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The Upper World
If you had the chance to change your future, would you take it?
This YA debut follows two teens, a generation apart, whose fates collide across time--and outside of it.
Today
During arguably the worst week of Esso's life, an accident knocks him into an incredible world--a place beyond space or time, where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees there is true, he might not have much longer to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history.
Tomorrow
Rhia's past is filled with questions, none of which she expects a new physics tutor to answer. But Dr. Esso's not here to help Rhia. He's here because he needs her help--to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. One that holds the key not only to Rhia's past, but to a future worth fighting for.
This YA debut follows two teens, a generation apart, whose fates collide across time--and outside of it.
Today
During arguably the worst week of Esso's life, an accident knocks him into an incredible world--a place beyond space or time, where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees there is true, he might not have much longer to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history.
Tomorrow
Rhia's past is filled with questions, none of which she expects a new physics tutor to answer. But Dr. Esso's not here to help Rhia. He's here because he needs her help--to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. One that holds the key not only to Rhia's past, but to a future worth fighting for.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2021
159 people are currently reading
7281 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
June 22, 2021
I loved this book.
The two main characters are so engaging, the writing has it's own peculiarity and rhythm that immerses you straight into the narrative and the story is uniquely imaginative in a way that I just adored.
It has physics geekery that leads to the possibilities of time travel and an emotionally charged plot wherein the race across time and space to stop and change one single moment is simply stunning in its addictive quality.
I devoured this. I was with it all the way, edge of the seat moments interspersed with vividly presented quieter moments and contemplative tones made for an absolutely brilliant read that went straight onto my books of the year list.
Highly recommended.
The two main characters are so engaging, the writing has it's own peculiarity and rhythm that immerses you straight into the narrative and the story is uniquely imaginative in a way that I just adored.
It has physics geekery that leads to the possibilities of time travel and an emotionally charged plot wherein the race across time and space to stop and change one single moment is simply stunning in its addictive quality.
I devoured this. I was with it all the way, edge of the seat moments interspersed with vividly presented quieter moments and contemplative tones made for an absolutely brilliant read that went straight onto my books of the year list.
Highly recommended.
December 14, 2021
This story is set in London and follows two timelines that interlope. I liked reading a book from the Black British perspective that heavily featured Black British English and was set in Peckham in what we in the US would describe as the hood. The neighborhood is plagued by gang violence and Esso struggles with staying on the right path and following in the footsteps off some of the other boys in the neighborhood. 15 years later a foster child named Rhia, who is a rising football player, finds her interest in physics growing more and more when she releases her tutor has the answers she's seeking about her birth mother.
The Upper World was a different kind of read for me because I don't usually read sci-fi. And this was sci-fi that heavily included physics and math. I never took physics but math was never a strong subject for me in school so those parts were a little harder to follow along with because they made my head spin. But the parts I liked were really the day to day on interactions in the neighborhood. I can see this story translating well on screen and I'll be waiting for the Netflix adaptation.
I received an arc from Harpercollin in exchange for an honest review.
The Upper World was a different kind of read for me because I don't usually read sci-fi. And this was sci-fi that heavily included physics and math. I never took physics but math was never a strong subject for me in school so those parts were a little harder to follow along with because they made my head spin. But the parts I liked were really the day to day on interactions in the neighborhood. I can see this story translating well on screen and I'll be waiting for the Netflix adaptation.
I received an arc from Harpercollin in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2021
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!
4.5 🌟
Thank you to Penguin Random Children's UK and NetGalley for copies of the eARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
TW: violence, mental health, death
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!
4.5 🌟
Thank you to Penguin Random Children's UK and NetGalley for copies of the eARC and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
TW: violence, mental health, death
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June 9, 2021[Gifted]
A deeply unique, masterfully plotted time travel adventure spanning generations. Accurate science combined with fun, vividly realistic characters - what's not to love?
A deeply unique, masterfully plotted time travel adventure spanning generations. Accurate science combined with fun, vividly realistic characters - what's not to love?
November 8, 2021
I wanted to love this book so much. It's a UKYA SFF set almost in the area I grew up in. I know the locations well; that's my local park, a library I've spent too many hours in, buses I've used. And so on. There's very little sci-fi in YA, and even less from UK authors - and the amount of diverse speculative UKYA is atrocious.
Plus this book is about science and maths. It involved time travel and a lot of time on Einstein's equations (some more explicitly than others - I was nerdily happy about the ones I could spot that weren't mentioned.) There are appendices at the back (at least of the Waterstones edition - not sure about the standard) that explains the maths in more detail for the curious.
In short, this should have been a book I really liked, except it was a fight to get through.
Mostly, it was because a lot of the book read just like a contemporary, with a few fringe speculative elements (more on that later.) I'm not a big fan of contemporary, because I want something speculative - I want something more than just life around me. Give me magic, other worlds, space. But this reads like a contemporary about being young, poor, and Black in Peckham. One gets accidentally drawn into gang rivalries, the other is a foster child. (We absolutely need more stories like this, but also, that's not how this book was sold to me.)
As for the speculative elements, there are some interesting technological advances in Rhia's timeline, given she's in the future. But the time travel? Honestly, it does make the characters sound like cultists or flat-earthers. The maths and physics are all fine and good until the book makes the jump from "these are the physical limitations of light" (etc) to "this is how time travel works." Except it's not really time travel, and it's not really explained just happens without much explanation. It was confusing and didn't feel well integrated into the story.
This might be because Esso's story line felt like a contemporary where a kid thinks he sees the future and then gets paranoid, and Rhia's feels like it only exists to be an info dump to try and explain the time travel. Except it still doesn't manage to do that in a way that feels not like a hallucination.
So overall, it was a very disappointing read, because it straddled the contemporary/sci-fi line too much for me, and didn't satisfactorily explain the time travel (particularly given actual time travel is only like two scenes!)
Plus this book is about science and maths. It involved time travel and a lot of time on Einstein's equations (some more explicitly than others - I was nerdily happy about the ones I could spot that weren't mentioned.) There are appendices at the back (at least of the Waterstones edition - not sure about the standard) that explains the maths in more detail for the curious.
In short, this should have been a book I really liked, except it was a fight to get through.
Mostly, it was because a lot of the book read just like a contemporary, with a few fringe speculative elements (more on that later.) I'm not a big fan of contemporary, because I want something speculative - I want something more than just life around me. Give me magic, other worlds, space. But this reads like a contemporary about being young, poor, and Black in Peckham. One gets accidentally drawn into gang rivalries, the other is a foster child. (We absolutely need more stories like this, but also, that's not how this book was sold to me.)
As for the speculative elements, there are some interesting technological advances in Rhia's timeline, given she's in the future. But the time travel? Honestly, it does make the characters sound like cultists or flat-earthers. The maths and physics are all fine and good until the book makes the jump from "these are the physical limitations of light" (etc) to "this is how time travel works." Except it's not really time travel, and it's not really explained just happens without much explanation. It was confusing and didn't feel well integrated into the story.
This might be because Esso's story line felt like a contemporary where a kid thinks he sees the future and then gets paranoid, and Rhia's feels like it only exists to be an info dump to try and explain the time travel. Except it still doesn't manage to do that in a way that feels not like a hallucination.
So overall, it was a very disappointing read, because it straddled the contemporary/sci-fi line too much for me, and didn't satisfactorily explain the time travel (particularly given actual time travel is only like two scenes!)
October 23, 2022
Per quanto fossi molto incuriosita per la trama e il payoff di questo romanzo ("Il tempo non aspetta nessuno"), purtroppo non sono entrata del tutto in sintonia con la storia.
Mi dispiace, perché i presupposti c'erano tutti, a partire da un prologo intrigante che evoca Atene e Socrate, compreso il mito della caverna (che - a voler essere puntigliosi - si trova negli scritti di Platone, totalmente omesso nel romanzo) e da un'ambientazione futuristica in cui la narrazione salta avanti e indietro, procedendo in parallelo in due momenti temporali diversi.
