift to anywhere he needs to go, and because he is jogging barefoot. Touched by Pyotr’s kindness and the fact that Herc has been hiding in his house for a week and not welcomed his new neighbour, Herc decides to pay Pyotr a visit. Herc discovers Pyotr is an astrophysicist who loves tea and as their friendship develops, that he is gay. However, when a world-wide catastrophe arrives, the question is whether the two men can survive.
The challenge for this week in our Reading Challenge Month was to choose a book in a genre I do not usually read and that is science fiction. Herc and Pyotr is admittedly not heavy sci-fi, though there are enough elements for me to include it under this genre.
Yang has a very interesting and distinctive writing style, full of comprehensive descriptions and ingenuity. Herc and Pyotr asks the reader to respond intelligently to the content of the story and events – and I love to read something that challenges me mentally. The conversations between Herc and Pyotr are informed, though there are certainly light-hearted moments, like when they visit the observatory only to find a rowing boat in a tree! For me, there was an unpredictability to the events in Herc and Pyotr and I enjoyed how I felt the warmth of the blossoming relationship between the two men, only to be suddenly struck by the apprehension of impending doom. Yang is able to give his reader a very solid understanding of both his protagonists, which is reflected in their occupations, their actions towards others, and their respect for their cultures — and their Asian heritages blend just like the Russian Caravan tea they first drink together.
I very much liked the way in which Yang’s novella combines the science fiction aspects with the romantic ones and though I was disappointed with the ending of the novella (I can’t tell you why), it did not spoil my overall enjoyment of Herc and Pyotr too much.
I would definitely read more of the Storming Meteors stories – and also am a little more open to reading sci-fi more often now!
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for Genre Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win a fabulous prize from Less Than Three Press. Three lucky winners will each receive a selection of print books. Commenters will also be entered to win our amazing grand prize sponsored by Dreamspinner Press (a loaded Kindle fire filled with DSP books!). You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on Genre Week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
I’m also not the biggest fan of sience fiction but this book might be interesting. Thank you for a nice review 🙂
Hi Cyntia! I just discovered your comment. I hope you had a chance to read this and that you enjoyed it! If not, the new edition is out on Amazon under the title, Tea at the End of the World. Take care!
Well, this sounds intriguing if not absolutely (ahem) stellar. Thanks for the review, Kirsty.
Hi Kareni! You’ll get to decide if it’s (ha!) stellar for you! ?
I’ve wanted to read Atom Yang before, just based on some blog posts I’ve read, but I haven’t yet. By the sound of it, I would really enjoy this one, even with the ending you could only hint at. Thanks for spotlighting Herc and Pyotr, Kirsty!
Hi Carolyn! How cool that you read about my work in other blog posts! I’m glad it piqued your curiosity. I find I usually need something to tip me over the edge and read something, too, like a review, personal recommendation, or something short (try Red Envelope if you want a taste of my writing, it’s about 11k). Best wishes!
Thanks for the review.  I am a science fiction fan and Herc and Pyotr sounds interesting.  I am curious about why you didn’t like the ending.  😉
Hi Jen! You might have to read the story yourself to see what you think of the ending! People have been torn about it, and I wonder if it isn’t because I was torn about it, too. ?
I don’t read sci-fi too so thanks for the review. Maybe it will fall into my consideration when I want to challenge myself reading more sci-fi.
Hi Ami! It’s considered sci-fi because there are meteors and some mention of technology, but it’s really a romance with a natural disaster background. I think you might enjoy it!
Sounds good! I do like sci-fi, but It is difficult to find interesting one dealing with M/M romance… though there are some excellent stories (Dark Space by Lisa Henry and Blind Space by Nadie Sexton are two of my favourites). I haven’t read any book by Atom yet, and this seems a nice title to start with. Thank you for the review, Kirsty!
Hi Susana! The story has science elements, but it’s not typical sci-fi like with spaceships, aliens, or superheroes. I’m curious what you’d think of it. Regardless, I love that you give examples of what you like, because I’m going to check out those books!
I’m not a big sci-fi gal, but the plot threads do sound cool!
Hi Trix, I hope you gave it a try! Not heavy on the sci-fi, more like has some science elements because: meteors. But it’s really focused on the characters.
I enjoy a good sci-fi but I haven’t come across many in the years I’ve been reading m/m fiction. Thank you for the review.
Hi H.B.! You might enjoy my book, but it’s not heavy sci-fi. I’m curious what kind of sci-fi romance you like? I enjoyed Chaos Station by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen!
I like that this one is sort of “sci-fi light”. I’ve read a lot of sci-fi but I can’t really get into the hard stuff. 🙂
Hi Barbra! This is definitely not the hard stuff when it comes to sci-fi. I think you might enjoy it! If you haven’t gotten around to it, there’s a new edition out with the new title, Tea at the End of the World.
Thanks for your review. I’m intrigued by this book but I’m curious about why the ending disappointed you.
Hi Toni! I hope you give the book a chance and see if you might like the ending (and if you don’t, let me know why, if the spirit moves you)!
I like sci-fi but I think it’s too difficult to do well in a short or a novella. I prefer something longer so there can be good world building. Thanks for the review.
I hear you on that, Lisa! Although many of my favorite sci-fi stories are short stories (and these have been turned into brilliant movies like Blade Runner and Arrival), come to think of it. Anyway, not much world building in my story, as it takes place in our world. The sci-fi elements are mainly the meteors and some mention of technology. I hope you’ll give it a try?
This looks like so much fun! I am honestly getting to the point where I may have to give up my job, cancel my phone and ignore all family and friends just to make a dent in my TBR pile after this month…
LOL, I am so happy about that! I can’t help it, I am a book pusher!
Hi Anna!
OMG, I feel the same way (I hope since you’ve written your comment you’ve made a dent?)! Good thing about this book (now titled Tea at the End of the World) is that it’s a novella, so it won’t take long to finish! ?
Great review, and so good to see that you enjoyed this book. I’m not a sci-fi fan either but after your review and experience i might have to reconsider 😉
Hi Angela, I hope you do reconsider! Thanks again to Kirsty for the review!
I’m a big fan of sci-fi, and there’s just not enough of it out there in the m/m broader genre! I’m so glad to have found a new author to add to my list.
Thanks to Kirsty for this review and introducing my work to you, Ashley! I would love to hear what you thought of it (it’s not heavy sci-fi, like Chaos Station, which is a great series if you’re looking for more sci-fi elements).
Ooh I think I’ll have to get this one! It sounds like my cup of tea.
? Thanks, Lira!