This audiobook was harder to listen to, because the story itself is written in dual POV but there is only one narrator. The narrator, while having a lovely voice, doesn't use inflection to differentiate between characters. Instead of feeling immersed in the story, I felt myself really having to focus on which character was speaking. The story itself was simply amazing. I love that Ren, the FMC, is deeply loyal to her family and seeks to find a cure for her Uncle. While hiding her true identity and power, she meets a young sword for hire, Sunho (the MMC) who unbeknownst to him, is actually searching for Ren. As these two unlikely heros band together, their reliance and trust in one another grows. When they learn the truth will their growing friendship prevail? This story has a unique magical system with a dose of steam punk. The modern reimaging of the Korean myth is expertly imagined.

This story is set in a richly imagined world of magic and wind. It started out somewhat slowly and took its time introducing the characters but that made them and their motivations all the more real. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well rounded and relatable. Once I got past the first few chapters, I listened to it in one breath. The narration was pleasant no matter which speed I chose, which made the entire experience all the better.

This book certainly set up the world and the beginning of a new saga quite well.

First off, thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me this free audio-arc!

I should open this by simply saying this book was not for me for numerous reasons. The characters were lackluster, the pacing odd (fast and short book but little progression in plot), and I personally didn’t like the narrator.

4.5 stars!
Short version: I loved this book! It was so fun and whimsical, and had serious Studio Ghibli vibes.

Now for the longer version:
The Floating World follows Sunho, a soldier with no memory of his past, surviving in the Under World by taking on mercenary work. When he’s offered a reward to find a girl with silver magic, he accepts the job. Ren, meanwhile, reveals her hidden powers while fighting off a monster and sets out to save her wounded uncle. Their paths cross, and unbeknownst to Sunho, she’s the very girl he’s been sent to find.

I absolutely adored both Sunho and Ren! Ren especially stood out to me; despite what others expected of her, she only wanted to return home and live peacefully with her family—not be this hero others wanted her to be. Her character development was a joy to watch and incredibly satisfying. Sunho’s unwavering support and respect for her choices made me love him even more. He was a fully fleshed-out character, and following his journey as he gradually regained his memories was both moving and heartbreaking (this book really didn’t want to give him a break!). There’s a third point of view, too—Jaeil’s—and while I’m usually hesitant about books with more than two POVs, I ended up loving it here! Jaeil is a fascinating, morally gray character who feels genuinely torn between his father’s expectations and his own convictions. He may even be my favorite character, despite (or because of) how conflicted and complex he is.

The romance was incredibly sweet! At one point, I worried the feelings developed a little quickly after a reveal, but ultimately it felt like a slow burn done well. I particularly enjoyed seeing Ren through Sunho’s perspective. His feelings unfolded so naturally that I barely noticed the shift until it had already happened, which I loved (he was so smitten!).

Now, the worldbuilding is unique and memorable. The Under World, with its perpetual darkness, and the literal floating land were so unique. I appreciated how the world was explained, though I did wish the descriptions had been a bit more vivid and immersive, as I sometimes struggled to picture the setting.

The novel leans toward the YA side, which I mostly enjoyed (it fits the characters, who are seventeen) but I did hope for a bit more emotional depth, stronger descriptions, and more development in relationships beyond the romance. Friendships sometimes formed too quickly, and characters were willing to risk their lives for near-strangers a little too easily. Still, I appreciated that the teenage characters actually felt like teenagers—not overly mature, but also not unbelievable (though there were moments they read a bit younger than their age).

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Eden Jun, and it was wonderful! Her bright, warm voice suited the tone of the story and the characters (especially Ren) perfectly. She brought the narrative to life in a way that completely drew me in. She did everything right; the different voices for different characters, the emotions in her voice (especially during action scenes, she really makes you feel like you're actually there). Jun’s performance pulled me deep into the heads of Ren, Sunho, and Jaeil, and I loved every second!

I’m incredibly excited for the second book (especially after that ending—what?!), and I wholeheartedly recommend The Floating World to anyone looking for a whimsical fantasy with Studio Ghibli vibes, soft romance, and a unique setting!

Overall presentation and narration completely phenomenal!!!!!!The characters were well thought out and very relatable. The plot twists I didn’t not see coming and our main character Wren is very headstrong. Her love for her family is almost all consuming and the lengths she goes to protect them is love in its purest form. The friends she makes along her journey to save her family are amazing as well. A true tale of love loyalty and friendship. Our MMC is also very determined and headstrong as well and he on his own journey that intertwined with hers in the most interesting way.

