Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
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
The plot line could have been developed more. I think Avatar Kyoshi learnt to bend too quickly.
Immersing myself back into the Avatar world with The Rise of Kyoshi was most definitely a fun experience. While reading 2/3 of the book, I can't help thinking how great it would be if I could watch all the action animated. Oh, I could only wish. That first part was pretty average for a "YA Fantasy" book (though I see it as more of Middle Grade) but I did enjoy the last chapters of the book more than the rest for some reason. Overall, reading this was worth it especially if you're a fan of Avatar.
Review copy: Library copy
Full disclosure, I absolutely loved F.C. Yee’s debut novel The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (review here and author interview here), which is a sort of modern take on Chinese mythology including such legendary figures as the Sun Wukong, Monkey King. The whole book is a fun and wild ride, and I highly recommend it. Of course, going into The Rise of Kyoshi, my expectations were pretty high.
First of all, I have to say, I’m really glad that the Avatar: The Last Airbender team went with an Asian American author for the series. I love Avatar: The Last Airbender, but I’ve always had mixed feelings about an Asian-inspired fantasy show run by primarily non-Asian creators, and the way the Chinese language was used in the show as a shortcut for worldbuilding. But reading The Rise of Kyoshi went a long way toward fleshing out this beloved world, and I’m pretty happy about that.
The Rise of Kyoshi takes place prior to the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender, focusing on a previous and all-around badass avatar named Kyoshi. This novel is essentially her origin story of how she goes from being a servant to becoming the newly-minted avatar, on the run from the authorities, with outlaws as her companions.
This book is entirely different in tone from the cartoon. It doesn’t pull its punches, and while there are lighthearted and hilarious moments, it’s not exactly the zany, slapstick humor of the show. Over the course of the story, Kyoshi grapples with injustice, moral grey areas, and her own (queer!) love. While I’m sure the story will expand in scope during the sequels, The Rise of Kyoshi is laser focused on the Earth Kingdom, and all its attendant corruption and political complexities.
I came away from The Rise of Kyoshi both haunted and intrigued. The story is pretty brutal (or I’m just a wimp), and you end the book with a lot of food for thought, and a hunger for more. I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel, and would recommend this book without reservation to anyone who’s looking for a quality fantasy novel, and anyone who loves Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Recommendation: Buy it now — especially if you’re a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender!
Full disclosure, I absolutely loved F.C. Yee’s debut novel The Epic Crush of Genie Lo (review here and author interview here), which is a sort of modern take on Chinese mythology including such legendary figures as the Sun Wukong, Monkey King. The whole book is a fun and wild ride, and I highly recommend it. Of course, going into The Rise of Kyoshi, my expectations were pretty high.
First of all, I have to say, I’m really glad that the Avatar: The Last Airbender team went with an Asian American author for the series. I love Avatar: The Last Airbender, but I’ve always had mixed feelings about an Asian-inspired fantasy show run by primarily non-Asian creators, and the way the Chinese language was used in the show as a shortcut for worldbuilding. But reading The Rise of Kyoshi went a long way toward fleshing out this beloved world, and I’m pretty happy about that.
The Rise of Kyoshi takes place prior to the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender, focusing on a previous and all-around badass avatar named Kyoshi. This novel is essentially her origin story of how she goes from being a servant to becoming the newly-minted avatar, on the run from the authorities, with outlaws as her companions.
This book is entirely different in tone from the cartoon. It doesn’t pull its punches, and while there are lighthearted and hilarious moments, it’s not exactly the zany, slapstick humor of the show. Over the course of the story, Kyoshi grapples with injustice, moral grey areas, and her own (queer!) love. While I’m sure the story will expand in scope during the sequels, The Rise of Kyoshi is laser focused on the Earth Kingdom, and all its attendant corruption and political complexities.
I came away from The Rise of Kyoshi both haunted and intrigued. The story is pretty brutal (or I’m just a wimp), and you end the book with a lot of food for thought, and a hunger for more. I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel, and would recommend this book without reservation to anyone who’s looking for a quality fantasy novel, and anyone who loves Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Recommendation: Buy it now — especially if you’re a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender!
adventurous
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
I love getting this backstory of Avatar Kyoshi. From the moment she was introduced to ATLA on TV, I had become one of her biggest fans; she is my favorite Avatar. I feel like this got to get inside her brain and see why she was so quick to tell Aang to do whatever it took for peace because she constantly was pushing a boundary to do whatever it took to preserve the greater good, even if that meant that some people had to sacrifice.
4,5 actual rating
Extraordinarily written with lots of new background information. It is an amazing insight into the history of the Avatar world. Really well crafted characters and storyline and amazing use and incorporation of information we know from the source material (the show). An amazing edition to the Avatar universe. Very excited to read the rest of the books.
From now on I am an Avatar Kyoshi stan!
An added bonus: this book taught me a lot of new words!
Extraordinarily written with lots of new background information. It is an amazing insight into the history of the Avatar world. Really well crafted characters and storyline and amazing use and incorporation of information we know from the source material (the show). An amazing edition to the Avatar universe. Very excited to read the rest of the books.
From now on I am an Avatar Kyoshi stan!
An added bonus: this book taught me a lot of new words!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This was a fun and interesting addition to the Avatar universe though I'm not sure how much I would have liked it if I wasn't a huge fan of the show. I really enjoyed getting the extra backstory, and liked all the fun references and easter eggs from the show.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes when consuming a piece of media you're aware you'll never experience it for the first time again. You are a blank slate for this one time only. Sometimes you also realize you may like fan fic more than you originally let on. I'm grateful to re-enter the Avatar universe from another angle. I will be more grateful when I get my library notification that the sequel is available for me to pick up because !!! expletive expletive expletive! How's that for a breakup gift?