Tuttavia, l'idea è stata sviluppata con una modalità prolissa e lenta.
Dando per scontato di non aver proprio capito le decine e decine di pagine di equazioni ed elucubrazioni fisico-matematiche, per mia esclusiva colpa (in effetti, ho sempre detestato studiare entrambe le materie a scuola), sono state le parti narrative del libro a sfinirmi di noia 😑.
Da un lato, troviamo il giovane Esso che studia all'istituto superiore di Penny Hill, potrebbe essere brillante nelle materie scientifiche, ma ha una situazione familiare non facile ed è piuttosto distratto dall'evitare di finire ucciso da una gang nemica; dall'altra, la giovane Rhia che, quindici anni più tardi, si trova in una situazione ugualmente disagiata, è molto intelligente, e avrebbe solo bisogno di un professore per approfondire le medesime materie.
Anche dopo averlo concluso, non so se definirlo un distopico o uno sci-fi, uno ya con risse tra gang, collocato in una Londra di cui si vedono solo quartieri periferici in pieno degrado, oppure un sogno psichedelico sotto acidi, o piuttosto un tentativo di scrivere un romanzo sui viaggi nel tempo ma con l’ingrediente del pov angloafricano.
Qualunque sia il genere dove collocarlo, non è risultato nelle mie corde; piuttosto confuso, ingarbugliato e con inserimento di dettagli a caso e non influenti.
Spero che gli sceneggiatori di Netflix abbiano miglior fortuna nel trasformarlo in un prodotto più accessibile.
Mi dispiace, perché i presupposti c'erano tutti, a partire da un prologo intrigante che evoca Atene e Socrate, compreso il mito della caverna (che - a voler essere puntigliosi - si trova negli scritti di Platone, totalmente omesso nel romanzo) e da un'ambientazione futuristica in cui la narrazione salta avanti e indietro, procedendo in parallelo in due momenti temporali diversi.
Tuttavia, l'idea è stata sviluppata con una modalità prolissa e lenta.
Dando per scontato di non aver proprio capito le decine e decine di pagine di equazioni ed elucubrazioni fisico-matematiche, per mia esclusiva colpa (in effetti, ho sempre detestato studiare entrambe le materie a scuola), sono state le parti narrative del libro a sfinirmi di noia 😑.
Da un lato, troviamo il giovane Esso che studia all'istituto superiore di Penny Hill, potrebbe essere brillante nelle materie scientifiche, ma ha una situazione familiare non facile ed è piuttosto distratto dall'evitare di finire ucciso da una gang nemica; dall'altra, la giovane Rhia che, quindici anni più tardi, si trova in una situazione ugualmente disagiata, è molto intelligente, e avrebbe solo bisogno di un professore per approfondire le medesime materie.
Anche dopo averlo concluso, non so se definirlo un distopico o uno sci-fi, uno ya con risse tra gang, collocato in una Londra di cui si vedono solo quartieri periferici in pieno degrado, oppure un sogno psichedelico sotto acidi, o piuttosto un tentativo di scrivere un romanzo sui viaggi nel tempo ma con l’ingrediente del pov angloafricano.
Qualunque sia il genere dove collocarlo, non è risultato nelle mie corde; piuttosto confuso, ingarbugliato e con inserimento di dettagli a caso e non influenti.
Spero che gli sceneggiatori di Netflix abbiano miglior fortuna nel trasformarlo in un prodotto più accessibile.
January 24, 2022
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The Upper World is an intriguing time travel story that doesn't quite stick its landing. The book combines ancient philosophy with hardcore maths and physics to explore the relationship between matter, energy, and perception. It takes the Socratic idea of the 'Upper World' - a place beyond our everyday experience where, if we can reach it, we can perceive time and space from the outside and find a deeper understanding of the workings of the universe. The characters use this knowledge to attempt to change the past, with unexpected consequences.
It is the characters who hooked me into the story. Esso is a believable teenager, navigating the gangs and complex loyalties of his South London comprehensive school alongside the expectations of his teachers and his West African mother. Fifteen years into the future, Rhia is juggling her unreliable home life in foster care with her ambition to become a professional football player. When she meets the maths and physics tutor her foster mother hired to help with her GCSEs, she finds herself diving into complex concepts - relativity, energy, and time travel. But why does Dr Esso think these ideas are important, and what, exactly, does he want from her?
The structure of the story builds the tension between the characters and the events they are trying to change. Esso's present-day chapters alternate with Rhia's future experiences. We know from early in the book that teenage Esso is heading for a dramatic, gang-related punishment, and as the story progresses he does everything he can to avoid disaster. In the future, Dr Esso's interest in time travel starts to make sense, as Rhia begins to understand who she is, and her connection to her tutor's past.
Rhia's foster sister provides an effective sounding board for her theories, and the genuine friendship between the girls provides a contrast with teenage Esso's companions - a group of boys who would rather taunt each other than show weakness. Esso's relationship with his classmate Nadia allows him to demonstrate a softer side to his character, and her pivotal role in the story develops across both timelines. Both Esso and Rhia are sympathetic characters, and I found myself heartbroken alongside them when the plot twists and injustices kicked in.
While the climax of both stories is extremely well written, I wasn't convinced by the plot leading up to the final moments. While I enjoyed the idea of weaving Einstein's theories and the philosophy of Socrates and Plato into a YA time-travel narrative, the plot stretched the science and the philosophical ideas beyond breaking point, and this threw me out of the story.
I'm aware that I am not the target audience, and that I have read (and wrestled with the concepts of) a lot of time-travel stories. For YA readers with less exposure to maths, physics, science fiction, and the various fictional theories of time travel, The Upper World may well provide a gripping and satisfying read. If you don't mind a bit of hand-waving and magical thinking with your real-world physics, this is an exciting story with clever twists, interesting ideas, sympathetic characters, and convincing real-world settings. If that sounds appealing, don't let me review put you off!
The Upper World will be published on August 19th. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Upper World is an intriguing time travel story that doesn't quite stick its landing. The book combines ancient philosophy with hardcore maths and physics to explore the relationship between matter, energy, and perception. It takes the Socratic idea of the 'Upper World' - a place beyond our everyday experience where, if we can reach it, we can perceive time and space from the outside and find a deeper understanding of the workings of the universe. The characters use this knowledge to attempt to change the past, with unexpected consequences.
It is the characters who hooked me into the story. Esso is a believable teenager, navigating the gangs and complex loyalties of his South London comprehensive school alongside the expectations of his teachers and his West African mother. Fifteen years into the future, Rhia is juggling her unreliable home life in foster care with her ambition to become a professional football player. When she meets the maths and physics tutor her foster mother hired to help with her GCSEs, she finds herself diving into complex concepts - relativity, energy, and time travel. But why does Dr Esso think these ideas are important, and what, exactly, does he want from her?
The structure of the story builds the tension between the characters and the events they are trying to change. Esso's present-day chapters alternate with Rhia's future experiences. We know from early in the book that teenage Esso is heading for a dramatic, gang-related punishment, and as the story progresses he does everything he can to avoid disaster. In the future, Dr Esso's interest in time travel starts to make sense, as Rhia begins to understand who she is, and her connection to her tutor's past.
Rhia's foster sister provides an effective sounding board for her theories, and the genuine friendship between the girls provides a contrast with teenage Esso's companions - a group of boys who would rather taunt each other than show weakness. Esso's relationship with his classmate Nadia allows him to demonstrate a softer side to his character, and her pivotal role in the story develops across both timelines. Both Esso and Rhia are sympathetic characters, and I found myself heartbroken alongside them when the plot twists and injustices kicked in.
