I used to devour young adult and middle grade books. As a junior high and high school teacher, it was fun to read the same things as my students. But as the years wore on, I tired of some of the same-ness. After The Hunger Games, the trends got out of control and I had to step away from reading most YA for a long time.

So I was delighted when I started Axie Oh’s The Floating World and practically devoured it, picking it up and putting it down less than 24 hours after starting. There’s just enough depth to the characters to propel the story along and Oh makes the story very readable and accessible to readers of all ages.

Our lead protagonists are Ren and Sunho, both 17 years-old. Ren has been traveling with a performing troupe, but right away we learn she has to restrain her magical powers or else she’d be found out, and killed just like her mother before her 10 years previously. Sunho has some dark power inside of himself, but can’t remember his life before two years ago. They are on a collision course with each other, for better or for worse.

Now, years ago I wrote a novel of my own where both the young love interests have special powers, but Axie Oh did so much better than I could, relying on Korean mythology and folkstories to serve as the backbone of this fun and satisfying book.

From what I can tell, this is the first book in a duology, with the sequel, titled The Demon and the Light releasing this October, which will be VERY good news for anyone who reads The Floating World. I really enjoyed the interplay between Ren and Sunho throughout and figured we’d be getting a sequel, but it seemed like there was going to be enough of a wrap that the book could stand on its own. THEN…Axie Oh yanks the comfortable rug out from under the reader and leaves the characters in a bit of limbo between the two books.

I was thrilled to be able to read The Floating World thanks to an ARC provided by NetGalley and am ready to bite into The Demon and the Light before the end of the year.

Sunho, an ex-soldier from the Under World, bears almost no memory of his life from before two years ago. He takes odd jobs as a mercenary to get by, until a new job comes in--to retrieve a girl with mysterious powers. Ren is a bright and cheerful acrobat traveling with her adopted family of performers, until they are attacked by a strange demon. After a terrible loss and the grievous injury of one of her family members, Ren unleashes a mysterious power. Propelled by her desire to save her uncle, she sets off beyond the mountains, where the monster came from, in the hopes of finding a cure, thus putting her fate and Sunho's on a collision course that will change both their lives.

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved Axie Oh's writing and world-building since I first picked up The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. Described as Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone, it reminded me of Castle in the Sky--not unlike how The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea was reminiscent of Spirited Away. But it also had a sprinkle of elements that also reminded me of Ghibli's adaption of Howl's Moving Castle. I loved Ren's character and how the initial awkwardness between her and Sunho grows into something sweeter. Admittedly in my head, I think I kept picturing her as Ty Lee. I also liked that Sunho wasn't a stereotypical brooding love interest. He has baggage and he's a little awkward, but he's earnest and kindhearted.

4.5 stars!

This was such a captivating read! I loved everything about this book: the worldbuilding (obsessed with the Studio Ghibli + steampunk vibes), the action scenes, and the characters! Ren and Sunho are so cute and felt like such refreshing characters in the YA fantasy genre. The different POVs we get for the chapters were also great. This is one of those books where I liked all three POVs equally, which furthered my enjoyment of the book. That ending was soo!!! and I can't wait for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ren is a troupe performer who is forced to go on a quest alone to find a cure for her uncle after a brutal attack during one of their performances. Sunho is searching for his brother, with only a single memory to go off of. Both collide and decide to continue their quests together in hopes of helping each find what they are looking for.

Once again Axie Oh delivers on an exciting and lush world! I absolutely adored The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea, and knew I had to read this one! I really loved the characters in The Floating World, but main and supporting. I thought the motivations for both the main characters were clear and well-thought out. There was never a moment where I was like huh, why are you making these choices? I particularly enjoyed how both main characters faced their pasts and how they worked towards their futures. I thought the pacing was well done and the action sequences were great.

I was happy where the book left off and the direction that the sequel appears to be going in. My only complaint is I wanted more!

