  We describe an algorithm to compute the zeta function of a cyclic cover of
the projective line over a finite field of characteristic $p$ that runs in time
$p^{1/2 + o(1)}$.
  We confirm its practicality and effectiveness by reporting on the performance
of our SageMath implementation on a range of examples.
  The algorithm relies on Gon\c{c}alves's generalization of Kedlaya's algorithm
for cyclic covers, and Harvey's work on Kedlaya's algorithm for large
characteristic.
