Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Rise of Kyoshi (Chronicles of the Avatar Book 1) (Chronicles of the Avatar, 1) (Volume 1) Hardcover – July 16, 2019

Set 400 years before the events of the original TV show, Avatar, The Last Airbender: The Rise of Kyoshi, is a fun, faithful, and nostalgic read that sheds light on the origins of Avatar Kyoshi, the legendary figure referenced several times throughout the original show. The story follows Kyoshi and her friends as she struggles to figure out how she will fulfill her role as the world’s spiritual leader and most powerful bender, all while being constantly on the run from her newfound enemies.Similar to the original TV show, the best parts about this book are easily the distinct and deeply explored characters, as well as the dialogue shared between them. I found myself genuinely laughing during some of the interactions shared between the characters, almost as much as I was left stunned and saddened by some of the more emotional moments. The plot is driven forward by the goals of the characters, not the other way around, which allows for each of their distinct personalities to take center stage for us to enjoy. You can really tell that every page was made with a great appreciation and love for not just the original TV show, but for the story that is being told here as well.I’ve mentioned the original TV show several times now, and if you’re someone who hasn’t seen it but is considering buying this book to dip your feet into the universe, I have to be frank, this book might not be right for you. It is a prequel, but many of the basic rules of the universe aren’t explained, and many tidbits of knowledge and easter eggs will be missed by someone who hasn’t seen the TV show. This isn’t meant to be a Game of Thrones style novel, with thousand page grandiose adventures, it’s meant to be a faithful and revealing addition to the series, with addition being the key word.Ultimately though, if you’re a fan of the series, this book should be a definite purchase. You might even hear some of the original show’s triumphant music in your mind as you read through the more climactic moments of the book. If you’re a newcomer, then you’ll find just as much of an enjoyable read that might just be your introduction into the beloved world of Avatar. I promise you, this is more than just a history book.

What an amazing telling of Avatar Kyoshi and filling in so many lore gaps that couldn’t be completely covered in the show.Overall I loved the pacing until the last couple of chapters that felt a bit rushed.

(no spoilers)I really enjoyed this book. I grew up watching the original series and I have always been interested in the lore. The book is a prequel to the original series and answers some of the questions you might have had about the world it was set in and its history. This book is targeted towards young adults who are fans of the series. In order to get the most out of the story, make sure to be familiar with the original series so that you can pick up on the references and be familiar with some of the geography. It was very well written and was made in collaboration with one of the original writers of the show. The imagery is phenomenal and it felt like I was watching the events unfold on the television show. The characters were well developed, and I felt like I understood the emotions and motivations of each. The tone of the book is mush less lighthearted as the original series (though it does have some amount of humor). It does have a fair amount of violence and death which are described in more detail than would be appropriate for a younger audience, so be prepared for that.All in all, I really loved the book. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. From what I've heard, it is part of a two part series. Personally, I thought this was one of the best books I've read in a long time, and I can't wait for the second one to come out.

Since the original television wrapped up over a decade ago, I have been hungrily searching for more Avatar content to fill the void left by such an imaginative, fantastical world. I indulged myself in the sequel series, The Legend of Korra, and spent entire paychecks purchasing collections of the graphic novels all in hopes to find something new the recaptures the same magic that Avatar the Last Airbender did to a ten year old me years ago. Sadly, none of the spin-off materials held a candle to the my lofty view of the original show. None came close to repeating its masterful exploration of friendship, adventure, responsibility, imagination, loss, and love. Until The Rise of Kyoshi.Kyoshi, offers the fresh perspective of a servant, an outcast, and a novice, which plays stark contrast to her enlightened, yet childish and prodigal, yet naïve reincarnations. It is far more limited in scale in terms of stakes than its predecessors, but certainly thick with emotion and characterization. Tonally, it is perhaps the darkest tale so far, thick with bending violence and tragic backstories, without much comic relief. This is to say, its more grounded...On its own merits, the story presents its own themes about what makes a family, honor vs duty, and if evil deserves mercy. The writing is superb, with brilliantly creative descriptions and pacing that never seems to let up. I applaud the ability to explain all of action going on in such a clear way when such complex bending is occuring. The characters are well drawn in their relations to each other, though some lack depth in their own stories. If I have any complaints, I did find a struggle to capture a female voice in Kyoshi which so many fantasy series attempt to explore in relationship to a male dominated society. Kyoshi also seemed to lack some personality as a person which I wish had been more painted in. I couldn't tell you what how she would be spending her time outside of being a servant or being in battle.All in all, an excellent start to this book series.