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The Earth Kingdom Chronicles #2
The Tale of Azula
i am Azula,
daughter of Fire Lord Ozai, and l plan to one day rule the Fire Nation -- and the world. But first l have to deal with my good-for-nothing brother, Prince Zuko. Well, he was good for nothing, until he led me to the Avatar! l headed to the Earth Kingdom, where, with the help of Mai and Ty Lee, we tracked down the Avatar and his ragtag band. l engaged in a fierce battle with the Avatar himself!
l lost that fight, but he should be He has not seen the last of Princess Azula.
daughter of Fire Lord Ozai, and l plan to one day rule the Fire Nation -- and the world. But first l have to deal with my good-for-nothing brother, Prince Zuko. Well, he was good for nothing, until he led me to the Avatar! l headed to the Earth Kingdom, where, with the help of Mai and Ty Lee, we tracked down the Avatar and his ragtag band. l engaged in a fierce battle with the Avatar himself!
l lost that fight, but he should be He has not seen the last of Princess Azula.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
44 people are currently reading
853 people want to read
About the author
Michael Teitelbaum
559 books51 followersMichael Teitelbaum has been a writer and editor of children’s books for more than thirty years. He worked on staff as an editor at Golden Books, Grossett & Dunlop, and Macmillan. In addition to The Scary States of America, Michael’s fiction work includes The Very Hungry Zombie: A Parody, and The Very Thirsty Vampire: A Parody both done with artist extraordinaire Jon Apple, published by Skyhorse. His non-fiction work includes writing Jackie Robinson: Champion for Equality, published by Sterling, and The Baseball Hall of Fame, a 2-volume encyclopedia, published by Grolier. He is also the series editor of Great Escapes, true-life acts of incredible courage, published by Harper Collins.
Michael has always had an interest in the paranormal, despite a rather normal childhood in Brooklyn, NY. These days, Michael lives with his wife, Sheleigah, and two talkative cats in an (as yet unhaunted) 180-year-old farmhouse in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
Michael has always had an interest in the paranormal, despite a rather normal childhood in Brooklyn, NY. These days, Michael lives with his wife, Sheleigah, and two talkative cats in an (as yet unhaunted) 180-year-old farmhouse in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 7, 2020
Let me just say I LOVE Azula and the Avatar Universe. I don't know what I expected with this little novella, perhaps something new? Perhaps scenes that weren't shown in the show, like when Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee fight the Kyoshi Warriors. This was really just a recap of the second season of ATLA and the pacing was very rushed. And sometimes it didn't even really seem to capture Azula's essence. I do have to keep in mind this was written for children, unlike the Kyoshi books, which I highly recommend to Avatar fans.
January 1, 2023
Unfortunately not my favorite. I was hoping for more insight in Azula’s descent and how she came to be at the end of ATLA, but instead this was a simplified retelling of the season 2 events. I only continued reading because I was craving more Azula content but was unfortunately a little disappointed. There were some insights that were okay, and I do think this could be a fun book for children, but I didn’t really get anything out of this..
December 24, 2016
It’s been about 5 years since I last saw Season 2 of Avatar: The Last Airbender, so I had to check Wikipedia for reminders and, holy crap, this 89-page book covers the entire season. It’s ridiculous.
The way events were crammed in, it felt 1) like barely any time had passed, even though it was obvious that couldn’t be the case, and 2) like Azula had the attention span of a goldfish. At the start of the book, she was after Zuko and Iroh. Then she spotted Aang and decided it’d be great if she could catch him and Zuko and Iroh. Her father would be so proud, and he’d totally make her his heir! By page 70, she decided that it’d be even better if she acquired the whole Earth Kingdom.
The time I spent reading this probably would have been better spent rewatching some of the show. This added absolutely nothing. I picked it up (steeply discounted, thank goodness) thinking that it would feature a whole new story starring Azula. I didn’t expect too much, just something that, in the original series, would have qualified as filler, but I didn’t even get that. Instead it was a tedious, boring, and at times confusing rehash of events straight out of the series. Even the change in POV added nothing new. Azula was depicted as a one-note character with zero depth. It was extremely disappointing.
