This was such a perfect ending to an amazing duology! With every new book I read by Axie Oh, I’m reminded of just how beautiful her writing is. She has a talent for creating the most magical stories and bringing worlds of fantasy to life through the words she writes. In all honesty, this book took me a long time to finish. Not because it was bad, because it was far from it. Instead, it was because every time I picked it back up my heart hurt knowing I would have to say goodbye to the characters.
I loved everything in this book, from watching all the characters we knew and loved from the first book growing, to the swoonworthy relationship(s) that further develop. It was so hard to part from them because this book just added so much to the characters. Additionally, I loved the way this book wrapped up the story, allowing for a perfectly satisfying conclusion to Ren and Sunho’s journey.
Full review coming soon after my heart settles down!

I'm so happy to have received an early copy, because after finishing book one, I've been anxiously awaiting book two!! I can say this series has absolutely met all of my expectations, and both books are going to be reread so many times!

received an e-arc in exchange for my honest review! 🫧𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🎐

i really enjoyed the floating world when i read it earlier this year, so i was super stoked about the sequel being released the same year. this was a good conclusion to the duology and jaeil is still my favorite character, and possibly the highlight of this second book. the fantasy aspect was stunning just like the first book, and it was interesting seeing how it all came together at the end while more secrets were being revealed. i enjoyed the twists and turns, the sweet romance, and the found family! axie oh always has such beautiful, dreamy writing. she is absolutely an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you so so much to Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for an e-ARC of The Demon and the Light. I'm happy I got a chance at reading the sequel so soon after reading The Floating World. (My review of that is around here as well!) This was an incredible duology by Axie Oh and has cemented her as an auto read/buy author for me. This review will definitely have spoilers for The Floating World, so don't read this review if you haven't read it yet!

The Demon and the Light picks up almost immediately after the end of The Floating World where Sunho turns fully into a demon and flies off. Ren, of course, wants to go after her friend. So, she enlists Tag, Yunher, and Jaeil to help reunite her with Sunho. The Demon and the Light once again uses an alternating pov style of writing where the chapter headings let you know whose pov you are reading. Given the end of the first novel, it should be no surprise that Jaeil plays a bigger role in this novel and has his own pov chapters.

The Demon and the Light focuses heavily on the politics of the Floating World, as Ren navigates what it means to be the last living descendant of the original celestial maiden and thus the rightful heir to the throne. Instead of facing assassins this time around, Ren navigates her new home and political landscape. Of course Sunho and Jaeil are beside her the whole way.

This half of the duology has significantly more plot threads than the first novel. Many of them have a satisfying conclusion and are masterfully executed. Unfortunately, some of the threads are left hanging and produce more questions than answers. Aside from Juwon (the scientist who took her blood in the last book), Ren also must confront the war with Volmar and those on her own council. I felt the first half of the book was incredibly strong and demonstrated that Ren has grown since the start of the previous book. I was also delighted that we got to see more of Ren's family (Wook and some of her ancestors) (Rina is my favorite).

Unfortunately, the later half of the book is where I found myself a bit disappointed. The later half of the book has our protagonists preparing, fighting, then finishing the battle with the newly emerged threat. (Intentionally vague as to not give too much away.) The ending felt incredibly rushed. Three chapters was not enough to finish the build up the novel started. Ren's final fight scene was incredibly rushed and did not feel fleshed out enough. Fortunately, Axie Oh has already stated on social media that The Demon and the Light underwent more rewrites after ARCs went out. So, I am looking forward to reading what was added.

Overall, this was an incredible follow-up to The Floating World even if it does have a few issues. I loved how Axie Oh evoked the myth of the Celestial Maiden and the Woodcutter explicitly and turned it on it's head with a beautifully written scene. (Sunho is just the best MMC). This installment was definitely worth reading and I am excited to read Ren and Sunho's adventures all over again when it releases. 🫶

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 10/14/2025

Loved this duology. Magical world, amazing winged creatures that shift and appear like Final Fantasy summoning (a game I've been a fan of since Final Fantasy 3).
In that volume, she must navigate the intrigue of the floating world politics and the royal family. It's time to rewrite world laws and change injustices while ending a war. She has experienced the humble life of the people below her status, so in a very Juunni Kokuki amazing way, she will do the right thing. Very vivid, beautiful imagery.

Thank you to netgalley and macmillan children’s publishing group for this ARC!

This was a fun read with some really good character development. We finally get to see both Ren and Sunho over come their inferiority complex and grow as a couple as they are tested by traitorous relatives and common enemies. The both little uncle and Jaeil make the same leaps and develop relationships.

It was a nice change to see the ‘lost princess’ stand up for themself and rule instead of following the cowering ‘I wasn’t raise for this’ trope. The plot overall was a lot more enjoyable due to this but didn’t hinge on it, Ren actually has people in her corner (and they are not who you would think).

The Demon and the Light is overall a simple but entertaining read with some really great plot twists. My only complaint is the final 10% of the book feels rushed as it contains the part of the final training montage, final battle, AND epilogue.

“We didn’t have much control of our lives, did we? But we still made choices, to stay together, to watch out for each other. I’m proud of that. I’m proud of my life.”

