Nubia: Too Real

Nubia

by L.L. McKinney, Robyn Smith (illustrator)

After a turbulent school year, Nubia is both thrilled and anxious as she embarks on a transformative summer training with the Amazons on Themyscira! Amid the mounting pressure of expectations, she grapples with feeling like an outsider, letting the weight of her self-doubt strain her most important relationships. Just when she thought her life couldn’t get more complicated, her biggest fear threatens the safety of everyone on Paradise Island. Will Nubia rise above the chaos and embrace her true self as the hero she was destined to be?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Dc Comics, Action

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[emma]

4 years is a really intense wait for a sequel

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still shaky from the events of the first volume, Nubia faces a new challenge as she heads to Themyscira with her family to spend the summer training with the Amazons. Not all the Amazons seem happy to have her back, giving Nubia anxiety about whether she is really worthy to be considered one, much less their princess.

This middle book of a planned trilogy is almost as good as the first, though it does get bogged down a little bit as Nubia's self-confidence crisis stretches out. But it finishes strong and makes me eager for the next.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read Nubia: Real One a month or two ago, and I was delighted that the library had the sequel pretty soon after since I know folks who read this one early on had quite awhile to wait for the sequel. I hope it isn't too long of a wait for the final installment in this trilogy, but I'm sure it'll be worth waiting for regardless.

While the first Nubia volume focuses more on Nubia in the real world and dealing with real world problems, Too Real shifts focus to Themyscira and Nubia getting trained in combat and her abilities amidst complicated Amazonian politics. It also focuses heavily on Nubia's experience with anxiety, something she struggles with a lot here, and that makes her more vulnerable to enemies. It made for interesting reading, although I admit I wasn't quite as hooked as I was with the first one. The dialogue and humour continue to be top notch and there were a few moments I actually laughed out loud.

Robyn Smith and Manou Azumi are both incredibly talented artists, each with their own merits. Smith was the artist on the first book and provides the art for the first half of the book, but then it transitions over to Azumi's art. I want to be clear that I think Azumi is very talented and that I would absolutely be interested in reading other things featuring her work. Honestly though, I really missed Smith's work here. I think her style just brought so much life and personality to the characters, and changing that up didn't totally work for me.

Overall, I thought this was a great follow up to Real One. Even though I preferred the first book, I still think this was a great sequel that was well worth the read. I look forward to eventually having the chance to read the concluding volume.

[Priya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should probably have read the first book in this series for the story to make more sense!
It was interesting read set in the superhero world of the Amazons that the protagonist Nubia is trying to make her own. Her struggles while training, including anxiety about fitting in were what the story was about.
It is great to see a diverse superhero story!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nubia: Too Real is the second book in the series. Though I haven’t read the first one, I picked this up at the ALA conference and decided to dive right in. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was able to catch up with the story.

Graphic novels and superhero stories usually aren’t my go-to, but I found myself really enjoying this one. I think that’s largely due to the strong emphasis on mythology and the rich Amazonian culture that Nubia discovers during her trip to the Amazon's island. One detail I especially appreciated was the use of different colored text boxes to indicate who was speaking during text exchanges—it made the conversations flow smoothly and added clarity.

The artwork is gorgeous, with soft colors and a wide range of body types thoughtfully included and celebrated. The story touches on themes of friendship, self-confidence, discovering new aspects of yourself, facing the unknown, and staying true to who you are. I especially loved Nubia’s strong bond with her adoptive mothers, as well as her relationship with her best friend, who joins her in training on the island.

Recommended by publisher for ages 13-17.

