It's Mildly Adequate | Before You Read The Reckoning of Roku

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  • Опубликовано: 16 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 86

  • @elius1548
    @elius1548 3 месяца назад +27

    The book was engaging enough for me to read in 2 days. I definitely agree with it being significantly better than the Yangchen books and significantly worse than the Kyoshi.
    In general, I prefer character-driven stories. The stronger the characters, the better the story.
    The Kyoshi novels have a variety of fascinating characters (Jianzhu, Yun, Lao Ge, Lek, Zoryu, Kuruk), Lovable characters (Kirima, Rangi, Kelsang), and more minor yet thematically resonant characters (Hui, Mok, Te). There’s even Kyoshi herself as the most interesting character in the story, who is fascinating, lovable, and thematically resonant.
    Yangchen doesn’t do this as well, although part of this is due to the theme of isolation. (Although her isolation is slightly undercut by the fact that she only gets 50% of the POV time). Yangchen is a wonderful character, but it feels like you spend too much time with Kavik compared to her, especially in Dawn of Yangchen. Perhaps this is my personal taste, but Kavik is not that interesting nor likeable of a character. The novels spend so much time with him, attempting to get you to like him, and it all feels so superficial. Some characters are interesting, but never to the heights of the Kyoshi novels with the lone exception of Yangchen herself.
    Roku’s story is the first where the avatar is not the most interesting character. Sozin and especially Gyatso steal whatever scenes they are in. Supporting cast members Malaya and Disha are very lovable and make for great scenes. Ulo is a solid villain, but fails to live up to the high bar set by the novels. (In large part simply due to his lack of screen time) However, there aren’t many great minor characters, with one exception for the mother and daughter.
    I think when looking at the strength of the characters, it’s clear to me why the novels are at differing levels of enjoyability. Yangchen offers a lone Island atop the sea. Roku gives an archipelago with rich beauty yet not much land. Kyoshi stands atop a vast continent, with all the wonders of one’s dreams interconnected in a single landmass

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +9

      Beautifully said.

    • @JuniorMarzy
      @JuniorMarzy 3 месяца назад +1

      I disagree with significantly worse than Kyoshi novels. Worse than the second one yes. But not the first. But everyone had different opinions

    • @rezaariel8406
      @rezaariel8406 3 месяца назад

      ​@@JuniorMarzy lol even the lore of Kyoshi second book is better than Roku novel cause it focus so much on side character rather than Roku himself.

    • @missachin5054
      @missachin5054 2 месяца назад

      @@elius1548 awww this was really well put, almost made my day a lil.

  • @deandredukes95
    @deandredukes95 3 месяца назад +36

    I’m curious if we’ll get a novel on Kuruk to complete the cycle

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +23

      I'd much rather have a graphic novel for Kuruk's very visceral story.

    • @ImTitan16
      @ImTitan16 Месяц назад +1

      I dont think he will get one cause we basically know his whole life from the other hooks

  • @myriadmediamusings
    @myriadmediamusings 3 месяца назад +15

    I’d say once the 2nd Roku book is out and we gotta move to the next Avatar, let’s go for the big one. A WAN duology!

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +6

      Would be fun to see that OR the Avatar after Wan. See how all the Avatar traditions got made up to begin with and see the nations before they became unified (like the Fire Island War Lord nations).

    • @yamiyomizuki
      @yamiyomizuki 3 месяца назад +1

      that's going to run into some complications. for one thing there's a lot of people who really didn't like wan and his story, so there's going to be a lot people who wouldn't read them. the other thing is that you would have to write it as a story in its self and not just a lore dump for what already exists.

    • @lucabestea6844
      @lucabestea6844 Месяц назад

      I sure hope they do a novel about one of the first Avatars one day. I feel like they could add all sorts of things. Maybe even the fear that after the first Earth Avatar, there won't be anu new ones, as people could speculate(out of fear ofc and a lack of understanding of spirits) that the Avatar can't reincarnate in the same culture twice.