This was so good! Well being sci-fi/fantasy it definitely hit the dystopian desire. The big reveal at the end was expected, but so so good and the twist at the end omg, I'm so ready for the next book already.

First off I would not recommend this on audio - the narrator does a poor job differentiating between the character voices and there are several POVs throughout, so it was very confusing.

Secondly, I understand when I pick up a YA book to adjust my expectations for a teen led cast. But goodness, this was such poor character work in my opinion. It seems the author was counting on her audience to already feel attached to any relationships formed in the book instead of actually developing them. This led to some lackluster chemistry and overall severely weakened what could’ve been a decent book.

To conclude my experience, this was all vibes, no substance.

This was a beautiful concept with a really creative world, a world split into layers, with the Floating World high above and the Under World below. I loved the imagery of that setup and the way it reflects themes like inequality, power, and survival. You can tell there are deeper ideas running beneath the surface of the book…capitalism, military control, greed, but they’re delivered in a very accessible way.

The writing has a soft tone, and the audiobook narration by Eden Jun suited it perfectly. Her voice was clear and engaging, and I honestly think the narration helped hold my attention in parts where the pacing slowed down. The world was easy enough to follow, but I did wanted more vivid detail, sometimes it felt like scenes would pass by quickly without lingering long enough to make a real impact.

This leans younger than I expected, definitely in the younger end of YA, maybe even bordering middle grade? The plot is straightforward and fairly predictable, and while the stakes are high, the emotional weight isn’t always there(which is part of why I feel it leans more toward younger readers). The cliffhanger at the end sets things up well for a sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending this ALC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I need someone else to tell me if they got some FF7 vibes from "The Floating World" by Axie Oh.

Everything was fine, until the demon attacked. Ren was thriving as an acrobat in a remote village with an adopted family, not thinking about her traumatic past. But when someone she cares for is infected with something unknown the only answers lie in the place she has been avoiding. Sunho has no knowledge of anything past the last 2 years. Doing odd jobs and using his suspicious strength as a mercenary. This gets him put onto a big score, bring a young woman to some military guy alive. Should all be pretty simple right.

Narrated by Eden Jun, who brought a lightness and a terseness (till they aren't) to the MCs.

Reasons to read:
-The vibes are great if they are what I think they are
-Love a good floating city
-Hey look, some folks who need to meet the business end of pointy things
-Train fight
-Korean legends as inspiration

Cons:
-Once again I missed that this was a series so I was getting confused that more elements were being added at the end

The Floating World is a beautifully woven together tale of chosen family, magic, and mystery. Somehow cozy and thrilling all at once while being intricately descriptive. I could feel and see everything as if I was there, it's own little Ghibli style movie.

The Floating Word has some very intriguing world building with the floating city above the underworld contrasted to the outlying lands. I love that the story is built around Korean mythology, and especially that the story chosen is one that shares similarities to stories from other parts of the world. It makes the story feel more approachable to me. The biggest drawback to this series opener is the pacing. The beginning felt slow while the last Part felt very rushed. The characters didn't click with me as much as I would have liked, but that happens with me and multiple POVs sometimes. Ren and Sunho's friendship was very sweet and I liked the mystery surrounding both of their pasts. The side characters didn't get enough space in the story, and I never did figure out Jaeil. Ren felt much younger than she should have been and to some extent so did Sunho. I think that was, in part, because the narrator had a voice that felt young to me. If this had been for younger YA or middle grade, her voice would have been perfect. I think the acting/reading part was great, but she might not have been the right choice for this novel. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I am very interested in seeing what Oh brings us.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy of The Floating World by Axie Oh.
This is my first book by this author, though I have been meaning to check out The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.
Lately, I have found myself moving away from YA books, as a lot of them seem to be dealing with similar topics now, especially as I mainly read romantasy YA. This book did have elements of that going on, but the writing and world building were immersive enough that I was hooked. Honestly, I listened to this book in two sessions, I struggled to stop once I had started. The reader was also fantastic!
I really enjoyed following Ren on the first part of her journey, and really looking forward to the second book, especially following that cliff hanger.

Gosh it felt so good to listen to a story I just read and loved.
The narration was so well done, it felt like my favorite characters were alive <3
I had such a great time listening to this audiobook, thank you so much for the alc.

✨📖 The Floating World by Axie Oh is a breathtaking journey into a world of shadows and shimmering light that will melt your heart! 💖✨ From the very first page, I was swept away by Sunho's mysterious silence and resilient spirit—his past cloaked in darkness, yet his hope shining softly like a distant star. 🌌🗡️ His quest to find meaning and purpose is so touching, making every step he takes feel like a delicate dance of courage.