[Jaime Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found Nubia very unlikable during this book. I understand the stress she is under, and sometimes everyone around you gelling you you don't need to feel that stress doesn't help. However, she has multiple conversations with her loved ones where she acknowledges that this is unnecessary, points out the reasons why, and they encourage her and then she'll immediately go in a circle and start the cycle of self flagilation over again. It felt like this theme just needed to be stretched out enough to get to the end where she regains her powers and finds her inner strength, but having it for so long and then making an abrupt shift to empowered Nubia didn't line up for me and didn't serve as enough payoff. Also, everything with the well and her being possessed felt a little rushed and wishy washy for me. As I mentioned in my other review, I'm also not a giant fan of how much the artist/author tries to shove in per page. It's rather overwhelming to look at.
Think this is where my journey with this ends, since I almost DNFed it multiple times.

[Devin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea there was this sequel until months after the fact!

I love it like I loved the first one (though I may still prefer the original).

So much warmth and so much understanding of The Wonder Woman Project, with beautifully expressive art.

That moment when they step off of the plane (especially given the conversation that preceded it) is so special and legitimately surprised me in such a heartwarming way.

I'm fascinated by the structure of this book: essentially, it's full of characters who love each other and the conflict is mostly psychological or impersonally chaotic. It just makes for such a radically unfamiliar read, in a pleasant way.

It's a great tone for Wonder Woman fiction.

Ultimately, I think the use of Ares here is pretty good, but I have to admit I got a little lost In some of the lore-ish details.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5* Nubia: Too Real is the follow up to Nubia: Real One, which balanced topical, real-world themes with the fantastical Amazon elements to create a cast of characters and a world that I think would feel relatable to teens. The sequel spends much more time exploring Nubia’s abilities and most of it is set on Themiscyra, so while its messages (like believing in yourself, and learning not to let jealousy become resentment) are still relevant and necessary for young readers, it’s likely going to come across less relatable.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nubia, her moms, and her best friend get to visit Themyscira so Nubia can hone her powers. She worries about failing as an Amazon especially when her best friend excels at training that Nubia struggles with. Mysterious messages make Nubia doubt herself and her relationships. Can the darkness be defeated?

[McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Art was nice, characters lovable. Overall was really good and it felt like things flowed smoothly. The part with the girl in the car crash felt a bit out of place. Like one second Nubia wanted nothing to do with her and the next second they're having late night phone conversations? That relationship didn't seem to be explored enough.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎Nubia: Too Real regresa con la secuela de L. L. McKinney. Este verano, Nubia viaja a Themyscira para entrenar, pero lo que encuentra es un viaje interior. Entre paisajes dorados y el eco de sus pasos, deberá enfrentar sus inseguridades y descubrir que la verdadera fuerza nace de la luz que llevamos dentro.

[Greer Rutt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the themes and continuation of all the Wonder Woman lore, but Nubia was so whiny and unlikeable that I didnt enjoy reading this. also it's definitely for an older crowd with how much language is in it, not kids or teens.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read via an online reader, however, the last 20 pages were missing. The continuing of Wonder Woman's sister, Nubia, as she comes to terms with her Amazon background. Typical cartoon/comic/graphic novel superhero elements.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dialog is great, very natural. I felt like it was kind of contrived for Nubia to have excellent wifi on Themyscira, of all places. She's also really difficult to like in this book. Her constantly beating herself up might be relateable to some, but it makes her really one note in this book.

[cozyleaf.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the first. Nubia still stands out, but not due to the colour of her skin. The focus shifts from her race to her development of powers and her understanding of her past as an Amazon.

4

[Elaja · Rating 4 out of 5]

ive always loved the concept of themyscira, an island full of just women, and specifically warrior women. this was a pretty cool story set there!

I will say I wish we got a little more of the initial convo with max and how they actually got close.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read from an ARC sent by Library Journal

[Markus Seaberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the original one a little better, but this sequel is still pretty interesting.

[carson · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5

[Chelsea Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read and I loved how they dived into her mental health. When you have a lot of pressure on you, it ca be a bit much

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid continuation of the story. Takes place mostly on Themyscira, working with the Amazons. *note for age level: includes a couple uses of f-bombs

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Stronglysalty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Sumayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one nearly as much as the first and was caught off guard by the change in art style, but I hope we get more books in the series.