    • @MagniThorson
      @MagniThorson 16 дней назад

      ​@@lucabestea6844 I'd like to think that the first incarnations of the avatars during that era, most people aren't even aware that there is one, even if they did, they didn't know the whole avatar cycle so therefore there won't be a reason for them to be afraid of what you described

  • @RjZyon
    @RjZyon 3 месяца назад +15

    I like the second Kyoshi novel the best. Than this Roku novel. Ta’Min and a Roku are my favorite characters. And I love Sozin POV chapters.I love the characterization of Roku as well.
    I prefer Ta’Min over Rangi and Kavik.
    I like the fighting scene the most at the end.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +4

      The fight scene in THE PLACE between Roku and THAT PERSON was super dope.
      Second Kyoshi novel is top-tier for me as well.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Not seeing much that would place Ta-Min over Rangi or Kavik, personally.

    • @RjZyon
      @RjZyon 3 месяца назад +2

      @@AntoineBandeleI just disagree with you and really like the novel.
      Some don’t like the Yangchen novel. Some don’t like the 1st Kyoshi novel and only like the 2nd.
      I agree with your versus videos even your Harry Potter and Star Wars videos.

  • @neilyoungboy
    @neilyoungboy 3 месяца назад +8

    One thing that I hope is followed up in the sequel is this question that has been burning in the back of mind for years:
    Why did Sozin wait so long to sire an heir. He was 82 when Azulon was born.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +4

      Damn. That means Ta-Min was 80 herself.

    • @Lauren_210
      @Lauren_210 3 месяца назад

      Unfortunately, this is the result of a major continuity error with the timeline established from the original show because there should be an extra generation that's in both sides of the royal family (so meaning that there should have been another Fire Lord in between Sozin and Azulon) in order for everything to make sense such as having a kid at a reasonable age. They really screwed up the math when laying out the timing of how the family tree goes from Sozin - Azulon - Ozai/Iroh - Zuko/Azula as far as their kids all within just 100 years.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +1

      That can easily be fixed with all these rare benders having everlasting life and stuff and living well past 100.

    • @TheAangGang
      @TheAangGang 2 месяца назад

      I think it’s probably just stubbornness and nothing extraordinary

  • @axlammon
    @axlammon 3 месяца назад +10

    I think that by doing a Roku novel it was always going to have to lean heavily on fans because he was the most established of all the avatars mentioned in the series. There was no way to do this as a solid standalone. It's well written and I enjoyed the novel but it's not the same as them being able to right a full backstory for Kyoshi and Yangchen (agree that Kyoshi was better still enjoyed Yangchen). They might run into this with Kuruk but that'll be more of an issue of the etablishement of Kuruk's history due to the Kyoshi novels rather than due to the series.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +1

      Yeah, I doubt we'll get Kuruk next. I think it might be time to go way way back. Like, perhaps, the Avatar directly after Wan back.

    • @Igorteddede
      @Igorteddede 2 месяца назад

      This is not even close to been true.
      The fact that most of the calls to the main story are completely irrelevant and don’t affect the story in any meaningful way disproves your theory.
      Flameo hotman
      Gyatso’s dream about been surrounded by benders.
      The library sinking
      And many others I can’t remember
      If you remove most of this references the story would have remain the same lol

    • @Zai02-gk4dm
      @Zai02-gk4dm 2 месяца назад

      ​@@Igorteddede but even if they are going to make a different stories that didn't effect what already establish in the show,it will still effected the character development,the stories development and what direction the plot of the stories will go. cause after all,all of this still tie with the original series so just expanding the stories to me will make the storyline getting out of place

  • @lukewestwest
    @lukewestwest 3 месяца назад +8

    I have read Kyoshi, Yang Chen, and Now Roku book. (Kyoshi & Yang Chens like 3 times each) .. I have to say I never thought id say this… BUT FC Yee did better id say. And Antoine you have to commit and finish the Yang Chen books!!! I promise its worth it. Even if you have to just listen to the audio at first like i did!

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +1

      Gave each book two chances. They just ain’t it for me.

