Real Rating: 4 1/2
I have to say, I think these books are finally coming into their own. Not that I disliked the first two trilogies, but they had flaw after flaw. Not that this one doesn't have some flaws as well, but I enjoyed it more than the others.
First off, the art. I've always enjoyed the art of these books, but I think the style has grown on me even more. I'm not a huge artist, but there's a few panels that I want to sketch out because I thought they were so beautiful.
I also love the nods to the Korra series. I'll say more about that in my spoilers section, but I did appreciate that the writer is really trying to connect Avatar and Korra together, and it helps the world feel richer because of it.
I loved the character designs for the new characters, and it was great seeing some of the old again. I knew beforehand that this trilogy is going to focus on Toph, but the end of this book was perfect! I really want to get my hands on the second book, as this trilogy is bringing up some stuff with Toph that I've always wanted to see play out. Very vague, I know, but spoilers.
My one complaint is Toph. She's my favorite character and I love this focus on her, but... There were a few moments she seemed a little too harsh. I mean, Toph isn't afraid to say what she really feels and she is really confrontational, but I feel like she would have a little more respect for Aang by this point. The Toph in this book occasionally feels like Book 2 Toph, where she hasn't really bonded with the Gaang. Toph could still be a little mean in Book 3, but... I don't know. I don't know how to explain it, other than saying while Toph was great for the most part in this book, there were a few moments I felt she was downright mean.
SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Satoru. I love his character design and his personality and his bits with Toph were great. However, while I like seeing Toph hit it off with him, I get the feeling he's related to the Sato's of Korra. I mean, the name is fairly close, and he's all about inventing new technology, including the forklift (which can be seen as similar to the satomobile). Maybe I'm just reading too much into it, but that honestly was my first thought when I read his name, and it didn't help that he had said "Fire ferrets" right before that.
But if he really is Asami's grandfather (that's my guess, anyways. I need to refresh myself on Asami's family and her father's business, but I don't think there's anything that contradicts my thoughts.), then there's no way Toph and him get together. Because while Asami's father could have come from another wife, it would still make Lin/Opal and Hiroshi related to one another. Maybe by blood, maybe just by family relationships. And while nobody seems to know about Toph's two husbands, I don't think such a thing as Lin and Asami being related would be overlooked in the three seasons of Korra that have aired.
This has turned from a review of the book to my speculations and thoughts... So, I'll wrap this up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There was a moment or two that pulled me out of the book, but I think these graphic novels just keep getting better and better. Katara and Sokka do take the background a little, but they add quite a bit of humor if you really pay attention to the panels. Plus, it's nice to see Toph getting some focus on issues that the Korra series hasn't really touched on, rather just on her metalbending academy. I can't wait to see where this story goes.