Literally everything about this was terrible. The book used an Avatar: The Last Airbender font throughout, which made for difficult/annoying reading. Also, the author could not keep his tenses straight. Often the tense would change from one paragraph to the next, present to past and then back to present, for no reason that I could see. Here are a couple examples of it happening in the same paragraph, or even same sentence:
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone, and I’m really glad I didn’t get any of the other books in this series.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
The way events were crammed in, it felt 1) like barely any time had passed, even though it was obvious that couldn’t be the case, and 2) like Azula had the attention span of a goldfish. At the start of the book, she was after Zuko and Iroh. Then she spotted Aang and decided it’d be great if she could catch him and Zuko and Iroh. Her father would be so proud, and he’d totally make her his heir! By page 70, she decided that it’d be even better if she acquired the whole Earth Kingdom.
The time I spent reading this probably would have been better spent rewatching some of the show. This added absolutely nothing. I picked it up (steeply discounted, thank goodness) thinking that it would feature a whole new story starring Azula. I didn’t expect too much, just something that, in the original series, would have qualified as filler, but I didn’t even get that. Instead it was a tedious, boring, and at times confusing rehash of events straight out of the series. Even the change in POV added nothing new. Azula was depicted as a one-note character with zero depth. It was extremely disappointing.
Literally everything about this was terrible. The book used an Avatar: The Last Airbender font throughout, which made for difficult/annoying reading. Also, the author could not keep his tenses straight. Often the tense would change from one paragraph to the next, present to past and then back to present, for no reason that I could see. Here are a couple examples of it happening in the same paragraph, or even same sentence:
“Ahhh! A wall of rock rose up through the track, blocking my pinwheel blast. In a matter of seconds I’ll crash right into the rock! I jumped out of the mail cart, which smashed into bits against the rock wall.” (34)
“It was a little infuriating that Kyoshi warriors would garner such a welcome, but I will not complain just yet.” (67)
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone, and I’m really glad I didn’t get any of the other books in this series.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
January 17, 2015
Despite the hilariously fail first book in this series, I thought I might give this one a try due to its featuring Azula. There is so much that could be done with a book like this: giving us an in-depth look at the twisted, sadistic inner landscape of one of the more interesting villains in the series. Because Azula is an antagonist, in the show we don't really get any looks behind the scenes with her as we do the four protagonists. This book was an opportunity to add depth and interest in places the series couldn't explore because it had to remain focused.
So, did it live up?
Nope! More shallow drivel that tells me absolutely nothing I didn't already know, and merely recaps the events of the second season without any additional flavor whatsoever.
I have to admit, I'm kind of intrigued by now and wonder just how lame the other four books can get. They are all sitting on my dresser.
Will the author exhibit any discernable improvement in writing, topic, voice, storytelling, anything? Will I waste any more of my very finite life on such poorly-composed twaddle? Will it ever be possible for me to muster even one nice thing to say about these books? (Good heavens, even the art looks dumbed down!)
Stay tuned!
So, did it live up?
Nope! More shallow drivel that tells me absolutely nothing I didn't already know, and merely recaps the events of the second season without any additional flavor whatsoever.
I have to admit, I'm kind of intrigued by now and wonder just how lame the other four books can get. They are all sitting on my dresser.
Will the author exhibit any discernable improvement in writing, topic, voice, storytelling, anything? Will I waste any more of my very finite life on such poorly-composed twaddle? Will it ever be possible for me to muster even one nice thing to say about these books? (Good heavens, even the art looks dumbed down!)
Stay tuned!
