The Floating World by Axie Oh is a beautifully crafted fantasy novel that draws readers into a richly imagined world inspired by Korean culture and folklore. The story follows Hana, a young woman who disguises herself as a man to enter the imperial army, driven by a desire to protect her family and uncover dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of her kingdom.

Axie Oh’s writing is vivid and immersive, painting a picture of a world filled with spirits, political intrigue, and complex characters. The novel seamlessly blends elements of magic and tradition, creating a narrative that feels fresh and authentic. Hana’s journey is both thrilling and emotional, balancing action-packed scenes with moments of introspection and growth.

The character development is one of the book’s strongest points. Hana is a compelling protagonist whose courage and resilience make her easy to root for. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, offering a mix of allies and adversaries who add depth to the story.

The whole experience reminds me of the best of a Studio Ghibli film, with its enchanting atmosphere, heartfelt emotions, and strong sense of wonder. It is a story that stays with you long after the final page.

I’m also pleased to see that a lovely special edition is now available, making this beautiful tale even more of a treasure for fans and collectors.

While the plot moves at a steady pace, the rich cultural details and atmospheric setting keep readers engaged throughout. The Floating World is a great choice for fans of fantasy looking for a story that combines adventure with cultural richness and strong, nuanced characters.

Overall, Axie Oh delivers a captivating debut that stands out for its unique world-building and heartfelt storytelling.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this eARC.

Axie Oh truly writes such beautiful prose and the most loveable characters. Based on Korean mythology, this story is well developed, with fully fleshed out characters, world building (however would have liked a little bit more of it), a found family that is endearing and a romance that is sweet to its core.
There is a perfect balance between plot and character for me and led to me absolutely adoring and connecting with the characters whilst engaging with the plot (that cliff hanger - excuse me!! Book 2 was needed yesterday!!)
Overall this story was was a fantastic start to this duology.

At this point I would read Axie Oh's shopping list. Oh just writes such magical mesmerising stories that blow me away everytime and I always get the same dreaded feeling of having to face the reality of coming back to the real world when I finish her books. I am so desperate for book two, and equally excited.

SHE DOES IT AGAIN!! i would literally read Axie Oh’s shopping list if she’d let me. Her writing is so magical and so immersive that i never ever want her books to end

First of all, thank you so much NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

The Floating World by Axie Oh is a lush romantic fantasy that blends action, mystery, and magic with emotionally-driven characters. I really enjoyed the core storyline - especially the bond between Ren and Sunho, which had all the charm of a classic grumpy-sunshine and strangers-to-lovers dynamic. The tropes were well-used, and the emotional undercurrent of the “lost princess and the beast” vibe made their journey feel both intimate and epic.

One of the things I appreciated most was the multiple POVs, which added layers to the plot and gave insight into the characters’ motivations. That said, not every perspective felt essential - the third one in particular didn’t contribute much and slightly slowed down the pacing. Still, Ren and Sunho’s arcs held my attention, and I genuinely cared about how their pasts would unravel and collide.

My main critique is the world-building. The premise promises sweeping, multi-world stakes, but the setting often felt underdeveloped, especially for a story involving amnesia, hidden identities, and magical realms. With richer detail, the stakes could’ve hit harder, and the emotional weight would’ve felt more grounded. That said, it’s still an engaging fantasy with heart, action, and a cast you want to root for—solid and enjoyable, even if it left me wanting a bit more depth.

The first book in a YA fantasy romance duology.

We follow two main characters - Sunho, who lives in the Under World. All he remembers is waking up two years ago with only his name and sword. Since then, all he has done is take up all kinds of odd-jobs. Including hunting down a girl who can wield silver light.

Our second main character is Ren, a cheerful and spirited acrobat traveling with her adoptive family. She hides a dangerous secret, a kind of power that, while she tries to protect her family from a terrible creature, will place a bounty on her head.

Ren sets off over the mountains where the creature came from. Her path sets her on a collision course with Sunho, but he doesn't realize she's the girl that he is looking for. As the two grow closer through their travels, they come to realize that their pasts—and destinies—are far more entwined than either of them could have imagined...



Reading it, I had a strange sense of déjà vu about Final Fantasy X....

In The Floating World, Axie Oh weaves a rich, imaginative tale that blends fantasy, folklore, and quiet romance into an engaging young adult adventure. The story centers on Ren, a young acrobat who has spent the past ten years living with her adoptive circus family after the tragic death of her mother. Though she seems like any ordinary performer, Ren harbors a dangerous secret—a mysterious, silver-tinged power that she’s kept hidden from those around her. When a terrifying demon attacks her village, Ren is forced to unleash this power, revealing her true nature as she defeats the creature. The victory comes at a price: her uncle is poisoned during the encounter, and the only way to save him is to travel to the place the monster originated from—launching Ren on a perilous journey far from home.

