I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of an AI figurehead within the government, and how many of the problems humanity faced were a result of the misjudgement and cruelty of humanity itself. Regression follows the dystopian story of a family living on one of Saturn's moons, Titan, after the destruction of Earth. Chapters switch between the perspectives of the mother, Reena, the son, Raja, and the daughter, Rani, each seemingly leading a separate storyline. There is a gradual intertwining of their stories, until it all comes together at the climax, where they fight to save humanity from itself. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of an AI figurehead within the government, and how many of the problems humanity faced were a result of the misjudgement and cruelty of humanity itself. The plotline may seem confusing at first, particularly the timeline, but it is imperative that one sticks through it until it all makes sense. The author's ability to seamlessly combine the scattered plot into one big resolution is truly impressive. Furthermore, the characters are well-developed, and the tone shift when the perspective changes is subtle yet noticeable, particularly with Rani's perspective. The world building and politics are also realistic and reflect accurately on human nature, especially through themes like racism and dehumanization. One particular event that highlighted the author's deep understanding of human nature was the indoctrination of some of the first generation Pioneers, wherein they quickly adapted to their situation and accepted the lies they were told, even though they had known the truth before. As the lie was easier to believe than the truth, their entire lives revolved around that lie. The Sci-fi elements were not expanded upon from a scientific perspective, such as the specifics of gravity or the workings of the spaceships; however, this did not affect the quality of the story. Eventually, the utopian facade fades to reveal the nuanced layers underneath that make up the true world they live in. When this is exposed to them, their reactions are all different, showing how each person deals with grief differently.

I found myself so invested in the story (Regression) as I also wanted to discover the reason behind the “Happy Programme” and ended up finishing the book in a few days. Regression by Tara Basi is a dystopian novel depicting the story of three individuals from one family. Under the watchful eye of the global AI, MaPa, humans coexist with nature in an age of equilibrium where everyone values niceness, kindness and non-violence. With a catastrophe on the horizon, these three characters are thrown into the secret “Happy Programme” to save humanity from extinction. This story is told from Reena’s, Raja’s and Rani’s point of views but at different timelines. Reena is a young, artistic woman who has lived in equilibrium for a while but following the death of her daughter, has started to feel her life is empty due to her not being able to have another child, which results in her consulting a mood doctor, Doctor Singh. She is then thrust into the “Happy Programme” on The Island with the promise of having more children. Raja is the eldest of Reena’s children at 20 years old and has only known life on The Island. This remote island is inundated with bombs and attacks from machinery on a daily basis and every day is a new struggle to survive. One evening he is “snatched” and forced into the “Happy Programme” where he has to learn to be “nice”. Rani is ten years younger than Raja but also the child of Reena. Now also 20 years old, she has been helping her mom cope with the disappearance of Raja, 10 years ago, when she is also “snatched” and forced into a new world where everyone is nice and finds her brother has become the world president. The three stories collide and overlap in a multitude of ways, leading to a finale which not even the reader would expect. Throughout the book, there are lots of secrets to uncover and I felt like I could empathise with the characters as I also went through the same rollercoaster of confusion and frustration as they did which I do feel was intended by the author. As the story unfolds, there is an emphasis on the characters’ emotional journeys as they find out why they have been recruited, what their goals are and also understand why information has been hidden from them for many years. I admit, going into this book I had a preconception that I (as the reader) would be told all the information and that I would just be watching the characters find this out for themselves. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself so invested in the story as I also wanted to discover the reason behind the “Happy Programme” and ended up finishing the book in a few days. I also found myself fascinated by the different timelines being portrayed and to dive into the writing to gather as much information as possible. For me, the highlight of the book was Reena. What I found most compelling about her was the contradicting lives she had to live through. To begin with, she was in a world of equilibrium, experiencing non-violenct values, emphasised niceness and celibacy. Then she was thrown into the programme where she was taught how to live in a war zone and completed training in combat skills and medical aid. This is also where she met Ram and was invited to break her celibacy if she wanted more children. Through her chapters, you can sympathise with the contrasting lives she has had to live through and even learning from her two children how she was as a mom, showed how some of her old habits still continues even on The Island.

Tara Basi's Regression is a strong book in the world of science fiction because of the big difference between its setting and its story. The novel starts in the Age of Equilibrium, a peaceful future society carefully run by the global computer, MaPa. The first descriptions paint a picture of a perfect world with peaceful values and kind behavior. This calm beginning is a strong base for the author to then completely breakdown. The quality of the author's writing is key to the book's power. The writing smoothly changes from the almost beautiful language used to describe the utopian world to a much tougher, more direct style as the characters face difficult tests. This change in style is a strong tool because it shows the reader the characters' emotional and moral fall. For example, while the beginning sections are thoughtful, the later dialogue becomes noticeably more intense, especially with the character Rani. The author deliberately uses strong language to show that the characters' polite, controlled behavior is truly falling apart. The way the story is put together is very smart and engaging. The book immediately splits into three separate, parallel storylines (for Reena, Raja, and Rani) which gives you a deep look at what each person experiences. Raja's path often feels like a military survival story, while Rani’s sections are full of emotional shock and sometimes harsh humor. This complex structure allows the reader to truly understand the heavy mental stress placed on each family member. If I’m being honest, the story is so compelling that I read the entire thing in one sitting (with necessary breaks, of course), a true testament to the author's ability to hold your attention.

