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A review by zombiemozart0725
The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee
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, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment