I listened to the audio book for this novel, and both the narrators of the main characters were acted well. I liked the two main characters, and the story had interesting ideas. I felt the story was a little slow in places, and the ending felt less worked out.

As soon as I saw the cover for this book I was intrigued, because it is exceptionally eye-catching, and then I read the blurb and I knew that I wanted to read it. I have to say that The Upper World is definitely not what I expected it to be, I was kind of thinking it would be very futuristic otherworldly but it’s actually very grounded in this world with a blend of science fiction elements, which worked really well.

Both the characters voices were so strong from the start and whilst both are integral to the story I have to say that it took a bit of time for me to connect with Esso’s point of view. I think that might be because I was expecting something a bit different to start with, whereas with Rhia’s point of view the sci-fi elements that I was expecting were introduced really quickly. Thankfully it didn’t take long for me to get into the rhythm of the story and even though I struggled with some of the physics, which I think I might have got my head around a little easier if I was looking at it rather than listening, eventually I was utterly gripped by the story.

I don’t want to say too much about the story because everything is so interconnected and it’s something that you want to properly experience for yourself, but I loved how atmospheric it was, I could feel the confusion from the characters as they faced things they couldn’t explain and the desperation as they have to deal with their discoveries whilst also navigating problems in their own lives. There is definitely an edge of your seat feeling as this story starts to make its way toward the conclusion, I did not want to stop listening, and I don’t think I can describe how tense I felt as I waited to see how it would play out.

The narration is fantastic Tom Moutchi and Weruche Opia do an amazing job of bringing these characters to life, it was great to hear the accents that the characters would have, helped to define the sense of place and immersed me fully in the story. I also quite liked that there were some other subtle sound effects and music that was added in in the background, it added an extra tension in the story.

The Upper World is an amazing debut I think it will appeal to a lot of readers, even those who maybe wouldn’t usually pick up a sci-fi book, and I’m excited to see what Femi Fadugba comes up with next.

With the risk of my phrase not being quite appropriate for the medium, I can't help but call this novel an absolute page-turner. Gripping.like nothing else!

This was a unique fast paced book, about physics and time travel. Its not my userall read.

I listened to this and i think that helped me follow the story, i think if i read this i would struggle to take in the information and i don't think i would have enjoyed it as much as i did. The narration really kept you listening, and helped made it clear if we was in the now or future. What made the audio difficult was the background music as it distracted me from the narrators voice.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the audiobook for an honest review.

A well paced, dual timeline story that will keep your attention throughout. You find yourself rooting for the characters, and their morally grey qualities have you on their side all the more. A real work of magic.

Oh I thought I was going to love this book. It started so well, I listened to it as an audiobook and it was read beautifully. It was pacy (at least initially), lots of action, but the two perspectives sometimes were disjointed. The language of the book was also challenging at times. I understand why the language was the way it was but it made it plodding, and I find it difficult to relate to.

The story follows Esso, and Rhia whose lives are intertwined and their relationship explored in this novel time travel story. I'm not a physicist, the science at times went over my head despite the "simple" descriptions, but it's probably the most I've ever understood time travel in my life, which is definitely say something.

Ultimately, this had potential and there was a lot of build up that didn't lead anywhere. It got sluggish at points and I just felt like I wanted more. Something was missing a little and I can't put my finger on what it is, but I just felt it could have been so much more.

I really enjoyed this book, in contrast to my middle of the road rating, but despite my enjoyment there was something missing throughout. The plot is okay, the characters are also okay and the progression of the events within are alright too. The real selling point for this book actually fell within the audio book, and for that reason I'm so glad I read and listened to this story in both formats. The narrators for Esso and Rhia, the two protagonists whose world's collide with startling impact, are expertly selected for the audio book and were the predominant reason I loved this story.

Essentially this is an exploration of how possible time travel might be. The author leaves it up to you in some part to decide how believable you think their explanations are, but Esso and Rhia have to accept its real and work together to stop a tragic event from having ever happened.

It's difficult to become invested in the story because neither the plot or the characters leap off the page - they only do this when given narrative voices through the audiobook. I very rarely listen to audiobooks, feeling most often like I prefer to attribute voices to characters myself, so I'd probably be the last person to suggest that's the best format to enjoy a book, but this book should have solely been an audiobook because the dialogue absolutely needs to be heard, rather than read, to appreciate the author's point of view. There is a standout representation of character dialect, nuance of behaviour and perhaps most importantly their opinions via the tone of voice. Usually I find narrators distracting, but the two in this book were phenomenal and made me believe I was listening to them truly tell their stories.

A great addition the genre, but lost without the audiobook.

ARC of both text and audiobook provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderfully emotive narration of an original and brilliant new sci-fi story. I really enjoyed this just as much as I thought I would as the book really lived up to the hype.

The Upper World by Femi Fadugba

“If you had the chance to change your future, would you take it?”

I found the premise of this book so intriguing; I knew I had to read it immediately. It truly is a time bending marvel. It follows main characters Esso and Rhia, journeying through different periods of time but ultimately colliding together to stop the catastrophic events that happen in Essos’s past/present that will change the course of Rhia’s life.

I read this book so quickly, I literally couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy stories that make you think outside of the box, then this is the book for you. I think Femi has written a novel that will stay with the reader for a long time.

The Upper World astounded me and not just because of the technical maths and science involved because that was pitched nicely in layman terms. It's that and more: the well written representation of a London that I know, from the area to the people and issues.

Expectation is the first thing that came to mind. Why do we second guess people, why do we want to pigeon hole them, into convenient groups and stereotypes when there is more at play.

Similar is not the same. Alike is not identical.
We are more than what we appear to be.

This story on the surface is about a group of teenagers from South London, it features families, gangs, violence and also time travel.

My short description does not do justice at all to this book and its evocative themes.

Femi Fadugba wrote a book that crosses genres, it is fantasy, it is science fiction, yet it is poignantly contemporary. Key themes such as racism, poverty and deprivation are illuminated. We are shown through the characters how it shapes child development, changes family dynamics and urban places. We see the consequences of stigmatisation and attainment.

Here and Now and Then
We follow Esso in the now, who as a teen makes mistakes which is to be expected but one of his has consequences that snowballs. The ramifications of which Esso's not willing to accept. Esso wants to re-do an event, to ensure that the future is changed. But can he and if he can, should he?
It's 15 years later and the future is here, we meet Rhia, how is she connected to Esso? Why are they drawn to The Upper World and can they solve the mystery that haunts them both?

This is a book with the focus on children. Yes they are technically teenagers, but who are held accountable as adults. Children who are fulfilling adult obligations within their homes and on the streets. Even at school there is only a cursory attempt to treat them as minors. At home, there are issues to face too.

When life is difficult for children and they face adversity, there's always the hope that there is a space for them where they can feel safe, where someone has their back. The Upper World shows that school and its authority figures are not that place of support. Where is?

I listened to the audiobook and was blown away by the two narrators. Tom Moutchi and Weruche Opia nailed it - all the accents (the therapist was a bit iffy, but could pass), the inflections and mannerisms shone through. They added an extra dimension to the narrative. I could visualise each and everyone that I was introduced to.

Totally smashed it.

After reading The Upper World, my last thoughts were where are the mentors, community leaders, government initiatives to invest into the lives of the future. We (the human race) are only storing up problems for ourselves and the world ahead if we don't prepare our children well and give them the opportunity to become all that they are capable of being.
And as a parent, it reminded me that our children must know their history, and also understand the present, where they fit in and where they can reach to.

These hard themes that spoke to me, the science, personalities, together with the humour that shone through, balanced out the stark reality faced by these young people. Really liked it.
4 Stars

Loved this audiobook. It's told from the POV of Esso and Rhia. The chapters alternative between them. Esso's chapters take place now, while Rhia's take place 15 years later. The use of two different narrators really helped with this change over.

The story itself is so beautifully written and clever... I love the way the author has in cooperated his physics and maths knowledge into this book so well. I also like the way the author has written South London. Really good and reflective to those who live there and the difficulties these children/people face.

I found the world building soooo good too!

The Upper World is a brilliantly fast paced debut YA novel from Femi Fadugba that interweaves the gritty realities of London life with the theory of time travel. Vividly told through dual perspectives and set in Peckham, South London, we meet Esso and Rhia who instantly drew me into their lives. I really connected to Esso, who in present day is having a hard time balancing the normal difficulties of life as a teenage boy, on top of the pressures of street rivalries. Rhia 15 years in the future is a rising football star living in the foster care system. She is looking for any clues to what happened to her parents and when she meets her new physics tutor, they may both have the answers the other is searching for.

