A Bold Sci-Fi Vision with a Rushed Execution

Kamalika_Reads 44

Book: Realm: The Classified Project (Vol. 1)

Author: Harsha Shastry

Publishers: Self published

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3/5

How I came to know about this book:

I was selected as an ARC reader for the book by the author and thus got a chance to read it.

What the book is about :

Realm: The Classified Project (Vol. 1) by Harsha Shastry attempts something ambitious and refreshing in the sci-fi landscape. The story centres around a high-stakes initiative led by the White House, Washington, DC: Project EIMB, short for Exploration of Multiverse for Intelligent Beings. This classified mission brings together twelve officials from diverse fields, including two spiritual instructors from India and four scientists from across the world. Their objective is to engineer a way to access alternate universes using a uniquely designed machine, the REALM, or Regenerable Energy Aided Labyrinth Quantum Machine.

A key element of the project is the selection of eight teenagers, aged 14 to 16, chosen from different continents, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. A Jamaican orphan surviving assault, a Pakistani boy from poverty, a prince, a Hollywood celebrity’s daughter; each brings a striking narrative arc and emotional depth to the cast. The first volume focuses primarily on the recruitment and training of these teenagers, preparing them to become “REALM-ready.”

What I have loved about the book :

As a science fiction lover, I truly appreciate the boldness of Shastry’s vision. The attempt to merge concepts from Hindu scriptures, especially the Shrimad Bhagavatam, with advanced scientific theories of multiverse travel is admirable. This blending of ancient philosophical depth with futuristic technology makes the book stand out in a genre that often leans heavily on Western frameworks.

What I felt could have been better :

The execution feels somewhat rushed. For a science fiction series dealing with complex world-building, advanced science, spiritual dimensions, and a large ensemble cast, 192 pages simply don’t give the story enough breathing space. Many of the ideas, though promising, feel surface-level when they could have been explored with far more nuance and detail. The REALM machine itself, its mechanics, and the science behind multiversal travel deserved a more expansive treatment.

Similarly, while the characters come from richly diverse backgrounds, the narrative doesn’t delve deeply enough into their motivations or personal arcs. With so many officials and teenagers on the team, several characters end up feeling like names rather than meaningful contributors to the plot. The emotional, cultural, and ideological clashes that could have emerged from such a varied team remain largely unexplored.

On a personal level, given the involvement of Hindu spiritual instructors, I expected the selection tests for the teenagers to probe deeper into philosophical or scriptural understanding—especially since the narrative leans on Bhagavatam-inspired principles. That layer of intellectual challenge felt missing.

Why one should read or not read this book:

Realm: The Classified Project (Vol. 1) remains a decent and engaging read. It lays down an exciting foundation for what could grow into a fascinating multiverse saga. The concept is strong, the ambition is clear, and the potential is immense. I am intrigued and genuinely look forward to the second and all future instalments, eager to see how Shastry expands the multiverse and how the eight teenagers navigate time travel and parallel realities.

Grab the copy of the book at https://amzn.in/d/hCWB2fm

What was the last sci-fi read you enjoyed? Do let me know