Where to Start Reading Axie Oh's Books
Axie Oh writes across three main genres: lush mythic fantasy, sweet K-pop romance, and futuristic sci-fi. Because her series are distinct in setting and tone, the best starting point depends entirely on what you like to read:
- For Mythology and Fantasy Lovers: Start with The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. This standalone is her most critically acclaimed work—a dreamy, feminist retelling of a classic Korean folktale.
- For K-Pop and Contemporary Romance Fans: Start with XOXO. It offers a fun, fast-paced dive into the sparkling (and restrictive) world of Korean idols.
- For Sci-Fi and Action Enthusiasts: Start with Rebel Seoul. Her debut novel introduces a high-stakes, dystopian world of giant robots and war.
The K-Pop Romance Series (Companion Novels)
These two contemporary novels are set within the same high-gloss K-pop industry. While they are separate stories and can technically be read as standalones, they feature overlapping characters and are best enjoyed in order of publication.
- XOXO (2021): Follows Jenny, a cellist who moves to Seoul and falls for Jaewoo, unaware that he is a member of one of the world's biggest K-pop boy bands.
- ASAP (2024): Picks up a few months after the events of XOXO. It shifts the spotlight to Jenny's friend Sori, an aspiring idol navigating a second-chance romance with her ex-boyfriend (and Jaewoo's bandmate) Nathaniel. Sori and Jenny reunite early in this book, bringing the cast back together.
The Floating World Duology
Inspired by the Korean legend of the Celestial Maidens, this duology blends amnesia, magic, and empire-scale stakes into a romantic fantasy. Unlike the companion books, this series has a strict chronological storyline and must be read in order:
- The Floating World (April 2025): Introduces Sunho, an amnesiac former soldier, and Ren, a talented acrobat with hidden magical abilities, as their paths cross in the Under World.
- The Demon and the Light (October 2025): Concludes the duology, following Ren and Sunho as they confront the rising dangers of the Volmaran Empire and Sunho's growing monstrous power.
The Rebel Seoul Duology
Axie Oh's debut series is a sci-fi duology set in a futuristic, war-torn Neo Seoul. You should read these books in order as they follow a continuous plot:
- Rebel Seoul (2017): Focuses on Jaewon, a former gang member recruited into the military to pilot giant weapons, who finds himself caught between duty and rebels.
- Rogue Heart (2019): Set two years after the events of the first book, shifting the perspective to Ama, a telepathic lounge singer trying to survive in a divided world.
Anthologies and Short Stories
Axie Oh has also contributed stories to several notable young adult anthologies. These are great for readers who want to experience her short-form storytelling:
- Generation Wonder: The New Age of Heroes (2022): A collection of superhero stories curated by Barry Lyga, featuring a story by Axie Oh.
- Writing in Color: Creators on Keeping Faith, the Content of Our Character, and Redefining Fandom (2023): A non-fiction essay collection on writing and diversity to which she contributed.