Meanwhile, Sunho, once a soldier in the underworld, awakens on the mortal plane with no memory of who he is, save for the sword in his hand and a haunting sense of purpose. Rumors swirl of a girl who wields a silver light—and the bounty on her head is enough to draw mercenaries from all corners. Hoping the lead might help unlock the secrets of his past, Sunho boards a mystical train filled with other bounty hunters. When an attack derails his path, fate intervenes: he crosses paths with a masked Ren. Though neither fully trusts the other, the two form a reluctant alliance, each hoping the other might be the key to what they seek.

Inspired by the Korean folktale of the Celestial Maidens, The Floating World manages to pay homage to its mythological roots without overwhelming the reader. Even those unfamiliar with the original tale will find the folklore woven into the narrative with a gentle, accessible touch. This aspect of the story, often a stumbling block in retellings, is handled with such care and subtlety that it enhances rather than hinders the reading experience.

Another refreshing element is the romance—sweet and understated, it never overshadows the characters’ individual arcs or the larger plot. The relationship between Ren and Sunho unfolds slowly and stays firmly in YA territory, adding emotional depth without becoming a central focus.

Overall, The Floating World exceeded my expectations. The plot is compelling and surprisingly easy to follow, even as it explores themes of memory, identity, and destiny. While the ending leaves a few questions lingering and the story open-ended, it sets the stage nicely for a sequel, which is expected later this year. Readers looking for a fantasy rooted in culture, with thoughtful world-building and just a hint of romance, will find much to love in this atmospheric and adventurous novel.

4.5 stars!

Just to say, the US cover is a lot more appropriate than the UK cover IMO - this has some pretty dark, gruesome moments in it and the UK cover (and especially the Fairyloot edition) makes it look like some fairytale cutesy story! There are elements of it that are fairytale / cutesy - esque... but there are also demons, child soldiers, humans being experimented on, murders, etc etc... like it gets pretty dark!!

And of course, if you know me, you know I love my demon - horror - dark - fantastical - vibes, so I loved this one. :P

Highlights:
- 3 perspectives
- Mystery element cause 1 character has lost his memories
- Based on Korean folklore
- 1st in duology, 2nd book coming out this year
- Marketed as fantasy romance -> the romance is important but it's slow burn and sweet, there is a huge focus on the fantastical plot as well
- Descriptions of demons graphic / cool
- Fight scenes very cinematic
- Gripping story line
- Heavily inspired by Final Fantasy 7, if you've played it you'll see the nods to it immediately
(the Sephiroth theme song was playing in my head a lot!)
- Also quite Studio Ghibli - esque in parts... the lighter parts!!
💕💕

Overall really loved it, and read it at a time that I was very stressed so really needed the escapism! 💕

A beautifully written, epic fantasy with fantastic world building and characters I loved from the first pave. The Floating World is fast paced and filled with secrets and twists. A must read for anyone who loved The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.

🌸⛅ 𝓐 𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓰𝓸𝓭𝓼, 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓯𝓪𝓽𝓮 ⛅🌸

Sunho is a mercenary in the Under World, a land shrouded in darkness, with no memories beyond his name and blade. When he’s offered a hefty reward to find a girl who wields silver light, he takes the job, unaware that his target may be far more connected to his past than he realizes.

Ren is a bright, free-spirited acrobat whose hidden powers resurface in the wake of a deadly attack. Desperate to save her uncle from a poisoned wound, she travels into the mountains, returning to the place she once fled and crossing paths with a swordsman who doesn’t know who she really is.
As their fates slowly intertwine, secrets unravel, and the lines between past and present begin to blur.

“Do you think we shine as brightly?”
“I do. Though, I think, we shine a little brighter… Even in darkness, there is always light.”

Inspired by Korean mythology, The Floating World reimagines the story of the celestial maiden in a world filled with spirits, secrets, and second chances. Told through multiple POVs, the narrative sweeps across realms and lives, offering glimpses into love, sacrifice, and destiny.

The story moves at a quick pace, which made it really easy to get into. I appreciated that flow, especially paired with the different perspectives, it gave the story more texture and helped me connect with the characters. However, I did find the plot a little simple at times. The world sounded incredible, and I was really intrigued by the concept, but I kept wishing there was more depth and richness in the world-building.

