There was so much potential for this story, I really liked the ideas with the multiverse and quantum leap device and things like that. But I just didn’t feel connected to the characters at all, this was mainly because the book doesn’t really say anything about them. Almost everything that happens you get told about and not shown, which wasn’t exactly my thing and it felt a bit odd. ( )

When I saw the description I was expecting something more novel-length. This is apparently an edited version of a book that was previously released, but I think it still needs work to reach its full potential. I was interested in learning about the build up as the space cadets prepared for their mission, but we didn't get to see any of it. The mission itself was also not described in very much detail (although at least we got to see what happened). A lot and very little simultaneously happen in this book. It jumps between outlines of events. The concept is great but I feel like it needs so much more to feel complete. It feel more like an outline than a complete work in its current state. With some more editing and refining this as the potential to be an incredibly interesting series, but it's not quite at that point yet. ( )

Young cadets at a space academy are tapped for a mission to explore an alternate reality.

I received this book as a digital ARC, but I had no idea that it would be so short—72 pages. It's not exactly a length I would expect for something billed as space opera. And indeed, the story and world-building are pretty shallow. The four cadets have a little characterization, but not a lot. They're mostly relegated to their different skillsets. A few things made me scratch my head. For example, why did so many cadets get invited to the briefing during which Alex and his friends are told they've been selected for this special mission? Why does the alternative earth have a purple sky and 2 moons? Why do the cadets struggle so much with aspects of the mission that seem to me like they should have been part of their intensive training?

This book has every appearance (to me) of being self-published, but if it is, the author did a lot of work to keep it from being known. If this is traditionally published, though, I don't really know how an editor/publisher didn't request for this to be expanded on. It really is more like the idea for a novel that is ready to be filled in more, and I can see potential in the author's ideas if she were to go into more depth with it. As it is, it did not grab my attention enough for me to want to continue the series. ( )

I received a free copy through Library Thing's early reviewer program.

I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't. My first major complaint is: "show; don't tell." Too many important parts of the story are skipped over in summary. As a result, I am uninvested in these characters, and I don't care what happens to them. This significantly decreases my motivation to continue reading. For example, the main characters spend ten weeks training for their assignment to visit alternative realities, but none of this training is shown to the reader. Instead, "They built on [their basic academy training] with more in-depth information on astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and ammunition." What did they learn about astrophysics and quantum mechanics? Why is ammunition included in this list? How could a bunch of kids have possibly mastered it in ten weeks? (I spent two entire semesters on just introduction to quantum mechanics I and II as part of my training in astrophysics as an undergraduate). Also, how will knowing this information help the teens interact with people in an alternate reality? The scientists and engineers need this knowledge; the travelers need anthropology and diplomatic relations. I realize that the author probably doesn't know anything about astrophysics or quantum mechanics, so she can't show us what the characters learn; but this list of topics the characters study is uninteresting. Another example: "As they conversed, the cadets learned about the societal structure, technological advancements, and political dynamics of this alternative earth." What did they learn? How is society structured on this planet? It's easy to claim that another way to structure society exists; it's hard to show the reader a believable alternative reality. The reader doesn't believe in this alternate reality if you merely tell us about it.

My second major complaint is the quantity of grammatical and syntactical errors in the text. For example, "On their return, the scientists at the Academy uncovered more effects like altering their DNA, rendering them infirm and unable to contribute to the Academy as they previously used to." The academy should have uncovered "alterations" to their DNA, not "altering." Don't end a sentence with a preposition. Also, "used to" and "previously" are synonyms, so we don't need both in the same sentence. Finally, the pronoun "their" refers back to the most recent subject, which in this case is "scientists" although the intended antecedent for the pronoun is the travelers. The author is also prone to use dependent clauses, beginning with "while," as complete sentences. In addition to these errors, there are also sections that are poorly written. For example, "They had done it. They had traveled to a parallel universe. The cadets stepped out onto the alien terrain, their hearts racing with the realization that their adventure was just beginning. A new world awaited them, full of mysteries to unravel and discoveries to be made. As they looked up at the unfamiliar sky, they knew one thing for certain - their lives would never be the same." This is too many concluding sentences for chapter 1. I understand falling in love with a line you have written and being loath to cut it. But this is too much.

