---
categories: [blog, "book review"]
title: "Rise of Kyoshi"
date: 2021-10-14
tags: [avatar, kyoshi, fantasy, fiction]
book: "Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rise of Kyoshi"
authors:
  - F.C. Yee
  - Michael Dante DiMartino
isbn: 9781419735042
genres:
  - fantasy
lang: en
layout: books
---

## Summary

<i>Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Rise of Kyoshi</i> is a novel prequel to
the popular animated series <i>Avatar: The Last Airbender</i>.  It tells the
story of Avatar Kyoshi---a recurring character of the series and a predecessor
to Avatar Aang---about how she went from an (spoiler alert) orphan servant girl
to one of the most feared Avatar.

## Comments

I never expected a prequel novel to be so exciting to read.  It leads you from
one surprise to another.  To quote DiMartino, the co-creator of the franchise,

> Any prequel story presents a unique challenge, [...] [s]ince the reader
> already knows how things eventually turn out, they are one step ahead of the
> hero.

Nonetheless, I was drawn in the story with all the new characters who shaped
the fearsome Avatar we know.  As the events unfold, I am constantly amazed at
how they fit in the blank of the original story.

Though, as it is a prequel story, watching the original show is a must.