And then there's Ren—an absolute burst of sunshine! 🌟🎪 Her cheerful, spirited nature is utterly contagious, and her hidden power of silver light is simply magical. When she unleashes her glow during the village attack, I felt my heart flutter with awe and a little bit of wonder—her strength and vulnerability beautifully woven together. 💫💕

Their worlds collide in the most poetic way, weaving a story about destiny, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family and love. 💕🌿 As they journey through mountains and memories, I couldn't help but root for them with all my heart, feeling like I was right there beside them, feeling every heartbeat and hope.

Axie Oh has crafted a lyrical tale that whispers softly about finding light in darkness and the magic of discovering who you truly are. 📚✨ If you love stories that sparkle with emotion and adventure, this book is a shimmering treasure you’ll cherish forever! 🌈🌸

Highly recommend for dreamers and soul-searchers alike! 💖🌟

Eden Jun narrated The Floating World perfectly, with a gorgeous voice and inflections that hypnotically carried me throughout the story. And thank goodness, because I'm not sure the plot alone would have kept me moving forward. I am a huge fan of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and hoped this would deliver the same experience. While I did find the same lyrical voice that I've come to expect from Axie Oh, along with the same nod to Asian mythology, I found myself wanting for more — a bit more depth in the characters' flaws, a bit more detail in the world building, and a bit more tension and chemistry in their romance. All that said, this is still a quality work of fiction and those who more deeply enjoy this genre will likely appreciate this novel more than I did. From other reviews, I can see that mileage varies, so definitely take my review with a grain of salt and give it a try. It ends on a cliffhanger that will have many readers clamoring for more — as much as I tried and hoped to be, I'm just not one of them.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, NetGalley, and Axie Oh for an advance copy for honest review. While this series isn't setting up to be a home run for me, I remain a fan of Axie's work and will be back for more in the future.

I will start by saying I loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea so I had high hopes for this and The Floating World did not disappoint. Once I started I could not stop. The narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life. The setup was so engaging. The world building was perfectly weaved into the story making it feel extremely natural. All of yhe characters were amazing. For our main characters we have Ren a troupe performer who is more than she seems and Sunho who is an ex soldier turned sword for hire with a gap in his memory. The way their paths crossed was chefs kiss and then, THE ENDING. I know this just came out but I cannot wait for the next one! October cannot come soon enough! If you enjoy hidden identities, slow burn, found family, allies to lovers, and or journeys this one is for you.

I want to say right off the bat that overall I enjoyed this story. It was adorable (if fighting, traveling across worlds, and figuring out a history you don’t truly know) can be. 🤭

The world was easy to understand and didn’t need a lot of explanation. It was rich in my imagination, so for that alone, I really enjoyed it.

I will say I didn’t really feel a connection between Ren and Sunho. It felt all very fast paced and predictable. I was hoping for more depth, but I will say I loved the cliff hanger.

The narrator did a great job! The audio was done well!

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

Very disappointed by this sadly. I really liked the girl who fell beneath the sea but sadly this didn't capture the same whimsy and cuteness.

The romance was SO rushed and kind of felt insta lovey and out of nowhere.

SO many things happen in quick succession that nothing feels earned or fought for things just *happen*.

Because so many things happen so quickly the descriptions are lacking and the relationship building fall flat because the book doesn't take it's time establishing any of it. This is a pretty short book and I don't really know why because some more build up could have really elevated it.

The plot felt entirely predictable and I saw every twist from a mile away.

Sadly only 2 stars, only finished because it was such a quick read.

Wow I loved this! The ending killed me and I need book 2 straight away. I loved the audio, I loved the narrators, i think they did super well. I love the woods building. It wasn't all dumped into on you it was slipped in nice and smoothly. The tragic narrative also just gutted me! So add i love em and shuno. I how I spelled that right. It was a beautiful story and all together will rounded. It does end on a cliff hanger though. Book 2 needed you 3 days ago!

Between The Floating World and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, it's clear that Axie Oh is a true master of unique and vivid of world creation. With vibes of Studio Ghibli and City of Ember and an exciting video game-ensque quality to it, The Floating World had me hooked from page one. A whirlwind read of magic, love, adventure and secrets, The Floating World is a truly transportive read and I can't wait to see what happens next!

what to expect:

- demons
- he's hired to capture her but ends up falling for her
- floating city
- swordsman x troupe performer
- magic
- mythology