I’ve now read 4 Axie Oh novels and THIS one might be my new favourite👀.

It felt like reading a Studio Ghibli film but in book form! I think the steampunk atmosphere was done well. I could vividly picture some scenes in this book that reminded me of Studio Ghibli films, especially Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away.

The character interactions always had me smiling from ear to ear from the wholesomeness🥹. I constantly had a hand over my heart like I was being shot with a Cupid’s arrow multiple times throughout the book😩😩 because Ren and Sunho are SO adorable‼️They literally give me cuteness aggression every time they interact😞🫶🏻. I felt like I was witnessing young, innocent love blooming between Ren and Sunho and it was so refreshing to see in a YA fantasy novel.

I liked that the 3 pov chapters helped to give deeper insight into the world building. The plot was fast-paced with each chapter including action-packed scenes. It’s not often that I feel a pit in my stomach😰 whenever I feel dread or anticipation in a book BUT this book made me feel that SOOO many times which meant I was that invested in the characters🙂‍↕️.

Overall, I’m excited for the sequel because I really liked how this one ended!!🤗

When Axie announced that this book would be a mixture between Final Fantasy x Castle In The Sky, as a fan of both of these, i just knew i had to read it! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I was flying through those pages. Especially, the second half. There's something about Axie's books that just give the best vibes and like i'm being transported to somewhere really magical. It's not something i can explain but i feel it within. If you know, you know.

I was captivated by the plot, the characters, the action, the world and so on. It felt fresh and i'm so glad not everything was predictable. I have a few theories about book two but i'll have to wait until it comes out or if i'm blessed with an arc of it to see if i'm correct. I'm so glad Axie had a few pov's in there so we could get better insight into the characters. She decided to not only do Ren's pov but Sunho's aswell and this just really tied the story together. It helped us understand the characters choices and emotions more. There was one more pov in there but i won't say who as i don't want to give anything away.

Our fmc was a ray of sunshine. It was nice to see her still be herself even after the trauma she has been through. Sunho is our shy boy who would not hesitate to protect those he loves. I love that about him and together the two were so cute. There was never a dull moment between them.

The book was filled with twists that sometimes i failed to predict. I love it when a book directs me one way but at the last second takes a different turn. Like i said earlier, i have my theories about book two. I just know the stakes are going to be high and that there'll be more heartbreak. I can't wait to see what happens next. You did it again, Axie. I'm completely hooked to your story.

Thank you to netgalley and hodder & stoughton for allowing me to read an e-arc for an honest review.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me an arc of The Floating World by Axie Oh.

Whilst I struggled a bit with the pacing at the start due to the switching POVs I came to thoroughly enjoy this book and was on the edge of my seat for most of it!
I especially like the world building as it did not feel too heavy or intricate but provided just enough to bring the magic to life. As a fellow kpop/kdrama lover I also loved seeing the Korean influences throughout the book.
The balance between fantasy, fighting and romance was just right too- rooting for Sunho and Ren in a second book like my life depends on it because they did not go through all that for nothing!!
Excited to see where the story goes with any sequels and forever thankful that whilst it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, Axie didn't leave me with something that would keep me up at night until the next book!

First of all, many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately I have conflicting feelings about this one. In my opinion we got off on a quite a rocky start. Felt like I got straight up dumped in the middle of the story without any warning and had to find my way through it, almost completely on my own.

It did really pick up for me when the two main characters met each other, I liked their dynamic, the fast paced storylines and the unexpected ways some of the characters were intertwined were a huge factor in my enjoyment of the story.

Sadly however, I still was unable to rate this any higher than the 3 stars I ended giving it. Although the author really tried, the worldbuilding felt almost incomplete to me. It honestly felt like I was already supposed to know half of the things, and it didn’t help that both of the main characters seemed to suffer from some kind of repressed memory.

The ending felt very sudden to me aswell, like there wasn’t any kind of built up for it, just came out of no where to me.

I am excited to see where the author will take this story next though!!

3/5

many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

i added this book so fast to the tbr when it was announced. i've read every other book by Axie Oh, and while XOXO and ASAP are always at the forefront of my mind when i think of her works, sometimes i forget she also penned The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and Rebel Seoul, stories set in a different world that ultimately dug out my heart in the best way possible.

when i started The Floating World, my first impression was that this reminds me a little of Arcane, such that the Floating World = Piltover, the Under World = Zaun and mithril = shimmer. the class disparity is well crafted in this book, and you can see how different it is not just in the way you can experience real weather and sunshine in the Floating World, but the poverty and crime that runs rampant in the Under World speaks for itself. i like how this is dealt with in a nuanced way, it's not the story but a part of it that has been accepted.

i really liked Sunho and Ren's story. yes it is a love story in the end but it isn't just that. i liked that (spoilers ahead!!) Ren is possibly the only one who sees Sunho's demon as a soothing presence rather than one to be feared, and Sunho eventually helps her get over her fear of heights from the day she lost her mother. they are so much more than just a love interest for each other and it shows. i normally dislike the amnesia trope, but i enjoyed slowly unravelling Sunho's past.

and Ren's troupe.... i know the found family is with Tag and Yurhee, but her with Hwi, Auntie, Big Uncle and Little Uncle... god the whole start of the story shattered my heart into PIECES i tell you.

okay i also have to admit Oh's lyrical writing did A Lot to bring their romance to life as well.

