Sam Strives For 55 - Week Eleven

Here is week 11 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

The Rise of Kyoshi (The Kyoshi Novels #1) by F.C. Yee , Michael Dante DiMartino
 

1. Intrigue 
   1. This novel is part of the Avatar the Last Airbender universe. It takes place several hundred years before the original TV series, where Aang and Co. take on the Fire Nation. It’s about the last female and earth-bender avatar before Aang, named Kyoshi and her origin story.  
2. Writing Style
   1. This won’t be the last time that I say this, but it is so easy for big fandom fictional books, as well as high Fantasy or High Sci books to be written poorly. There seems to be this idea that the quality of the writing doesn’t have to meet the quality of the story. So often there is no description, no character development, no real stakes, no care for the prose. This is not the case. It’s cliche at times for sure, but that’s because the Avatar Universe relies on some tropes of fantasy. The band of travelers who don’t want to be heroes, the realization of heroism, etc. That’s not the fault of this book. This book is the best version of that within the Avatar Universe.  
   2. Juicy quote: 
      1. “What you do when no one is guiding you determines who you are.” 
3. Flow of Storytelling
   1. This is a very easy book to follow, a story that is easy to understand. It maybe a bit too predictable, especially for fans who already know Aang’s story. Still the book is straightforward and to the point, with very little beating around the bush.
4. Re-readability
   1. The change that Kyoshi undergoes in this book is done well. The characters aren’t stale, though they are trope-y, and the action sequences are quite fun. This book, especially for those in the fandom, is almost infinitely re-readable, just as the original show is re-watchable. 
5. TESS
   1. The extra special something comes in moments. The first moment that Kyoshi (spoilers) firebends is so well executed it’s still seared into my brain. These moments of masterful storytelling come in the pacing of the story. Yee and DiMartino do such a good job of giving the reader a second longer to hold onto important aspects of the novel, which create a real emotional reaction.  ​

Final Rating: ★★★★★

J. Sam Williams is an illustrious black-tailed hawk, longing to eat as many vegan mice as possible. In his human form, he is a High School English Teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lives with his wife, one dog and two cats. A somewhat retired breakdancing teacher, he is now a co-host on the Alohomora Podcast! He has been published on Lunch Ticket, immix: a journal for justice, Mugglenet, and a slew of small sports journalism publications. You can find him on twitter @Jabbernator.