While the climax of both stories is extremely well written, I wasn't convinced by the plot leading up to the final moments. While I enjoyed the idea of weaving Einstein's theories and the philosophy of Socrates and Plato into a YA time-travel narrative, the plot stretched the science and the philosophical ideas beyond breaking point, and this threw me out of the story.
I'm aware that I am not the target audience, and that I have read (and wrestled with the concepts of) a lot of time-travel stories. For YA readers with less exposure to maths, physics, science fiction, and the various fictional theories of time travel, The Upper World may well provide a gripping and satisfying read. If you don't mind a bit of hand-waving and magical thinking with your real-world physics, this is an exciting story with clever twists, interesting ideas, sympathetic characters, and convincing real-world settings. If that sounds appealing, don't let me review put you off!
The Upper World will be published on August 19th. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2022
I'm dithering about how many stars to give this, in many ways I thought it was awesome. Really different in that it explains the physics of time travel in a really accessible way, ways I'm still thinking about, and I finished this ages ago. There is a but coming, but it was a bit too clever at times, a little bit of jumping around which lost me. Especially towards the end. But, the story is thoroughly engaging.
Esso is a school student, mates with someone who has become part of a gang, yet Esso knows that on the inside he is a great friend and a really good guy. When a heap of trouble goes down Esso is in the wrong place and now it seems that the gang is out to get him. On top of that he had this weird experience when he was knocked down in a traffic accident, he appeared to have an out of body experience and entered The Upper World, a new dimension where he was able to see the future, in a kind of 360 degrees kind of way. Esso is in like with Nadia. Has been for a long time, she is the cleverest girl in his class and they are firmly friends, but he'd like it to be more. But with the gang on the hunt for him and his friend also in trouble Esso has a world of problems.
Rhia is a footballer of great talent, fostered with a family who are kind to her, she craves knowledge of her mother, Nadia. When Rhia ends up being tutored in physics by Esso, two worlds collide. Rhia's world in the future and Esso's world of years earlier.
This is so interesting and strange and original. I see a series is being made and I think it will translate really well to the screen. It is a thriller, loads of action and with intriguing characters. Because the story is complex I think it is for the kids who have an interest in science and time travel and who are searching for a book which has plenty of action and an original story which will keep them turning the pages.
Esso is a school student, mates with someone who has become part of a gang, yet Esso knows that on the inside he is a great friend and a really good guy. When a heap of trouble goes down Esso is in the wrong place and now it seems that the gang is out to get him. On top of that he had this weird experience when he was knocked down in a traffic accident, he appeared to have an out of body experience and entered The Upper World, a new dimension where he was able to see the future, in a kind of 360 degrees kind of way. Esso is in like with Nadia. Has been for a long time, she is the cleverest girl in his class and they are firmly friends, but he'd like it to be more. But with the gang on the hunt for him and his friend also in trouble Esso has a world of problems.
Rhia is a footballer of great talent, fostered with a family who are kind to her, she craves knowledge of her mother, Nadia. When Rhia ends up being tutored in physics by Esso, two worlds collide. Rhia's world in the future and Esso's world of years earlier.
This is so interesting and strange and original. I see a series is being made and I think it will translate really well to the screen. It is a thriller, loads of action and with intriguing characters. Because the story is complex I think it is for the kids who have an interest in science and time travel and who are searching for a book which has plenty of action and an original story which will keep them turning the pages.
September 26, 2021
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: blood, violence, gun violence, murder, death, death of parent (off page)
There is no one more disappointed than I am that I didn’t enjoy this book more than I did. It is ideally a story that examines time travel and has by far one of the most interesting conceptualisations of it that I have ever read – I mean there is actual physics involved!!! There was something missing in the overall execution for me though.
The Upper World follows two teenagers during two differing timelines, fifteen years apart who are somehow linked by a hypothetical realm that exists out of time.
The protagonists themselves were pretty cool – I loved Rhia’s chapters especially, my girls a football star and as a football fan myself I absolutely loved all the football references - and I thought how her and Esso’s lives entwined and the whole “time travel” part of the story worked really well.
I love me a sci-fi when actual science is incorporated into the story and I absolutely loved that this book teaches you a little bit of physics with the characters along the way – truly appreciate the effort of the author making the examples easy to get your mind around too!
I also love me a book set in London and the portrayal of South London (even though some of the slang did throw me off a little) was great!
The main thing I had an issue with though was the pacing – it was all a little too slow going for me and it took quite some time for the sci-fi side of the story to become apparent. I didn’t get bored exactly as I was reading, I just think there was something missing. Plus I finished the book a month ago now and I honestly can’t remember much about how it ended, just that it seemed to fizzle out?
I’m still curious about the film adaptation though and I’d be interested in future novel from Fadugba (especially if they involve Physics) because I quite enjoyed his writing!
Final Rating – 3. 5/5 Stars
CW: blood, violence, gun violence, murder, death, death of parent (off page)
There is no one more disappointed than I am that I didn’t enjoy this book more than I did. It is ideally a story that examines time travel and has by far one of the most interesting conceptualisations of it that I have ever read – I mean there is actual physics involved!!! There was something missing in the overall execution for me though.
The Upper World follows two teenagers during two differing timelines, fifteen years apart who are somehow linked by a hypothetical realm that exists out of time.
The protagonists themselves were pretty cool – I loved Rhia’s chapters especially, my girls a football star and as a football fan myself I absolutely loved all the football references - and I thought how her and Esso’s lives entwined and the whole “time travel” part of the story worked really well.
I love me a sci-fi when actual science is incorporated into the story and I absolutely loved that this book teaches you a little bit of physics with the characters along the way – truly appreciate the effort of the author making the examples easy to get your mind around too!
I also love me a book set in London and the portrayal of South London (even though some of the slang did throw me off a little) was great!
The main thing I had an issue with though was the pacing – it was all a little too slow going for me and it took quite some time for the sci-fi side of the story to become apparent. I didn’t get bored exactly as I was reading, I just think there was something missing. Plus I finished the book a month ago now and I honestly can’t remember much about how it ended, just that it seemed to fizzle out?
I’m still curious about the film adaptation though and I’d be interested in future novel from Fadugba (especially if they involve Physics) because I quite enjoyed his writing!
Final Rating – 3. 5/5 Stars
December 30, 2021
When I realized it had some mathesce pictures and such I was a bit wary that I wouldn't be able to get fully invested in the story as math is my biggest enemy. But I didn't need to worry at all. The story was very engaging and hard to put down. Would definitely read more by Femi Fadugba in the future
June 28, 2021
This dual POV, split timeline YA thriller is an explosive story of time-travel, precognition, and physics! The book follows Esso in the present day, who discovers the Upper World and that he has the ability to see the future and possibly change it. Fifteen years later, a girl called Rhia becomes involved with this, eventually becoming pivotal to the consequences of Esso’s actions.
This story never had a dull moment, and the writing style lent itself to contributing to the fast-paced feel. The plot was really well structured, especially in terms of how the two timelines would intersect and the way that I as the reader began piecing the two stories together. The author did a great job of leaving one perspective off on a cliffhanger, only to go back to the other perspective and leave me impatiently waiting for the story to shift back so I could get some answers! It meant that I ended up reading about 70% of the story in one day, so it was definitely addictive!
I really enjoyed both Esso’s and Rhia’s first-person narrations, as a character-driven reader I always enjoy seeing the character’s thoughts and feelings play out within the scene, which the author did a great job at portraying. The characters also accurately portrayed teenagers in terms of their language and how they behave, which is sometimes rare in YA books. It meant that they were flawed and made questionable decisions, but this was understandable given their ages. I liked seeing such a high-stakes story from the perspective of individuals who didn’t know what was happening, which would definitely be the case if a teenager faced what they had to deal with!
I highly recommend this book for YA time-travel and thriller fans. Also, it’s being adapted into a Netflix show, so definitely read it before watching that!