" since donning her mask, this was the closest she'd ever come to taking it off, if only to feel the steady beating of his heart. "

" 'if you had wings,' he said with all the sincerity he possessed, 'i'd want to see you fly.' "

" she sheltered him with his wings. and before then with her paper umbrella. under her shelter, he had never felt so safe. "

personally i don't really know how to feel about Jaeil as a character. there are three povs in this story, and there is always one that bores you and makes you want to skip. unfortunately it was Jaeil's for me. i didn't much care for his politicking with his father and Commander Su and Sana. but his intentions were always to save Ren, his childhood friend, even after ten years had passed and they both changed.

" but when he looked up at the sky, he thought only of the meadow— and the girl he'd met there— as he stood alone in the square, drenched in blood and starlight. "

that ending though. grrrrr. they finally kissed and the moment he felt her magic, of course he would get back the one memory that would shatter on— that he was the one who killed the brother he had been looking for. god he has gone full demon and i need to know what happens next!!

5⭐

This was my first Axie Oh book but it won't be my last, so beautifully written... I'm so glad that book two is coming out this year too cause I need to know how this ends!!!!

This book took hold of me from the very beginning. I would have devoured it if not cause I was so busy this past week... but I couldn't stop thinking about it.

The pace was immaculate. Really liked that Ren and Sunho got their own POVs, it made me understand them better and feel more attached to the characters. The way we were learning about their past was so well done. The whole story was captivating and heartbreaking at times. ( I did shed a few tears here and there...😢)

I'm sure fans of Studio Ghibli will love this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well…I have just finished reading this on my kindle and I have to say, I bloody loved it! Ren & Sunho are just the most loveliest characters, something so innocent and pure about their relationship and I loved how the author managed to capture that ‘love at first sight’ in such a non cringey way.
I was a massive fan of ‘the girl who fell beneath the sea’ and this book certainly did not disappoint. Axie Oh has an amazing ability to build the most incredible worlds and her use of language and description is second to none. There was action, there was romance, there were amusing sidekicks and stealing and there were dark twists and turns with family and some creepy science experiments. I did find the first quarter of the book a little difficult to engage with and keep focus but I’m so glad I preserved with it and it was an extremely enjoyable read and I shall be very much looking forward to book 2 in this series and how our magical princess overcomes her trials and tribulations!

“You were always soft, but that’s what made you strong. I won’t ask you to seek revenge. In the end, I’m just glad it was a friend.”

Axie Oh has a certain distinctive style, and this book didn’t disappoint. The world-building is vivid and immersive, the characters are lovable, and the pacing of the book was fast enough to keep me turning the pages, but with slower moments that allowed me to connect with the characters in a deeper way. It definitely gave Studio Ghibli vibes, with some unexpectedly painful moments. It manages to be both cosy and heartwarming while also ghastly and violent.
I could always tell where the plot was headed, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the book. Ren is a ray of sunshine, despite the horrible things that happen to her, and it’s impossible not to cheer for her! Sunho is also delightful, so sweet and compassionate despite his past, and I’m very curious about his arc in book 2. The found family aspect is also something I really enjoy in books, and here there’s plenty of it, and I can’t wait to (hopefully) see them interact more.
The only issue I had was that sometimes the passage from one scene to the next was a little sudden, and I felt like I had missed a piece somewhere, however that could have been a me problem or something that gets fixed before the book comes out.
Overall, I highly recommend the book, and will be anxiously waiting for the second one!
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder, and the author for the arc!

As usual, Axie Oh is writing wonderful worlds with intricate plots and so much imagination. And as usual - sadly - I fail to connect with them.

I hate to admit that it took me forever to get through this book, and I wasn't able to really feel for any of the characters.

As I am sure that it's a me problem, not a book problem, I will leave the review like this. And still encourage you to give it a try, because I think there is much to be discovered.