    • @TheAangGang
      @TheAangGang 2 месяца назад

      Yeah it’s if you like the style of the novel, some people thought Yangchens were better because they enjoyed political spy thrillers more but more people like Kyoshis because it got the adventure and action we all know and love from Atla/Tlok

  • @vetabeta9890
    @vetabeta9890 3 месяца назад +3

    I don't get why people didn't like Yangchen novels, they're my favorite out of the three so far and have made Yangchen pretty much my favorite Avatar.

  • @brysonadams8065
    @brysonadams8065 3 месяца назад +6

    I’ve read the dawn of yangchen but I haven’t read the legacy of yangchen but I hope to read it in the future, I am excited to read this new roku book!

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +1

      Hope you enjoy it!

    • @elius1548
      @elius1548 3 месяца назад +1

      Legacy is IMO a much better book, spending a noticeably greater portion of its time with its lead and most interesting character: Yangchen. The main plot is executed wonderfully. The big problem is several side plots are kind of wrapped up abruptly. It feels like some of the side action couldn’t be condensed into 2 books, especially not without breaking up the pace of the main plot. However, these subplots can’t stand on their own and the main plot feels like it couldn’t serve a third book without feeling repetitive - a feeling which is not there in its current format

  • @vetarlittorf1807
    @vetarlittorf1807 3 месяца назад +14

    I want a book about Avatar Szeto.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +3

      I'm not so sure on that one... I feel like it would be similar to the politics of Yangchen, which wasn't my favorite. HOWEVER, I might be more interested since F.C. Yee has moved on. I am starting to see a trend to these plots though so I want to see some more varied plots.

    • @Wes_Bradley-Taubner
      @Wes_Bradley-Taubner 3 месяца назад +5

      A good political thriller novel about Szeto for older fans would do the franchise wonders

    • @vetarlittorf1807
      @vetarlittorf1807 3 месяца назад

      @@AntoineBandele I disagree since Szeto lived in a more interesting era.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +2

      I don't know if the franchise is willing to go past young adult themes. Especially after them the deciding to cover 16 year old Roku instead of middle-aged Roku.

    • @s-wo8781
      @s-wo8781 3 месяца назад

      ​@@AntoineBandele They just want to put the books in the YA section because that's what's hot in the book industry right now and that shit is so corny. I hate when brands just follow trends.

  • @RiseeRee
    @RiseeRee 3 месяца назад +3

    I gave up on the Yangchen novels at first, and stopped reading like 3 times, but when I read it through (finally) I really enjoyed it!
    I really like the Roku novel too! I’m only about 3/4 of the way through! I do have some issues with Sozin. I loved seeing Gyatso and Roku’s friendship progress.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +1

      What were your misgivings with Sozin?

    • @RiseeRee
      @RiseeRee 3 месяца назад

      @@AntoineBandele I feel like the book took something from the bit of Sozin’s character we saw in ATLA, and added something else in its place. For example, in the show when he gave Roku the headpiece, it was a really sweet scene! So to come to find out it wasn’t truly Sozin’s idea was a little sad, especially since Roku wets it for the rest of his life (and afterlife I guess?).
      I think it means we’ll see less of his slow burn “descent” in later years because from the beginning there were plots and schemes he was aware of, even if he wasn’t necessarily the most willing participant. It wouldn’t be a shock, it would be a natural next step.
      Azula said that Sozin had spent his early years plotting to take over, which just seemed to be propaganda, especially upon reading his secret last testament. But now it’s like, yeah he was at least plotting SOME things from the beginning, if not the actual ABG.
      I do find his dynamic with his father very interesting and realistic though, and I can’t wait to finish the book!

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Oh, I see. Damn. I don't share in those sentiments. I was fine with what we've seen of Sozin so far.

  • @RisingSun2007
    @RisingSun2007 3 месяца назад +1

    As someone who really enjoued the Yangchen books it is interesting to hear your thoughts on Roku's book. While I may not enjoyed this one quite ad Yangchen's duology I do still like the take on Roku and I hope that in the sequel we got more in him as a character as the focus definitely was split between him and others.
    I also kinda hope that after his next book we get a duology on Kuruk to finish the cycle and then maybe move on to Korra as Id love a bridge between the last comic and the alleged movie or maybe up to when she passes on.