This story never had a dull moment, and the writing style lent itself to contributing to the fast-paced feel. The plot was really well structured, especially in terms of how the two timelines would intersect and the way that I as the reader began piecing the two stories together. The author did a great job of leaving one perspective off on a cliffhanger, only to go back to the other perspective and leave me impatiently waiting for the story to shift back so I could get some answers! It meant that I ended up reading about 70% of the story in one day, so it was definitely addictive!
I really enjoyed both Esso’s and Rhia’s first-person narrations, as a character-driven reader I always enjoy seeing the character’s thoughts and feelings play out within the scene, which the author did a great job at portraying. The characters also accurately portrayed teenagers in terms of their language and how they behave, which is sometimes rare in YA books. It meant that they were flawed and made questionable decisions, but this was understandable given their ages. I liked seeing such a high-stakes story from the perspective of individuals who didn’t know what was happening, which would definitely be the case if a teenager faced what they had to deal with!
I highly recommend this book for YA time-travel and thriller fans. Also, it’s being adapted into a Netflix show, so definitely read it before watching that!
July 31, 2021
"It is something you have to believe in to see"✨
Thank you so much to penguin books nz and turning pages for providing me with this arc copy!
This was such an interesting book! From the moment I read the synopsis I knew it sounded like something amazing and it definitely lived up to that!
It follows two characters in two different timelines. One in today's present world and the other 15 years from today. The present timeline follows Esso, a young boy living in a not so great neighbourhood and trying to survive school, friendships, family and love. Eso discovers his father's book 'The Upper World' about this space in time where you can look into the future and upon discovery, Eso begins to experience these things himself. The other timeline is 15 years later where Rhia is a struggling football star with many questions about her past and her mother. Both timelines collide in an adventure to uncover secrets and fight against time.
What I loved..
This was such a compelling read and it took me no time to read since I was so investing in the story! There were so many questions I had that kept me reading chapter after chapter to discover the truth. Going into this book I thought the science/maths aspects would go way over my head since science is really not my subject😅 however, the way this was written made me want to know about science/maths. It was well throughout, yet written in a very readable and understanding way, which I could comprehend without it not making sense or going over my head.
The characters were both very distinct and different which made me equally investing in both pov's. Rhia was headstrong, confident, risk-taking and I loved her! Esso was clever, optimistic, caring and made for a very interesting character.
The plot was very fast moving and kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was easy to read yet so cleverly written. I didn't feel like it dragged at any point and everything was well paced.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast paced, intriguing, time travel book with science fiction elements but not set in space. It was a wild ride and anyone who is looking for a fun fast and exciting book this is the one for you!
Thank you so much to penguin books nz and turning pages for providing me with this arc copy!
This was such an interesting book! From the moment I read the synopsis I knew it sounded like something amazing and it definitely lived up to that!
It follows two characters in two different timelines. One in today's present world and the other 15 years from today. The present timeline follows Esso, a young boy living in a not so great neighbourhood and trying to survive school, friendships, family and love. Eso discovers his father's book 'The Upper World' about this space in time where you can look into the future and upon discovery, Eso begins to experience these things himself. The other timeline is 15 years later where Rhia is a struggling football star with many questions about her past and her mother. Both timelines collide in an adventure to uncover secrets and fight against time.
What I loved..
This was such a compelling read and it took me no time to read since I was so investing in the story! There were so many questions I had that kept me reading chapter after chapter to discover the truth. Going into this book I thought the science/maths aspects would go way over my head since science is really not my subject😅 however, the way this was written made me want to know about science/maths. It was well throughout, yet written in a very readable and understanding way, which I could comprehend without it not making sense or going over my head.
The characters were both very distinct and different which made me equally investing in both pov's. Rhia was headstrong, confident, risk-taking and I loved her! Esso was clever, optimistic, caring and made for a very interesting character.
The plot was very fast moving and kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was easy to read yet so cleverly written. I didn't feel like it dragged at any point and everything was well paced.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast paced, intriguing, time travel book with science fiction elements but not set in space. It was a wild ride and anyone who is looking for a fun fast and exciting book this is the one for you!
February 22, 2022
This debut novel follows two different timelines with dual POV that intertwined with each other. Present day, Esso is going through a life-changing phase in his life when he was transported to a place beyond space and time where he could see his past and his future. Fast forward 15 years later, we meet a foster girl named Rhia with a questionable past. Then, she meets her new tutor, Dr Esso whom she thinks would be the key to the answers about her birth mother.
The Upper World is a sci-fi novel that heavily revolves around physics and maths. This might have just been the most scientifically-heavy book I have ever read since I graduated. There were tonnes of formulas, theories about time travel and the concept of energy that I have flashbacks to my classes back in university, literally. Even-though I am interested to know how the story will unfold on the sci-fi part, there were times that I felt that the story was too focused on the science part that made me lost focus on the discussions.
Both of the characters were impossible not to love. They're both determined, smart and very curious about their heritage. I love that there were also normal teenager scenes included in this book where they just worry about friendships, relationships and some gang wars too. At times, I wish this part could be developed more to their maximum potential.
I do find that there were too much happening at the same time and the pacing made me feel like reading two separate books. The transition from the normal contemporary scenes to the time travel theories felt abrupt and sudden that it interfered with the flow of the story.
Overall, I would still recommend this book to people who are keen in stories about time travel and its variants. Even-though I did not enjoy this as much as I expected, I am very grateful that I crossed paths with this book.
Thank you Times Reads for giving me a review copy in exchange of an honest review.
The Upper World is a sci-fi novel that heavily revolves around physics and maths. This might have just been the most scientifically-heavy book I have ever read since I graduated. There were tonnes of formulas, theories about time travel and the concept of energy that I have flashbacks to my classes back in university, literally. Even-though I am interested to know how the story will unfold on the sci-fi part, there were times that I felt that the story was too focused on the science part that made me lost focus on the discussions.
Both of the characters were impossible not to love. They're both determined, smart and very curious about their heritage. I love that there were also normal teenager scenes included in this book where they just worry about friendships, relationships and some gang wars too. At times, I wish this part could be developed more to their maximum potential.
I do find that there were too much happening at the same time and the pacing made me feel like reading two separate books. The transition from the normal contemporary scenes to the time travel theories felt abrupt and sudden that it interfered with the flow of the story.
Overall, I would still recommend this book to people who are keen in stories about time travel and its variants. Even-though I did not enjoy this as much as I expected, I am very grateful that I crossed paths with this book.
Thank you Times Reads for giving me a review copy in exchange of an honest review.
October 9, 2021
Due to the new import rules considering the UK I had to quit my Book Box Club membership. I hate it, because they helped me to read out of my comfort zone, picked books I never would have found otherwise and sometimes gave me beautiful unexpected gems. So, now I just check the unboxings of the boxes and get the books myself. Firstly because that way I keep on reading out of my comfort zone, secondly to still do the buddy read with the girls.
This book sounded like my cup of tea. I used to be a maths geek, the only girl in a class filled with guys. I loved playing with numbers and finding the magic behind all those numbers. The maths and quantum mechanics in this book is quite cool and I love how time travel is more than just some trick, but really is based on scientific theories. I think it's a great way to get young people interested in science and the possibilities that can be found over there.
However, I really had issues connecting with the story and the characters. That has a little to do with the characters themselves. I have the feeling that they're never really showing us their true emotions, just like I wouldn't be able to tell much about them personality wise. I therefore had issues clicking with them and seeing them as my friends. I know that I say it more often, but for me the characters and feeling connected to them is more important than anything else in a book.
It also had a little to do with the world building though. I have the feeling that the author of the book has a very clear imagine in his head of this world, of all the scenes, of the way this world works. However, for me this world feels very foreign. I understand it's a true part of our world, but it's a part of our world I'm not familiar with and I don't feel like the author helps me to understand the world and the place our characters have in it.
