I recieved an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for the opportunity.

In my review for The Floating World, I'd said that I'd gone into it expecting it to be written just like The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea had been written, then realized that was unfair as it was very different. WELL! If you're looking for the TGWFBTS vibes, this second book definitely has more of that in my opinion. I feel like this one touched more on the grief that Ren had been harboring for 10 years of her life, and helped her heal. Actually, it touched on Sunho's grief as well and helped him heal as well. I loved getting to read more of Jaeil's POV and learn who he is as a person vs as just a Captain. The Demon and the Light felt like it dove more into the woodcutter and celestial maiden story/mythology and I loved this take on it. I still haven't read the original lore, but I'm glad for the introduction to it via this story.

I am glad the story was split into two books; and I am so thankful I got to read them back to back as eARCs. I don't feel like the flow of the story would have been there had it been one longer book.

I would recommend this duology to people who love mythology with different spins on it; also just because Axie Oh wrote it.

When I read The Floating World by Axie Oh earlier this year, I found a book that was unputdownable. The story was riveting and I found the two lead characters super compelling. I was looking forward to The Demon and the Light since then…but I just didn’t connect with it like I did the first book. There are tons of great aspects and it was enjoyable, but ultimately I can’t rate this one as high as I did with The Floating World (7.75 out of 10, rounding to 4/5).

To her credit, Axie Oh didn’t just rehash the plot of the first book in this second part of the duology. She continued the story and took some interesting and big swings in the process. But for me, the magic of the first book was when Ren and Sunho shared pages together. For a considerable amount of The Demon and the Light, multiple forces have pushed the Heavenly Savior Ren and the Demon Sunho apart from one another, even as they try to get closer together.

I actually think this duology might’ve worked a little better as a trilogy with most of this book serving as the Empire Strikes Back-ish middle portion, but overall it still had a solid story that I enjoyed.

What the first book lacked, it made up for here -- the secondary characters. The Floating World leaned so heavily on Ren and Sunho’s stories that in a lot of ways everyone else was a little bit pushed to the side. Jaeil, Ren’s childhood friend and the son of the general who killed Ren’s mother is a complicated character and the author spends a lot of time on him and a few others, giving them worthy arcs in this series conclusion.

Ultimately, the first book had momentum carried by the tension between Ren and Sunho and their own personal mysteries. Once those mysteries are mostly solved at the start of The Demon and the Light, the story kinda slowed down and it didn’t quite move me like the first book did. It took a bit to get going, but I did enjoy the connection between Ren and Sunho and the ending.

But, if you like Asian-inspired fantasy though, The Floating World duology is a great little two-book series that are easy reads with great romantic payoffs.

***Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

I had a great time reading the conclusion to The Floating World duology! Overall, I had a really great time in this world and with these characters. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book and thought that it was well paced. The romance between Ren and Sunho was really sweet and wholesome. It was also good to see their relationships with other characters grow and develop. However, I feel that the last quarter of the book was a little rushed. With the book being YA, I think it makes a little more sense, but the ending still felt a little convenient to me. With that being said, I still think this is a series worth reading, and I'd highly recommend checking it out. It was definitely giving me Studio Ghibli meets anime vibes.

This book was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think my true rating of this book is 4.5 but I’m gonna round it up to 5 for platforms that don't allow half stars.

90% of this book was great, the other 10% was fine. The 10% was when this book started to stray back into stereotypical YA tropes/behaviors. Ren and Sunho being so rash when it comes to making decisions about the safety of one another feels off to me since most of their other decision-making is fairly rooted in logic. When it comes to each other they 100% make choices like 17-year-olds. I think this behavior fits in perfectly fine in the context of a YA series, but the rest of the series has a more mature feel in terms of writing style. The other place where this book falls flat is the very end; the big confrontation with the villain feels short and anticlimactic. So much care goes into developing the story and getting all of the characters to the point where they are ready to face anything that it feels like a disservice to the story for the final hurdle to kinda fall flat entertainment wise. The best way to describe it is that the plot is not conflict-averse, but the confrontations are often solved quickly. Honestly I think maybe the author/ publisher should’ve leaned into the YA stereotype of it all and gone for a trilogy. That would’ve given ample time for the character development and world building that I loved in these books but left space for more satisfying battles/confrontations. It felt like conflict would pop up but then it would just kinda shake out instead of being a true challenge to resolve. It may not sound like it but I really did enjoy these books; I love the characters, I like how the story flows, I love the world they are in, and I overall had a great time reading this series and definitely recommend it and other works by Axie Oh to those interested in this type of book.

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

A pretty good finale! I liked that this one had more action, plot twists, and emotions.