OH MY GOD. Most anticipated sequel because of that evil cliffhanger. Miss Axie Oh when I catch you. 😩

“Your gift to me was war and bloodshed,” Jaeil said, and he didn’t try to hide the pain in his voice, as he might have a month ago. “Her gift to me was peace.”

Ren - I absolutely love her character development as the new ruler of The Floating World, even though she is deemed as inexperienced just because she’s a child, she is highly aware of her own power and strength as the descendant of Sareniya. Even with that power, she remains humble and realize what she truly needs as a leader. She will choose kindness and gentleness over everything and I find that very comforting of her as a character.

“Thank you, Sunho,” his brother said quietly. “For being strong.”

Sunho - I’m sad when he’s in his ‘emo’ era a.k.a when he got taken over by the demon. I know he did it to protect Ren because he’s scared that he will hurt her even with all the things he has been through, his first instinct will always be to protect Ren 😞. He is truly a kind hearted person that always protect people he loves and I’m so glad that the people around him helped him to be more open. His development truly is beautiful.

“I only had one regret. That I hadn’t had more time, with you.”

Jaeil - MY FAV LOWKEY MORALLY GREY CHARACTER AND MY BISEXUAL KING. The epitome of you are not your father. He always sides with what he thinks is right, he values logic. With his calm demeanor and lowkey dangerous behavior, he is truly a really caring person and really gentle because he wants to protect Wook’s innocence and peace UGH. What really gets me was when in the time of death, he unravel this deep revelation that he still wants to live with Wook and stuff AAAAA.

Tag - oh my god. The epitome of softness and tenderness. The most empathetic person that really is thoughtful about another person’s feeling like Sunho, he can offer the most comforting words and truly is understanding. I want to have him in my life.

Yurhee - I LOVE HERRRR, she’s so goofy and funny 😭 she always value her friends and is loyal. No matter how risky, she will always be there for the others and drive her airship even though it’s dangerous. I can smell her going somewhere with Junho 👀

Wook - I LOVE HIS SHYNESS and the fact that he can also be the light especially for Jaeil. His skill in archery also really charming because he is just a troupe dancer, not a fighter. But he can also fight demons, I love his determination and willingness to always protect Ren wherever she is.

⋆. 𐙚˚࿔ Thoughts 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

We started off pretty chill, with Ren preparing herself to dive into the world of royalty as the Queen of the Floating World with Little Uncle a.k.a Wook. BUT THEN BAM Sunho came out of nowhere 🤯

I am so glad that how Ren can counter Sunho’s power almost immediately like she’s the cure literally and metaphorically. But to be honest, I feel like the story came out a little bit messy with problems surfacing from everywhere and I’m just a little bit overwhelmed.

They’re searching for the mithril laboratories and stuff but they somehow never met Juwon, the real mastermind behind this that wants to destroy Sareniya. During her proposal ceremony with the Prince of Volmaran, it was chaos and it was revealed that he was able to resurrect the original Celestial Maiden, the real Sareniya. And THAT will be the biggest problem. It was all chaos and suddenly Ren’s aunt came out of nowhere which I found really random.

I fully understand Juwon’s motive because the previous government of The Floating World is not the kindest one, resulting in the death of his brother who was in love with Ren’s mother. Just because of status, people do not deserve to die just because they love someone who unfortunately doesn’t have the same status. I’m glad that Ren might alleviate that kinda problem because there’s a moment where she openly being lovey dovey with Sunho when he already showed his demon ability. AAAA she completely obliterated that kind of standard and she was just a kid, she deserved to live a peaceful life.

“It was awful. But it’s not like Ren doesn’t transform into her own winged form. It’s poetic, really. You two are well-matched.”

I’m so glad they are able to heal each other’s feelings wound, the test where Sunho is willing to always let Ren fly literally and metaphorically. The way Sunho can’t resist her and always find his way back to her and Ren always trying to bring him back. Sunho’s effort to find his brother, Junho, is not in vain too because he finally found him. He deserves it after all of those awful things. Ren also finally flee from the shadow of her mother’s love.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC~~

A satisfying sequel! I feel like these books need to be on lists of "read this if you loved kpop demon hunters"

Things I liked:
-the found family is a 10/10, I cared about these characters a lot and I felt like they got to be more fleshed out in this book compared to the first
- I loved Ren really coming into her powers, and her and Sunho growing together. I liked the way Ren's "training sessions" happened and the lessons she learned along the way.
- I have mixed feelings about the ending. I really liked most of it; the preparing for the battle, all Ren's team working together across the city, and I really liked the final fate of the Floating World. However...

What didn't work for me
-The moment where Ren gets to face the "final boss" felt anticlimactic to me. No spoilers, but I just felt there was a lot of good build up with a small payoff. I also would have loved to learn a little bit more of what happened to the Under World after the battle ended.
-The beginning was a bit rough going for me. Maybe it was cause I recently finished the first book, but every time the book wanted to remind you of something from book one a character would give a weirdly long explanation or thought process, and that happened a little too frequently for me

The Demon and the Light dives right in, the story starts only a week after the explosive ending of The Floating World immediately arousing new questions, while recapping lingering questions from the The Floating World, setting the tone for the book. I knew right away this sequel was going to be just as good if not better than book one.

