The Floating World (The Floating World, #1)

MikoOctober 2026

★★★★☆

🌸⛅ 𝓐 𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓰𝓸𝓭𝓼, 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓼, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓸𝓯 𝓯𝓪𝓽𝓮 ⛅🌸 <i>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.</i> <blockquote>“Do you think we shine as brightly?” “I do. Though, I think, we shine a little brighter… Even in darkness, there is always light.”</blockquote> 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