I also really enjoyed the side characters, they were all so sweet! The main characters got more development too, especially Ren. She didn’t feel as young as she did in the first book, she gave orders, wasn’t afraid of anything, and really came into her own.

There was even more magical atmosphere here, and multiple POVs made it even more engaging. Some parts were sad, some made me laugh or smile, and at times I was genuinely scared for the characters.

I love that this is a duology, not too long, but not too short either. Just enough to fully tell the story and explore everything.

And just like I said after book one, I still really enjoy the writing style, it’s so easy and pleasant to read.

**Will not be published until 9/1/2025
Rating: 4 for fromance and duology fans

My Thoughts:
This Asian YA is touted as Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone. I can see Shadow and Bone, but, in my opinion, Final Fantasy is not the right book to attach to book two from The Floating World. I think Axie Oh is already established enough to stand on her own. There are also many Asian fantasy writers to tie this book to like books from Sue Lynn Tan, Kylie Lee Baker, and Amber Chen. I did not like the nod to Final Fantasy by creating a cover that looks like a game with white anime looking androgynous characters. The first book cover on The Floating World is beautiful in the way the characters, looking more Asian are in the front with the floating world and its castles in the background.

As for the story, it was exciting. Like Heart of the Sun Warrior, the characters, both males and females are often found saving each other. We have gotten away from the "prince" always saving the damsel, thanks to Frozen. What makes this story so worthwhile is that Ren, celestial maiden and queen of Sareniya, is self confident and her loyalty, love and faith are strong. She knows where she needs to do things alone, and she knows where she needs help.

The only negative, however, is that the major showdowns at the end with Teacher and the original Sareniya was anticlimactic. However, I did enjoy Ren's journey to gathering her light power. This was the perfect duology. Any longer would have been too much.

Final note: this could be tagged at LGBTQIA+ but I am not going to. In Indigenous cultures, like native Hawaiians, males with males, especially warriors, was not an issue. We had a name for it, ʻaikane, but it was not unusual. In this story, it is also not hidden or even scoffed at by the other male and female warriors. I think mentioning it will only link it to a heteronormative world, which I do not live in. Unless a book is specifically for the LGBTQIA+ reader, I will stop labeling is as such.

From the Publisher:
The battle is over, but the war is just beginning...

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.

Publication Information:
Author: Axie Oh
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends (October 21, 2025)
Print length: 400 pages

Unfortunately, I think the writing in this book suffered compared to the previous book. There was a lot of straight up "telling" throughout the book - of the character's feelings, of various actions - and not a lot of showing when it could've been easy to do that instead. In other words, the writing really suffered from a lack of description when previously there had been a lot of rich imagery. It made quite a few things not as believable as they could have been and made most of the characters feel flat. The writing for the fight scenes also could have been better - there were a lot of "bursts of light", which sometimes I was really not sure what that means... are they throwing lights around like laser beams? Or sometimes it seems to just surround them like an aura?

Although I did really like Jaeil (for the most part), Sana and Tag - they were great characters, although Sana and Tag were sadly just minor characters. However, I didn't quite believe the relationships since they're basically all love at first sight and then build on absolutely nothing to be apparently life changing (don't want to spoil it but there's one in particular that I really didn't like). Honestly, I think the romance actually dragged the book down in some parts. Also, the plot felt like the author was just trying to fit as many random plot points and subplots in as possible versus building a coherent plotline where all the actions build toward something in the ending. Which is unfortunate, because I think there could have been a lot of potential to the duology with a solid plotline.

I think this book is better for people that enjoy pure romance and romantasy, as well as YA. It all depends on what you value more in books I think.

I absolutely looooooooved this book! It was a PERFECT way to cap off this excellent duology by Axie Oh. There’s amazing character development from every single character that really helped push the story along in such a beautiful way.

Speaking of beautiful, the romance in this book is next level. The way that Ren and Sunho respect and admire each other, how they push each other to be better but also accept each other how they are, it’s truly breathtaking to behold. My favorite quote was “she hadn’t saved him. She’d shown him how to save himself”. That sentiment truly encapsulates these two lovers and my romantic at heart loved every minute of it. Added to that, the other side romances and amazing friendships that are showcased make this a PERFECT book if you enjoy the Found Family trope.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a copy of the ARC!

