The Second Star

This is a story of two starship crews, one lost more than 200 years ago, and the recent mission which brings the lost crew back home. There is some science fiction as the basis for the story, but it's really a philosophical exploration. This book is very much in dialogue with Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow, wrestling with questions of ethics and promises and faith, and readers who appreciated The Sparrow will find much here to ponder and savor.

There are numerous references to contemporary pop culture which I found frankly unbelievable 250 years out, and which kept throwing me out of the story. And there was a really glaring continuity problem with the first star being an instantaneous explosion rather than a months-long burning display. Those who are expecting more science fiction in a story, or who do not care for religion in their SF, may wish to pass on this one. (Full disclosure: I frankly hated The Sparrow.)