May 25, 2022
This book is better than the first, The Tale of Aang. This is still a summary of what happened on season two of the TV show, Avatar: The Last Airbender, but the events are seen from Azula's POV. However, unlike Aang, who is the main character and present for almost all of season two, Azula only took part in some of the season, thus this book devoted more time to flesh out the plot. Both books have the same number of pages, so that was probably a constraint that doomed the first book. This second book still suffers from the same flows, though, in that it is a summary that tells you what happened and you are better off just watching the show. I do not think anyone, let alone a fan of the show, should read this.
March 27, 2016
Short, sweet, and just like the other books in this series: a children's novelization of important plot points in the second season. I didn't like this as much as the others I've read (all but The Tale of Aang). Azula's tale just seemed a bit more rushed, I think. I remember Toph, Sokka, Katara, and Zuko's tales including some extra scenes or characterization that this one just didn't have. I don't know if that's because they were later in the series and the writer had hit his groove, or if I just don't remember because I haven't read them in five or six years.
I am disappointed that this book didn't include the tear-out 3D comic and 3D glasses like the four later ones do. I got this book used from PaperBackSwap, but even so, I didn't see any sign of a previously removed bonus comic. That were probably my favorite feature of the later books.
Anyway. This was a fun litle distraction from my other reading, which I've been having trouble concentrating on due to the onset of a slump. Great for Avatar fans, especially young ones.
I am disappointed that this book didn't include the tear-out 3D comic and 3D glasses like the four later ones do. I got this book used from PaperBackSwap, but even so, I didn't see any sign of a previously removed bonus comic. That were probably my favorite feature of the later books.
Anyway. This was a fun litle distraction from my other reading, which I've been having trouble concentrating on due to the onset of a slump. Great for Avatar fans, especially young ones.
August 17, 2019
I’m actually kind of loving the depth of her perspective.
Admitting she’s nervous but putting on a performance to crush resistance with the Dai Li, noticing Zuko’s nervousness in The Chase, her trust in Mai and Ty lee in Return to Omashu, how she's so keen to please her father (consistent motivation all over the book), how she offered her brother a genuine chance.
Her process is rational and she never relies on emotional impulse when it comes to her decisions. She likes to be in control of others and relishes in her ability to intimidate and manipulate them.
She's not angsty or Grim when she’s in her stride, nor is she really ambitious per se, it’s more that she’s got a script and she’s sticking to it. She’s been given the part of the perfect warrior with the responsibility to assume the throne, and that’s what she’s going to do.
December 2, 2017
This was one of those books that I had to read because I am obsessed with Azula. Like really obsessed. So I really did love seeing season 2 through her eyes. Plus I learned that she was driving the tank in The Chase, which somehow enhanced my life.
April 15, 2019
Loved reading from her POV, also totally forgot she was 14. I liked how the writing style was accurate to her age.
April 1, 2024
While the plot is already known to me because I watched the show, I found the first person point of view of Azula to be quite insightful.
There are confirmations about how and what she thinks that are already known from watching the show. However, the first person point of view reveals her insecurities as she confronts failure and gets depressed over it since she is not a girl who fails. She is not accustomed to failing and instead becomes more determined to succeed.
Azula thinks very highly of her father but admits that he is not a patient man. She also reveals that Ozai has been lenient with her. These two pieces of information only enhanced my interpretation of her relationship with her father. She has truly aspired to be perfect and a good little child soldier for him. It is very much out of love, respect and loyalty but also and perhaps most importantly fear. Something that she truly believes inspires loyalty. Azula must no the price that she might pay if she were to test Ozai's patience and fail him. She has good reason to fear him. After all, the man burned half to face of his son and heir. That was both a punishment for Zuko and an example for Azula.
Most interestingly is Azula's relationship with Zuko. Clearly, she has zero respect for Iroh since Ozai probably has poisoned the well there but this first person point of view has made me think that she does indeed care for Zuko in her own way. I had thought that she ONLY brought him back to the Fire Nation in order to use him as a scapegoat if the Avatar lived and also to absorb Ozai's ire. Azula, the prodigy looks better when compared to Zuko. Zuko's presence therefore enhances her vanity and pride. We still do not know exactly how Ozai treated her once Zuko was no longer in the palace for him to compare her to. She might not have come across as great as she used to since he was no longer there or perhaps OIzai was harder on her and demanded more from her. However, I no longer think that this is the ONLY reason.
Azula desires to be Fire Lord. She says that in the first person narration but her actions say something else. She drops this idea of becoming Fire Lord and instead works to get Zuko to return to her side. If she wants to be Fire Lord she really should have gotten rid of him. She has all of the resources to make Zuko disappear, thus clearing her path to the throne when she takes Ba Sing Se. She has control of the Dai Li and can use them to get rid of Zuko once and for all without actually killing him herself. It is what other royals who seek the throne do. However, Azula never does this. She never even thinks of killing him or keeping him in disgrace so he cannot inherit the throne.
Azula is instead critical of Zuko and annoyed that he does not possess the traits of their father and herself which she thinks is the requirements of a future Fire Lord. She therefore never loses a chance to mock him. It seems that she hopes that Zuko would fit in with herself and Ozai and instead become more like them.
This is actually a good tie in with the comics where Azula reveals that to be her true goal. Personally, I think it is feeble for a villainess. I think she should really just be after the throne. However, if she is not meant to be a villain but a more complex and rounded character then this can work. However, the comics need to do something better with her character than having her just harass Fire Lord Zuko.
There are confirmations about how and what she thinks that are already known from watching the show. However, the first person point of view reveals her insecurities as she confronts failure and gets depressed over it since she is not a girl who fails. She is not accustomed to failing and instead becomes more determined to succeed.
Azula thinks very highly of her father but admits that he is not a patient man. She also reveals that Ozai has been lenient with her. These two pieces of information only enhanced my interpretation of her relationship with her father. She has truly aspired to be perfect and a good little child soldier for him. It is very much out of love, respect and loyalty but also and perhaps most importantly fear. Something that she truly believes inspires loyalty. Azula must no the price that she might pay if she were to test Ozai's patience and fail him. She has good reason to fear him. After all, the man burned half to face of his son and heir. That was both a punishment for Zuko and an example for Azula.
Most interestingly is Azula's relationship with Zuko. Clearly, she has zero respect for Iroh since Ozai probably has poisoned the well there but this first person point of view has made me think that she does indeed care for Zuko in her own way. I had thought that she ONLY brought him back to the Fire Nation in order to use him as a scapegoat if the Avatar lived and also to absorb Ozai's ire. Azula, the prodigy looks better when compared to Zuko. Zuko's presence therefore enhances her vanity and pride. We still do not know exactly how Ozai treated her once Zuko was no longer in the palace for him to compare her to. She might not have come across as great as she used to since he was no longer there or perhaps OIzai was harder on her and demanded more from her. However, I no longer think that this is the ONLY reason.
Azula desires to be Fire Lord. She says that in the first person narration but her actions say something else. She drops this idea of becoming Fire Lord and instead works to get Zuko to return to her side. If she wants to be Fire Lord she really should have gotten rid of him. She has all of the resources to make Zuko disappear, thus clearing her path to the throne when she takes Ba Sing Se. She has control of the Dai Li and can use them to get rid of Zuko once and for all without actually killing him herself. It is what other royals who seek the throne do. However, Azula never does this. She never even thinks of killing him or keeping him in disgrace so he cannot inherit the throne.
Azula is instead critical of Zuko and annoyed that he does not possess the traits of their father and herself which she thinks is the requirements of a future Fire Lord. She therefore never loses a chance to mock him. It seems that she hopes that Zuko would fit in with herself and Ozai and instead become more like them.
This is actually a good tie in with the comics where Azula reveals that to be her true goal. Personally, I think it is feeble for a villainess. I think she should really just be after the throne. However, if she is not meant to be a villain but a more complex and rounded character then this can work. However, the comics need to do something better with her character than having her just harass Fire Lord Zuko.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2020
This book is for children and the content and structure reflects that. Nothing is a surprise here but it's nice to get a look inside what most of us probably suspected about Azula's inner thoughts during Book 2. This book is not intended to add to ATLA lore - it merely provides access in a different format.