The romance didn’t completely hook me. It felt a bit rushed and didn’t have quite the emotional pull I was hoping for. That said, I still cared about the characters and am really curious to see how things continue in the sequel.

This wasn’t my first book by Axie Oh. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea holds that spot, and I loved it more, but The Floating World was an interesting read nevertheless. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, mythology-infused fantasy with layered characters and a touch of romance, this is a good place to start.

📅 The Floating World was released on April 29, 2025.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Axie Oh, and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 5

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea made a lasting impression so I didn't take much of a risk with picking up Axie Oh's new book. She is still as good as I remembered. This book is exactly what I expect from an Asian folklore-inspired romantic fantasy, and I look forward to the sequel.

This was… okay. The idea was intriguing but I found myself having to push through it to finish the book and I have to admit I have no strong interest to see how the story ends with book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Once again Axie Oh created an incredibly creative world with many unique components. The originality of the world building really comes through in the imagery. I think it's definately a strong point of Oh's. However, the strongest part of this book has to be the demons, or rather the emotional toll behind the crreation of the the demons. It was both horrifying and heartbreaking. This particular layer added a deeper fell to the story as a whole. The class dnamics that were intertwined throughout the plot was something I really appreaciated because it felt authentic and natural instead of being an add on.

Axie Oh has easily become an autobuy author for me.

If there was a book perfectly blending the themes, visuals, action sequences and characters of anime and video games like Final Fantasy, the Tales series and Studio Ghibli it would be undoubtably Axie Oh’s newest release The Floating World.

Through the viewpoints of Ren and Sunho, both outrunning their past and colliding together to beat the odds set against them, we travel the vibrant settings of the Underworld, the Boarder Lands and the Floating World. Ren, the lost princess of the Floating World, is a performer travelling with her adoptive family’s caravan. After her beloved Uncle’s are attacked and mortally wounded by a mysterious beast she decides to journey to find a cure to save the one who survived. Sunho, hiding a similar mysterious beast inside of himself dubbed ‘the demon’, is trying to survive paycheck to paycheck to ultimately find his lost brother. When he takes on a bounty to locate the lost princess of the Floating World the truth behind his inner demon, his brother and the looming force of the Sareniyan military becomes intertwined with him and Ren, and they will have to confront it together.

With the split viewpoints we are rewarded with very different visual settings; the grimey Underworld echoing a similar sensibility to Arcane and Ghost In The Shell and the Border Lands which remind me of the beautiful field landscapes and towns in both Ghibli films and Dororo. Having both Ren and Sunho helps bring different paces to the story. The opposing military force, the Seriniyans and the overall politics are a little underdeveloped but this first look into the series does well to attach us to the characters first, and then hopefully the politics later.

This book was a visual feast and despite that I found it to be lacking in imagery, it very effectively set your imagination into a screen for the story to unfold. Oh writes each scene in The Floating World like its happening right in front of you, a fast paced storyboard you can only sit back and watch happen. However, to contradict myself, I fear that if you don’t have experience with the common themes and visuals in particular anime and video games you may not have this experience. Because of that, this book could’ve done well to develop its functional visual descriptions, especially with the settings and mechanics. A map would also help with this too, so I hope there will be one included with the final when released.

‘𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎.’

I often thought there were some gimmicks and cliches in this book, like some of the side characters, however I also think these tropes and moments of predictability is what gives it the anime-like charm and will appeal to a wider YA audience. The rag tag team feels so quintessentially anime, evoking the found family in shows like Eureka 7 even if I was looking for some more development with the overall cast. Hopefully we will see them again, as well as some deeper exploration into the politics and geography, in the second installation of this series releasing later this year.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book The Demon and the Light and if you are specifically someone who grew up on the Tales games and anime adaptions, Final Fantasy and old school shonen anime, pick up The Floating World, even if you read YA or not. And if you are indeed a young adult who wants to read something that is influenced by your favourite action adventure animes and games, you’re in for a treat.

The Floating World is one of those stories that seem to be taken out of a rare and precious dream. Imagine trains full of mercenaries, a dark underworld covered by poisonous clouds, mines where you don't even want to breathe ... and on top of all that (literal), a world that floats. Yes, float. This all sounds chaotic, but Axie Oh tells it so delicately that at no time does she feel overloaded. It's like being in a Ghibli movie but with more blood, more secrets and more broken heart.

