Kicking off from the cliffhanger ending of The Floating World, The Demon and the Light continues the journey of Ren and Sunho as they navigate Floating World politics and a threat emerging from the shadows, accompanied by a few familiar faces.

At its core, this series is a solid action-adventure story with a starry-eyed faith in the resilience of people and love's ability to save or doom us. Axie Oh pulled a few misty-eyed emotions out of me with this one as Ren explored the truth of her heritage and all the burdens that come with it. Her complicated relationship with her mother was a highlight for me, especially since her dynamics with all of the other characters were fairly straightforward and earnest. I found that the book was losing me as it heightened the scale of the conflict sharply by the 2nd half, unfortunately, as the stakes became too great to really feel the weight of. Other conflicts just seemed a little too easily handled, and I was disappointed by the lack of some more satisfying resolutions.

All in all, Oh has such a way with whimsical worlds and the indomitable human spirit. Here's to hoping she releases some more Ghibli-coded Korean fantasy soon!

The Demon and the Light by Axie Oh
The Floating World #2
4.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.3/5
Cursing: none
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley
Genres/Tropes: romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens
Audience: YA
Setting: Under World, Floating World
Characters: Sunho, Ren, Little Uncle/Wook, Su, Jaeil, Yurhee, Tag, Maya, Juwan, Hwani, Junho, Sareniya
👍 short chapters, multi POV, fairy tale retelling, no cursing, well-paced, well-developed characters
👎 none

Description:
With the help of her friends and allies, Ren managed to topple the General's insurrection, but the Floating World and its territories are still under threat of attack from the rival Volmaran Empire. And far worse, she was powerless to save Sunho from being overcome by the monstrous power in his blood. Now he's gone, transformed into a feral, deadly creature that doesn't even recognize her anymore, and her heart aches for the sweet boy she's grown to love.
But the escalating war will not pause for her grief. Seen by some as a heavenly savior and others merely a figurehead to be manipulated, Ren must use all her courage and cunning to survive the royal court's game long enough to find Sunho and bring him home before he loses himself to the Demon forever.

My opinion:
Axie pens a sequel that is a well-paced lyrical fairy tale retelling that continues the story of The Floating World. This book is much brisker in pace and kept me on my toes. The short chapters and multiple POV make for an effortless read. The characters are developed greatly and continued to expand throughout the novel. Ren remained my favorite person in this series. Many characters also find redemption! I appreciated learning some of Korea's beliefs/lores through this book. I absolutely adored that there is no cursing in this tale. I delighted in this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean fantasy writing.
#bookstagram #arcreader #booklovers #fantasybooks #fairytaleretelling #booktok #booktok #goodreads
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I was able to get a copy through NetGalley. I really enjoyed the second book following Sunho and Ren. Picking up right when the first book The Floating World left off, Ren is trying to adjust to her new role as a descendant of the Celestial Maiden. Sunho has to figure out the Demon that controls him. Along with their friends, these two must rally together to stop a war and defeat yhe bigger threat.

The Demon and the Light is the second book in The Floating World duology, picking up not long after where the first book left off. I loved The Floating World and couldn’t wait for the chance to read the sequel!
Ren's growth through this book was one of my favorite parts - watching her step into her magic and embrace her legacy in a long line of strong women was really beautiful and empowering. I loved the themes of family - both the one you're born into but also the one you choose - and how the celestial maidens were all so different, yet still connected through magic, through history, and through a name.
I really liked the trust Ren & Sunho had and how they helped each other accept their own demons. Sunho and Jaeil’s unexpected friendship (dare I say bromance?) was so funny and another highlight for me!
The only thing I didn’t love was how fast everything seemed to happen - the plot, but also how some of the relationships developed and how the ending felt a bit rushed. Still, it was a really enjoyable sequel and a satisfying conclusion to the story!
This duology had all the magic and wonder of Final Fantasy and Ghibli - beautiful, imaginative, and full of heart. I love the kinds of stories Axie Oh tells, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
～Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

Coming from the Floating World that set an incredible world and characters, the Demon and the Light took off running from almost right where we left off. I did love this story and it was like an old nostalgic anime adventure that really brought everyone together to defeat a big bad. The world was set and then we grew with the characters as they changed and learned to deal with their faults.