3,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#FloatingWorld #Netgalley #Bookstagram

my 2025 started discovering the books of axie oh and i have to say that they were a very pleasant surprise even refreshing if i must admit and the floating world didn’t disappoint!

this story’s combines a lot of various and interesting aspects such as romance, adventure,fantasy (as u can sense by seeing both of the beautiful covers) with the most unique that’s the korean mythology!
these aspects are amazingly well portrayed through the story development and i could imagine myself being captured and taken in this unique story with the characters ready for the adventure! for this it’s easily to say that if u are in the need for an unexpected escape from our world to a floating one just go for it because it was truly an experience and i can’t wait to read book n.2 soon!!

this book’s a truly great one for teens and ya but it’s also worth one for all ages in the end trust me because I’m not exactly a teen since i’m in my 20s but i’m just a very passionate reader and this one it’s one of the most original books i’ve read this year!

a lot of thanks to netgalley,hodder & stoughton for giving the opportunity to read this story in exchange for my honest opinion!

The floating world is an original book, with interesting characters, an action-packed storyline and a rich and complex universe even if i could definitely see how the plot would play out. Nevertheless i really appreciated the relationship between the characters, especially between Ren and Sunho, I thought their romance to be absolutely the cutest and it was nice to see their relationship evolve.
I hope we’ll get to see more from jaeil in the sequel!

Thank you to Hodderscape and Netgalley for a free arc, all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars rounded up

The Floating World is the fantastic first book in a duology. I absolutely must get my hands on the second book because this one completely gripped me! I fell in love with Ren and Sunho as they went on their journey across this world and uncovered mysteries along the way.

The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous writing style. Axie Oh created a vivid world, helped along with great world-building, that I could imagine clearly while reading. The atmosphere was reminiscent of my favourite Ghibli movies.

The pacing was also perfect. Most of the time, the plot was moving at an enjoyably fast speed, with pockets of time carved out for the slower moments. This meant that the sweet character interactions were not at the expense of the wider plot progression. As always, I loved the found family aspects, too. There were a few plot twists throughout, and I actually gasped out loud in shock a few times! I can't wait to see how things unravel in the second book because the ending of this one had me wanting to keep reading. I am so glad that Axie Oh decided to publish both halves in one year.

The only reason this was 4.5 stars and not 5 for me was because I had some questions about the motivations of some side characters. Perhaps this will be cleared up in the next book, and it was intentional. I'll have to see. Overall, I loved this story. It was a blend of fantasy and romance that worked very well for me. Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for providing this e-ARC for an honest review.

Ren and her family, performers and acrobats, are in the middle of a village performance when they are attacked by a demon, leaving her uncle gravely injured. Frightened Ren releases a power that she has tried to keep hidden for the last 10 years. In the aftermath she is determined to do everything in her power to save her uncle, so she sets out to travel to the place she swore to never return to. Along the way she meets Sunho, a former soldier from the Under World, who was hired to track down and safely bring back a girl who can wield light magic. The story follows these two as their paths intertwine and they navigate their journey, each with their own goals and secrets.

Having already read a book by the author I was really looking forward to diving into this one and I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
The story was very fast paced and the writing style straight forward and easy to understand, though it at times seemed a bit dry.
However, the action-packed plot made it impossible to be bored and the worldbuilding, inspired by Korean folklore, was original and immersive. There were also some well-executed twists and turns that kept me hooked.
Sunho and Ren are lovable protagonists, and I felt for them and cheered them on throughout their journey. Minor characters, such as Yurhee, Tag, Jaeil and Rens found family also added depth and were valuable additions to the story.
My only complaint is that the book could have been longer. I feel like that way there would have been more room for certain elements to be elaborated and explored in greater depth which would have benefited the overall clarity, suspense and engagement, thus enhancing its overall impact.
Nonetheless this was a beautiful first installment in a planned duology and I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel!

3.5 stars rounded up.

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

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7180527812
StoryGraph https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/6aaf2dd4-5e60-443f-b989-96f029adba83

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 5 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.

I am a massive Axie Oh fan, so when I started reading The Floating World , I knew for a fact that I would adore this book. Filled with that classic charming Axie Oh writing, I loved everything about this book, it is perfection.

The world-building feels like a mix of steampunk, filled with vibes similar to Studio Ghibli, but also rife with danger as you would see in Shadow & Bone (which is a very apt comp!). I love the concept of floating cities, how they work, and how they could exist (if they could). The way they were written about in this book, by showing us what material it relied on to function, made it feel so real that you could easily see yourself walking the streets. And in general, the world-building was so immersive, I loved everything about it.

Ren has quickly made her way into becoming one of my favourite protagonists that I have read about so far this year. She is determined and brave, and at the same, has a good sense of humour. And although she has lost a lot, and is in constant danger due to mercenaries catching up to her, she stays compassionate and kind, and is kinda funny too. She is very quick on her feet, and her intelligence shines through. Although coming from an entirely different background then Ren, Sunho shares some similarities with her. Though he has to fight to survive in a cruel world, he is compassionate too. He is brave and willing to rush into danger to save anyone. He is honestly so endearing.

