It's been a while since I read The Upper World and when I found out there was going to be a sequel, and it was going to be based on Rhianna, I was overjoyed!

One thing Fadugba does really well is making this book feel like home to me. The Black Britishness of a (south-east) Londoner is alive and well in this book and I really liked how it was captured in a future timeline where modern day dialogue was seen as "millennial" in this book. Rhianna and Esso's relationship really warms my heart and the dynamic they have is one of the strongest parts of this story.

I was hoping for more of the fantastical physics we saw in The Upper World which teased at time travel and the mystical power of the field, but it was very light in this book, only making an appearance once, some physics theory during Rhianna's time in university and towards the end of the story. It would have been great if Rhianna had explored this more now that she's in university and has access to a wealth of knowledge.

I'm aware that Fadugba is not the dark academia kind of author but it also would have been interesting if he had explored the system of education (as set up in the UK and even dramatised it further given the sci-fi genre of the story) where it dug deeper into the Ravens and the somewhat insidious nature of this elitist group formed within an already elite university and the negative impact this has on an individual like Rhianna who is just trying to fit in.

Alongside this, I did think there were some parts of the story which deserved a lot more development, especially since we skipped Rhianna's entire time at university so there wasn't that exploration of her and Jordan's ambiguous relationship, her close friendship with Imogen and the rest of the Ravens, or even how she integrated into that group. The Zedeck plot line was interesting (though I called it from the first time he comes on page) and I think it could have been better served if we understood more about him as a character/antagonist.

Due to the university setting and the age of the characters, these are some of the things I would have loved to see explored more as Rhianna makes that transition into adulthood but it felt like half of the story was missing, which was a shame as I was really looking forward to delving back into this world. Still, I will be on the lookout to see what Fadugba brings out next and hopefully, it has the same draw and hold that The Upper World had for me.

This book was so good! Especially the first few parts with Rhia initiating herself into Oxford: dark academia vibes were strong. I do love the deep undercurrents of an exclusive academia society. There is also an easy character to follow and like, so it wasn’t hard to root for her from the start.

As it went on, it became more intriguing and the lines began to blur somewhat. It morphed into a whiplash of time (I had to keep reading in the struggle to keep up and it was super addicting!). I didn’t want to lose the thread but could feel the thread slowly falling away from me but as I read on, the threads started to pick up again. It was a thrilling read.

I also loved the inclusion of the physics concepts and the diagrams (as a lover of physics, this was very much happily appreciated).

It built really well from the foundations of the first book but almost wasn’t necessary to read it beforehand as this one works as a standalone (and fills you in on the little bits you’ve missed without making you feel like you’ve evidently started from a book two) which I really liked.

It does build on more elements of The Upper World from the first book and the whole concept I think is such a clever idea. Can’t wait to see what else this author produces and the accompanying new Netflix show based on the books will be one I look out for!

A fantastic follow up to what was already a stunning first book. Reading this blew my mind and I feel so privileged to have enjoyed this beauty of s book

From the first chapter, I loved the voice, thinking to myself, 'this is a YA N.K. Jemsin!'

And the magic system is spectacular, built around finding loopholes in the laws of physics and illustrated with stunning analogies. But... after a glorious beginning, the magic disappeared completely until the last chapters, where it was used as a deus ex machina resolution that had little bearing on the rest of the plot.

In fact, most of the plot - which essentially revolves around the main character selling out - felt like a cliched tangent, and not true to character. It's not terrible, and the final conclusion is certainly hopeful and uplifting, but it didn't feel like it explored the full scope of this author's obvious talent.

I will go back and read the first book in the series, which I imagine explores the physics elements in more detail.

An exhilarating read. It’s a non-stop thriller and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
I really enjoyed all of the different elements, the sharp twists in the plot and the characters were excellent. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Fadugba's The Upper World was one of my favourite debuts in 2021. I'd been anticipating the sequel but had heard no news. As soon as I saw The Mirror World on Netgalley, I was on it. This sequel did not disappoint. Full of mystery, but a different kind to The Upper World, we more closely follow Rhea as she embarks on university life at Oxford. Having lived there for 5 years as a non-student but still in the academic world, I got a lot out of this read, but I still think it will be interesting for those unfamiliar and looking for a new perspective. As well as the darker edge we also have plenty of Fadugba's trademark humour, and there are many laugh-out-loud moments. It's a welcome return for Mr Fadugba!

The Mirror World is an absolute five-star read for me! Right from page one, I was pulled straight back into Femi Fadugba’s wild, brilliant universe. His mix of science, time travel, and real-world grit is something I’ve genuinely never seen done this well in YA. It’s smart without being overwhelming, deep without ever losing its edge—and most importantly, it’s just so fun to read.

Rhia is such a strong lead. Watching her step into Oxford, full of ambition and uncertainty, felt so raw and real. I loved seeing her navigate this intimidating new world while trying to hold onto her identity. And then the Ravens? Total game-changer. That whole secret society vibe mixed with moral tension made everything feel high-stakes and mysterious in the best way.

Fadugba’s writing is electric. He makes complex ideas—like actual physics—feel totally digestible, even exciting, which is such a skill. I found myself actually wanting to understand the science behind the plot, and that never happens for me. Plus, the emotional depth is so strong. You really feel the weight of every decision Rhia makes, and the way the story explores choice, identity, and the future is just beautiful.

The world-building is next level. It’s rich, vivid, and cinematic—you can completely see why this is being adapted into a movie. Every setting, every twist, every flash of the Upper World and beyond feels purposeful and alive.

Overall, The Mirror World is exactly what I want in a sequel—it builds on everything that made The Upper World so great, but takes it further, deeper, and more emotionally charged. It’s sharp, clever, and full of heart. I didn’t want it to end, and I’m already excited for whatever Fadugba writes next. Five stars, hands down.

The Mirror World is a strong and ambitious follow-up to The Upper World, continuing Femi Fadugba’s unique blend of science, time travel, and real-world grit. I loved diving back into this universe—the concept remains fresh and thought-provoking, and the way physics is woven into the narrative is still one of the most exciting parts of the series.

That said, a few things kept it from being a full five stars for me. The pacing felt uneven, with some parts racing ahead while others lingered a bit too long. I also found myself being told a lot of the character developments and plot points rather than experiencing them naturally through the story, which made it harder to feel fully immersed. The ending, though impactful, felt a bit rushed—I would’ve liked more time for everything to land emotionally.

Still, Fadugba’s storytelling is creative and full of heart, and I’m really glad to have read this. The Mirror World deepens the universe in meaningful ways, and I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next from him.