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Glenn Cooper’s Pinhole kicks off the Down trilogy with a strange mix of science fiction, historical intrigue, and a thrilling adventure in a bizarre alternate reality. It’s a wild ride, but not without its bumps along the way. Here’s a closer look at what works, and what doesn’t, in this captivating yet imperfect first entry in the series.

The story begins with Emily Loughty, a brilliant research director at the world’s largest super-collider, which spans beneath London. During a high-stakes experiment to test the collider’s capabilities, something goes wrong. A fellow researcher overrides the safety protocols, and when the collider reaches its maximum capacity, the fabric between universes is torn. Emily disappears, replaced by a man who died centuries before. As it turns out, they’ve swapped places, and the man’s appearance in the lab wreaks havoc.

Enter John Camp, Emily’s boyfriend, who is determined to find and rescue her, despite their last interaction being on bad terms. His search takes him into the Down, a hellish alternate world where historical figures and twisted fates await.

The book’s pacing is a standout. While the beginning feels a little slow, especially with some of the dense scientific explanations, once the action picks up, the suspense is relentless. The Down is a fascinating creation, full of bleak, medieval imagery that ties into the book’s Dante-esque inspirations. The world-building is effective, even if it leans a bit too heavily on the historical elements.

Cooper’s choice to populate the Down with figures from history that are both notorious and lesser-known—is an intriguing idea, and it keeps the reader engaged. The fact that some of these figures are trapped in this grim parallel universe and offer explanations for their presence provides a unique historical twist to the narrative. However, these sections sometimes feel excessive, bogging down the pace with lengthy backstories and discussions that may be a bit too heavy-handed for some readers. It’s as though the author assumes readers are unfamiliar with these historical figures, which detracts from the overall flow.

The characters themselves, especially Emily and John, are relatable and endearing. Emily’s sudden disappearance and the mystery surrounding her fate create a strong emotional pull. John’s determination to rescue her, despite their fractured relationship, gives the story depth. Cooper’s portrayal of their evolving dynamics adds layers to the plot, and the tension between them keeps things engaging, even as the action sometimes feels secondary to their emotional journey.

The imaginative nature of the Down is a major highlight. It’s a world that feels both familiar and utterly strange, with a gothic, medieval atmosphere that sets it apart from other parallel universe settings. The cliffhanger ending is effective in leaving readers eager to dive into the next book in the series.

That said, there are a few drawbacks. The novel occasionally struggles with pacing, particularly in sections where too much time is spent on explanations about the historical figures in the Down. While this concept is intriguing, some readers might find it a bit overdone. Furthermore, the book’s balance between action and introspection feels off at times, as the narrative sometimes lingers too long in one place or idea before moving forward.

Pinhole is an ambitious beginning to a trilogy that mixes science fiction with historical fantasy in a unique and entertaining way. The tension, character development, and imaginative world-building make it a compelling read, though it’s not without its flaws. The slow start, heavy historical exposition, and occasional pacing issues can detract from the overall enjoyment. That said, the cliffhanger is enough to ensure that I’ll be picking up Down: Portal to see where the story goes next.

If you enjoy mind-bending science fiction with historical twists and an intriguing, if imperfect, alternate universe, Pinhole might be just what you’re looking for. It won’t be for everyone, but it has enough going for it to be worth the ride.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received this ebook at no charge via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Review provided by Book Whisperer.