Regression by Tara Basi is a non stop adventure that becomes harder to put down as the story develops. Basi uses the point or views of three main characters to provide vastly different perspectives and experiences. These three main characters put readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions where they seek the truth, not knowing that everyone’s truth doesn’t always mean the same thing. Regression provides a unique and colorful view of how different worlds may look and feel. Basi’s ability to paint the scenery in a reader’s mind is very well done. As I read this book it was not difficult to picture each new place that characters discover. Basi takes the time and consideration to describe the scenery in vivid detail that rarely leaves the reader guessing. This book also provides wonderful character development and character growth throughout. Each character has unique thoughts and traits that often mirror the way these people might have felt if this were a true story. There are no unbelievable characters or situations that might leave a reader thinking “yeah right”. While there is always some freedom of imagination when authors take on world building, Tara Basi never stretches too far from the path of reality. Every situation or event that takes place seems possible in real life, which allows readers to connect to the characters in the story. At times, it is difficult for readers to NOT imagine that this could happen to them. The idea that Basi stays close to real possibility is a credit to the author because Basi overcomes the difficulty in making science fiction feel believable. Ultimately, I feel like this is an excellent book for people who have imagined what might happen if Earth became inhospitable. With pollution and other factors contributing to our Earth slowly dying, this story comes across both relatable and acceptable. However, at only approximately 700 pages, I think that Basi could have easily turned this story into a 3 book series. Basi takes small leaps of expected understanding that do not always add up when you want them too. To be fair, Basi does a pretty good job of wrapping everything together by the end, but there are still some things left unsaid that a reader may not like. To enjoy this book, readers have to be patient and expect that some parts of the story take a long time to unfold, with some mysteries being left to the imagination of the reader. As someone that loves to read the books that are hard to put down, this story doesn’t fail to scratch that itch. Despite this book being a little outside my normal reading comfort zone I am glad to have read it and think it’s a good story for adult and teens alike.

Tara Basi’s 2025 extraordinary novel Regression introduces us to Reena, an artist who has suffered the loss of her child, Priti, in a terrible accident. The setting is the far future on Earth, in the “Equilibrium” era, where artificial intelligence, called "MaPa," ensures that humans experience no negative emotions, including trauma such as the loss of a child. “Niceness,” unimaginative cheer, and banal positivity are the order of the day. Despite this, Reena feels disconnected from her life and from those around her. She feels as if she is in a play, and those around her are also actors, but no one knows that their lives are contrived theater except Reena. Reena seeks help from Dr. Singh, a “Moodiest.” Dr. Singh notices that Reena is different from other patients. He suggests the “Happy Programme” [sic]. This mysterious program is attractive to Reena not only because it may relieve her feelings of detachment and alienation, but also because those selected for it are allowed more than one child. In Reena’s world, there is a one-child limit, and she longs for another baby. Readers are later introduced to Raja, a young adult warrior on an island that is beset by constant bombardment, followed by drops of supplies and munitions. His hand and the skin on one half of his skull have been mutilated in battle. He wears a red beret and a glove over his disfigured hand. Raja’s parents arrived on the island as refugees. Often, new refugees, called “Fugs,” arrive on dinghies in the island’s lagoon, and the existing islanders try to acclimate them to the dangers of the island as best they can. Their lives are brutal and horrendous, and many do not reach adulthood. Readers then meet Rani, Raja’s younger sister by ten years. A soldier like her brother, Rani finds a dart in her leg while planting radar decoys in the northern part of the island. The dart induces immediate unconsciousness, and she wakes up in an environment she immediately understands is foreign to the island, dressed in new clothes she would never have chosen for herself. She, like her father and Raja, has been “snatched.” Will this family meet again? What is their future? Why have three of them been snatched? What will be asked of them to ensure their survival? I award this novel four out of five stars. This book is complex and challenging, which I enjoyed. The worlds of Reena, Rani, Raja, and their father, Ram, are so completely built on lies and artifice that it takes many chapters to parse out the truth. The reader is as deceived as the characters until the curtain is raised. Secondly, I award this number of stars because of the book’s innovation. This novel subverts the traditional science-fiction formula. In my reading, I encounter so many novels that are formulaic. There is nothing wrong with formulaic novels; often they are comfortable, easy reads, and I enjoy them. There are times when we want to escape and relax while reading. This book is not a candidate for that experience. The reader will have to work to comprehend the book, and I admire that fully. The plot is mind-bending. I had to re-read several passages to distinguish objective truth from false paradigms. Finally, the sacrifices and the responsible, ethical, and authentic leadership of the family led by Reena and Ram are inspiring. Their selflessness is exceptional. I believe this is a novel for adults. There is some romance, but there are no graphic or sensory details. There is harsh profanity. The novel may be difficult for readers who dislike reading about wartime conditions and the resultant injuries of the survivors. As stated before, instead of offering a simple path to a tidy conclusion, the journeys of the characters are complex and labyrinthine. There may not be an orderly resolution; therefore, readers seeking a neat ending may be disappointed. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy novels about the future with highly sophisticated artificial intelligence systems in place. I also recommend it to readers who enjoy reading about humanity’s future on other planets.