It's however very well possible that I'm not the target audience of the book. I'm pretty sure that when this book finds the right readers some magic is gonna happen in our society and our future!
This book sounded like my cup of tea. I used to be a maths geek, the only girl in a class filled with guys. I loved playing with numbers and finding the magic behind all those numbers. The maths and quantum mechanics in this book is quite cool and I love how time travel is more than just some trick, but really is based on scientific theories. I think it's a great way to get young people interested in science and the possibilities that can be found over there.
However, I really had issues connecting with the story and the characters. That has a little to do with the characters themselves. I have the feeling that they're never really showing us their true emotions, just like I wouldn't be able to tell much about them personality wise. I therefore had issues clicking with them and seeing them as my friends. I know that I say it more often, but for me the characters and feeling connected to them is more important than anything else in a book.
It also had a little to do with the world building though. I have the feeling that the author of the book has a very clear imagine in his head of this world, of all the scenes, of the way this world works. However, for me this world feels very foreign. I understand it's a true part of our world, but it's a part of our world I'm not familiar with and I don't feel like the author helps me to understand the world and the place our characters have in it.
It's however very well possible that I'm not the target audience of the book. I'm pretty sure that when this book finds the right readers some magic is gonna happen in our society and our future!
October 6, 2021
Hmm. I'm not sure if this book was for me. I also thought it's selling point of being a book about 'time travel' was a bit of a stretch.
The Upper World is about two protagonists: a young man named Esso, who lives in the present; and a young woman named Rhia, who lives fifteen years in the future. Esso discovers this place known as the 'Upper World' through his 'crazy' father's notebook, a place that allows Esso totime travel see glimpses of the future, like deja vu. By accident, Esso finds himself in the middle of a gang war that he has seen to have devastating consequences. Through the use of the 'Upper World', Esso hopes he can discover a way to avoid all the chaos that ensues after the gang war. Rhia, meanwhile, has grown up in foster care her whole life and has never met either of her parents. She is desperate to find out who her Mum is, and upon also discovering the 'Upper World', she hopes that it can provide her with answers.
So let's start with the things I enjoyed. I really enjoyed Rhia as a character and I enjoyed exploring her side of the story more than Esso's. I loved the relationship she shared with her sister, Olivia, and really enjoyed the two of them interacting together. I found Fadugba's style of writing quite gripping at points and fun enough to read.
However, I thought a lot of the book was... Pointless? A lot of the dialogue shared between some of the characters seemed so forced and cringey. I also found the 'romance' element to fall flat. You could tell this book was written by a man with the quote *ahem*
Or something like that, which just made me wanna die.
I also hated how much Physics/Maths was included in this book? Like, I get that Fadugba was maybe trying to encourage more kids to pursue a passion in Maths or Physics but this just wasn't it, especially with the inclusion of the appendices where it went into depth about explaining Pythagoras' Theory, like, really? I mean, they were fab explanations but I just didn't like it.
Also, how this book can claim to be a 'time travelling' book is beyond me. I felt so let down by that aspect. sigh. Oh well. Onto the next.
The Upper World is about two protagonists: a young man named Esso, who lives in the present; and a young woman named Rhia, who lives fifteen years in the future. Esso discovers this place known as the 'Upper World' through his 'crazy' father's notebook, a place that allows Esso to
So let's start with the things I enjoyed. I really enjoyed Rhia as a character and I enjoyed exploring her side of the story more than Esso's. I loved the relationship she shared with her sister, Olivia, and really enjoyed the two of them interacting together. I found Fadugba's style of writing quite gripping at points and fun enough to read.
However, I thought a lot of the book was... Pointless? A lot of the dialogue shared between some of the characters seemed so forced and cringey. I also found the 'romance' element to fall flat. You could tell this book was written by a man with the quote *ahem*
"He could feel her breasts against his chest during the hug"
Or something like that, which just made me wanna die.
I also hated how much Physics/Maths was included in this book? Like, I get that Fadugba was maybe trying to encourage more kids to pursue a passion in Maths or Physics but this just wasn't it, especially with the inclusion of the appendices where it went into depth about explaining Pythagoras' Theory, like, really? I mean, they were fab explanations but I just didn't like it.
Also, how this book can claim to be a 'time travelling' book is beyond me. I felt so let down by that aspect. sigh. Oh well. Onto the next.
August 15, 2021
An epic read, VERY difficult to put down and I cannot wait to see how this transfers to the screen in its upcoming adaptation for Netflix. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this before publication in exchange for my thoughts.
The Upper World is a place alluded to by a number of people. Nobody is convinced of its existence, and those who talk of it are not of the best mental health. The Upper World is a place that seems to exist outside our reality, where time effectively stops and where there is always the chance to affect events in the real world.
This story is mind-bending in the best possible way. It unashamedly revels in its nerd-factor, delights in the depiction of its teen characters and their lives, and yet the thing I found more challenging to read and understand was the language used between some of the characters. With the help of my own teenage sons, the finer points were explained and I could focus on working out the details of the story.
The main focus is Esso in the present, and then Rhia sixteen years in the future (who ends up meeting an adult Esso). These two characters are linked in a way that means they need each other for their stories to play out.
Our first meeting with Esso sets up a story like no other. After being involved in a car crash, Esso starts to see snatches of the future. He is desperate to do what he has to in order to protect someone close to him. To do this he needs Rhia…
That is as much detail as I can give. Trust me, this is a cleverly-plotted and engaging story that picks you up and spits you out once it’s all over.
The Upper World is a place alluded to by a number of people. Nobody is convinced of its existence, and those who talk of it are not of the best mental health. The Upper World is a place that seems to exist outside our reality, where time effectively stops and where there is always the chance to affect events in the real world.
This story is mind-bending in the best possible way. It unashamedly revels in its nerd-factor, delights in the depiction of its teen characters and their lives, and yet the thing I found more challenging to read and understand was the language used between some of the characters. With the help of my own teenage sons, the finer points were explained and I could focus on working out the details of the story.
The main focus is Esso in the present, and then Rhia sixteen years in the future (who ends up meeting an adult Esso). These two characters are linked in a way that means they need each other for their stories to play out.
Our first meeting with Esso sets up a story like no other. After being involved in a car crash, Esso starts to see snatches of the future. He is desperate to do what he has to in order to protect someone close to him. To do this he needs Rhia…
That is as much detail as I can give. Trust me, this is a cleverly-plotted and engaging story that picks you up and spits you out once it’s all over.
November 28, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Before we get into the book itself, can we please have a chat about that Netflix movie? Starring Daniel Kaluuya I!? I am such a fan, have been since he literally stole the entire show in this old weird British zombie show The Fades. Anyway, I was thinking about how awesome this would be visually as I was reading, so it will be on my watch list, suffice it to say!
So the entire premise is fairly awesome- we're in the past (but closer to our present) with Esso, then the future with Rhia (and Esso, too). We're basically seeing how Esso got to this point where he needs some help fixing the past. Without giving too much away, the book explores how the two are connected, how these glimpses into time work, and if it is even possible to change the past.
I loved reading about Esso and Rhia's lives, frankly. They are very likable and sympathetic characters, and I was really rooting for them. And the whole thing is incredibly interesting and thought provoking! Granted, it is fairly science (predominantly physics) heavy. And look, I won't lie to you, I have never taken a physics class in my whole life, nor do I plan on it. So a lot of it went over my head. That is really my only complaint with the book, and I think if you are even a little more into physics you'll be fine. Even I was fine- I just kind of went with it, you know? Like "sir says this is how it works, then this is how it works".
I was surprised to hear that there was a sequel, since I felt that it wrapped up fairly well, but there is a ton of potential for more from this world, and I am certainly game for more of Esso and Rhia's stories, so sign me up!
Bottom Line: Super interesting premise with great characters, and science abound.
