3.25 ⭐️ When I heard this book was marketed as Final Fantasy meets Korean folklore?!
I SAID. SIGN. ME. UP.

This is a lighthearted read with surprisingly dark elements for a YA title.

👫 I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I’d hoped. The two leads are more fleshed out, while the supporting cast felt a bit one-dimensional, almost NPC-like, which is ironically fitting given the worldbuilding. That said, I was drawn to the dynamic between the main duo. The romance felt believable. I gushed over a moment.. or two.

🗺️ Axie Oh has such an imaginative mind. She crafts lush, vivid fantasy settings with descriptive prose. There's so much potential here, and I’d love to see her dive deeper into the lore of each region and what makes them distinct.

🔚 The ending. Straight to Juviee.
Excited to see what unfolds in the next installment.

In this fascinating new fantasy novel inspired by a Korean legend, readers follow Sunho, an ex-soldier from the Under World missing his memory, and Ren, a cheerful acrobat who performs with her adoptive family. When the village Ren and her family are staying in is attacked by a demon, she blasts it with silver light, revealing the power she has kept secret since childhood. Determined to save her favorite uncle’s life, Ren crosses the mountains and embarks on a quest that will bring her into contact with Sunho, who is hunting her, and the two must embark on a complex quest that will lead them to discover that their pasts and destinies are connected in more ways than they realize. The first book in a new series from Axie Oh, readers will love the myth that inspired this novel and the complex magical system that is central to the novel and Sunho and Ren’s relationship. The details are really precise and bring the story to life, while the characters are complex and well-written, with great relationships with other characters and fascinating details. Entertaining, unique, and fascinating, fantasy and mythology lovers will love this exciting new novel and its brilliant characters.

As with many of Axie Oh's books, I picked this one up and had a hard time putting it down. The world building was strong and the characters compelling. I can't wait to see what happens next, because I need to know what happens to Ren and Sunho!

Another incredible story by Axie Oh. se never ceases to amaze me with her storytelling skills. All of her characters have such depth and the world building is always immaculate. Can't wait for the next one!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

review ♥
the floating world- axie oh
★ ★ ★ ★

Ren is a part of a family of acrobatic dancers who brought her in as a young child. When her mother, Sareniya, is murdered by her General, Ren is forced to flee her home in the Floating World and start anew. She has been living wondrously with her Aunt and Uncles until a demon overtakes the city where they are performing in. That demon kills her Big Uncle and attacks Little Uncle to the point where he is hanging onto the smallest lifeline for his survival. While attempting to save her family, Ren succumbs to her emotions and sheds her magical light among the realm, identifying her to the royal guards who have been hunting her since childhood. Ren decides to journey to the underworld and determine where these demons are coming from to stop them and find a cure for Little Uncle. In the underworld, Sunho is struggling to survive, taking on jobs that provide him with a financial means. When tasked with hunting down a girl with magic in exchange for information on his missing brother, Sunho doesn't realize that he would meet Ren and face the terrible dilemma of choosing between his past and his future. Ren and Sunho traverse the underworld and floating world, both on separate journeys leading to the same final destination.

This is my second Axie Oh novel, and I adore her storytelling through Korean folktales and fairytales. Her use of cultural stories, characters, food, and traditions is beautifully woven into her work and enlightens me to Korean culture. I adore how strong-willed and smart her female main characters are. Ren is a force of nature, but she is also a regular girl who wants to live her anonymous life in peace. She has hopes, dreams, and fears like everyone else. However, I love how kindness drives her through every action. Sunho, on the other hand, is such a sweet love interest. This was such a gorgeous take on an enemies-to-lovers. They weren't truly enemies, but their goals were oppositional. Sunho is extremely mature for a 17-year-old. The characters feel older than they actually are because of their choices and how they base their decisions on love and the future. This world was beautiful to enter, and I loved the depth of the characters and the plot behind them. The plot twist was also not what I expected!!! I was thrown off on who one of the demons was and what Sunho's fate would be. I cannot wait to delve into my advanced copy of The Demon and the Light, because I need to know the ending of Ren and Sunho's story!

#booktok #bookstagram #bookreview #booklover #bookish #reader #reading #fantasy #romantasy #review #thefloatingworld #axieoh

The writing is really nice. I think the flow is pretty good as well. I think the world building is pretty good. Act four was really what kept me really locked in! I’m so ready to read the sequel and get the answers to my questions.


I wanted to LOVE this and I’m just struggling all over, I am struggling to connect with these characters. I really do not enjoy a third person pov. Update: the end of act three and all of four really saved this for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The world was fascinating to me and I think it really helped cary the book. The plot to a bit for me, but once it got going I was hooked. I have enjoyed this Axie' Oh's work and am looking forward to the next book.

