Another beautiful and whimsical romantasy from Axie Oh. I adored Oh's debut and was not disappointed by The Floating World. Lush and romantic with a wonderful atmosphere and beautiful world-building. Amazing!

The Floating World by Axie Oh is the first book in a new young adult fantasy series.

The story mostly follows Ren and Sunho who start off as strangers, but fate brings them together in unexpected ways. Ren is a troupe performer with a secret past that she keeps buried in her own mind. Sunho lost most of his memories, except that his older brother and him were sold off to the military. Now, he’s on a mission to find his brother no matter what.

When a demon suddenly attacks Ren’s home, Ren uses her powers to save those closest to her. But her powers were seen from all over putting a target on her back. Now Ren sets off to find a cure for her injured uncle and to stop more harm from coming to them.

Sunho, an ex-soldier, has been working as a sword for hire while he tries to track down his brother. He receives a tip about a job that pays well. A job to find a girl and bring her back alive. Sunho doesn’t seem interested until the client mentions that he looks just like his brother…
These two strangers cross paths and decide to travel together – the closer they become, the more it seems their fates are entwined with one another. But who is Ren? And will Sunho ever find his brother?

I am a big fan of fantasy, and this story was not disappointing. The target audience is definitely more YA, but that leaves me with a fast, fun read. The world building is subtle but still enjoyable. I do wish there was a picture of a map so I can envision their journeys better. Each perspective was exciting, and you can see the growth within the characters. If you’re a fan of Shadow and Bone, you’ll definitely love this.

I chose this book because I loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Oh and am thrilled by the consistency. I will definitely be recommending this book and am looking forward to the next book!

One thing Axie Oh is going to do is make an immersive world that you want to get lost in, no matter what genre she's writing in. The Floating World is a beautiful work of fantasy. Whenever I have someone who loves Studio Ghibli, I always recommend Axie Oh. Her writing always invokes the same feeling I get when I watch those movies and this book is no different. Just a 10/10, no notes.

Sunho is an amnesiac sword-wielding tattooed ex-soldier, searching a brother he can’t remember. When he is offered a huge score, and information about his brother, to find a mysterious girl who wields silver light, he can’t say no.
Ren is a happy acrobat and actress performing and traveling across the land. She keeps her silver light hidden until her performance is attacked by a terrible demon. Blasting the demon sets off a hunt for her.
A great adventure love story about two young people trying to find the truth about their past and how it will affect their future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
#TheFloatingWorld #NetGalley

Axie Oh is brilliant. She is truly the Miyazaki of books. The world she has created in this novel is beautiful and dangerous and believable. I just wanted to dive into this story. I essentially did, as I read it in a very short two sittings. Sunho and Ren are such compelling characters that you can't help but root for. I agree that this is a great flavor comparison to Princess Mononoke, the movie. I just love it and it's got such phenomenal depth.

The Floating World has a unique and intriguing world, where the wealthy population literally floats above the .have-nots in the dark below. In this world, main characters Ren and Sunho are strong characters that are easy to root for as they both battle for their futures — Ren in the aftermath of a demon attack in her village that forces her to confront her past and secrets, and Sunho's struggle to survive in the Under World and find his brother.

While I enjoyed getting to know the characters, unfortunately, the execution was a little lacking for me for such a great concept. I was most excited to read this novel because of the Floating World setting, but I felt this backdrop was severely underdeveloped. I had no sense of what the Under World looked like and how it was positioned in space compared to the Floating World, and I was confused as to why the Under World had no light (because it was blocked by the Floating World? This wasn't clear.)

There were also some writing choices that made it hard for me to stay engaged. To me, there was no distinctive dialogue, as most of the characters sounded the same. In one scene, when Ren and Sunho are leaving a group of outlaws they've met, two of them, one young and one old, say “maybe we’ll meet again one day." We also learn the name of the outlaws' horse, but not their leader, who is referenced several times. Small details like this made the writing feel more juvenile.

Finally, there were a few plot points that seemed too convenient and brought me out of the story (no spoilers) — characters that were too trusting of each other upon first meeting, Sunho on a mission to find a young girl around Ren's age and not even bothering to see what she looks like when he meets her. Overall, I think this premise had a lot of promise and I wish this author a lot of success with future books in what I'm guessing will be a series.

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Axie Oh’s “The Floating World” is an ambitious and imaginative fantasy that immerses you in a breathtakingly complex universe while weaving together mythology, romance, and social commentary. This first installment of a duology offers a rich exploration of class division, personal destiny, and the cost of survival. Before going into this book, I do want to provide a small content warning for some blood/death throughout the book.

