The Floating World marks another enchanting entry in Axie Oh’s growing repertoire of fantasy novels infused with Korean mythology. Following the success of her New York Times bestseller The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, Oh once again plunges readers into a richly imagined world where legends breathe and destinies intertwine. Set across realms of light and darkness, this novel weaves a mesmerizing tapestry of found family, forbidden romance, and the rediscovery of one’s true identity.
Layered Worlds and Vivid Settings
Oh excels at world-building, crafting distinct realms that feel both magical and tangible. The novel’s duality of worlds mirrors its thematic exploration of light and darkness:
- The Under World: A realm of perpetual darkness beneath the Floating World, divided into nine wards with varying degrees of poverty and wealth. The atmospheric descriptions of murky streets, failing electricity, and the constant struggle for survival create a palpable sense of oppression.
- The Floating World: A celestial land that floats above, bathed in light and teeming with natural beauty—yet harboring corruption and political machinations beneath its pristine surface.
- The Border Lands: The mountainous regions and villages caught between these worlds serve as perfect transitional spaces where characters discover their true natures.
What makes these settings particularly effective is how Oh interweaves them with the characters’ emotional journeys. When Ren navigates the Reed Fields or the tunnels beneath the mountains, the physical journey mirrors her internal one. Similarly, Sunho’s climb through the mithril mines represents his desperate yearning to reach beyond his circumstances.
The detailed description of the Festival of Light—when moonlight cascades through the Sky Door into the darkness below—serves as both spectacular imagery and potent metaphor for the story’s themes of illumination piercing through obscurity.
Character Complexity and Growth
The dual protagonists, Ren and Sunho, represent Oh’s strongest character work to date. Their development across the narrative follows satisfying and believable arcs:
Ren: A Reluctant Celestial
Ren begins as a spirited troupe performer whose identity is firmly rooted in her adopted family. Her transformation from someone who “worked hard to be nobody” to accepting her heritage as Sareniya’s heir feels earned rather than predetermined. Her struggle with her powers—learning that they stem not from fear but from belief in herself—provides a compelling emotional through-line.
What’s particularly refreshing is Oh’s decision to make Ren’s journey not simply about reclaiming her birthright but questioning the very foundation of that right. Ren’s final choice to return to the Floating World comes not from ambition but from a desire to heal broken systems—making her heroism more complex and meaningful.
Sunho: The Demon Within
Sunho’s journey from amnesiac sword-for-hire to confronting his horrific past delivers the novel’s most heart-wrenching moments. His gradual recovery of memories—culminating in the devastating revelation that he killed his own brother—creates genuine emotional weight. His transformation into the very demon he fears represents the novel’s darkest moment, yet lays groundwork for potential redemption.
The supporting cast also shines, particularly:
- Yurhee and Tag: The thieves-with-hearts-of-gold provide both comic relief and emotional anchoring for the protagonists
- Jaeil: The conflicted captain whose complicated relationship with Ren introduces moral ambiguity
- Auntie, Big Uncle, and Little Uncle: Though we lose Big Uncle early, the found family dynamic establishes the emotional stakes that drive Ren’s journey
Mythology and Magic: Korean Legends Reimagined
Oh draws inspiration from the Korean folktale of the Celestial Maiden, whose wings were stolen by a woodcutter, forcing her to remain earthbound until she could reclaim them and return to the heavens. This foundational story threads throughout the novel, becoming more than backdrop—it actively shapes the characters’ understanding of themselves and their world.
The magic systems show particular creativity:
- Ren’s celestial powers: Her ability to manifest wings and wield light that evolves from instinctive protection to conscious control
- The mithril experiments: The serum that transforms humans into demons creates terrifying yet tragic monsters
- Sunho’s demon transformation: A dark mirror to Ren’s celestial evolution
The Korean mythological elements feel organic rather than forced, enriching the narrative while allowing Oh to explore themes of belonging, identity, and fate.
Pacing and Structure: A Journey with Purpose
Divided into four acts that correspond to different locations, the novel maintains a brisk pace while allowing room for character development. The structure effectively mirrors the heroes’ journey:
- A World in Darkness: Establishes both protagonists in their separate lives
- Light Breaks: Brings Ren and Sunho together, developing their connection
- The Under World: Tests their relationship while revealing deeper mysteries
- The Floating World: Culminates in confrontation and transformation
While the middle sections occasionally lag during transitional passages, the novel regains momentum during key action sequences and emotional revelations. The final confrontation at the Sky Door delivers a satisfying climax that resolves immediate conflicts while setting up the sequel.
Romance: A Connection Beyond Words
The developing relationship between Ren and Sunho provides the emotional center of the novel. What makes their connection compelling is its foundation in mutual support rather than instant attraction:
- They complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses
- Their relationship develops gradually through shared experiences
- Their promise to protect each other (and its sealing) creates a genuinely touching moment
Oh wisely avoids making the romance the sole focus, instead allowing it to enhance the larger themes of finding light in darkness. The relationship never feels forced or rushed, making their separation at the novel’s end genuinely poignant.
Narrative Voice and Style
Oh’s prose strikes a balance between lyrical description and straightforward storytelling. Her writing particularly shines during:
- Descriptive passages of the natural world
- Action sequences that maintain clarity while conveying urgency
- Emotional introspection that reveals character without becoming maudlin
Shifting between Ren and Sunho’s perspectives allows readers intimate access to both protagonists while maintaining narrative momentum. Oh occasionally introduces other viewpoints (like Jaeil’s) to broaden the story’s scope without losing focus.
Thematic Depth: Beyond Light and Dark
While The Floating World works as an engaging fantasy adventure, its thematic richness elevates it beyond genre conventions:
- Identity vs. Destiny: Both protagonists wrestle with predetermined roles versus chosen paths
- Trauma and Healing: The novel doesn’t shy away from showing how past wounds shape present choices
- Systems of Power: The political structures of both worlds reveal how power corrupts across different contexts
- Finding Light in Darkness: Both literally and metaphorically, characters discover illumination within shadow
Areas for Improvement
Despite its many strengths, the novel isn’t without flaws:
- Exposition: Occasionally, worldbuilding details are delivered through somewhat clunky dialogue
- Secondary Villains: While the General makes a compelling antagonist, some minor villains lack dimension
- Predictable Elements: Certain plot developments, particularly regarding Ren’s heritage, follow familiar YA fantasy patterns
- Uneven Pacing: The middle section in the Under World occasionally meanders before regaining focus
Comparison to Oh’s Previous Works
Fans of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea will recognize Oh’s talent for reimagining Korean folklore in fresh contexts. However, The Floating World shows greater confidence in its worldbuilding and more nuanced character development. Where her previous novel relied heavily on its fairytale structure, this new work creates a more expansive universe with room for moral complexity.
Final Verdict: A Luminous Addition to YA Fantasy
The Floating World succeeds as both adventure and allegory, offering readers a journey that’s simultaneously thrilling and thoughtful. Oh’s skillful blending of Korean mythology, compelling characters, and thematic depth creates a novel that stands out in the crowded YA fantasy landscape.
For readers who enjoyed Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy or Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, this novel will satisfy with its immersive worldbuilding and emotional resonance. The cliffhanger ending—with Sunho transformed and Ren returning to claim her throne—leaves readers eagerly anticipating the sequel while still providing enough resolution to satisfy.
Axie Oh has crafted a tale where light and darkness aren’t merely settings but metaphors for the human experience—reminding us that even in our darkest moments, wings can unfurl and carry us toward the sky.