I think the story is solid and for those that loved the Floating World, it absolutely is great how this fast paced adventure wrapped up. However, I did think it was almost TOO fast paced and things were wrapped up too quickly. I would have absolutely loved to linger and have them take longer to grow and learn. It was a little hard to suspend my belief in how fast the characters changed and grew strong, or attached. I still loved it, like a very fun nostalgic anime that was a solid short series and didn’t go too long which also would end up boring me! No 200 episodes of training and power growth 😂 and I do appreciate that!

Thank you for the sequel to this series, I had an amazing journey. If you loved the first book then absolutely finish the series! I cannot wait to have both my copies together and perhaps relive it again with time.

Absolute banger of an ending to this duology. I really got the final fantasy vibes and love the characters. Everything ties together so nicely. Very excellent cast with a positive chemistry. I'm also grateful there's no love triangle and everyone gets a deserved ending.

This finale to Axie Oh's Floating World duology cemented it as one of my favorites in the new-YA-SFF space! I already loved the world and the politics in the first book, but where this book shines is it truly made me care for the characters (especially after how book 1 ended!). Still, the world Axie Oh created is undoubtedly my favorite part of this book as well. I rate it pretty highly, especially with how the plot played out and how Ren and Sunho's dynamic changed over the course of this book—but most of my high rating has to do with how much of an escape this series provided me with! Definitely recommend!!!

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing group, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for the ebook ARC!

(This review contains spoilers!)

It’s official, this duology has my whole heart. (And the cover art is just as phenomenal as the art for The Floating World!) I could have easily finished this book in two days, but I didn’t want it to end! The Demon and the Light picks up right after the ending of The Floating World, with Ren determined to find Sunho after their abrupt separation. It’s fast-paced, emotional, full of action, and fun to read.

I adored all of the core characters in this series. Ren, Sunho, Jaeil, Yurhee, Tag, and Wook have such an amusing found family dynamic. I wish we could have spent more of them as a group! I really liked Jaeil’s POV chapters, he had great character development. His mini romance side plot was adorable and I would gladly read a spinoff exploring that more!

Ren and Sunho continue to be an adorable pair, willing to do whatever it takes to keep each other safe. They both have their own challenges and trials that take precedence over their romance, but it makes sense considering the threats in play.

I would have loved for this book to be a bit longer. The final battles for Ren and Sunho felt like they ended quickly considering the build up to those events. I also would have enjoyed more details of the aftermath, ex. how their society reacted and adjusted to the state of the floating world. Maybe that’s just me wanting more because I love this duology so much.

Overall, I enjoyed The Demon and the Light and I look forward to reading more books by Axie Oh!

5 stars!!! ☆
⤿ spoiler-free review
thank you to net galley for this GORGEOUS arc!!

ೃ⁀➷“Mithril was his love, she realized, just as the silver in her Light was hers, growing brighter and brighter until their radiance rivaled even the stars.”

★│The plot│

╰┈➤ "A new war is coming, and if we're not ready, it'll swallow both the Floating World and the Under World whole."

With the help of her friends and allies, Ren managed to topple the General's insurrection, but the Floating World and its territories are still under threat of attack from the rival Volmaran Empire. And far worse, she was powerless to save Sunho from being overcome by the monstrous power in his blood. Now he's gone, transformed into a feral, deadly creature that doesn't even recognize her anymore, and her heart aches for the sweet boy she's grown to love. But the escalating war will not pause for her grief. Seen by some as a heavenly savior and others merely a figurehead to be manipulated, Ren must use all her courage and cunning to survive the royal court's game long enough to find Sunho and bring him home before he loses himself to the Demon forever.

★│ The characters │

╰┈➤ "That left Jaeil with Sunho, Tag and Yurhee. An odd assortment of allies, but none he trusted more with his life-a thought that would have seemed impossible a month ago."

These characters will forever have my heart. The character arcs we see in this book are so beautiful and heartwarming. I love the new romance that we see near the end ( no spoilers!! ), it had me so happy for the two characters. And the way Tag and Yurhee become such a prominent duo in this book is amazing! Obviously, Ren and Sunho are as swoon worthy as always!

★│ The pacing │

╰┈➤ "Fight with compassion, but not shame"

Truthfully, I have been in a massive reading slump these last couple months. This book pulled me out of it, and gave me something to look forward to every day. I would procrastinate picking it up, but when I did, I couldnt put it down. The perfect conclusion to this series!