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a NEED for fans of Studio Ghibli films and Diana Wynne Jones books. It's just so perfect and completely exceeded my expectations! The author took the three act structure, made it her own, and then hit those plot beats HARD. I would *love* to see an anime series or movie made from this book.

This book is definitely appropriate for younger teens. I'm excited to share this book with our oldest daughter after its publication. I think this book will resonate with her as well.

I loved that even when you thought you knew what was coming in the story, something unexpected happens that draws you even deeper into the character driven story. The dynamics of the main characters is just beautiful to behold. I *love* that they heal and grow so much together. That they are no longer alone.

The ending is so bittersweet, and I am very much looking forward to reading the next book!

Content: cursed monsters mass..cring people, violence, VERY sweet no spice romance, child witnesses parent's m..rder

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

After falling in love with Axie Oh’s The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea last year, I knew I had to read this one as soon as possible. And add in that advertising of it being Castle in the Sky meets Avatar: The Last Airbender? Absolutely sold. Give it to me now.

And for the most part, I would say those comparisons hold up. This world Axie Oh has built is lush and detailed without also completely drowning out the plot or characters. The vibes are very steampunk-magical-Ghibli-esque and I’m living for it. There is very much a world waiting for its promised savior vibe from Avatar as well, so that comparison did in fact also hold weight.

I really have very little—if anything—negative to say about this book. The world is beautiful, the characters lovable, the relationships they form both heartwarming and heartrending. I would argue there’s a tiny bit too much speed in the development of those relationships, but hey, the same could be said for Ghibli movies and we all love those, so 🤷🏼‍♀️ Overall, this is just a fantastic set up to a potentially incredible series and I will definitely be following it for the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel and Friends for sending me this e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

I gave The Floating World four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Net Galley, Fiewel and Friends/Macmillan publishing and Axie Oh for this ARC. These are my honest opinions.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and they were really well developed. I loved the world building, too.

This was an immersive world that I felt like I was a part of. The descriptions were perfect. I love when I can “see” the world, but the author doesn’t take two pages to describe a garden. Axie Oh doesn’t take up your time with fluff and I appreciate that.

This is definitely a YA book, so don’t expect gory details of death. There is a romance, but no spice, which I also appreciate for this age range. And, because it’s YA, things are wrapped up pretty quickly.

I can say that it took me until about 25% to figure out who was who and where they stood. And, I do wish there had been more explanation of the history of the Celestial Maidens and where they got their magic/power. I still don’t feel like I know enough about what got us to this point in the story that is this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this story!

This book is so dreamy. I had a blast following sunny troupe performer, Ren, and the mysterious sword-for-hire, Sunho, on their adventure. The quest changes over time, but at its heart is the desire to save their family members - and along the way, they just so happen to uncover secrets, friendships, and love.

Whether traversing through caves, reed fields, cities shrouded in darkness, or holed up in a cabin, I was with this pair all the way. This is my first book by Axie Oh, and I am so impressed. I can see the Floating World so clearly in my mind. I can see the dribble of blue blood down a lip. I can picture the soft glow of poisonous mithril particles in the air. I can hear the glee in Yurhee’s teasing. These things are what make a story come alive! This world has so much juxtaposition between light and dark, red and blue, goddess and demon. It was very exciting and fast-paced, but also balanced action with softer, tender moments. The ending had me with my hand slapped across my mouth!

I can’t wait to read book two in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. It was wonderful.

oooooo I wanna play FF7 so bad now. Had quite a bit of fun reading this one. There were bits about the world-building and plot that I found issue with, but it didn't really deter too much from enjoyment. I think it's something to not think too hard about, especially if you are familiar with video games.

aside from ren and sunho, i really liked little uncle, tag, and jaeil :') i hope there's more jaeil and development of him in the sequel.

