Trinity — A Review
Title: Trinity: A Novel
Authors: Tom DeLonge & A.J. Hartley Simon & Schuster+2A.J. Hartley+2
Published: June 11, 2024 Simon & Schuster+2A.J. Hartley+2
Pages / Format: ~304 pages Simon & Schuster
Premise & Setup
Trinity is set in 1962 in Trinity, Nevada — a small desert town on the edge of nuclear testing grounds. Simon & Schuster+2pages.charlotte.edu+2
The story centers on two brothers, Van Lopez and Andy Lopez, trying to find their place in a changing world. Van is haunted by strange memories or “dreams” he can’t fully explain. When a nuclear test causes something unexpected to fall from the sky, Van becomes pursued — not just by military forces, but by Soviet agents and shadowy elements intent on silencing what he has seen. punk rock and UFOs+3Simon & Schuster+3A.J. Hartley+3
Themes of identity, secrecy, Cold War paranoia, and the unknown play heavily. A.J. Hartley+3pages.charlotte.edu+3Simon & Schuster+3
In effect, it’s a cross between historical fiction, sci-fi/paranormal thriller, and a coming-of-age tale. pages.charlotte.edu+2Simon & Schuster+2
One reviewer describes it as functioning both as a standalone narrative and also as part of a broader universe (potentially linked to the Sekret Machines series). punk rock and UFOs
What Works & Highlights
- Atmosphere & Time/Place
The setting of Trinity, Nevada in the early ’60s (nuclear tests, Cold War tensions) is vivid and charged. The era’s political and cultural anxieties are woven into the plot. A.J. Hartley+3pages.charlotte.edu+3Simon & Schuster+3 - Blend of Science & Mystery
The collision between government secrecy, UFO / anomalous phenomena, and personal memory gives the narrative a speculative edge that fans of conspiracies, UFO narratives, or paranormal thrillers may enjoy. A.J. Hartley+3punk rock and UFOs+3pages.charlotte.edu+3 - Character focus & internal conflict
Van Lopez, in particular, grapples with what he sees, what he remembers, and what he fears is real. His internal conflict drives much of the emotional weight. pages.charlotte.edu+1 - Pacing & stakes
The narrative builds gradually: early chapters focus on establishing characters and the milieu before the paranormal tension takes hold. One review notes it “takes up … 160 pages for the story to fully kick into gear.” punk rock and UFOs - Interplay of real & fictional
For readers interested in UAP / UFO lore, the book invites them to “follow the breadcrumbs” — to try discerning where real-world hints may lie beneath the fiction. punk rock and UFOs
Critiques & Potential Weaknesses
- Slow initial build
As noted, it may take a while for the more mysterious or supernatural elements to fully emerge. Readers expecting immediate action or thrills may find the first part slower. punk rock and UFOs - Familiar themes / tropes
Some elements (outcast youths, Cold War intrigue, shadow governments) aren’t new to the genre. If you’ve read similar works, parts may feel familiar. punk rock and UFOs - Balancing expectations
Because it straddles the line between genre types (sci-fi, conspiracy, historical thriller), readers primarily devoted to one might find the others less developed. - Character depth beyond Van
While Van is vivid, other characters may occasionally serve more as plot devices than fully realized presences, depending on reader preference.
Themes & Takeaways
- Memory, identity, and truth
What is real if your memory is compromised? Can you trust your senses when conspiracies are in play? - Secrecy & power
The story dwells on who gets to control knowledge, especially at intersections of nuclear technology, government, and anomalous phenomena. - Coming of age under extraordinary conditions
Van and Andy’s relationship, their frustrations, and dreams are rooted in the more ordinary conflicts of adolescence — but magnified by the extraordinary. - Blurring lines of genre
The novel asks readers to step into an ambiguous space: is this “just a thriller”? Or is it posing real metaphysical / speculative questions?
Suggested Blurb for Your Site
“In Trinity, Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley deliver a tense, atmospheric Cold War thriller with a twist of the paranormal. When a nuclear test in 1962 brings down something not of this world, Van Lopez must outrun agents, confront fractured memories, and wrestle with truths hidden beyond the visible. For those who love mystery, UFO lore, and speculative intrigue — this is a ride worth taking.”