The story is set in a world divided by stark physical and social hierarchies: the wealthy and powerful reside in the radiant Floating World above, while the oppressed lower classes struggle to survive in the sunless Underworld below. This duality is central to the book's world-building, which combines elements of Korean folklore and urban fantasy; the book reminded me of steampunk with some of the scientific elements, like the development of mithril. Oh takes inspiration from the Korean folktale “The Woodcutter and the Celestial Maidens,” using it to craft a story that is both fresh and steeped in tradition. You don’t need to be familiar with the folktale to understand this story as Oh makes the inspiration clear throughout the story.

At the heart of the story are Ren, a resilient and compassionate heroine on a desperate quest to save her ailing uncle, and Sunho, a stoic swordsman with a tragic past. Their journey through this divided world introduces readers to its many facets, from the industrial grit of the Underworld to the serene beauty of the Floating World. Along the way, the two must navigate personal traumas, political intrigue, and their growing attraction to one another.

The romance between Ren and Sunho is sweet and wholesome, but its rapid development did feel a bit rushed to me. Meeting nearly a third of the way into the book, their relationship is marked by an "insta-love" quality, lacking the tension or slow-burn dynamic that might have added depth to their connection. However, their complementary personalities—Ren's effervescent optimism against Sunho's quiet intensity—are endearing, and their bond serves as an emotional anchor in the story.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its world-building. The Floating World and Underworld are richly imagined, with vivid descriptions and thoughtful details that bring these places to life. The incorporation of mithril, a mysterious element with technological and supernatural applications, adds a unique, almost sci-fi flavor to the story. However, the complexity of the world can also feel overwhelming at first, with terminology and concepts that take time to grasp. You want to take your time diving into this book to fully understand the world that Oh created. The pacing exacerbates this issue; the fast-moving plot often leaves little room to fully absorb the intricacies of the setting or the stakes of certain events.

The story shifts between the perspectives of Ren, Sunho, and Jaeil, Ren’s childhood friend and the captain of the guard. While this multi-POV approach adds depth, I did want more time spent with Jaeil, whose internal conflict and moral ambiguity are compelling. His shifting loyalties and obsession with Ren's celestial heritage hint at a larger role in the sequel, potentially setting the stage for a redemptive arc.

Though the book succeeds in many ways, it sometimes falters in balancing its ambitious scope. The plot juggles numerous elements—mythology, romance, political intrigue, and social commentary—and at times feels overstuffed. Significant moments, such as scenes of violence or betrayal, are resolved too quickly, lessening their emotional impact. Similarly, the broader stakes of Ren’s quest and the power struggles within the Floating World lack the suspense they deserve, as the story often prioritizes the romance over the central conflict. The twist involving Ren’s past was pretty predictable, though I liked seeing Ren’s growth and her purpose develop as more of her secrets were revealed.

Overall, “The Floating World” is a captivating start to Axie Oh’s new duology, brimming with creativity and emotional depth. While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as Oh’s “The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea,” the lush world-building and intriguing characters make it a worthwhile read. Fans of mythology-infused fantasy and character-driven stories will find much to love, and the setup for the sequel promises even greater stakes and revelations to come.

I loved the worldbuilding in this story. The Floating World, the Underworld and beyond were fascinating and interesting places. The relationship between Ren and Sunho was so satisfying. I am looking forward to the next installment.

Axie Oh's 'The Floating World' is simply stunning. The pacing balances quieter, more introspective moments with fast-paced action and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. Like, I really couldn't put this book down if my life depended on it. It’s a visual and emotional experience that lingers long after the last page!!! It brings together elements of culture with modern fantasy, folklore, and personal growth into two narratives that feel so relatable despite the fantastical bits and bobs. It’s a story that will leave you thinking, feeling, and, most importantly, wanting more. But that's also just typical for an Axie Oh book. A must-read for fans of rich world-building, complex characters, and beautifully crafted prose!!!!

“The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea” was one of my favorite books the year I read it, so I was really excited to see a new series. Unfortunately, for me, this missed the mark. While I found the world interesting and most of the characters had real depth, the story itself felt a little muddled. Oh was trying to do a lot with the plot, and I think a more straightforward plot would have elevated the novel.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This book was fairly predictable, and nothing really surprised me. the story was interesting though and I love the romance and it feels like there could be a triangle, but I'm not really sure.

