Book review: Halcyon Years

I recently read “Halcyon Years,” a sci-fi novel by Alastair Reynolds. Give it 4.5 stars on a five-star scale. Worth your time if you enjoy sci-fi.

This book is an interesting blend of an old-fashioned detective story (like one from the 1950s or 60s, perhaps) with an immense interstellar ark tale. The story doesn’t tell why this ark was launched, or how something of this immense scale was accomplished. You just have to accept the premise and enjoy the story within that envelope.
The primary character is an everyman hero (something I like). The biggest mysteries involve the ark and its destination, and those answers are eventually supplied with several twists along the way. Though the villains are dealt with, you’re left to wonder what’s to become of the ark-dwellers. Some clever dialog and interesting characters help make it an enjoyable tale to read.