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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
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
somelesbianwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
F.C. Yee should've been a writer on the shows. these books are ELITE. painful, exciting, interesting, queer, fits perfectly in the universe but also with a maturity that the networks and age rating limited in parts of the original shows?? sign me up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
rallsley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Push everything you thought about Kyoshi from the beloved TV series aside and be immersed in the beginning stages of her life and training. Every page solidified her case for justice, doing right by her promises and ambitions. Fall in love with the unlikely cast of characters she inherited from her parents much like her iconic fans and headdress. While she never knew her parents as well as her bending teachers, she found that she may not have been too different in idealogoy Breaking the tradition of avatars being groomed and trained from young childhood, The Rise of Kyoshi makes you question what you thought about their role in the universe entirely along with Kyoshi herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Vomit, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
robinks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I couldn’t get over the fact that a queer woman avatar’s story was written by a man. Overall, Kiyoshi’s story seemed fitting for what we see of her in ATLA, and the descriptions allowed me to picture how this would look animated. I’m left with unanswered questions, so I’ll be continuing into the next volume.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
amuletofkings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Did not expect to gain a new favorite villain!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Gore, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
zombiemozart0725's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
At first, I wasn't quite certain of this book. The prose has a distinct cadence that reads similarly to other young adult books, such as the Percy Jackson series. This can only be expected from a book based in the same world as an animated kid's show, but I have become notably less engaged with the tropes and structure of young adult novels as I've grown older. However, the story takes a darkly mature turn once Kyoshi's place in the story is revealed. While it still reads most of the time like young adult or new adult fiction, it carries with it a very distinct influence from its source material: It doesn't talk down to its audience. Most young adult books rely on a certain level of quippy bathos and otherwise childish "chosen one" storytelling to account for the age of its target audience. However, The Rise of Kyoshi treats arguably the darkest of the known Avatars with all due reverence. Yee and DiMartino seem to be keenly aware that the audience of the original Last Airbender TV show has aged since it was first aired, and so see Kyoshi not only grappling with her legacy, her past, and her place in the world, but with ruthless outlaws, merciless mentors, and deeply disturbing spirits - all of whom kill with little to no hesitation. Death and pain, even if it's not described as explicitly and graphically as it would be by someone like George RR Martin, fill this book. And it is well-deserved, given Kyoshi's reputation in the fandom.
The book is a solid mix of both plot and character development. Although it has places where it slows down and takes its time to let things unfold, the twists and turns it takes hit like a brick wall. The characters are all charming (or at least fun to hate, in some cases) but the three who truly shine are its two female leads and its main antagonist. The villain of the book is obsessed with making up for the mistakes of his past, and guiding the Avatar on a true and righteous path after Avatar Kuruk failed to live up to his title. Although he distinctly commits villainous acts beyond the scope of reason, he does so from a foundation of redemption that is genuinely fascinating. Even if he does end up losing himself in the process.
Kyoshi and Rangi are lead characters worthy of any Avatar media. Watching Kyoshi start out as a scared and subservient young girl and slowly walk down the path that turns her into a stalwart advocate for justice is so incredibly satisfying if you loved her character as much as I did when she appeared in the show. Rangi, being the daughter of military nobility, starts out in a place that puts her in a deeply paralleled position to the villain: Her undying and borderline obsessive dedication to her duty. But where the main antagonist lets his duty consume him, Rangi proves herself to be devoted to the Avatar out of friendship and care rather than strict discipline. She barely ever loses a fight, or backs down from one, but beneath her armor is a genuinely soft and caring person who loves the Avatar deeply. Add to that her willingness to call Kyoshi out on her nonsense and I think any fans of Toph who read this book will be extremely satisfied.
If I had to complain about anything in this book, it would simply be that it DOES feel like a young adult novel at times. This is entirely subjective for me, and I believe stalwart fans of young adult fiction would give this book a 5-star rating, but it IS a tad tropey at times, and its prose can be a bit literal. Not to mention that large action scenes can be borderline maddening to keep track of. The lack of a 5th star, in my case, is because it was a tad difficult to start and be immediately invested in, on top of sone messy rough patches in the narration. But all in all, the fact that the book took its time was well worth it. I'm just glad I picked it back up to finish it, because otherwise I would not have known what kind of story I had on my hands.
The book is a solid mix of both plot and character development. Although it has places where it slows down and takes its time to let things unfold, the twists and turns it takes hit like a brick wall. The characters are all charming (or at least fun to hate, in some cases) but the three who truly shine are its two female leads and its main antagonist. The villain of the book is obsessed with making up for the mistakes of his past, and guiding the Avatar on a true and righteous path after Avatar Kuruk failed to live up to his title. Although he distinctly commits villainous acts beyond the scope of reason, he does so from a foundation of redemption that is genuinely fascinating. Even if he does end up losing himself in the process.
Kyoshi and Rangi are lead characters worthy of any Avatar media. Watching Kyoshi start out as a scared and subservient young girl and slowly walk down the path that turns her into a stalwart advocate for justice is so incredibly satisfying if you loved her character as much as I did when she appeared in the show. Rangi, being the daughter of military nobility, starts out in a place that puts her in a deeply paralleled position to the villain: Her undying and borderline obsessive dedication to her duty. But where the main antagonist lets his duty consume him, Rangi proves herself to be devoted to the Avatar out of friendship and care rather than strict discipline. She barely ever loses a fight, or backs down from one, but beneath her armor is a genuinely soft and caring person who loves the Avatar deeply. Add to that her willingness to call Kyoshi out on her nonsense and I think any fans of Toph who read this book will be extremely satisfied.
If I had to complain about anything in this book, it would simply be that it DOES feel like a young adult novel at times. This is entirely subjective for me, and I believe stalwart fans of young adult fiction would give this book a 5-star rating, but it IS a tad tropey at times, and its prose can be a bit literal. Not to mention that large action scenes can be borderline maddening to keep track of. The lack of a 5th star, in my case, is because it was a tad difficult to start and be immediately invested in, on top of sone messy rough patches in the narration. But all in all, the fact that the book took its time was well worth it. I'm just glad I picked it back up to finish it, because otherwise I would not have known what kind of story I had on my hands.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment
crml's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
second time ive read this, and i have no words i just love this book sm i LOVE yee’s writing style
the characters, worldbuilding and plot are all brilliant i have no notes i am only astonished but how well written it is. if i could consume this book and weld it to be forever fused with my being i would
the characters, worldbuilding and plot are all brilliant i have no notes i am only astonished but how well written it is. if i could consume this book and weld it to be forever fused with my being i would
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
plume_de_renarde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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: Violence, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Bullying and Sexual harassment
mostlyvoidpartiallystars's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The narrative being somewhat nonlinear was slightly confusing at times, but ultimately effective.
I don't know why, but I didn't expect so much death in an ATLA book!
Overall, an exciting book that managed to surprise, delight, and horrify me by turns. Filled with interesting characters and worldbuilding that fills out the world ATLA paints for us, I loved this both on its own as a story, AND as an addition to the ATLA universe.
I don't know why, but I didn't expect so much death in an ATLA book!
Overall, an exciting book that managed to surprise, delight, and horrify me by turns. Filled with interesting characters and worldbuilding that fills out the world ATLA paints for us, I loved this both on its own as a story, AND as an addition to the ATLA universe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and War