The Long Sunset: The Academy, Book 8

Despite its placement in the 23rd century, this long but accessible and optimistic eighth volume in McDevitt’s series featuring interstellar pilot Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins (after 2013’s Starhawk) recounts a very timely victory for scientific advancement and universal compassion over xenophobia. World Space Authority consultant Derek Blanchard rushes an exploratory mission, led by Hutch, to follow up on the source of a 7,000-year-old transmission that shows an alien waterfall and plays beautiful music. Blanchard hopes to find the transmission’s origins before the government—which is fearful of alien invasion and working to make deep-space exploration illegal—can interfere. McDevitt’s moderately humanoid aliens are almost comically pleasant and relatable, and his depictions of first contact are joyful and low on conflict. On the home front, he uses news headlines to wryly show an American culture that has changed little despite technological advances, juxtaposing worried stories about the expedition with those of celebrity deaths at more advanced ages, mass shootings at high schools, and fluffy reports of insignificant scientific studies. Academy fans will appreciate this solid addition to the series. (Apr.)