The Floating World

Featured
81VI6OGKo3L
Author(s)
Age Range
13+
Release Date
April 29, 2025
ISBN
978-1250853080
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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...

Editor review

1 review
Sweeping epic with Ghibli charm
(Updated: June 22, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Playful and dramatic, with a sweeping wonder that fuses worlds below the ground and in the sky, the schemes of an industrial complex, and personal drama driven purely by the heart. In the tradition of excellent retellings, this story fully integrates and expands on the legend of the Woodcutter and the Celestial Maiden in all new ways.

Ren is instantly lovable, for her free spirit, teasing side, and confidence with flute and performance that hides an insecurity over suppressing her magical abilities. She and the others bring an infectious spark that turns every encounter larger than life, from seeing new cities to deadly fights to enjoying a cup of noodles. I preferred the initial pace that celebrated these small details, whereas the concluding sections are nonstop action. (I guess I applaud the characters for how quickly they adapt to twists and new information. Big reveal? No big deal. Absorbed and moving on.)

Stepping back to consider events logically, I did have some questions. One minute Ren’s obsessed with the ticking clock, the next she’s…not. And look Sunho, if you don’t suspect that the random girl with a mask and things that match your only other clues has anything to do with the person you’re hired to find, then I don’t know how to help you. But at the end of the day, I enjoyed their earnest commitment to the tasks at hand. Even from Jaeil, who plays a pseudo villainous role (I think? He’s a wild card, that one).

Anyway, manhwa adaptation when?
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