Light It Up!

by Ash J. Wu

144 pages, Hardcover

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Amber | backinthebookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really sweet, and a fun peak into a time of a different Avatar. Perfect for young ones, or any age who enjoys the Avatar universe!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avatar Legends: Bending Academy: Fire, Book 1: Light It Up!, by Ash J. Wu is 1 of 2 books set in the world of Avatar: The Last Avatar for Christmas 2025. (The 2nd was Avatar: The Awakening of Roku, by Randy Ribay, which will be my next book to read.) These book came out last year in honor of the 20th anniversary of the series. I mentioned this fact in my review of Avatar Legends: City of Echoes, by Judy I. Lin. The series is turning 21 in 2026. I consider that to be just as important an anniversary, so I think it's fitting to read it now.

All the other Avatar books I've read were geared towards a teen/young adult audience. Light It Up! is quite clearly a kids/middle grade book. I suppose it could be used as both a introduction to the franchise for today's kids who weren't even alive when it premiered, and a treat for the life-long fans. I know I, at almost 36-years-old, loved it!

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10
Kocham uniwersum avatara😍 jest to Książka dla dzieci więc była szybka przyjemna I z morałem by pracować w grupie i sobie pomagać nawzajem i się wspierać. Bardzo spoko dodatek do uniwersum jestem ciekawa tej serii. Super że było tutaj bardzo dużo obrazków bo czułam się jakbym znowu serial oglądała xd mówiąc o serialu to nie leży mi tylko tutaj timeline Bo są tu lampiony pierogi szkoła festiwale i vibe ery aanga a Jednak akcja niby dzieje się za czasów szeto Czyli jakieś 500 lay wcześniej 🤔 to dla mnie jedyny minus. Mega doceniam jak avatar daje nam różne reprezentację. Ja przez większość książki nie zauważyłam że ona nie ma ręki bo nie jest to jej cecha osobowości Tylko cos Z czym żyje i potrafi wykorzystać na swoją korzyść. Przyjemne fajne dla młodszych albo nerdów avatara

[Damian Herde · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is a primary school kid level read, I jumped in thinking it was an introduction to the new fire kingdom avatar, although it is not.

Set during the time of Avatar Szeto, the story follows a group of four fire nation school kids. They are full of self doubts and insecurities, but sign up for a fire bending tournament in order to get coaching from an experienced teacher.

Their journey is very Karate Kid, with the inexperienced good guys facing up against an older, meaner, no mercy team.

I’m not the target demographic, and it really was too wholesome and safe, and full of teachable moments, for me. But, it’s still fun to engage with new avatar content.

[GujjuBoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was really heartwarming. Shows how a little determination can go a long way. Loved it!
Area: Disabled Character (No left arm)
Sunjun: LGBTQ character (Non-Binary They/Them)
Great book. I honestly don’t recommend any Avatar The Last Airbender books because you won’t understand them if you haven’t watched the series.
(Apparently this book was set in the era of Avatar Szeto!

[Julia Pika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book, will be great for beginner readers. One doesn't really need to know about ATLA to read this either, which works out well for the kids who may not have seen the shows yet.