The Tale of Zuko

The Earth Kingdom Chronicles #5

by Michael Teitelbaum

I am Prince Zuko. After being betrayed by my wicked sister, Azula, Uncle Iroh and I have sought new lives in the Earth Kingdom. It is humbling to wander as a refugee, but it has also opened my eyes to the pain the Fire Nation has inflicted on the world -- as well as on me. On one hand I am proud to be a prince of the Fire Nation, but on the other hand I feel very ashamed. What is my destiny? Is it to turn my back on the Fire Nation and start anew, or is it to restore my honor and earn back my rightful place as the future Fire Lord? I have yet to find out.

Book Details: Format: Paperback Publication Date: 2/5/2008 Pages: 96 Reading Level: Age 7 and Up

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Anime, Graphic Novels Manga

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 5, 2008

About the author

Michael 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.

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is verbatim what happens in the 2nd season of the TV show. I was hoping for maybe some extra adventures that Zuko and Iroh got into, but we don't get any new material. And even though Zuko is narrating, there is nothing insightful. His internal thoughts are rudimentary and nothing noteworthy is added that we wouldn't have already assumed from watching the show.

Also the author is a terrible writer- he keeps switching between past and present tense ("I attacked Azula" in one sentence and "I attack Azula" in the next). I'm honestly stunned that this book made it to publication. Was there no editor? Or was the editor perhaps a young child? Not sure. If you're getting this book for a child, they probably wouldn't notice. But, as an adult, it was painful to read.

[Effy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't mind that the book was verbatim of what happened in S2 in the show, but even Zuko's thoughts didn't really give us any new impressions. Everything felt extremely rushed, even in his mind, as if they wanted to get the book over with. So it sort of felt unnecessary to write one about the episodes in Zuko's POV in the first place.

The only scenes that gave me a new perspective – and had me stop and think for a second – were his date with Jin (why he ran off and didn't seem too pleased about the kiss, even though later he tells Iroh the date "was nice") and the interpretation of his dream of him looking like Aang.

[Nadia Latai (Nadiasbookishworld86) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the character of Zuko in the anime and really wanted to get a deeper look at his history. Zuko’s history is very complex but I got a new appreciation for him! 💕

[Divia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuko's story told from his point of view is really insightful and entertaining. I love that we got Zuko's thoughts while he was on his date with Jin. We also get the dynamic between Zuko and Iroh which is really entertaining.

I find that Zuko is really obsessed with defeating Azula. He actually thinks more about her than she thought of him. Of course he eventually gets his Agni Kai with her but it is subverted rather beautifully. She challenges him and does not seem to take any joy in defeating her because she has become mentally unstable. Their fight is such a tragedy. Their sibling relationship was poisoned from very early on and it is broken.

Also, I notice how Zuko clearly feels like he has betrayed Iroh. He does not think that he betrayed Katara. He is really just focused on Iroh and him being at the crossroads where he is free to choose his own path foreshadowed by his dream: Iroh (red dragon) or Azula (blue dragon).

[Elizabeth Alfaro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the story of Avatar Ang and one of my favorite charcaters is prince Zuko. So, I was hoping to know a little mor inside from him, that's why I get this book. But, there's nothing new in this short story. If you watch the series and remember every single episode, like me. You don't need to read this.

If you haven't watch the series in a long while, and you are interesting in just catching up with this character. Then, this is for you. The series is better, so I encourage you to watch it, instead.

[Your Common House Bat · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I can't believe it took me this long to read this one. It has been sitting on my self for months. Like, it has Azula on the cover but it took me this long??? I don't know lol. But naturally I like it, I enjoy pretty much everything the Avatar universe has to offer. And I like Zuko a lot too so I like reading things from his POV.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing to exciting but a retelling of the second season of Avatar from Zuko’s perspective. Mainly read it for a nostalgia trip as I was obsessed with this book as a kid. For a retelling book it’s really fun but don’t expect a masterpiece. I gave it 4 stars because it is one of the better books in the movie/tv retelling genre.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, this is just like the Azula book, only worse in my opinion. I can't imagine Zuko being actually so whiny and dishonest. I know he did questionable things, but this undermined his character he was and became. It was just atrocious.

[Amirdhini · Rating 5 out of 5]

when you watch the movie they show him as a bad guy (and in the episodes) but he has been through a lot and his story is kinda sad.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe she actually liked Jin! I ship them together. Ok, this book is really great, I also get to know other things about him

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Zuko and Iroh’s perspective. They are so unique in their hopes and their pain, so aim always interested in learning about how they view and grow in the world.

[Nikhil Math]

Do not read this, this adds nothing to the story or lore of the Avatar universe.

[Summer Walsh]

This book is pretty much the same as the show. So i did not rate the book.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[E · Rating 1 out of 5]

Darn. Back to multiple tenses. The author bounces back and forth between things that happened in the past, and things that are happening now, that I'm amazed he can keep the two straight.

The scene at the end of the season in which Zuko chooses to betray his uncle to fight on Azula's side was ripe for exploration, since viewers of the show are privy to none of his internal turmoil. Naturally, this opportunity was not seized, and all we get is more completely wooden, uninteresting prose in a font best used for decorative purposes only.

[Suyicutie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just another of my Avatar loving self

[Keira Mc · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.