The Upper World, Femi Fadugba’s debut novel, is a thought-provoking and imaginative fusion of science fiction, physics, and urban drama. Set in London, it deftly combines the gritty realism of inner-city life with high-concept theoretical physics, making it a unique and thrilling read.

The story revolves around two central characters: Esso, a teenager dealing with the dangers of his everyday life in South London, and Rhia, a young girl from the future with her own struggles. Esso finds himself trapped in the "Upper World"—a realm where time bends and past, present, and future collide—after a near-fatal accident. Meanwhile, Rhia is on a quest in her own time to uncover the truth about her parents, which brings their timelines together.

One of the strengths of The Upper World is its ability to make complex ideas about time, physics, and the multiverse accessible and exciting. Fadugba, who has a background in physics, seamlessly weaves scientific concepts into the narrative without overwhelming the reader. The way he presents time travel and the "Upper World" feels fresh and innovative, making this novel a standout in the science fiction genre. It’s cerebral but never dry, with moments of wonder that rival some of the best speculative fiction.

Beyond its sci-fi elements, the book also serves as a powerful reflection on the realities of growing up in a tough urban environment. Esso's life is shaped by the choices he makes while navigating gangs, school, and family, all while wrestling with questions of fate and free will. These aspects ground the novel, giving it an emotional depth that adds to its impact.

The alternating perspectives between Esso and Rhia keep the story engaging, with both timelines building towards a compelling and climactic convergence. Esso’s chapters are filled with intensity and suspense, while Rhia’s sections offer a glimpse into a future shaped by the events of the past. This dual structure keeps the narrative fresh and fast-paced.

However, while the novel is ambitious, it can at times feel a little dense, especially for younger readers or those unfamiliar with physics concepts. Some readers might struggle with the heavy theoretical discussions, but the action and emotional stakes of the story should keep most engaged.

Overall, The Upper World is an impressive debut that successfully merges the thrill of science fiction with the emotional depth of a coming-of-age tale. Femi Fadugba has created a richly textured world that invites readers to think deeply about time, fate, and the consequences of our choices. It’s a smart, gripping, and thought-provoking novel, and a must-read for fans of both sci-fi and contemporary urban fiction.

Firstly a big thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

“Enemy is the label we give to someone whose past and future we haven't seen yet, someone whose story hasn't been told. Everyone is better then their worse act.”

I have had this on my Netgalley for a while as you can see. So I’m happy that this one came out of the ARC Jar so I finally picked it up! I thought that I was going to love this. But something about it just didn’t do it for me. It was a good book and well written so if the blurb sounds interesting to you, you should definitely give this a go! ✨

I really wanted to love this book, but instead I got confused by all the...well, physics involved with time travel. What I did love about it was the main characters being around youth south London gangs and the culture surrounding the gangs. I will, however most likely give the Netflix adaptation a watch to see if it works better visually?
That all being said, I'm sure the intended audience age range are far more intelligent than I am and would 100% enjoy and understand the writing style better than me

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I was so excited to read this and it did not disappoint, I expected so much and yes I may have I got caught up in the hype , but I was greatly rewarded and it totally lived up to my expectations, a book I think should be read by all ages

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a fun sci-fi read, and I appreciated all of the diagrams and formulas that were included in this book. The shorter chapters made me fly through this book, and the writing was addictive. I definitely recommend this to all sci-fi fans, especially those of Doctor Who.

Fast paced sci-fi time travel thriller, set amongst the arch rival gangs of Brixton and Peckham, thrown together by the shared catchment area of their secondary school.

During an increasingly bad week, Esso finds himself involved in a car crash trying to save a young boy's life, and at the same time discovering he can see into the future

15 years later, Rhia is a promising footballer being brought up in care and receiving tuition from Esso. Inspired by his maths and physics teaching, Rhia becomes more and more drawn into the science as they realise they can help each other.

This was brilliant! Normally I would say that sci-fi isn't really my thing but Femi Fadugba just 100% proved me wrong. It was fast paced, kept me on my toes and made me enjoy my commute to work (not an easy thing). I am so glad to hear there is going to be a book two in the series and I cannot wait for the TV programme!