A very satisfying conclusion to the Floating World duology. Ren and Sunho obviously care for each, but have things that keep them apart – like being descended from a goddess, or having a Demon inside, or you know, the whole world leterally falling apart. The characters are great and when they kept apart, I empathized rather than shaking my head. I especially loved how Little Uncle came back into the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
#TheDemonandtheLight #NetGalley

The first book ended on such a cliff hanger, I had to get an ARC just to see how it ended. And the second book did not disappoint. Mysteries that were planted in the first book grew into interesting plot points in the second. I enjoyed the character developments of Ren and Sunho. Embracing your inner demon, allowing for your inner light to shine; these may be common tropes, but Oh creates such lovable characters that these personal journeys feel organic. She also does not fall into the common issue I have with duologies. Usually they feel like they should have been one book, or could have been expanded into three books. The second book neither feels rushed, nor incomplete. While I would love to revisit this world, I do feel that Ren and Sunho’s story is complete. It was a very satisfying and exciting read. Axie Oh never disappoints!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful conclusion to this duology! It's just as full of drama and heart and love as the first installment. Honestly, I think I teared up more and got more emotional while reading this book. And I absolutely devoured it. My heart is so full.

We pick up where we left off at the end of The Floating World. The beginning of this could be seen as a little slow as Ren adjusts to her new elevated position, and she and Sunho have to find their way back to each other. But the second half REALLY picks up as the stakes go through the roof and we have a ton of action as all the pieces come together.

I just love all of these characters. Ren and Sunho have so much growth and developement. But Jaheil does too, and I loved the seeds of his relationship with Wook. There is just an incredible amount of emotion, healing, growth, and acceptance, especially for Ren and Sunho. It was just so so beautiful.

My only quibble is that I wish the ending had been longer! I wanted more time with the characters, and the book wraps up super fast. But I just loved it overall, and highly recommend this duology!

"She hadn't saved him. She'd shown him how to save himself."

This was an incredible, action filled ending to this duology.
Ren and Sunho both individually, as well as together, overcome so many challenges and grow so much!
Ren faces quite a few trials in a short period of time, and Sunho gets tested as well. I think these instances make their young love even more heartwarming because of how mature their decisions were.
Jaeil and Wook, I screamed!! I was so giddy every single time these two interacted. Wook truly brought out the best in Jaeil and I’m super happy that we got to see more of Wook in this book.
Overall this book was filled with personal growth and forming strong bonds that solidified the found family aspect of this series. While this book is filled with action and non stop adventure I think each individual characters story was well thought out and you really love every POV and learning what happens next regardless of who the character is.
Thank you Macmillan children’s publishing group for the arc!

This was a worthy ending to such a magical duology! I loved the found family dynamics and learning more about the magic behind the Floating World. The dialogue could be stilted and juvenile, and I struggled to connect with the characters. In all, though, Axie Oh brought the Ghibli vibes and gorgeous backdrops to this sequel and provided a good (if slightly rushed) ending to her newest duology. Thank you so much to NetGalley and MacMillan Children's for the eARC!

This book is a captivating sequel fantasy novel that explores the intricate balance between opposing forces, both external and internal. The Demon and the Light delves into a world where ancient powers clash and destinies are forged, often in the most unexpected of ways. Oh demonstrates a strong talent for world-building, creating a setting that feels rich with lore and vivid imagery. The central theme of contrasting elements - light and dark, good and evil, creation and desctruction - is woven throughout the narrative, giving it a compelling philosophical depth. The characters are complex, grappling with their own identities and allegiances as they navigate a perilous landscape. The plot is engaging, filled with moments of intense action and thoughtful reflection. This series is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy epic fantasy with a focus on deep lore, character development, and the exploration of moral ambiguities.

I'm so blown away by Axie's writing. What a great sequel, and it didn't feel rushed or overdone. She has such a way with writing beautiful, meaningful characters. I want to protect them all from harm. I will read literally anything from this author!

Thank you to the Author, NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC of this highly anticipated sequel

A wonderful conclusion to the duology!
The characters had deep character development and unbreakable relationships. The sequel had so much emotional depth
With the severity of the main villain ramping up, things got darker and less whimsical but it added so much depth to the story telling and characters.
My only complaint that the peak of the fight was concluded too quickly. We spent 2 books building up for this, and it was resolved in a page

*3.5 stars*

I enjoyed this sequel quite a bit actually, I don't think it's AS good as the first book but it was pretty close! I'm not a huge fan of battle scenes so for me it felt like those were dragging the book a bit, but honestly it wasn't bad and someone who can visualize things in their mind could probably get some great visuals out of the way everything was described. I love the characters in this duology and I'm pretty happy with how the plot went down. My only wish would've been for things to play out at a bit of a slower pace - sometimes I felt like some very built up scenes in the plot were kind of anticlimatic or rushed.

Overall it's a very beautiful story and I'm definitely checking out more of Axie Oh's work after this!!

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.