No Avatar-verse story is complete without some courtroom political drama, and this sequel provides ample doses of it. As is characteristic of the cyclical mode of storytelling, the first book dealt with earth kingdom polity and this one focuses on the fire nation.

The focus on Avatars Szeto, Kuruk, and Yangchen was a pleasant surprise and Kyoshi's interactions with them expanded the worldbuilding so much more. Yee also provides us a few nuggets of information at the end that explains how the fire nation as we see in ATLA comes to be.

As with the previous book, I wished there were more instances of bending battles, but it is a gripe rooted in wanting more of the story.

For the intended duology, the story is wrapped up pretty well while leaving enough threads open (as it should be). That said, I wouldn't mind if Yee and Mike decide to put out companion novels out in the future!