I would like to thank Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a digital copy of this novel. Firstly, the cover really captured my attention. This novel is told in four acts and alternates between POV chapters of two main characters, Ren and Sunho. A third character is featured in a few chapters. This character becomes particularly important in the second half of the book. Both protagonists spend the book looking for or trying to save a loved one. They soon discover that their fates are intertwined. The worlds depicted, the floating world and underworld, are effectively demonstrated as vastly different. I enjoyed the reference of mithril as this ore that keeps the world afloat. The magic is interesting and well depicted. The pacing of the story is well done as the main revelations feel organic and well-integrated and help move the story along. I enjoyed the ending and look forward to the sequel.

In the perpetually dark Under World, Sunho survives by the edge of his sword and the holes in his memory. Two years ago, he awoke alone—with no past, no purpose, and only his blade. Now, he’s just another mercenary chasing coin, until a mysterious bounty changes everything: find the girl who wields silver light.

Ren is no warrior—just a bright-spirited acrobat traveling from village to village with her beloved found family. But when a demon attack forces her to unleash the forbidden power she’s hidden for a decade, everything she loves is left in ruins. With her uncle gravely wounded and death drawing close, Ren heads into the mountains to find a cure—and answers about the monstrous force that shattered her life.

When their paths collide, Sunho and Ren are drawn to each other by more than fate. But while their bond grows, so does the danger: mercenaries hunt Ren for her power, demons haunt their journey, and secrets long buried begin to rise.

Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this romantic, high-stakes reimagining of a Korean legend from New York Times–bestselling author Axie Oh, where love might be the key to rewriting a destiny forged in darkness.

Overall: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Plotline: 3/5
World-Building: 4/5
Writing: 3.5/5
Tropes: MF Romance; Sci/Fi; Strangers to Lovers; Hidden identity

Themes: 3.5/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice Factor: .5
Enjoyment Factor: 3.5/5

Review: The world was extremely vibrant and fascinating, but the plot took a long time to develop, and for me to get into the story, I did enjoy the MCs as they all had unique and interesting motivations for their own actions, which was the most interesting aspect of the book.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, and Axie Oh for the opportunity to read The Floating World in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited about this book. Before jumping in, please take a moment to admire the beauty of the cover. I love the background detail of the architecture, as well as the little details of the characters' outfits and facial features. Lovely.

In many Asian cultures, there are heavenly maiden myths. While similar, each culture is slightly different in their tales. The Floating World features a Korean variation to base the building of this world and its characters upon. This novel has its own version of the myth, and the plot revolves around Ren, a girl who is of the heavenly maiden bloodline. Thought to have been killed along with her mother years ago, she has been in hiding on the surface world, in a small village in the mountains. Part of a performance troupe, she travels a lot and adores the family she has come to know. When a demon attacks and a loved one needs a cure within a limited time frame, Ren sets off on a quest to find where the demon came from and return with a cure.

Meanwhile, in The Under World, the city underneath the Floating World that barely sees the light of day, a call for mercenaries has arisen. After a strange light is seen in the mountains, someone suspects a heavenly maiden must still be alive, and the person who seeks power wants to ensure they get it. Mercenaries are sent out to capture this girl, dead or alive, with very little description to go off of. It could be anyone! Sunho, a young local mercenary, takes up the job at first for the money, but when the person who offers may have some much-wanted information about his missing brother's location, there is more at stake in Sunho's success.

Of course, the two cross paths, and the two aren't really sure about each other at first. When they start to get to know each other, feelings begin to blossom. What a problem it might be for one to be the sought after prize and the other to possess demon blood and may know something about a cure...

This is a thoroughly enjoyable young adult novel that touches various aspects readers seek in a novel: action, questing, romance, a dash of otherworldly mysticism, and the allure of a beautiful world. This novel reminds me of books I used to read as a teen, and I know teen readers will thoroughly enjoy this adventure.

P. S. I finally got off the waitlist for the FairyLoot YA box, and guess what the first book I got was? That's right: The Floating World. It has some of the most gorgeous art and overlays. The alternate cover is absolutely stunning. What a great book for any collector who loves YA Fantasy Romance and Mythology.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Children's for providing me this ARC. This is my honest review.

While this book has a captivating premise and so much potential, it just wasn't for me. But before I explain more about that, onto the things the story did well!

If I were still 12, I think I would have eaten this up. The story plot and romance were both very simple. I loved that it was based on Korean mythology and I loved exploring the premise of a separate world that floated in the sky -- I've never read anything like this before. The setting was unique, which was my favorite part.

I also liked that Ren's character was consistently positive and bubbly. I liked her consistency and motivation throughout the whole story.

Now onto the things that didn't work for me:

The worldbuilding was confusing. I <i>think</i> the Sareniyans originate from the Floating World, but I'm still not sure. And I'm also not sure if the Underworld is just the part of the Earth that is in the shadow of the Floating World or if it's something else entirely. It was also confusing how the politics worked in the setting; it seemed like the Floating World ruled over all the land, but I'm also not positive about that either. I would have loved a bit more explanation of how the Floating World, Underworld, and Outer lands worked together (geographically as well as politically).