Before we get into the book itself, can we please have a chat about that Netflix movie? Starring Daniel Kaluuya I!? I am such a fan, have been since he literally stole the entire show in this old weird British zombie show The Fades. Anyway, I was thinking about how awesome this would be visually as I was reading, so it will be on my watch list, suffice it to say!
So the entire premise is fairly awesome- we're in the past (but closer to our present) with Esso, then the future with Rhia (and Esso, too). We're basically seeing how Esso got to this point where he needs some help fixing the past. Without giving too much away, the book explores how the two are connected, how these glimpses into time work, and if it is even possible to change the past.
I loved reading about Esso and Rhia's lives, frankly. They are very likable and sympathetic characters, and I was really rooting for them. And the whole thing is incredibly interesting and thought provoking! Granted, it is fairly science (predominantly physics) heavy. And look, I won't lie to you, I have never taken a physics class in my whole life, nor do I plan on it. So a lot of it went over my head. That is really my only complaint with the book, and I think if you are even a little more into physics you'll be fine. Even I was fine- I just kind of went with it, you know? Like "sir says this is how it works, then this is how it works".
I was surprised to hear that there was a sequel, since I felt that it wrapped up fairly well, but there is a ton of potential for more from this world, and I am certainly game for more of Esso and Rhia's stories, so sign me up!
Bottom Line: Super interesting premise with great characters, and science abound.
September 28, 2021
“Es brauchte schon eine beeindruckende Mischung aus Dämlichkeit und Pech, um mitten in einen Bandenkrieg zu geraten, obwohl man nicht einmal Mitglied einer Gang ist. Ich schaffte das in weniger als einer Woche. Und das war noch vor der Sache mit dem Zeitreisen.”
So beginnt der Debütroman des Quantenphysikers Femi Fadugba. Sein Protagonist Esso ist wissbegierig, gut in Mathe und verliebt in Nadia. Er wächst in South London auf, wo Kriminalität und Kämpfe zwischen Gangs an der Tagesordnung stehen. Als Bloodshed, ein Junge aus einer anderen Gang, verprügelt wird, ist Esso zufällig dabei. Doch der große Bruder von Bloodshed, D, nimmt es Esso übel, dass er daneben gestanden und nicht eingegriffen hat. Nun besteht auch für Esso die Gefahr, ein Opfer von Gewalt und Bandenkriegen zu werden.
“Aber obwohl ich mich wirklich bemühte, mich von jeglichem Ärger fernzuhalten, obwohl ich meiner Mutter aus tiefster Seele versicherte, dass ich mich benehmen würde, tat der Ärger leider nicht dasselbe.”
Der Roman verbindet Essos Geschichte mit Rhias, die fünfzehn Jahre nach Essos stattfindet. Rhia wächst bei Pflegeeltern auf, spielt leidenschaftlich gerne Fußball und braucht einen Tutor in Mathe und Physik. Als Dr. Esso als ihr Nachhilfelehrer in ihr Leben tritt, erfährt Rhia nicht nur mehr über ihre eigene Vergangenheit, sondern muss sich auch die Frage stellen, ob sie das Vergangene verändern will.
Physik, Mathematik, Zeitreise, Fantasy und der Lebensalltag eines Jungen in einem Problemviertel. All das verbindet der Roman auf gekonnte Weise miteinander. Er mag besonders im Mittelteil einige Längen haben, aber das tut der Überzeugungskraft der Geschichte keinen Abbruch und lässt auch seine Charaktere nicht blasser erscheinen.
Wenn ihr also wie ich “Physik nach der Mittelstufe abgegeben hab[t] […]. Bei der erstbesten Gelegenheit”, wenn ihr noch nie zuvor von den Experimenten eines Michelson Marleys, Kennedy Thorndikes oder Ives Stillwells gehört habt, wenn es euch nicht schaden würde, euch den Satz des Pythgoras mal wieder ins Gedächtnis zu rufen und wenn ihr nichts gegen einen Mix aus Naturwissenschaft und Fantasy habt, dann liegt ihr mit diesem Buch goldrichtig!
So beginnt der Debütroman des Quantenphysikers Femi Fadugba. Sein Protagonist Esso ist wissbegierig, gut in Mathe und verliebt in Nadia. Er wächst in South London auf, wo Kriminalität und Kämpfe zwischen Gangs an der Tagesordnung stehen. Als Bloodshed, ein Junge aus einer anderen Gang, verprügelt wird, ist Esso zufällig dabei. Doch der große Bruder von Bloodshed, D, nimmt es Esso übel, dass er daneben gestanden und nicht eingegriffen hat. Nun besteht auch für Esso die Gefahr, ein Opfer von Gewalt und Bandenkriegen zu werden.
“Aber obwohl ich mich wirklich bemühte, mich von jeglichem Ärger fernzuhalten, obwohl ich meiner Mutter aus tiefster Seele versicherte, dass ich mich benehmen würde, tat der Ärger leider nicht dasselbe.”
Der Roman verbindet Essos Geschichte mit Rhias, die fünfzehn Jahre nach Essos stattfindet. Rhia wächst bei Pflegeeltern auf, spielt leidenschaftlich gerne Fußball und braucht einen Tutor in Mathe und Physik. Als Dr. Esso als ihr Nachhilfelehrer in ihr Leben tritt, erfährt Rhia nicht nur mehr über ihre eigene Vergangenheit, sondern muss sich auch die Frage stellen, ob sie das Vergangene verändern will.
Physik, Mathematik, Zeitreise, Fantasy und der Lebensalltag eines Jungen in einem Problemviertel. All das verbindet der Roman auf gekonnte Weise miteinander. Er mag besonders im Mittelteil einige Längen haben, aber das tut der Überzeugungskraft der Geschichte keinen Abbruch und lässt auch seine Charaktere nicht blasser erscheinen.
Wenn ihr also wie ich “Physik nach der Mittelstufe abgegeben hab[t] […]. Bei der erstbesten Gelegenheit”, wenn ihr noch nie zuvor von den Experimenten eines Michelson Marleys, Kennedy Thorndikes oder Ives Stillwells gehört habt, wenn es euch nicht schaden würde, euch den Satz des Pythgoras mal wieder ins Gedächtnis zu rufen und wenn ihr nichts gegen einen Mix aus Naturwissenschaft und Fantasy habt, dann liegt ihr mit diesem Buch goldrichtig!
April 1, 2022
"𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙼𝚘𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎-𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝙿𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚋𝚘𝚊𝚛𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚙 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚢 𝚎𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚍𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜."
If you like Maths or Physics, this thrilling time travel adventure is for you! Debut novel of Femi Fadugba (soon to be a major Netflix movie), takes time travel to another level. With 2 POVs, Esso - Now and Rhia - 15 years later, the reader is swept up in events and discoveries that could change the future. Both are strangers connected to a similar story and it's fascinating to see how these two characters meet. One moment played a huge role in both Esso and Rhia's lives, affecting the past and the future. Maths and science play a major role in both these characters' lives and we'll see the extent of it.
With short chapters and detailed descriptions, the reader is carried away the moment the book is opened. Helpful diagrams and formulas are included at the back of the book, not only helping us to understand what Esso and Rhia are talking about but also refreshing our memories of Maths. It's interesting to meet teenage Esso and adult Esso and to see how Rhia navigates events regarding time travel. There is more to this story than time travel; both characters have questions they desperately need answers to as well as personal challenges. Even though this isn't my typical read, I'm not an avid reader of Sci-fi, I still enjoyed the story and can't wait for the sequel as well as the movie adaptation.
Thank you Penguin Random House SA for this gifted copy.
If you like Maths or Physics, this thrilling time travel adventure is for you! Debut novel of Femi Fadugba (soon to be a major Netflix movie), takes time travel to another level. With 2 POVs, Esso - Now and Rhia - 15 years later, the reader is swept up in events and discoveries that could change the future. Both are strangers connected to a similar story and it's fascinating to see how these two characters meet. One moment played a huge role in both Esso and Rhia's lives, affecting the past and the future. Maths and science play a major role in both these characters' lives and we'll see the extent of it.