Finally, there are several plot holes which undermine the believability of the novel. Here are a few examples. (1) The main characters are called to a secret meeting with a few other cadets only to be informed that they have been selected for a secret mission. The other cadets are envious, but why are they even at a secret meeting to learn they haven't been chosen for a mission they didn't know about? This scene only makes sense if everyone at the meeting knew they were in the running for a special operation, which they didn't. Either tell the whole academy or just the ones who are going. (2) The teenagers use the Quantum Leap Device to travel to a parallel world. But that earth has two moons and a purple sky. Why is the first parallel universe they visit so different from ours? The theory behind this novel is most likely that for every conceivable choice, an alternate reality springs off for each path. This is one possibility offered by quantum mechanics. The generally accepted theory is that realities that split from ours most recently are easiest to reach. You have to travel far back in the creation of the solar system and alter the formation of the earth to generate two moons. In addition, the blue sky on our world is caused by Rayleigh Scattering. This would not be changed in an alternate reality; you would have to change the laws of physics. (3) The characters "knew keeping the suits on was a protective measure in case the atmosphere did not agree with them." But even in our world we can test atmospheric composition. This world of futuristic technology should have that basic ability. How will the characters blend in with the people they are studying if they are wearing bulky suits? (4) Why do the main characters struggle to create a backstory when they arrive on the alternative earth? They acknowledge this as a "crucial first step in the mission," so it should have been covered during their two paragraphs of training. (5) The Quantum Leap Device, predicably, breaks when they arrive. Unfortunately, the team member chosen for his technical ability "hadn't gotten to the point of properly understanding the operation of that device. Our training was so vigorous, I couldn't get much time to tinker with it." Why was their training so 'vigorous' that it didn't train them in what they needed to know? (6) Finally, why does "their presence in this alternate world and the impact they might have" only "raise ethical questions" once they are already there? This is another topic that should have been addressed before departure. Don't bring up ethical concerns if you're not going to deal with them.

At only 60 pages long, Stars Beyond Realms is the idea for a novel rather than a fully executed novel. I received this version in February 2024, and author's notes suggest that this edition is an improvement over the version published in December of 2023. I can only conclude that the novel wasn't yet ready for re-release. ( )

Stars Beyond Realms is a 102-page science fiction novella for young adults. This is the first book in a series titled The Chronicles of the Starborne Cadets. All five titles appear in the author’s list of publications, suggesting they were published simultaneously.
The story focuses on four cadets in the Interstellar Academy: Alex, Nia, Jaxon, and Yasu. As the story begins, these four head off to class, where the instructor rebuffs a question about manipulating space-time as an off-topic question. Later, the friends attend a briefing by the commanding officer who describes a risky mission into the unknown that will explore the edges of scientific knowledge. Without warning, the commanding officer selects these four green cadets to crew this mission.
Other implausible events occur regularly. For example, their ship crashes on an unknown planet, on the outskirts of a sprawling metropolitan city. Apparently, no one noticed a spaceship entering the atmosphere and crash-landing. The crew walks away from the ship in their protective suits and elicit little more than a glance from the passing natives.

In addition to the poorly developed plot, the text would have benefitted from a careful edit. The “rebellious glint” in Alex’s eye is mentioned twice in four sentences. Later, the author explains the crew’s location on a rooftop garden is high above the streets.

Although the stated audience is young adults, it is hard to imagine an audience that would enjoy reading this novella. The story lacks verisimilitude, and the writing lacks polish. Throughout, the author tells us how the characters are feeling rather than showing us. For example, we never learn why Alex is rebellious, and nothing in the story shows him to be thus. ( )