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A review by marginmuse
The Floating World by Axie Oh
4.0
I was captivated—and not let down—as soon as I learned that The Floating World was a cross between Final Fantasy and Shadow and Bone. Rich world-building, adventure, and a gripping retelling of Korean legend are all abundant in Axie Oh's lively, romantic fantasy.
The plot centers on Ren, an acrobat with a secret talent, and Sunho, a former soldier with a lost background. As they travel together to face both real and imaginary evil, their fates become entwined when their paths cross. Their developing relationship is a highlight; their innate chemistry and depth of feeling made me cheer them on at every turn. The world-building is captivating, and Sunho's gloomy Under World contrasts exquisitely with Ren's more colorful—yet no less perilous—travels. The characters' interactions made their journey all the more interesting, and I adored how the mythology and setting seemed rich without being overpowering.
Although I was mostly interested, the cliffhanger finish was both exciting and a little annoying. The speed did slow down a little in the middle, though. There are so many unanswered questions, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
The plot centers on Ren, an acrobat with a secret talent, and Sunho, a former soldier with a lost background. As they travel together to face both real and imaginary evil, their fates become entwined when their paths cross. Their developing relationship is a highlight; their innate chemistry and depth of feeling made me cheer them on at every turn. The world-building is captivating, and Sunho's gloomy Under World contrasts exquisitely with Ren's more colorful—yet no less perilous—travels. The characters' interactions made their journey all the more interesting, and I adored how the mythology and setting seemed rich without being overpowering.
Although I was mostly interested, the cliffhanger finish was both exciting and a little annoying. The speed did slow down a little in the middle, though. There are so many unanswered questions, and I'm excited to see what happens next.