Review of The Universes Inside the Lighthouse by Pam Stucky
Pam Stucky, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is the author of the Wishing Rock series (novels with recipes), starting with Letters from Wishing Rock, and the Pam on the Map travelogue series, books that take readers along on Pam’s journeys and adventures around the world. The Universes Inside the Lighthouse, Pam’s eighth book, is Pam’s first foray into both YA and sci-fi.
Charlie and Emma are two inquisitive teens who discover a doorway into multiple universes — inside a lighthouse on the small island where they’re vacationing. From there, it’s a short trip into a delightfully drawn tale that leads them to many unlikely places.
Author Pam Stuckey has expertly woven an improbable plotline into a book that is part science fiction, and part Alice In Wonderland. The twins hook up with an ensemble cast of aliens — all of whom look remarkably no different than, say, your next door neighbor — and go in search of a mysterious alien named Nik, who is causing all sorts of intergalactic grief.
Charlie and Emma team up with Emma’s secret heartthrob Ben to quiz a quirky alien scientist named Dr. Waldo, who presents them with an arresting revelation about one of the universes they’ve discovered: the dead don’t ever really depart, as we’ve always thought. Most often, they simply “stick around,” as Dr. Waldo says, or they “move on” — sometimes to inhabit entire worlds just filled with spirits.
Needless to say, this is much more than a simple Young Adult adventure story — although it still somehow manages to accomplish that as well, moving the reader along briskly with snappy dialogue, keen wit, and a surprise around every corner.
The quest turns serious when they become stranded in a strange world with three moons, but their alien-guide Eve finally saves the day by dialing in the correct coordinates for The Hub, where Dr. Waldo is anxiously awaiting their arrival.
But wait! That isn’t Charlie, after all. It’s Parallel Charlie, who switched places with the real Charlie in one of the many alternate Earths. Just kidding, Emma, he says, when his twin sister finds out what they did. Also, Ben has activated a homing beacon on his wrist in hopes of being transported home. Problem is, the device was a beta model and Ben just might have his atoms scattered across the multiverse.
There’s more drama in store as the twins continue their romp around the galaxy before finally accomplishing their task –sort of. It’s a twist ending, and I don’t want to spoil it.
The Universes Inside the Lighthouse is an imaginative read that’s well-written, well-edited and fun to race through, as the twins find themselves in one dilemma after another — but always finding their way out. This book is a YA standout and I give it five stars.
