***first written in late 2020 and submitted to a previous Asian and Pacific Islander based LGBTQ+ organization I was previously involved with that never did end up posting my previous Kyoshi novel review, nor the following review for Book #2. Anyway, here ya go! ☺
This book came out just last year in 2020 in July, so I absolutely cannot wait for the third Kyoshi novel to be released in four more months! I love reading about when the Air Nomads were still alive, lol. Also, I am impressed because this book has such wonderful w/w scenes between Kyoshi and Firebender girlfriend, first Avatar companion, and technically Kyoshi’s bodyguard, Rangi, as well as also delicately and subtly confirms Kyoshi as a canon bisexual icon with this pairing, given her previous attraction towards Yun, a mistaken and thus disgraced male Avatar in the previous book…
But I digress. This is the second book in the critically acclaimed Kyoshi Novel Series, and the storyworld revolves again around the ever more conflicted longest-living (and tallest, ever) Avatar as she is plagued by past phantoms attempting to seize the future of her world.
The development in her individual elemental powers is evident, and her inner thoughts and stream of consciousness are more leveled, her frustrations more centered and realistic. The time lapse between the first and second novel probably was not as chronologically long as to warrant a surprising spurt of character growth, but Kyoshi begins the novel more sure of herself and her status as the protector of the worlds, communicator of the spirits and the living, than she was a year before. As sure as ground, she finds her footing traversing the world, pursuing justice swiftly and consistently… No matter the cost. And the cost is definitely tried and very much tested in this book.
Deeper worldbuilding is also achieved, and my mental map of the structural and physical barriers between the individual kingdoms, as well as the individual regional and cultural lore, has only grown sharper and more etched, more beautiful with detail. Along with the progress of the plotline involving her past comes back to plague her, Kyoshi also deals with matters of ethics, corruption, loyalty, and choices, big and small. The political divide happening geopolitically around Kyoshi, mirrors the fractionating relationships and distrust between neighbours within city borders, and is a good satirical social commentary on fearful and restrictive societal conditions.
Lastly, the progress with Rangi romantically is very cute to read and had me blushing like a schoolgirl. Nothing too scandalous happens, but the sheer innocence of them falling in love, and the ease and comfort at each they do so, is a delight to read and think about, especially amidst such turmoil and confusion they find themselves in. Oh, young, sweet, sapphic love, in a dystopian world.
Read this book if you crave the equal parts humor and wit that is the masterpiece of the Avatar universe and can’t wait to get your next Avatar fix like the rest of us!
4.5/5
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