I wanted to love this one a lot more than I did. Unfortunately I felt the story got too bogged down in the theory/science for me to completely lose myself in it. This is purely down to personal preference, however, as I think the author is incredibly clever and talented for what they created in The Upper World.

I do think this will make one hell of a fantastic adaption though, as I can see it really working more for me personally in a visual medium.

I would still wholly recommend this to people that love a fast paced science fiction that is heavy on the science.

The Upper World is an intriguing and exciting read. It blends sci-fi time travel elements with everyday issues teens face to create a great blend that makes a very interesting read.

A hugely impressive book, with amazing world-building and protagonists to root for.

I'm not surprised there's so much buzz about this book, or why it already has a Netflix deal pre-publication. It's beautifully written and sharp, with plenty of social commentary alongside the spectacular Upper World to explore. Esso and Rhia are sympathetic, complex, and compelling characters, and I found myself rooting for them both instantly. The worlds they inhabit feel very fleshed out and realistic.

I'm really bad at physics and maths and so I found some parts of the plot harder to follow than someone who's good at science, but the diagrams were really helpful and the plot was very compelling to follow, despite me not being able to understand what was going on all the time. I can see this being very popular with people of all ages.

A book it turns out that I really enjoyed, The Upper World is definitely one that some people would give a miss just based on the science fiction genre. Personally I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The characters were great and I enjoyed their interactions. The plot is really good and it's really well written. A surprisingly enjoyable read for me.
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Femi Fadugba for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely brilliant! The world Fadugba created and the authenticity of the characters made the story quite outstanding. I hope there's a sequel but I'm happy to have had the chance to read this book regardless. Can't wait to see the Netflix version of it!

Physics in a YA time-travel narrative.

I have to admit, I probably should have read this on paper/e-book. I found the Audible version hard to concentrate on, both with time periods and names but also the physics got the better of me and my mind wandered a bit. I have enjoyed Andy Weir's titles with science caught up in the stories, but this felt more like a science lesson with time-travel ideas pushed into it.

Two time periods. In one, a young man is caught up in a gang incident where someone is shot. In the other, a teenage girl with no parents looks for answers.

I didn't click about a lot of the connections between the two periods for quite a while, probably because I missed details in the audiobook version. For me, this would have been easier to follow on paper, where I could have gone back and re-read sections.

Rhia seemed to catch on to the science remarkably quickly and easily. I was lost.

I don't think this was for me really, I persisted but didn't really enjoy it. I can see why many do, and I did feel the language of the characters was realistic and do hope it sparks an interest in the sciences.

I believe this is being adapted for the screen, where I suspect it will be much easier to follow.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

I just got confused, it took me such a long time to read because I just kept forgetting what happened. Parts were really good and I could see this being adapted into a series which would be so much better and easier to follow.

Any book that involves time travelling is always a winner with me & I definitely enjoyed the contrasts between the times . The story is set in Peckham , I grew up not far from there and that added to my interest. The fast moving pace certainly keeps you on your toes and the descriptions of current street culture enhance the authentic feel of the text, whilst also being a little shocking and sad to read about.

I was really disappointed from this book. I expected so much excitement and sadly it appears I got caught up in the hype and it sadly didn't live up to the expectations

I love a dual timeline book and enjoyed how seamless this was moving between the present with Rhia's storyline and 15 years earlier with Esso's.

I was intrigued when reading the blurb of this book and found the writing to be immersive and gripping from the beginning. I loved both of our main characters.

I usually avoid science heavy books but the physics in this novel was accessible and interesting. I will be looking with anticipation for the sequel.

I tried a few times but I really couldn't get into this. The language and descriptions are very good and I could tell that the plot had good pacing but it just wasn't for me.

A gripping adventure about time travel and the streets of south east London with some physics thrown in for good measure. Sounds like a strange mix but it works - two teens in different time periods find their paths crossing and neither of them will be the same again.