It is rare that I start a book with such high hopes only to have those hopes crushed multiple times while I am reading it. Detour is one of those books.
It begins as a typical space opera. Three regular people are chosen to work with three longtime astronauts on a mission to pass behind Saturn’s moon, Titan. The selection and training process felt familiar from other books and movies but was pleasant enough. I did think that some of the astronauts foibles were a bit overused in this genre. However, I soldiered on. The mission itself was interesting, but relatively short.
When the crew returns to Earth, the book’s tone and even genre shifts unexpectedly in two different directions. I liked one idea, but the other, which was dominant, just seemed silly. I’m sure it will make a great tv movie plot twist, but in a book, not so much. However, the abrupt cliffhanger ending made me give this book 2 stars. A book with no conclusion is just a bunch of words.
I hope this review discourages others from picking up Detour before the next book is published. Hopefully, that book won’t try and drag out these poor characters into a trilogy. 2 stars and not recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for providing me with an advanced review copy.