So many aspects of this book are moving and thought provoking, I found myself shaking my head in sadness at the struggles and obstacles that are very much a part of life growing up in inner cities. A wonderful job was done to highlight real references mixed into the fiction of the story. The crescendo pacing was exactly what was needed and boy did it all lead up to a dramatic yet heart wrenching finish.

Packed full of scientific logic and physicists theories which were fairly easy to understand and very educational, I would have loved reading this book while I was at school, not only does it fantastically portray British street culture, it also would have really give me representation and motivation to embrace science in a completely new way. I hope schools around the UK have The Upper World stocked in their libraries.

Now I listen to a lot of audiobooks and this one while perfectly narrated by Tom Moutchi and Weruche Opia had instrumental music scattered throughout. It mostly added to the drama and tension building, but personally I found it at times distracting particularly in several of Rhia's chapters. However, if you have the chance to listen to the audio version, do it! Especially if you are not from London or used to the type of British vernacular that was spoken by the characters. The language was so descriptive that it is no wonder that The Upper World got picked up to be adapted into a Netflix film, staring Oscar winning actor Daniel Kaluuya, before the book was even published!

I'm excited to see what the future brings for Fadugba, I hear a sequel is in the works, one that focuses on "quantum mechanics and the multiverse". The idea of a Peckham based multiverse is amazing news to my sci-fi loving self!

Thank you to Penguin Random Children' UK sand NetGalley for copies of the eARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.



TW: violence, mental health, death

This is not your average Sci-fi novel!

The best reason that I can give for why I think that this new sci-fi YA novel will be a huge hit is that it’s probably too cool for this forty-something teacher. There is talk of drill (I asked my 12-year-old), gangs, youth culture and lots of teenage concerns. However, there is also a load of physics involved, and it’s all explained in a really accessible way – it takes what kids will have learnt about in school and extrapolates it to explain how time travel is apparently possible.

In terms of plot, there are two really strong stories here which quickly merge together once you’ve got thoroughly immersed in each of them. There is plenty of grit, tears and pain in the lives of both Rhia and Esso, who are both likeable and misunderstood, multidimensional characters – by the end of the novel, you’re really rooting for them both to succeed.

I’ve got a really reluctant reader at home, but I loved this ARC so much that I’ve pre-ordered him a physical copy. I’ve also put it on my wish list for the school library, and I really believe that teenage boys in particular will love this.

The tale is narrated by Tom Moutchi and Weruche Opia, and I absolutely loved both of their voices. They brought an energy and excitement to the narrative, and enhanced the feeling that this is a novel full of vibrancy and anguish. A job well done!

I don’t normally assign a rating to my reviews, but I’m going to give this one an easy 5 out of 5!

The premise of the story was very interesting. We have two characters intrinsically linked by an event that Esso is desperate to prevent. While this event has led to Rhia 15 years later needing this event to have been stopped. At the same time Esso is introduced through a book left by his dad, to the upper world. This leads him to not only believe he can see the future but because he can see it that he can change it.
The story is set in London in both present day and 15 years in the future. Esso is caught up in a world of rival gangs, violence and little hope for the future. While Rhia 15 years on has been in and out of foster homes and struggles to believe that she can achieve as she feels things always go wrong.
The story is well told with good narration and an interesting plot. The ideas and science involved makes it an interesting story.

Thoroughly exciting blend of gang drama and sci-fi mystery. Doesn't skimp on the physics or assume that teen-agers wouldn't cope with or be interested in the concepts.

A unique and fascinating story which combines the grittiness and danger of being a teenager caught up in gang violence in South London with physics and time travel!

I was a little apprehensive about whether I would find the story hard to follow, but the maths and physics was explained in a way I could understand and added so much extra dimension.

The characters were well developed and I was able to empathise with them despite not having had similar life experiences which is a great testament to the author’s writing.

The two narrators for the different points of view worked brilliantly and the casting was perfect for the characters. I really enjoyed listening to this as an audiobook and having the two different narrators really brought the story to life.

Wow!! what a book, it will be interesting to see how this is made into a movie, i wasnt completely sold on the narrator! But would definitely read it as a book!

I listened to the audiobook of The Upper World by Femi Fadugba and it’s a tale that travels time. Told by duel narrators Esso, in the present, and Rhia, 15 years in the future. Esso who is caught up in a deadly feud and Rhia, who is looking for something. Both the narrators are both very likeable characters and you can engage with them easily. The story of how they come together switches easily between them and is easy to follow. I would love to hear more about the Upper World in future books.