  • @Mello-208
    @Mello-208 3 месяца назад +2

    my copy should be delivered next week! after watching this i've gotten more curious about it

  • @missachin5054
    @missachin5054 2 месяца назад

    Man I love the amount of creative depth a series like avatar could potentially have, like I would genuinely love seeing the story of a completely random avatar or a murder mystery type novel, so much possibility ! However, what I don’t hope is that books get pushed out for the sake of if and although I haven’t read Roku yet, I really hope that this novel/ future avatar novels don’t go down a path of just trying to push out content and story for OG fans only, like yes it would be lovely if that were a part of the book but not the entire book and I think Kyoshi novel embodies a lot of that as one of its many pluses. The fact that I could genuinely recommend it to a non-avatar fan and they would still enjoy to me shows that kyoshi books have a lot of identity within themselves which is what I want from an avatar novel and with the last 3 releases I genuinely fear that this may start to fade.

  • @irvenman
    @irvenman 3 месяца назад +3

    I don't think Ribay was even trying to sound more "East Asian" with his dialogue and I think that is a plus. Despite it's Asian/Indigenous American coded characters and world, I never considered the Avatar franchise as anything but a American. So, I feel the dialogue being more American fits it best. That being said, F.C. Yee's dialogue also work because of how far back the Kyoshi and Yangchen eras are.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      That’s a fair way of looking at it!

    • @yamiyomizuki
      @yamiyomizuki 3 месяца назад +1

      it's not just Asian coded characters though. the entire world is essentially built on Asian ideas. the avatar is essentially the Dalai Lama, bending as a concept also comes from Tibetan Buddhist ideas ect.

  • @ancientbaltoy8769
    @ancientbaltoy8769 3 месяца назад +1

    Just started the book after finishing the Yangchen ones. The protagonist shift was a big one. I really loved the Yangchen novels, easily some of the best books I've read in the last years

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      I do not share in that sentiment, unfortunately. Yangchen books were very dull to me. I loved the Kyoshi books, though. Roku book was just ok.

    • @ancientbaltoy8769
      @ancientbaltoy8769 3 месяца назад

      @@AntoineBandele I suppose I don't get what you mean by dull

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Boring.

    • @TheAangGang
      @TheAangGang 2 месяца назад

      @@ancientbaltoy8769he’s saying he wasn’t interested or invested in Yangchens like he was in the Kyoshi novels

  • @oreoluwasimire
    @oreoluwasimire 3 месяца назад +4

    Still didn't finish Yangchen's book till today.
    I tried twice too. Lol

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      I gave it two chances as well. Just wasn't for me :(

  • @crystalaura45
    @crystalaura45 3 месяца назад +1

    hope we a book on Szeto possibly a murder mystery type novel

  • @christianoreilly2078
    @christianoreilly2078 8 дней назад

    I'm not a big reader however I found the kyoshi books a bit disappointing I would have liking to get further into her journey. I am just over halfway through the Dawn of Yangchen book and I felt it started very strange and slow, but has definitely gotten better and has me interested in what will happen next. Surprising to hear people not liking it

  • @DanisThoughts
    @DanisThoughts Месяц назад

    I know this is a "before you read" but I anted to wait until I finished reading the book before seeing any reviews/opinions, I agree that this book has too many references to the show and even though I did enjoy the Yangchen books I did feel like this was a nice change of pace in comparison to those ones, one of the things I enjoyed the most of this book is how it felt like a smaller adventure, but the first part was a little too slow for me, everything after Roku gets taken in by the clan's leader is way better than anything that came before, also I was saddened by (SPOILERS) Malaya's fate, really thought she was going to be part of this team avatar, overall? 7.5/10

  • @s-wo8781
    @s-wo8781 3 месяца назад

    If we get more books I hope it's with a brand new avatar. The cycle started 10,000 years ago. We just don't need to stick with the same 6 avatars. The second avatar holds a lot of potential for something interesting to tell.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Whole new Avatar, please!

    • @TheAangGang
      @TheAangGang 2 месяца назад

      We can still learn about new avatar through the ones we already know by their adventures

  • @cpreston09
    @cpreston09 3 месяца назад +2

    I still have to read the 2nd yangghen book..have it there just havnt gotton around to it...but must get it read as really want to read roku

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      You can skip the second Yangchen book (as I basically did). Roku book is pretty standalone.