With short chapters and detailed descriptions, the reader is carried away the moment the book is opened. Helpful diagrams and formulas are included at the back of the book, not only helping us to understand what Esso and Rhia are talking about but also refreshing our memories of Maths. It's interesting to meet teenage Esso and adult Esso and to see how Rhia navigates events regarding time travel. There is more to this story than time travel; both characters have questions they desperately need answers to as well as personal challenges. Even though this isn't my typical read, I'm not an avid reader of Sci-fi, I still enjoyed the story and can't wait for the sequel as well as the movie adaptation.
Thank you Penguin Random House SA for this gifted copy.
April 13, 2022
omg it was actually very interesting yet i didn't understand any of the physics that was talked about however the concept of the time travel and everything was very cool. the mc's were Black and were 15/16 + gave a great insight into south London gang culture so that was good . at the start i felt it was a little bit slow paced but it all led up to the end and u were able to understand why everything happened the way it did. also me playing football actually came in handy for once as i understood the references rhia made when she was okaying a match ect😭
January 16, 2022
despite being excited by the concept and setting of this book, I struggled with it and I believe that is purely down to my having a brain that is not at all mathematically or scientifically inclined. I could just not get my head around the very heavily maths and physicals based plot and world. that being said, it’s made me super excited for the Netflix adaptation, as I think it lends itself brilliantly to screen (and hopefully will be a little easier for my teeny tiny brain to understand…)
August 22, 2021
Esso is a teen growing up in Peckham, The Endz, in our current time.
Rhia is a teen growing up in The Endz sixteen years in the future.
Their fates are tied by a single bullet, a single moment.
And a race against time becomes a race for their futures.
*
I loved The Upper World! It was an absolutely unputdownable THRILLING ride. I am really not that into reading thrillers but when I read the blurb and it promised to be a mix of time travel and a thriller... I was curious. Plus, the author, Femi Fadugba, is a Physicist which made me even more curious to read!
I really enjoyed the general gritty London feel of this, Esso's moments were so believable and so atmospheric I felt like I was there. I am a Londoner born and bred and spent my late teens to early 20s in South East London and reading this... I FELT like I was there, I FELT Esso's moments, I recognised the places he talked about and I felt his feelings. I can't praise Fadugba's atmospheric writing enough!
Physics has not ever been my forte, but the way things were explained in The Upper World meant that I never felt like I was on the backfoot, things were always explained in such clear ways that it always made sense (in the context of the book!)
Then there was Esso himself. I loved him. He was a bit of an idiot in moments but he tried so hard to be good. He was written so well, he could have been one of my brothers. I worried for him and feared the consequences of his actions but I always understood where he was coming from. His growth as teen was one of my favourite parts of this book. And Rhia, was just gorgeously written. An incredibly smart orphan who is traumatised by her past and trying to guarantee her future, I really wanted to just give her a hug and fix everything. Despite what the world throws her way she always found a way to make things right.
Please just read this and give Esso and Rhia some hugs. They really need it.
#theupperworld #netgalley
Rhia is a teen growing up in The Endz sixteen years in the future.
Their fates are tied by a single bullet, a single moment.
And a race against time becomes a race for their futures.
*
I loved The Upper World! It was an absolutely unputdownable THRILLING ride. I am really not that into reading thrillers but when I read the blurb and it promised to be a mix of time travel and a thriller... I was curious. Plus, the author, Femi Fadugba, is a Physicist which made me even more curious to read!
I really enjoyed the general gritty London feel of this, Esso's moments were so believable and so atmospheric I felt like I was there. I am a Londoner born and bred and spent my late teens to early 20s in South East London and reading this... I FELT like I was there, I FELT Esso's moments, I recognised the places he talked about and I felt his feelings. I can't praise Fadugba's atmospheric writing enough!
Physics has not ever been my forte, but the way things were explained in The Upper World meant that I never felt like I was on the backfoot, things were always explained in such clear ways that it always made sense (in the context of the book!)
Then there was Esso himself. I loved him. He was a bit of an idiot in moments but he tried so hard to be good. He was written so well, he could have been one of my brothers. I worried for him and feared the consequences of his actions but I always understood where he was coming from. His growth as teen was one of my favourite parts of this book. And Rhia, was just gorgeously written. An incredibly smart orphan who is traumatised by her past and trying to guarantee her future, I really wanted to just give her a hug and fix everything. Despite what the world throws her way she always found a way to make things right.
Please just read this and give Esso and Rhia some hugs. They really need it.
#theupperworld #netgalley
January 2, 2025
An sich interessantes Konzept
August 19, 2022
I liked this book but I only got hooked around 200 pages onwards.
The story is from 2 perspectives. Esso, a teenage from Peckham in South London. He is struggling with the pressures of school, friends, first love and the rivalry of 2 London gangs. Rhia is a girl 15 years later, and is an inspiring footballer, struggling with the pressure of football also while being in foster care.
I specifically like Rhia. I found her story more engaging, but Essos story peaked right at the end and was good too. I liked the British slang too!
The book was full of physics and maths rolled into time travel. I hate maths but I actually found some of it quite interesting. It is quite easy to understand but if maths or science isn't your strong point it can easily be understood without.
I haven't read a book with dual perspective in a long time so I liked the change.
Overall a good debut novel! Can't wait to see the netflix film, or read the next book in the series.....The Mirror World.
The story is from 2 perspectives. Esso, a teenage from Peckham in South London. He is struggling with the pressures of school, friends, first love and the rivalry of 2 London gangs. Rhia is a girl 15 years later, and is an inspiring footballer, struggling with the pressure of football also while being in foster care.
I specifically like Rhia. I found her story more engaging, but Essos story peaked right at the end and was good too. I liked the British slang too!
The book was full of physics and maths rolled into time travel. I hate maths but I actually found some of it quite interesting. It is quite easy to understand but if maths or science isn't your strong point it can easily be understood without.
I haven't read a book with dual perspective in a long time so I liked the change.
Overall a good debut novel! Can't wait to see the netflix film, or read the next book in the series.....The Mirror World.
June 5, 2021
This was an unusual and interesting book, and I loved the physics and maths, which happily all made sense. The hardest part of the read for me was the colloquial language, which might be great for some readers but perhaps less so for someone of my generation. but I'm sure that the book isn't aimed at me, so I have not marked it down for this.
I did enjoy the way that the different plots came together, and it was a hard book to put down - it was easy to empathise with the characters and to care about what happened to them. I liked the way the ending was resolved.
It is obvious that the author is well versed in the science which comes up in this book, and I would imagine that it could be quite inspirational to the right younger reader.
I did enjoy the way that the different plots came together, and it was a hard book to put down - it was easy to empathise with the characters and to care about what happened to them. I liked the way the ending was resolved.
It is obvious that the author is well versed in the science which comes up in this book, and I would imagine that it could be quite inspirational to the right younger reader.
January 1, 2023
I don't know why it has taken me so long to write this, but I keep finding myself talking about this book and today remembered that I really need to give it a review.
The upper world appealed to me on a number of levels, it was a really easy read and a complete page turner to the very end. I grew up on a south London council estate, so the vernacular, although slightly newer (I'm old) was one I am mostly familiar with. It felt very natural and authentic. The physics and maths were on point all the way through, and most importantly, there is a stream of consciousness throughout the story which was so refreshing and necessary for a book aimed at younger people.
I also enjoyed the more playful elements where we get a glimpse of the future via the authors imagination, where Tesla's are considered old and suspects are pursued by police drones. I think the story was just believable enough to work, but also far out there enough to please lovers of the fantasy genre.