I am so glad the sequel is coming out later this year too, because I need it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the eARC!!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: This book truly is Shadow and Bone meets Final Fantasy. Overall, I feel like it was a good YA Fantasy. If I had to range it, I would say it feels in the middle, slightly on the lower YA age range. The story is simple, not hard to follow but still descriptive and carries a lot with it. It is action packed and also has a ton of heart, there were many moments where I stopped and thought "wow there's a lot of emotion in this." The world was easy to visualize and world building made sense. It was not overly cliche or dramatic, majority of the characters were likable. I also really appreciated how the author talked about emotion and incorporated the power of storytelling. This book has.a lot going for it.

Where I felt it fell slightly short: It was.a bit predictable (for this age range I don't think that is a such a bad thing), at times it was so much action it felt like a video game (I really like video games but during certain scenes it felt a little robotic but I think the author may have been going for that video game feel), even with all the positives at times the story felt like it lacked some depth but it's hard to put my finger on (could be the age range in which case is not the books fault).

Overall, I had a decent time. I'm not blown away but I'm not mad I read it. It was nice to read a fantasy with some romantic elements that didn't feel like that was the whole point of the story.

ARC Review: The Floating World by Axie Oh

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends for providing this ARC.

Release Date: April 29th, 2025

Yes, No, Maybe
Yes! If you're a fan of YA romance with a dash of adventure, magical realism, and complex, vibrant characters, this is a must-read. The *Floating World* truly captivates with its beautifully crafted world and the emotional journey of its characters.

Plot:
In the *Floating World*, Sunho lives in the Under World, a land of perpetual darkness. An ex-soldier, he can remember little of his life from before two years ago, when he woke up alone with only his name and his sword. Now, Sunho does odd-jobs to scrape by, until he comes across the score of a lifetime—a chest of coins for any mercenary who can hunt down a girl who wields silver light.

What I Loved:
This story blends romance with adventure and a touch of magic that kept me turning the pages. The relationship that blooms between the characters is sweet, and the journey is both emotional and empowering. The world-building is rich, and the author does an excellent job of immersing the reader in this world of shadows, light, and unexpected twists.

Would I Recommend It?
Yes! For fans of YA romance with a deep sense of emotional depth, slow-building tension, and an immersive fantasy world, this is a great pick.

I love Axie Oh's writing! This was a clever story. I reminded me of an older anime I used to watch, Blood+, as well as a recent K-Drama, Gyeongseong Creature. If you like a touch of monster sci-fi tucked into your fantasy, you will enjoy this! I look forward to the second installment!

Just, WOW. This definitely made it to my favorites list! The world building and storytelling is so beautifully done! There is so much depth but it's not overpowering. This was so well done.

This story follows Ren and Sunho. Ren lives with her family and has a secret she keeps to herself or else she will be hunted, while Sunho doesn't remember anything about himself other than the fact that he was a soldier and a brother. He also has some dark entity inside him that gives him some powers but keeps it in control instead.

There's good and bad, angels and demons, the floating world and the underworld.

It was just such a good read. Definitely recommend adding to your TBR!!!

A richness in worldbuilding that is acheived without extraneous commentary, Oh acheives a depth of story others fail to build in twice the number of pages. Though this is a series starter, plot threads aren't left hanging but are clearly still being worked into the tapestry of the series. The ending both leaves you wanting more and satisfied with what's gone on thus far.

I received an e-arc of this book through netgalley.

This is the first book by Axis Oh that I've read, and boy was it a good one to start with! I believe this book will be one of the most highly recommended books of the year!

Incredible. Axie growth of storytelling is apparent in her world building and shaping of the world. We do not know too much about the floating world but I am excited to read the continuation.

I love all the contrast. Good and evil. The Lore of the Woodcutter and the Celestial Maiden really played a role in this story. Floating world and the underworld. An angel and a demon.

