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pandacosm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved this book!! It was so interesting that Kyoshi had such a different beginning from the impression we get of her as a mature avatar in the TV series, and I'm glad one of the ATLA creators warned us at the beginning about it because I might have been very puzzled otherwise. I think it was clever and fitting that if Kyoshi was going to struggle with bending, it would be because she was too powerful about it. It's not the first time I've seen this trope but it suits well. I absolutely adored the bi/pan representation, of course, and I had also been hoping for polyamorous representation but alas... poor Yun... though who knows what book 2 will bring? I loved seeing Kyoshi get a found family. Every Avatar deserves their Avatar gang! It was touching how the bonds were woven as Kyoshi and other characters battled with the traumas they went through and recognized similar experiences in each other. There were also interesting bending techniques displayed. It was great to see airbenders get to be more involved since they hadn't been massacred yet in this era. I just hope Kyoshi can find a great airbender companion as well eventually. It feels a shame that she lost Kelsang when we got so little airbender rep in the main show, but I understand why it happened. Part of me wonders if Kyoshi's airbender mother is truly dead? It was also very interesting to see the corruption behind the scenes of those who support the Avatar. I had already thought before reading the book that it must have been difficult during times of the Avatar cycle when they're too young to do anything and wondered what people in the past before Aang's long disappearance did about that, guessing that there must be a support system in play. It's touching to see that the Avatar's companions who outlive him who play a part in that. I'm also not surprised at the implied White Lotus involvement, though we'll see if that's confirmed in the sequel.
Fair warning to those who watched the TV series that this book is far darker and would never be allowed to be broadcast to the same audience as an animated show for kids, but I think the majority of us ATLA fans are now old enough to be fine reading it. There's a lot of death, and the only reason I took 0.25 stars off my rating is becauseI found Lek's death unnecessary. All the other major character deaths spurred plot and character development, but I feel that Lek's was just unnecessarily rubbing salt in the wound and didn't really change what was going to happen. Kyoshi was already going to meet with Jianzhu to get Rangi back no matter what happened to Lek. I also don't like that the found family split up at the end-- why do authors always do this???-- but I assume that will change in the sequel so it didn't affect my rating.
Fair warning to those who watched the TV series that this book is far darker and would never be allowed to be broadcast to the same audience as an animated show for kids, but I think the majority of us ATLA fans are now old enough to be fine reading it. There's a lot of death, and the only reason I took 0.25 stars off my rating is because
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Medical content
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
There was a lot of dark content in this book so I apologize if I missed tagging anything. The homo/lesbo/biphobia is not actively enacted by any character, but it's just briefly mentioned by a supportive character that others might not be as understanding.scramuel058's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death
gray's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kyoshi is one of my favorite avatars because she has a strong presence and a sense of justice. This book explores what she was like before she was that avatar.
I wasn't expecting Kyoshi to be a meek girl who lacked confidence in her abilities, but throughout the book, we see how she goes from a maid in Jianzhu's mansion into the avatar that she's meant to be. She still needs a lot of work on her abilities, especially in her judgment of people, but I'm glad that she has Rangi by her side to reel her in even though they argued for most of the book.
I was glad that this version of the book did not hold back on the violence that had to do with being the avatar, and I feel like that's also a testament to how Kyoshi grew up (versus Aang). She had so much instability and turmoil since she was young, in contrast to Aang's relatively peaceful upbringing in the monastery.
I wasn't expecting Kyoshi to be a meek girl who lacked confidence in her abilities, but throughout the book, we see how she goes from a maid in Jianzhu's mansion into the avatar that she's meant to be. She still needs a lot of work on her abilities, especially in her judgment of people, but I'm glad that she has Rangi by her side to reel her in even though they argued for most of the book.
I was glad that this version of the book did not hold back on the violence that had to do with being the avatar, and I feel like that's also a testament to how Kyoshi grew up (versus Aang). She had so much instability and turmoil since she was young, in contrast to Aang's relatively peaceful upbringing in the monastery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: War
I loved the Flying Opera and would love to hear more about them, and I feel like Lek's death was too abrupt and unemotional despite the little ceremony they held at his makeshift graveyard.lizard800's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a great addition to the Avatar Universe! I really enjoyed the twists and turns. There were so many times where I was shocked by where the storyline went and I love that. I think Yee has just the right amount of reference to the Last Airbender so that it keeps it related and interesting for fans of the show while also allowing for world expansion. I love that Kyoshi's queerness is obvious, and not just a subtle hint.
There is a big maturity jump from the series to this book.
The only thing that maybe sat weird with me is naming the gang the Yellow Necks, just considering the ethnicity of the people in the story.
There is a big maturity jump from the series to this book.
The only thing that maybe sat weird with me is naming the gang the Yellow Necks, just considering the ethnicity of the people in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
ashlikes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Genocide, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
jkfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Gaslighting
reguri's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm so excited to start the Avatar novel series! ATLA was a huge part of my childhood & actually how I learnt English.
I think this book was much better than I first expected. I love the characters, I love the lore we're getting of past avatars.
My only real gripes is that I wish there had been better build up to the romance, it felt pretty sudden... I had hoped for more there, but I'm hopeful we'll get more in the 2nd book. I also wasn't super invested in the plot point in the middle of the book so it took longer than I expected to finish 😅 Everything else was great, at times this book really had me stressed & heartbroken. Looking forward to the next!
I think this book was much better than I first expected. I love the characters, I love the lore we're getting of past avatars.
My only real gripes is that I wish there had been better build up to the romance, it felt pretty sudden... I had hoped for more there, but I'm hopeful we'll get more in the 2nd book. I also wasn't super invested in the plot point in the middle of the book so it took longer than I expected to finish 😅 Everything else was great, at times this book really had me stressed & heartbroken. Looking forward to the next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Torture
kaixv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
fierygecko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Both books in this series are wonderfully written additions to an already incredible story. I loved how these books gave new insights to the four nations, their cultures, and their bending styles. I was surprised by the story, and by how much of Kyoshi’s background is still left to mystery. It makes me want more books in this series, but not because it felt unfinished. These books are easy reads that touch on some darker topics. Also, the fight scenes are very satisfying!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Violence and Sexual harassment
cursed10fold's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Slavery, and Trafficking