Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens seek answers in absorbing, dark fantasy kickoff.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE FLOATING WORLD tells the story of 16-year-old Ren, who was adopted into a family of traveling entertainers when she was very young. She has magical abilities, but her auntie has always insisted that she hide them, because if the world found out about them, bad people would come looking for her. But when a demon attacks her family, she accidentally lets her Light out to save them; now she will have to search for a cure for the demon's poison while running from ruthless mercenaries out to destroy her. Sunho, 17, has been living in the shadowy Under World, taking the kinds of jobs you can get if you're handy with a sword and looking for the brother he was separated from when he was 8. When he and Ren cross paths, they realize they can help each other. As they get to know and learn to trust one another, feelings between them start to deepen, but terrible truths are discovered that threaten to tear them apart.
Is It Any Good?
This is a dark and absorbing romantic fantasy based on Korean folklore about the Celestial Maidens. The Floating World is a skillful blend of some familiar tropes—like a floating city, magical abilities that have to be hidden, and amnesia—plus a well-realized, unique world and strong characters in a romance that deepens slowly and is refreshingly free of hidden motives or manipulations. There's also some humor in conversations between Ren and Sunho, and in their interactions with the many colorful characters. The cliffhanger ending will leave fantasy fans eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Floating World. Is it too much? Does it make a difference if it's fantasy violence? Why, or why not?
What gives Ren and Sunho the strength to persevere in the face of overwhelming obstacles and paralyzing fear? How do they show courage?
How does working together with each other, friends, and family help Ren and Sunho get as far as they do? How would the story be different if they hadn't met, or weren't able to team up?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : April 29, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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