Very nostalgia fantasy storytelling!
Love would definitely recommend

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

I enjoyed this one, it's a solid read and story and the lead up to the next book is really lovely.
The Floating World coincides with the Underworld that is below it. The Floating World has been ruled by a series of queens descended from the Celestial Maiden, a woman with wings and the power of light within her. Although the last several generations of Queens have lacked the celestial powers they were descended from. The nobles live above, the lesser folk below, and there's a great discrepancy in the quality of life between.

Both main characters have a past that they're leaving behind. They're haunted by it.
Ren a foundling of sorts lives with her aunt and uncles in a performing troupe, she lives her family. But has a secret, she must keep hidden to prevent those who seek her to hunt her to the ends of the earth. She lives in the outer rings away from the cities.
Sunho can't remember anything about himself until up to two years ago. He only knows two things, he was a former solider, and he has a brother. And he possesses some for of dark entity inside him that if he taps into it, can make him faster stronger and let him see in the dark but he keeps it locked down, he's a sword for hire in the Underworld.

Their pasts and futures are going to collide and both will be forced to look at themselves and accept the consequences and decide what they want to do in the future .
The romance is a sweet budding thing, soft and tender.

I did enjoy the set up and the world building, and I look forward to seeing Ren step into her own and use her power and lean on her own strength to find a way to help Sunho.

✨ The Floating World Book Review ✨

I wish I had this book growing up 🥺 I love the Korean representation sm 🇰🇷 Axie’s books always heals something in me ❤️‍🩹😭 Highly anticipated read and it did not disappoint! My favorite author y’all ✨ The Floating World felt like a perfect blend of her sci-fi debut Rebel Seoul and her magical fantasy The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea 🤌

Whenever I watched Ghibli films growing up, I always yearned to wander through more of the scenery, to peek around the corner, each artistic background showing hints of an expansive world that we, the viewers, could never fully explore. The Floating World had the same kind of Ghibli magic, but luckily I felt I could experience and explore the world in this book. The world building felt more immersive, expansive, and even more magical than Axie’s previous beloved books. We love the consistency and growth 🥹 I could imagine this world so vividly and some scenes sounded so breathtakingly beautiful that I teared up and had to reread my favorite scene towards the end multiple times. IT WAS MAGICAL ✨🪽🥺 I need ALL the artists out there to draw this scene once the book comes out…plz I’m on my knees 😭🙏

Once Ren and Sunho finally crossed paths, I couldn’t put the book down as the stakes rose. I love them, your honor 🥺🫰 The Floating World reminded me of many beloved Ghibli movies - Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle 🪽👀 There’s 3 POVs in TFW, but tbh I’m still trying to figure out the 3rd character’s motive. Hopefully book 2 expands on this character more to help me sympathize with him better cuz I’m still side eyeing his actions Y U DO DAT BRO 😒

The ending…my goodness…no spoilers but THE ENDING ENDED ME 😭😭😭🥺 I was in awe of the ending (while crying) because I really didn’t expect it ❤️‍🩹 Axie, you brilliant genius you but also…HOW COULD YOU 😭😭

…do it again. We love the pain 🤣

I can’t wait for the sequel to come out later this year cuz I need to know my babies will have their happy ending 🥺 If you love Studio Ghibli, Final Fantasy, and Korean folklore, you need to read this book 📚

Thank you so much for sending me a physical ARC to review 💖🥹🫶

For fans of:
Final Fantasy - specifically Cloud and Aerith, Ex-Soldier turned Mercenary, Materia as a concept loosely, celestial beings.
Arcane: The dynamic of an ‘above’ city and a ‘below’ city, children of the below city finding family and sticking together, having toxic materials and how the differing cities deal and adapt to it.
Shadow and bone: Light bringer/powered being, dark wielding beings.