✔️ found family
✔️ battle between dark and light
✔️ action packed
✔️ amazing character arcs and growth
✔️ loveable side characters 🥰

Where to begin on why I love this duology??
The characters are consistently just as likable as they are in The Floating World. We love the squad and their willingness to do whatever it takes to keep each other safe 🥰 The found family aspect is *chefs kiss*.
This book was an emotional rollercoasterrrrr, more so than the first one. The love and loyalty between Ren and Sunho is what truly makes this story.

There were some parts that fell a little flat for me personally. I felt like The Demon and the Light read a lot more juvenile than the first book. I will say that when I was in my early teens, I would have been so completely obsessed with this book, so I think it will 100% resonate with the target audience.
Excellent pacing until towards the end when everything felt a little rushed, but overall, The Demon and the Light was well done and a story that will stick with me for a long time to come ✨️

So much thanks and gratitude to NetGalley and McMillan Children's Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy of this highly anticipated book!

Action! Romance! Banter! Found family! Axie Oh knows how to deliver. This sequel raises the stakes and leaves you so so satisfied! I loved every minute and can't wait to talk about it with everyone!

Floating World was one of my top books of the year and the sequel did not disappoint! I read through it in almost one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down.
I absolutely love Ren, the way she cares so much for her friends and her people. She may not want to be queen but she still tried so hard to be good for not only her kingdom, but the rest of the world. Sunho had me kicking my feet and giggling. He had such unwavering dedication to Ren and her goals, while she did the same to him. They truly cared about what was important to the other.

I sometimes struggle to connect to side pairings in sequels, but the couple in this book were so cute and I was instantly rooting for them. You could see how they balanced each other out and truly supported each other.

There were several times in this book I audibly gasped at what was happening. I was so invested and just couldn’t put it down the entire time. My friends were just watching me cry at the campfire during our camping trip as I devoured this book.

Rating 3.5/5 stars

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, for sure. With pleasant characters and a good focus/meaning for the plot. And Axie Oh's prose are incredible. I just unfortunately had a hard time really connecting emotional the the characters and what was happening. I didn't get pulled into the story like I wanted too. And the new romance felt a bit sudden to the point that it was off putting.

I like this one a little bit more than the first one because she seems older and this book and not as new to the world. I’m happy that she also got more development in this book. After reading the first one, I definitely got used to the style of writing and could thoroughly enjoy it. The romance was cute. I would definitely recommend this series as a whole, especially if you’re in the fantasy genre the second book really made me enjoy the series more than the first. In my opinion. It’s definitely an adventure, and it is turned off nicely with the bow.

I think this is a great conclusion! I enjoyed seeing each of these characters grow and their relationships build. I’m glad that we got more of the side characters. I think Jaeil is still my favortie!

This was still giving off Final Fantasy vibes and I loved that. The pacing felt a little off towards the end. Everything wrapped up so quickly that it felt a little anti climatic.

This was a great duology! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I really enjoy this author's writing! The Demon and the Light was a great conclusion to the first book. I felt there was through closure with all the characters I fell in love with.

i loved this book just as much as i loved the first one! axie oh absolutely nailed this duology and it definitely became one of my favorites this year. my only issue was the pacing, it felt a bit too fast at times and that bothered me a little but other than that i really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed The Demon and the Light by Axie Oh! The character growth for Sunho, and Wook was easily my favorite part. Watching each of them evolve and come into their own felt incredibly satisfying and gave the story a great deal of heart. Axie Oh nailed the emotional beats and relationships, which made me care about all of them by the end. I would have loved to see more of Jaeil though!

My only gripe is that the final fight scene felt a little rushed. It wrapped up so quickly compared to the emotional build-up leading into it, and I would’ve loved just a bit more tension and detail to match the rest of the book’s pacing.

Still, I absolutely loved this duology and can’t wait to see what Axie Oh writes next! (Can we please get a spinoff in this world?)

“The Demon and the Light” by Axie Oh is an exciting conclusion to The Floating World. Oh writes the most amazing Kpop stories that suck you in. Besides the amazing romance, there is excellent world building, and amazing character development. If you loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea or The Floating World, then add this to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGallery and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely adored reading this book! As the second in this duology, it picked up from where Ren and Suho left off both in their relationship and their positions in the political sphere. While I did have so much fun reading this book and being alongside our beloved characters in their journey, it didn't quite meet my expectations.

For one, similar to the first book, this one had a writing style that read a bit YA. What I mean by this is that every story beat went a bit too fast for my liking and the situations were resolved simply and without terrible push back. The writing felt a bit more tell rather than show, as dialogue quickly moved any situations forward. Sometimes the pacing went slower than I would like, too, and the ending felt very rushed to me.

I do appreciate the POVs of some different characters like Jaeil. I loved seeing more of little Uncle! And overall the story arc itself felt polished and well done. Overall I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loved the first book in the series or any other works from Axie Oh.