This was so highly anticipated for me! I really loved that this was inspired by Korean folklore. The world building in this was great and I'm so excited to read the next book!

There are few authors writing today who have the skills that Oh has to weave a world! I mean, I thought The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was a masterclass in world-building, unsurprising that this take on The Celestial Maidens is an upscaling of those skills! I just...this is the first in a duology (more duologies, please! I love them and they are the perfect way to digest a story imho), and I can't WAIT to read it again just to prepare for part two (I already know I'll be reading this one multiple times just to capture all the little things I missed the first time!)

Romance, Fantasy, Action, Adventure! This book has it ALL!

5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley & Feiwel & Friends for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 40% of the way through.

I was so disappointed with this one! I love Axie Oh's other book, so I'm not sure what happened here. Out of the two POVs--Ren was the strongest. Good motivation, cool magic, mysterious backstory. I didn't really care for Sunho and his amnesia plotline isn't a favorite trope of mine. I would've just preferred the book from Ren's POV the entire time, really.

It was really fast-paced so we didn't get to appreciate the worldbuilding. I didn't like that we didn't get a moment to breathe in between dramatic stuff, it was too fast for my taste.

Stunning! Axie Oh has created a breathtaking world that, like in Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, takes an enshrined Korean folktale, The Woodcutter and the Celestial Maidens, and imagines what lies beneath. Quite literally, in Oh's sweeping fantasy/action/romance we see the struggles of the underworld which exists shrouded in the shadow of a floating kingdom plagued by power struggles in the absences of their goddess, the celestial maiden. In a society of exploited resources and people, each person's survival depends on how they navigate this dark world, whom they can trust and how far they are willing to go for one another. The worldbuilding in this first of a duology is staggering, with hints of folkloric Korea, an urban, industrial (almost Legend of Kora-like) underworld, and a serene, too beautiful floating world. This is combined with deeply developed and truly compelling characters struggling with conflicts like the believers in the celestial maiden vs. non-believers, those motivated by greed vs those hoping to save their families, rebel liberators vs a dark complex of military force and the desire to live a quiet, pastoral life vs. the calling of destiny. We encounter this world through a strong, resourceful, independent and open heroine, Ren, and a guarded but compassionate swordsman, Sunho, both of whom struggle with inner demons and past trauma. It is beautifully told, brilliantly devised and un-put-down-able. I will be anxiously awaiting its release for a reread, then pining for the arrival of the sequel.

Axie Oh has created something truly magical with The Floating World. I loved every moment of this breathtaking story—from the vivid worldbuilding to the rich, emotional journey of the characters. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what happened next. I’m already eager for more! I really want to know what happens next.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! The characters were really starting to get fleshed out near the end. A good mix of fantasy and science fiction. The rest of the series is going to be fun going forward. A side note. This cover is amazing.

I’m grateful to be able to read this book about a world of fantasy, which is easy to get lost in. Each character had great depth and made me want to learn about each one even more.. I know this will be an ongoing series so I do not want to give out any spoilers, but I believe the main character will undergo changes in the future. Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.!

This book fell flat for me. I was intrigued by the premise, the gorgeous cover, and the promise of Korean-inspired folklore, but ultimately disappointed by lackluster characters and a surface level exploration of the world.

Ren being a storyteller was an interesting way to give us insight into the world, and a great connection between myth and reality. I found the stories fun and they also added interesting questions and layers to be picked at later in the book. Ren was a fun, unique, strong, and likable protagonist. I admired her dedication to her Uncle and her bravery going out into a world she knows little about. Watching her use her charisma to get out of situations were my favorite parts of the book. And, whole predictable, her character arc are exciting to piece together.

The world had a lot of potential but missed the mark in that I felt like we did not get to explore an area for very long. Ren and Sunho's adventure moves extremely quickly and characters were introduced and then not given much payoff. Many of them blended together and I felt like they mostly served to move the plot along.

Sunho's mysterious backstory was intriguing and I liked getting bits of it as the story progressed and he regained bits of memory. However, regaining his memories seemed to have little sustained impact on him and I was bummed out that the fantasy element was grounded in military experimentation. Even though I spent a book with him, I barely feel like I know much of his motivation beyond finding his brother, and even that did not seem to drive him much during the story. After he met Ren, he kind of threw everything out the window and followed her around instead. Their relationship developed too quickly and I did not think they had much chemistry. Even though they spent most of the book together, I found their conversations dry and boring.

Overall, this book was not for me. The writing was beautiful and the world building had so much potential. The characters and overall plot elements just turned me off from the intriguing premise.