TLDR:
Swordsman vs his hired mark
Slow, slooooooow burn romance; it’s not the main focus of either of them, but it is there in a soft, first-love way.
They protect each other
Found family

Enthralling fantastical world and characters from the very first page. Sunho, a swordsman for hire, is tasked with finding Ren, who is being hunted for having ‘light’ powers. We see each of their POVs throughout the book, which also allows us to see each of them before they meet and the circumstances that lead up to it.
I LOVED the dynamic between these two, as well as them as individual characters. Ren from the get-go, loves her family and her life with them dearly, but throughout the book, shows herself to be selfless and caring about those around her. Sunho wakes up with memory loss and is searching for his brother and answers to why he has immense power. He’s hired to find Ren and bring her back alive but ends up becoming her friend and protector as they travel together.
It’s a slow-burn romance, more of a slow-burn interest. Their main goal is survival, and over the book, their interest becomes apparent to themselves and one another.
But my god, the way they protected and spoke to one another? Absolute perfection.

I cannot WAIT for the second book to come out!

The Floating World is an outstanding adventure that reimagines the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens and invites readers into a world filled with intrigue, action, shock, and heart-wrenching discoveries, and heartwarming romance. I am blown away by the sheer visuals this story arose, the poignant character work it weaves, and the plot choices that fascinate and surprise.

Ren is part of a traveling troupe family who bring delight and cheers at every village they visit. She is loved and protected by her family, family not related by blood but by choice, who took a young, lost girl in when she needed someone most. Her past is one full of secrets--and of hidden legacy and power. A power when discovered will place her life in grave danger. Nevertheless, Ren will face whatever dangers head her way as she scours the land to find a cure for her uncle who was attacked by a strange monster. Ren journeys across the mountains for a cure, but her journey becomes one of self-discovery and choice, and it begins with deciding whether to help the injured boy sent to kill her. Sunho is a former soldier who works odd jobs to get by, with a goal to find answers he's been seeking-- and a brother he has lost. When tasked with finding a mysterious girl who wields a tantalizing power in the form of silver light, he finds himself on a journey that collides with the very girl he's looking for-- and the girl who he too will have a choice about. To turn her in or to protect her. Together, Ren and Sunho journey down a path of many choices and consequences, a path that will forever change them.

Both Ren and Sunho are excellent, captivating leads. I was so tuned into both of their individual arcs and backstories. They complement once another so beautifully, in both strength and vulnerability. Ren is open-hearted and generous, always looking out for others, taking care of them, placing herself at risk for their betterment. As she does with an injured Sunho. Sunho begins as a closed-off, isolated individual who prefers solitude to company, but Ren's company-- her light and warmth-- have him stepping out of the shadows and reaching his own hand to others. Forming tentative connections he so sorely needs. His courage, his bravery even in the face of perceived defeat, motivates Ren to face her own fears, becoming stronger with every step she takes. They are two halves of a whole, who lift each other up, who help each other out, and who choose each other even when the odds are against them. Their relationship is the core of this story, and it's one that you will embrace and pray will find a happy ending. For no two characters deserve it more, not after all they go through, both in the past and present.

But theirs isn't the only story told.

There is a surprise third POV I won't spoil; it comes in interludes but its importance becomes abundantly clear as the narrative unfurls. I'm extremely eager to see how this POV further develops in the next book-- and I hope a supporting player in that POV becomes more prominent as I quite liked the connection to that POV it entails.

All three POVs serve with great purpose, develop masterful character arcs, and intertwine in the most surprising ways.

The world-building in this tale is awe-inspiring. The detailing is vivid, and key information is dealt without ever feeling overwhelming, allowing the mind to construct this world. The world is feels so giant yet so accessible in its engagement and immersion. It felt almost tailored made for my preferences. The storytelling is impactful, it comes with twists and turns you may or may not see coming-- and with reveals that will both exalt the emotions and devastate the soul.

This book felt like a movie, it's gorgeously paced, it made my heart soar like the most cinematic movie score, and it left me in array of hope and desperation by its end. Let me go ahead and get in line for the sequel, because there's no way I'll be missing it!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.