The main character Esso is a sweet heart, a normal kid who challenges the stereotype of a hooded youth by being smart and reflective. There is a wonderful sensitivity in him, and as a reader you're really given insight into his teenage angst which is often reserved for books with a female protagonist.
One downside is that I was expecting a little more about Esso's dads story, and was disappointed not to find out more about the first people to experience the upper world, but I'm hoping that will be explored in the second book.
Femi has done an amazing job with this debut book, and I'm super excited to see how this translates to the big screen.
The upper world appealed to me on a number of levels, it was a really easy read and a complete page turner to the very end. I grew up on a south London council estate, so the vernacular, although slightly newer (I'm old) was one I am mostly familiar with. It felt very natural and authentic. The physics and maths were on point all the way through, and most importantly, there is a stream of consciousness throughout the story which was so refreshing and necessary for a book aimed at younger people.
I also enjoyed the more playful elements where we get a glimpse of the future via the authors imagination, where Tesla's are considered old and suspects are pursued by police drones. I think the story was just believable enough to work, but also far out there enough to please lovers of the fantasy genre.
The main character Esso is a sweet heart, a normal kid who challenges the stereotype of a hooded youth by being smart and reflective. There is a wonderful sensitivity in him, and as a reader you're really given insight into his teenage angst which is often reserved for books with a female protagonist.
One downside is that I was expecting a little more about Esso's dads story, and was disappointed not to find out more about the first people to experience the upper world, but I'm hoping that will be explored in the second book.
Femi has done an amazing job with this debut book, and I'm super excited to see how this translates to the big screen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
Esso is in trouble: he was spotted in the wrong place at the wrong time and now everything is falling apart and he’s about to fulfil his mother’s fears of turning out just like his dad. But when Esso is hit by a car, he is transported to a mysterious realm called the Upper World and has a vision of a terrible tragedy that will happen in the next few days. Esso must work out if there is a way to go back in time and stop the bullet that will devastate not only his own life, but the life of Rhia—someone he will only meet in fifteen years’ time.
It takes a certain amount of writerly confidence to start a YA thriller with Pythagorus' Theorem, but Femi Fadugba nails it. ‘The Upper World’ is a brilliantly conceived and constructed story that explores Plato’s cave theory and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity against a backdrop of teen gang violence in South London. It’s also a gripping page-turner with a huge heart—no wonder Netflix have jumped on this bandwagon.
It takes a certain amount of writerly confidence to start a YA thriller with Pythagorus' Theorem, but Femi Fadugba nails it. ‘The Upper World’ is a brilliantly conceived and constructed story that explores Plato’s cave theory and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity against a backdrop of teen gang violence in South London. It’s also a gripping page-turner with a huge heart—no wonder Netflix have jumped on this bandwagon.
December 26, 2023
DNF @ 45%
2023
2023
November 6, 2022
I've met the author, so it's hard to judge this book because I either feel like I want to rate it higher because he seemed nice or lower because I don't want to be swayed by personal bias. I'm also unsure exactly how to judge it because it's supposed to be a YA novel, which means that the expectations are different than if this were just a novel that happened to feature young adults as the main characters.
Let me start with the stuff I liked the best - it's a quick and immersive read that I completed within a couple days of picking it up because I wanted to move the story along. The two teenaged protagonists are both imminently relatable as kids but also with the specific contexts of being Black in London and dealing with gang violence and the foster care system, respectively. The contemporary story focuses on Esso who is trying (and failing) to stay uninvolved in gang violence in his neighborhood. The near-future story, set 15 years later, features Rhia trying to excel at football and keep her foster parents happy while also trying to learn more about her birth mother.
Early on, we know that Esso is on a collision course with some serious painful events, and figuring out what exactly those are and whether they can be changed/averted drives a lot of the excitement. This is done well - we learn more both from Esso's story and Rhia's where Esso shows up again as a physics tutor with a PhD.
All of that makes for a quick, fun read - what makes it more unique is the physics. In one sense, it's all just set-dressing because special relativity is used to make the case for time travel via just thinking about it in your brain. In another sense, it introduces the reader to some of the core concepts of special relativity and uses them to motivate given the protagonist time-travelling powers. While this content, complete with some diagrams, gives a unique flavor/lens to the whole book, it doesn't really *matter* to the story. This isn't a hard science-fiction book where the physics drives the plot, this is a plot that relies on the use of an individual's force of will to bend the laws of physics which is dressed up by some very well-written commentary on how time and the speed of light interact in our current understanding of the world. Which is fine for what it is, but as a STEM person, I had kind of hoped it would be something a bit different.
And while I really enjoyed the physics lens, some of the other writing fell a little flat for me. The chapters jump from being written by Esso or Rhia, so they're supposed to have a somewhat juvenile form/tone, but that sometimes felt a little forced or laced with a few too many clunky metaphors. Additionally, the "15 years in the future" is a somewhat mixed bag - there were some new concepts (drone security guards, augmented reality contact lenses, proximity tracking on an individual basis hooked up to the foster care system), but they didn't quite cohere and the world felt exactly like it does in 2022 with some glaring new technologies popping in and out of focus/existence randomly. I liked the ideas, but instead of having that future feel real, it just felt like they were touchstones to force the reader to remember "this is taking place in the future" rather than creating a realistic built world.
For me, I probably won't read this book again or think too much about it. But because of its physics slant and the believability of its teen characters, I'll keep the book on my shelf for my kids to read when they want some escapism from teen life. I am sure they'll enjoy the read and will care about math and physics a little bit more than they would beforehand.
Let me start with the stuff I liked the best - it's a quick and immersive read that I completed within a couple days of picking it up because I wanted to move the story along. The two teenaged protagonists are both imminently relatable as kids but also with the specific contexts of being Black in London and dealing with gang violence and the foster care system, respectively. The contemporary story focuses on Esso who is trying (and failing) to stay uninvolved in gang violence in his neighborhood. The near-future story, set 15 years later, features Rhia trying to excel at football and keep her foster parents happy while also trying to learn more about her birth mother.
Early on, we know that Esso is on a collision course with some serious painful events, and figuring out what exactly those are and whether they can be changed/averted drives a lot of the excitement. This is done well - we learn more both from Esso's story and Rhia's where Esso shows up again as a physics tutor with a PhD.
All of that makes for a quick, fun read - what makes it more unique is the physics. In one sense, it's all just set-dressing because special relativity is used to make the case for time travel via just thinking about it in your brain. In another sense, it introduces the reader to some of the core concepts of special relativity and uses them to motivate given the protagonist time-travelling powers. While this content, complete with some diagrams, gives a unique flavor/lens to the whole book, it doesn't really *matter* to the story. This isn't a hard science-fiction book where the physics drives the plot, this is a plot that relies on the use of an individual's force of will to bend the laws of physics which is dressed up by some very well-written commentary on how time and the speed of light interact in our current understanding of the world. Which is fine for what it is, but as a STEM person, I had kind of hoped it would be something a bit different.
And while I really enjoyed the physics lens, some of the other writing fell a little flat for me. The chapters jump from being written by Esso or Rhia, so they're supposed to have a somewhat juvenile form/tone, but that sometimes felt a little forced or laced with a few too many clunky metaphors. Additionally, the "15 years in the future" is a somewhat mixed bag - there were some new concepts (drone security guards, augmented reality contact lenses, proximity tracking on an individual basis hooked up to the foster care system), but they didn't quite cohere and the world felt exactly like it does in 2022 with some glaring new technologies popping in and out of focus/existence randomly. I liked the ideas, but instead of having that future feel real, it just felt like they were touchstones to force the reader to remember "this is taking place in the future" rather than creating a realistic built world.
For me, I probably won't read this book again or think too much about it. But because of its physics slant and the believability of its teen characters, I'll keep the book on my shelf for my kids to read when they want some escapism from teen life. I am sure they'll enjoy the read and will care about math and physics a little bit more than they would beforehand.
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