Slayed! I liked the first one better, but this was still a great book and a great conclusion to the duology. The battle/fight scenes were especially well-done, and I enjoyed delving into the lore of the celestial maidens a bit more. I heard that the ending was a bit rushed, which I agree with, and there were some other pacing issues, but otherwise, I really liked this. There’s lots of fun characters, compelling sci-fi/fantasy elements, and I was kept on my toes the whole time. Thank you Axie Oh for saving the day!

Axie Oh is a brilliant author and makes you care about her characters thoroughly. I did think that this series had a lot of loose ends that needed to be tied up, and the ending felt rushed. However, it was still a very enjoyable read

I know this series is supposed to be based on Final Fantasy, but I'm definitely still getting major Skyward Sword vibes from this one.


The Demon and the Light is the sequel to The Floating World, and I was lucky enough to receive ARCs for both of them...and in the same year, too. Publishing two books in the span of a year is quite a feat, but unfortunately, I think it detracts from my enjoyment of the story. This book felt very rushed, both in pacing and in storyline. I appreciate fast-paced plots, but I feel like so much happened in this book, and yet so little actually mattered.

We begin right where book one left off, with Sunho having been transformed into a demon and Ren finally accepting her true role as leader of the Floating World. The synopsis of the sequel hints at an inner battle between Sunho and his inner demon, but I felt like that plotline was resolved way too quickly, and the "war between empires" also mentioned in the synopsis feels a bit misleading. The first half of the book kind of meandered, in my opinion, as Ren was trying to balance a rescue of Sunho, the reestablishment of order in the government, investigations of the mithril labs, and the discovery of her mother's past. Around the halfway point, certain plot developments allowed for a clearer goal for the main characters, but this section, too, seemed like we were dancing around the problems. Did I enjoy reading the book? Yes, and the fast pace was immensely helpful in keeping my interest. However, I felt like this was much more heavily plot-focused than book one, and so the characters felt like they lacked a bit of depth to me. The ending also felt a bit too easy, and overall, I never really felt like any of the characters were in major danger because they're all fairly overpowered. I still enjoyed it, but I preferred book one.

I did appreciate the added focus on certain side characters in this book. Yurhee and Tag are still around, albeit in much more minor roles, but the few scenes they were in were still fun. Jaeil has a few POV chapters again, but his character felt pretty flat to me. His unwavering loyalty to Ren felt a bit convenient, and as much as I enjoyed his interactions with Wook, their relationship didn't feel very developed to me. Sunho and Ren were still good protagonists, and I enjoyed following their story. I liked watching Ren investigate her past while also discovering what it means to be a leader, and Sunho's arc was interesting and enticing. They just felt a bit bland compared to the last book, and I don't know if it was because there wasn't really much tension between them or if the book was so focused on plot that we didn't get to see their relationship play out in any super complex way. Either way, I still really liked their characters and arcs, I just wish they got a bit more fleshed out.

Even though I think The Demon and the Light was fairly rushed, it still acts as a great conclusion to an action-packed duology, and it's a worthwhile read for fans of sky islands, dark vs light magic, and adventures with exciting characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.5/5

Thanks to Axie Oh, NetGalley, and Feiwel & Friends for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

3.5 stars

Book 2 of The Floating World

I’m sad to say that I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first! It was still very well written nonetheless. I felt myself missing the long drawn out adventures they had previously, and instead felt like it was way too fast paced. Parts of the plot points I felt like were repeated too many times, and some of the romance felt a little lackluster. There was some good character development and I enjoyed getting to read more about previous side characters. Overall, it was a good conclusion to the duology. I just found myself wishing it felt more similar to the first book.

4.5 rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Just months after the release of The Floating World, Axie Oh is coming back with a breathtaking sequel. If you fell in love with the wild character journeys, video game feel, and unique world of book one, you're going to have a wonderful time with The Demon and the Light.

With where book one ended off, Ren and Sunho are left on an unclear path. Just like the characters, the readers are left with an unpredictable future. This story has the most incredible twists scattered throughout the plot. If at any point you think you know where the story is heading next, prepare to be mistaken. Axie Oh is an absolute genius when it comes to plot twists. It is so exciting to experience every big moment in this story.

Speaking of their unpredictable paths, the characters are forced onto journeys of discovery, creating dynamics and development I don't think I'll ever get over. One of my favorite parts of this book was the dynamic between Sunho and the demon. They may share the same body, but their relationship is one that is so unique and interesting to follow. The way it develops throughout this story is nothing short of incredible. As are the rest of the relationships and characters in this book. Each individual, each couple, each group--they all have so much depth within them. It just goes to show how wonderful Axie Oh is as a storyteller.