Here's a little bit of everything: swords, cloudy science, broken and reunited families, people who forget important things, and others who just want to remember who they were before the pain. But the strongest thing is not the action, but what lies below: a story about healing wounds, about being vulnerable without being weak, about finding your identity again even when you think you lost it forever.

At first I had a hard time connecting with Ren, the protagonist. I felt her a little innocent for everything she was living. And the narrative style had me half outside. But when the book grabbed me ... it didn't let me go anymore. The relationship with Sunho, the former soldier who carries more past than he can process, is one of those who cook slowly. And when he first tells her his name ... oh. AY.

The rhythm of the book starts calmly, half like those games full of secondary missions where you do not know very well where you are going but still follow. And suddenly: boom! Emotion, revelations, climax. The ending left me wanting more — more fight, more drama, more Jaeil.

Thank you very much Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐️

I’ve loved Axie Oh’s previous work, but this one didn’t quite hit the same for me. I struggled with the writing early on and something about the flow just didn’t grab me.

That said, once things got going, I started to enjoy it much more! The imagery and atmosphere were definite highlights, and I really appreciated how distinct and well-defined the characters felt.

The first half juggles a lot of moving parts, but they come together in the second half to reveal a narrative that’s deep, complex, and rewarding. A bit of a slow burn, but worth the wait in the end.

3.8 stars

I greatly enjoyed this book until very end of it. Very easy to read books with similar vibes to Axie Oh's The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea.

I loved the world, the plot and how nice main characters are. While the plot gets rather dark at times and the reality of their world is grim, Ren makes it feel so much more light then it is. She is a very lovely character.

Romance is light, and background to the plot. I am not fan of romantasy, and I was a bit on edge with this book being label as such. But compared to many other romantasy books, this one had a perfect balance and enjoyable level to me. Nothing explicit nor too focused on it.

The book ends very abruptly and feels like with another 100-150 pages we could have concluded the story. I can very likely guess how the plot will go and end, unless we get some more information that changes it. Though I see sequel is to have 400 pages, so maybe there will be more to it then I expect.

I plan to read the next book and I am excited that it's already coming later this year. :D

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!

I think YA audiences would probably enjoy this more than I did - and would say it's for fans of Chloe Gong and Sue Lynn Tan.

I thought the story was fine - but it was pretty predictable and I don't think did anything spectacularly well. I didn't feel like the characters or world were very well fleshed out, so am not really sure how this will keep momentum going for a duology. I liked that we weren't infodumped information, but it felt like elements of the world like the toxic metal were only explained right when we needed them to be for the plot, so it was hard to get a sense of purpose from some of the different threads.

I liked we didn't get full-blown romance but I also didn't quite know what was drawing them so close together, and of course both of them kind of have amnesia and hidden identities so it felt like you didn't really get to know either of them. The dynamic between the three characters we got perspectives from could have been really interesting, but there just wasn't enough there for me to grip into.

I also liked that Ren wasn't immediately keen to accept this higher duty, but she changed her mind pretty quickly and without much conflict, which I think sums up a lot of this book. Things were happening that were objectively interesting, but it just kind of felt we were moving through the paces and didn't have much emotional connection to what was happening. Since it was pretty predictable and convenient at times too, it just felt like standard YA fantasy to me and could have easily been a standalone.

I think if you were like a younger teen you would probably enjoy this though, and like The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea it is nice to see YA fantasy books that are actually YA!

I had low expectations for this one, but I ended up enjoying it more than TGWFBTS.

However, I had a bit of difficulty understanding the world inside. I imagined that all nobles lived floating up there, while lower-ranking citizens ended up on earth. And in between, there were mythril mines that made the world float.

But the story itself was quite entertaining; it reminded me a bit of the anime Full Metal Alchemist. The characters were all quite likable, but maybe Ren needed a bit more of a badass side. For sure, I'm going to wait for the sequel.

I was really disappointed in this book. There was nothing especially wrong with it, but it didn’t catch my imagination the way The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea did. I liked the characters and it had some really good ideas, but it all just fell flat for me.

I liked the story of the celestial maidens. I would like to see more about their history. Did they come from the floating world or from elsewhere? What led to them becoming the queens/ goddesses? I hope this is explored in the next book.

Ren was a good character but I felt her drive to save her uncle wasn’t present enough. She was worrying about getting back to him on time while going through the mountain, but after that she didn’t seem so worried about time anymore. Even a comment that the travel was going quicker now would have reassured me as the reader that she hadn’t forgotten.

Overall, this just didn’t hit the spot for me. I hope the next book is better.