The Floating World (Floating World, 1) [Oh, Axie]

Author: Axie Oh

From Axie Oh, the New York Times-bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Final Fantasy meets Shadow and Bone in this lighthearted romantic fantasy reimagining the Korean legend of Celestial Maidens.

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 he 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.

Meanwhile, far to the east, Ren is a cheerful and spirited acrobat traveling with her adoptive family and performing at villages. But everything changes during one of their festival performances when the village is attacked by a horrific humanlike demon. In a moment of fear and rage, Ren releases a blast of silver light--a power she has kept hidden since childhood--and kills the monster. But her efforts are not in time to prevent her adoptive family from suffering a devastating loss, or to save her beloved uncle from being grievously wounded.

Determined to save him from succumbing to the poisoned wound, Ren sets off over the mountains, where the creature came from--and from where Ren herself fled ten years ago. Her path sets her on a collision course with Sunho, but he doesn't realize she's the girl that he--and a hundred other swords-for-hire--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...

Praise for The Floating World:

"The Floating World has everything I love in a fantasy story: A grand adventure that perfectly balances romance and humor, set in a uniquely magical world. ... An enthralling read to the very last page." --Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison

"Axie Oh has crafted an exquisite tale filled with mythology, heart, romance and magic, set in a remarkable and intricate world that enthralled me. ... Am already excited for the sequel!" --Sue Lynn Tan, New York Times-bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Also by Axie Oh
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
The Demon and the Light


Publisher: Macmillan Publishers (MPS)
Published: 04/29/2025
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.06oz
Size: 8.40h x 5.70w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9781250853080

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 02/03/2025
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2025

About the Author
Axie Oh is the New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, the Floating World duology, XOXO and ASAP, and the Rebel Seoul series. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, she studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California San Diego and holds an MFA in Writing for Young People from Lesley University. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea, and she currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dogs, Toro and Leila.