The character development was also a bit boring because all the development was just told to me via the characters' inner monologues. For example, when a character wanted to change course of their goals, they just said, "ok, I'm changing my mind because of the power of friendship and self-worth!" Friendship and self-worth are both very great themes in a story, but the friendships felt forced instead of developing more realistically. And the self-worth and confidence that came through didn't seem warranted because there weren't really any instances where the confidence was tested and could grow bit by bit. And the characters that said they needed more confidence seemed to already be teeming with it.

There were many elements to the story that I don't quite understand how they meshed together. There was the 'getting a cure' plot, the 'find the brother' plot, the 'scientist' plot, the 'corrupt kingdom' plot, the 'demon' among others. I'm sure book two will uncover more of how the plots come together, but I feel like we should have been able to at least see how some things were connected now.

This is a story that would be perfect for middle grade or early YA groups (except that it did have some swearing, which doesn't really fit into the middle grade category). But I don't think it would fit well into any other age category because the characters feel a little too juvenile. I'd 100% let my kids read this book and I think they might enjoy it, but I do think that the story can still be better developed even then.

Content Warnings:

There were a few instances of mild swearing.

Mild violence is present, but nothing gory or otherwise graphic.

This YA romantasy reimagines the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens. A soldier who lives in perpetual darkness, waiting to find the one who brings light, crosses paths with an acrobat looking to find a cure for her dying uncle. Ren's uncle was injured in a demon attack, in which Ren killed the monster using powers she didn't know she had. As she brings her uncle across the mountains in search of help, she meets Sunho, the soldier, who offers to help. But neither know the other's secret, and as their journey brings them closer together, the truth will have thunderous consequences.

Here's a simple review:

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was new, refreshing, and fascinating, with concepts that really stood out. The slow-burn relationship was a highlight for me - it took some getting used to, but it paid off beautifully. At first, I thought the pacing was a bit slow, but as I read on, I fell deeply in love with the story. I'm super excited for the next one.

Sunho, a mercenary with little memory of his past competes in a quest to find a girl who commands magic. Ren, an acrobat with an adoptive family troupe strives to reach a demon’s lair for a cure for her uncle’s poisoning. The character development was right on. Looking forward to the next book - The Demon and the Light.

After reading The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Axie Oh became an autobuy author for me and she does not disappoint here. She promises Final Fantasy vibes and she delivers. The atmosphere, the tension, the whimsy, ugh, I love it. Can't wait for the second book, highly recommend!

I was very excited to be able to get an ARC of this book and the sequel because I am a simple person and I love asian representation. I am here to show my support. When I saw the summary describing it as final fantasy meets shadow and bones, I requested asap. I really loved that Axie Oh took on a different genre when it comes to Asian media because usually its the same old story just with different people and this was a nice pleasant surprise. I really like how to the point the story telling was and the different pov between Ren and Sunho. I can definitely see the similarity between this and shadow and bones, but with its own different flare. I want to know a little more about the other character., which hopefully I will find out about in the sequel.

In this sweeping fantasy inspired by Korean myth, Oh brings the separate lives of Ren and Sunho together to romantic yet tragic results. I so enjoyed spending time in this world, getting to explore the underworld and the lands beyond, as well as the gorgeous floating world and the magic that brings it brings.

The cast of characters is great, and I really loved seeing them come together. Ren and Sunho are, of course, my favorites and they each bring something else to the story - Ren with her bravery yet vulnerability stemming from the ptsd of her childhood and Sunho with his loyalty and goodness, tainted by his sorrow and missing memories. Their love for each other is so sweet and full of hope. I also enjoyed Ren's family, Big Uncle, Little Uncle, and Auntie. They really come to life on the page. So do Tag and Yurhee, who bring a sense of activism and scrappiness to the story.

The plot is quick and moves well, with adventure keeping me hooked. I felt the tension build as the story progressed and I am so looking forward to the sequel!

Another fun read from Axie Oh. It's an atmospheric fantasy story set in a steampunk world.

The story is told through three POVs, our FMC Ren, her companion Sunho, and her estranged friend Jaeil. I thought the characters were well developed and their narrative voices were distinct. I really enjoyed the side characters as well, Little Uncle and Tag had some of my favorite moments.

This is one of the few times where I would say I think this book should have been longer! It would have been great to have more time with the characters and to let the tension build before resolving the challenges that they face along their journey. The plot was fun, but I think the story would have had more depth if the author let things linger and build up a bit more. That said, I am really looking forward to the sequel.

I listened to the audiobook as well as read the Kindle version. While I enjoyed the narrator's take on bringing Ren to life, I think it would have benefited from having different narrators for each POV.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Dreamscape Media for providing digital ARCs of this book.