One thing I can be picky with is an action sequence. With how brutal they usually are for the characters, the reader needs to feel their heart pounding as well. I have found very few authors who can make me feel as much as Axie Oh does with her action scenes. You get nervous for the characters, but you can't help but get excited as well. This story will reach right for your heart and make it race.

The only small complaint I have for this book is regarding the ending. The big, final moment had so much building up to it, but it ended so quickly. Although I do feel as if it was a bit rushed, I can understand why it was written the way it was looking back. As quick as it may be, the speed at which it happens make sense for the story. Even then, I couldn't help but feel slightly underwhelmed as I read that moment in the book.

The Demon and the Light is a spectacular sequel. It will make you laugh and cry and panic, but most of all, it will give you the ending you hoped for from the beginning. It's such a joy to follow every character in this duology as their stories grow and develop. It's hard to move on once you flip the last page. But so many people will find a new favorite series, and we can all go on and on about our love for it forever.

Review on Goodreads (sophreadingbooks https://www.goodreads.com/sophreadingbooks) as of of 5/21/2025
Review on Instagram (sophiesreading https://www.instagram.com/sophiesreading/) expected 10/7/2025

An amazing sequel and I am sad its at it's end because I fell in love with the characters and truly wish there was more!
There were somethings I wished were explained more in depth but I don't feel dissatisfied with the explanations given, the world was so magical and well thought out.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like The Floating World had some weird writing, and I found myself struggling with that in this book, too. However, it didn't bother me as much. I still felt that some of the sentences were a bit basic is the only way I know how to describe it. I felt they could have flowed better or been more dynamic. But I was so caught up in the story that I didn't even care. The characters had so much growth and I loved how much and in what ways the characters interacted. I usually enjoy a sequel to a book about the same amount as the first one, or maybe a bit less. I rarely enjoy a sequel more than the original, but this was one of those cases. It had a wonderful mix of seriousness and humor. -Dont read any farther if you don't want spoilers- However, I felt that Jaeil needed some kind of punishment. It made total sense for her to forgive him, and I loved the position that he was given, and eventually ended up with. But I felt like he needed some form of punishment, not only because he did wrong things, but I think it would have been easier for people to accept Ren and her authority if she had said okay you're going to have this position but you have to clean the kitchens for a year or something like that. I have questions about her meeting her ancestors. Do they remember meeting her in their lifetime, or do they not remember because they're in the ancestoral plane so the things only happen there and not "in the real world?" Did Rina remember meeting Ren when she was alive? Fid she know she'd have a daughter and what her name would be and that she'd struggle with her powers and things like that? I adored the ending, though I definitely could have read more about how they formed a government and stuff. People living on different pieces of the floating world, Ren and Sunho living in a cottage in a meadow, Junho traveling, Jaeil working to form a government, it was all just perfect.

The conclusion to The Floating World by Axie Oh is fantastic. We meet up with Ren and Sunho along with "side" characters that all have just as much personality as the two MC. I was was happy to read about all of them and their stories. I didn't find myself skimming over paragraphs to "get back to the real story". I enjoyed all of it.
I can't wait for my pre order copies to come in

I'm so glad I was chosen to read this conclusion to this duology.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends for this egalley. I was not obligated to leave a review.

Omg, first of all, thank you so much for a copy of the sequel of my absolute favorite book of 2025.
(Although this one might be my favorite, it's hard to choose).

At this point, if Axie Oh wrote her grocery list, I would be reading it because wow, she took me on a trip to a world which is a perfect mix of FFVII and Studio Ghibli and she completely messed with my brain cells xD

I am so in love with this series, with Ren, with Sunho.... Having to say goodbye is so freaking hard
*take a new tissue because she started crying again over her favorite fictional characters*

This was a perfect sequel to the first book. And I'm so grateful I could read it so soon after finishing the first one because everything was fresh in my mind. What sucks is I have no one yet to talk to about how amazing this series has been. I just need to convince everyone to read the first book because Axie Oh's world building is amazing and this book had even more especially for The Floating World.
Ren became such a strong character and I love her so much. And Sunho also really came into himself, I feel this book. Both characters had their romantic moments and truthfully I was never disappointed in what I was receiving from either of them.
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Still can’t believe I got to read the sequel so close to the first book’s release!!!! This was an absolutely PERFECT follow up to The Floating World, it was an amazing work of art! Review coming soon of the completed duology.