October 29, 2019
There is a lot that could have been done with this book, rather than a poor recollection of the events of the show. It could have shown a whole new side to Azula, or at least deepen the already existing ones for us the readers.
July 26, 2022
A lot better than The Tale of Aang but still has a lot of flaws, especially with the pacing. But, I really enjoyed getting better perspective on Azula and her emotions because it isn't something that is very obvious in the show.
August 2, 2020
interesting to see azula's perspective
July 31, 2021
Azula is indeed the best villain of all time! I love her through out the series. And after reading, I liked her even more.
Read
December 6, 2023If you have seen the original series, you will not get anything out of this. There is nothing new this adds to the story or to the cannon.
November 28, 2022
It mostly described events that were shown in the television series but from Azula’s point of view, which allowed the reader to see her thinking behind every action she chose.
April 22, 2013
OMG I just realized this while filling out each and every field I could on Goodreads for the first time ever. It took me literally 1 whole year to read these. I bought them last April 18 and to the day finally got around to picking up the book from my shelves (real ones) and read at work. What an utter disappointment.
At least the last books about the water "book" had pictures, trivia, forms, ugh this time around they've thrown all that out the window.... along with the COLOR! I'm now copying and pasting this review onto each of the books I had just read. If you think I'm being lazy try reading these books. Yes it's getting docked now that I've suffered through them all.
True there is a tiny section in the back, with color photos and 3D glasses that focuses on one scene from the Earth book but I swear to God almighty 3D is never going to make things better for me anymore. Unless it's the full on immersion of Michael Jackson's Captain Eo or Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! I'm out. I putting my hand to heart and telling you I am past the 3D phase. My kids will just have to suffer through good ole 2D. If they want 3D they can go the fuck outside! Believe you me you can't get any more realer than that!
This is absurd. What a big pile of smoking hot turd balls these books have become. The worst part about it is you are confused by me calling it a book when the books are already books. Yup. Following me now? Nope? Aww well it doesn't matter. Once you bought these books and power through reading them to find out you've been played odds are you aren't able to return them anyway so...whatever.
I am telling all Avatar fans. F you movie folks, you make me sick! But reals fans A:TLA and A:LOK fans, buyer beware, this one is a pass, a seriously hard pass. Just pick up the Earth Book on DVD. Honest. You'll fair better. Get the boxed set, it comes with an "exclusive" (noticing all the quotes... that tells you how much BS I have to stomach to try and get through this - exclusive here just means you can't get it unless you buy the boxed set. It doesn't mean special, limited or otherwise, in any other way...) extra disc with bonus content, splurge a little, if you bought all those discs individually - yeah you guys are screwed too, you can't get your money back for being the excited fans Nickelodeon knew you were either. I'm sorry I feel for you all.That bonus disc is great. All the interviews with Sifu Kisu and Jessie Flower make it so worth it. Do skip the shama lama ding dong garbage - yes I said it - you all know the movie was full of fail and should've been killed with fire but... Get the boxed set.
As of today it's hovering around $30 USD. If you're really cheap or hurting for cash Neflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video offer it up included in the price. If you're really strapped for cash... well, I'm sure you've been thinking this entire while reading the review what you're thinking now so I'm going to say, I am one of you, I watched my illegally downloaded TV rips of Avatar and I then I went and bought the the damn DVDs. They're worth it. Support the great world Bryke have created. Don't act like you're too good for that. When the crapy crap comes along and you're paying 20 bucks to see Transformers number whatever in fakey IMAX 3D don't lie to me and tell me you ain't got the green. Also don't get in my face and try and tell me the movie was great, I will laugh and/or punch you square in the jaw. Not kidding. Quote me on it all you'd like. Spend your money wisely. Soapbox done.