Their paths don't cross for a while, and that allows us to see how their characters are without each other. And once they meet, it is so so easy to love their relationship. They have their own individual yet, at the same time, deeply intertwined arcs. Some people might think that their friendship happens a little quicker, but honestly, considering their character arcs and everything else that happens in the story, makes perfect sense.

Let's talk about the last quarter of the book because it is action-packed fast-paced. The revelations that have come out throughout the book slowly culminate into highly intense scenes. Even then there's things we don't know about yet, which makes even more excited for book 2! The climax and the subsequent ending is hopeful, but also leaves you with an inkling of the dangers to come.

The Floating World was an absolutely incredible read and I am so so glad that book 2 is coming out this year because I desperately need more of these characters! (i hope i get an arc for that one too!!)

🌟 "He could taste her magic, like drinking starlight."🌟
Just finished the Arc of this INCREDIBLE book by @axieoh.
Everyone who knows me knows that the girl who fell beneath the sea is one of my favorite books and that after reading it I also devoured Axie's books X.O.X.O and ASAP. As this was marketed as having final fantasy vibes too (which if you also know me you'll know I have poured ungodly amounts of hours into ffxiv) I just HAD to have an arc of this book from @netgalley (tysm I love you netgalley!)

The entire premise of the book, to me, was simply incredible. This book captures everything I love to read and mixes my love of books and gaming together with the epic world building and final fantasy vibes that eminate from within the writing and the tone that Axie uses.
The characters are beautifully fleshed out, including the side characters which I hope we get to see much much more of in the next book!
I loved the chemistry between the two main characters Ren and Sunho but not only them but the family and friendship bonds that they have with others such as Ren with Auntie, Hwi, and Little and Big uncle and then Sunho with Tag and Yurhee. The found family within both of these sets of bonds as so different but both so beautifully written.
I also loved the mix of science and magic within the book and that the demons within the book are essentially man made through genetic remodelling using mithril.
I cannot wait for book 2 and to dive back into their world again!
Another 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 book from the wonderful Axie Oh who never dissapoints with her epic writing skills.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That story was perfection.

Omg I lived the parallels with dark and light and the demons and how cosy it was but gory?!!

It felt whimsical at times and heartbreaking in others???

Axie has done a beautiful job with this story and I am OBSESSED.

Please consider me for book 2 arc when it is available. This has been my TOP READ IN 2025 and I am in awe that I got to read it early.

I've heard of Axie Oh before now, but I never read anything before this
I might have to go back and read her other books now

This was so so good!!

Very atmospheric
Very tense
Very cosy

To me, The Floating World felt very Ghibli-esque:

The found family was incredible, I love it when people decide they're friends because they've all been through the shit.

The subtle romance of "hey, what's this new feeling I'm feeling?" and them just fumbling around trying to save each other was perfection!

The ending is so exciting and I absolutely can't wait for book 2: The Demon and the Light!!

The Floating World was amazing!! I had a teaser sample from YALC which completely captivated me so was so happy when I was approved on here. There was SO much that happened in this book I don't know where to begin but despite that it was still easy to keep track and follow the plot line. It was packed full of action, so many twists and turns, Ren and Sunho were fantastic characters that were so likeable and I was truly so invested in their journeys (individually and as a team later on in the book). I enjoyed it being from 3 different POVs (Sunho, Ren and Jaeil) which really added so many levels to the story and kept you reading faster to find out what happens to each one. Ren is fab, despite everything shes been through she is still positive and happy and hasn't lost her gentler side, even though it would have been easy to just create a hard exterior to protect herself. Sunho is such an intriguing character and so perfect for Ren that they really balance each other out and I loved seeing how they feelings for each other developed throughout. I enjoyed learning about different folklore and culture and how it was interweaved throughout the story with the added fantasy elements. I felt so much for Jaeil as he was so conflicted with what to do. THAT ENDING though!! Please I need book two!!

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

This was my first Axie Oh book and now I know it's not going to be the last. This book was so immersive and beautifully written, I simply could not put it down.

Without giving any spoilers, I can say that the dynamic between the main characters is what I liked the most. The mysteries about themselves they need to uncover will make you fall in love with them little by little. The setting reminded me a lot of a Ghibli film (Castle in the Sky maybe?) and I loved it. The way all the landscapes and worlds are described was just delightful to read and really easy to imagine without the descriptions becoming boring or too much.

What I will say is that even though I know this book is not out yet, I really need book 2 - that ending?! We need more!