  • @smurphorov
    @smurphorov 3 месяца назад

    Im still fighting through the Yangchen books but im going to try and finish them before i start the Roku book. I just couldnt get into it as easily

  • @s-wo8781
    @s-wo8781 3 месяца назад +1

    I never saw the point of this. We already knew his whole life story prior to this abd you're telling me they're making TWO books? That sounds redundant as hell and I'm tired of the protagonists being teenagers. We got some really good shit out of the Kyoshi and Yangchen novels that expanded the lore but this is a why tho to me.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      I’m so over the protagonist being YA too. The genre can and should handle adult characters as well.

  • @dadrienedavis
    @dadrienedavis 3 месяца назад

    I’ve had the first Yangchen book since it came out 2 years ago and I haven’t made it to 100 pages yet 😭 I’ve tried reading it like 3 times. Meanwhile I just finished the Roku book in less than a week 😅
    Also, the fan service was so heavy in the book I said to myself this guy must have just become a fan of the show cause it’s like he’s trying to prove to us that he’s watched it. Then at the end of the book it says that he just started watching the show a few years ago 🤣 the part where he said Sozin may get banished and have to regain his honor I was okay bruh WE GET IT, you watched the show 😂😭

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Yeah, the author definitely screams new fan.
      And I tried Yangchen three times as well. Took me a couple days to finish the Roku novel, by contrast.

    • @TheAangGang
      @TheAangGang 2 месяца назад

      I mean some people who only discovered avatar in quarantine knows more about it or enjoys it more than some people who watched it when it actually began. But rubbing the references all in our faces is a little too much.

  • @KingdomMayFivePadua
    @KingdomMayFivePadua 3 месяца назад

    "MY CABBAGES"

  • @JuniorMarzy
    @JuniorMarzy 3 месяца назад

    I prefer the 2nd Kyoshi novel first.
    Than This Roku novel
    The first Kyoshi novel
    The second Yangchen novel
    The first Yangchen novel
    I like the Yangchen novels not as much as Roku and Kyoshi but I still like it. I like all the novels.
    I have a feeling I’m go like the second Roku novel more than this one though. I loved the 2nd Kyoshi novel way better than the first Kyoshi novel.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      I wish I enjoyed the Yangchen novels.

  • @negressprincess
    @negressprincess 3 месяца назад

    I wonder if we’ll get a novel on Avatar Wan or Kuruk

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад +2

      I’d prefer a graphic novel for Kuruk.

  • @spencernaugle
    @spencernaugle 3 месяца назад

    Do you read the physical book or listen to the Audiobook?

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Ebook + Audio for me.

    • @spencernaugle
      @spencernaugle 3 месяца назад

      @@AntoineBandele
      Then I don't understand not finishing the Yangchen books. I can easily finish any story if it's in audiobook form.

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      Good for you. If I don’t enjoy something, I stop. Audiobooks are several hours long.

  • @IvanKeats-q3q
    @IvanKeats-q3q 3 месяца назад

    Does anyone know when the next Azula comic will be?? Someone said 2025

    • @AntoineBandele
      @AntoineBandele  3 месяца назад

      There are currently no plans for another Azula comic. The next ones coming are about June & Iroh, and Mako & Bolin.

    • @IvanKeats-q3q
      @IvanKeats-q3q 3 месяца назад

      😢😢😢😢😭😭😭​@@AntoineBandele

  • @pink3rbellx
    @pink3rbellx 3 месяца назад

    I got the audiobook as well and just turned it on to continue reading. I just said noooo because it’s Nancy Wu. I should’ve checked before buying 😩

    • @yamiyomizuki
      @yamiyomizuki 3 месяца назад +1

      Nancy wu was definitely the wrong choice for the roku novels. I thought she did okay with the kiyoshi and yangchen books but she doesn't voice male characters well and in a series with primarily male protagonists that's a problem. it doesn't help that she has almost no comedic delivery and doesn't actually speak any of the languages that avatar draws from, or even pronounce them well.