Skip on these books. Not even for your kids. They're going to know what being played feels like at a very young age. Keep them sheltered. Don't expose them to this mess. Peace.
At least the last books about the water "book" had pictures, trivia, forms, ugh this time around they've thrown all that out the window.... along with the COLOR! I'm now copying and pasting this review onto each of the books I had just read. If you think I'm being lazy try reading these books. Yes it's getting docked now that I've suffered through them all.
True there is a tiny section in the back, with color photos and 3D glasses that focuses on one scene from the Earth book but I swear to God almighty 3D is never going to make things better for me anymore. Unless it's the full on immersion of Michael Jackson's Captain Eo or Honey, I Shrunk the Audience! I'm out. I putting my hand to heart and telling you I am past the 3D phase. My kids will just have to suffer through good ole 2D. If they want 3D they can go the fuck outside! Believe you me you can't get any more realer than that!
This is absurd. What a big pile of smoking hot turd balls these books have become. The worst part about it is you are confused by me calling it a book when the books are already books. Yup. Following me now? Nope? Aww well it doesn't matter. Once you bought these books and power through reading them to find out you've been played odds are you aren't able to return them anyway so...whatever.
I am telling all Avatar fans. F you movie folks, you make me sick! But reals fans A:TLA and A:LOK fans, buyer beware, this one is a pass, a seriously hard pass. Just pick up the Earth Book on DVD. Honest. You'll fair better. Get the boxed set, it comes with an "exclusive" (noticing all the quotes... that tells you how much BS I have to stomach to try and get through this - exclusive here just means you can't get it unless you buy the boxed set. It doesn't mean special, limited or otherwise, in any other way...) extra disc with bonus content, splurge a little, if you bought all those discs individually - yeah you guys are screwed too, you can't get your money back for being the excited fans Nickelodeon knew you were either. I'm sorry I feel for you all.That bonus disc is great. All the interviews with Sifu Kisu and Jessie Flower make it so worth it. Do skip the shama lama ding dong garbage - yes I said it - you all know the movie was full of fail and should've been killed with fire but... Get the boxed set.
As of today it's hovering around $30 USD. If you're really cheap or hurting for cash Neflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video offer it up included in the price. If you're really strapped for cash... well, I'm sure you've been thinking this entire while reading the review what you're thinking now so I'm going to say, I am one of you, I watched my illegally downloaded TV rips of Avatar and I then I went and bought the the damn DVDs. They're worth it. Support the great world Bryke have created. Don't act like you're too good for that. When the crapy crap comes along and you're paying 20 bucks to see Transformers number whatever in fakey IMAX 3D don't lie to me and tell me you ain't got the green. Also don't get in my face and try and tell me the movie was great, I will laugh and/or punch you square in the jaw. Not kidding. Quote me on it all you'd like. Spend your money wisely. Soapbox done.
Skip on these books. Not even for your kids. They're going to know what being played feels like at a very young age. Keep them sheltered. Don't expose them to this mess. Peace.
June 4, 2021
This book may be for people younger than me, but I still like it! This has great detail. I think the book matches the characters personalities perfectly.
Read
July 29, 2021I started this last year hoping to read many shorter books to complete my reading goal, but that didn’t happen. My concentration skills are nary existent but 2019 me had managed to read quite a bit I thought I could do it again last year, which didn’t happen but I stuck it through because if I can’t finish a child’s book I have little hope for an actual novel. Anyway, Azula is obviously gay coded and she deserves a real behemoth of a novel focused on her upbringing, mental breakdown, and the thereafter.
September 6, 2009
Another Avatar book!
July 3, 2012
I was hoping for more background on Azula. This was basically a retelling of the second season's plot told from Azula's perspective.
February 2, 2016
Azula sure is wierd!
December 31, 2024
Not the most interesting to read, and in all honesty I wouldn't suggest it to anyone else. Still a fun idea though and I'll never hate too much on any ATLA content.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews