This tag was created by A Clockwork Reader on YouTube. As I just finished my rewatch of Avatar and am making my way back through Korra and loving it, I thought this was a cool time for this tag. I loved this tag and thought the questions were really fun. What type of bender would you be? I would for sure be a fire bender.
Water
1.) Katara and Sokka: The Best Sibling Relationship
For this I am going with the Penderwick series by Jeanne Birdsall. In the first book we follow Roselind , Skye, Jane, and Batty who are on summer vacation with their father. They are such a sweet family. The say they care for each other and the frustrations they have with each other are so real and grounded. I love that they each got their own path.
2.) Yue: Favorite Star-Crossed Lovers
The Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds: I’m not sure there is a correct way to define this love, but star-crossed seems close enough. I loved this story and it did in fact bring me to tears more than once.
3.) Blood Bending: A Book With A Disturbing/Unsettling Content
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett: This books place in a dystopian community where girls are banished for a year when they are 17 to rid themselves of the “magic” that corrupts the men in the society. It follows through in all the ways this can be interpreted the vulnerable year of banishment and how a society throughout it’s years places blame on young women for corrupting.
Earth
1.) Toph: A Character Whose Strength Surprised You or The Other Characters In The Book
Jude and Noah from I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson. We follow these twins three years apart and through the story it is slowly revealed just how much weight they were carrying.
2.) The Tales of Ba Sing Se: Best Short Story/Poetry Collection
There are a lot of really good ones. I think the one that has the most stories that stuck with me is Paper Cities edited by Ekaterina Sedia. Each story is a fantasy set in a city whether real or fictional. I really like most of the stories and loved the way setting was used as the common thread.
3.) Kioshi Warriors: Best Warrior Character
This answer is only ever going to be Paks from The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon. She starts as a sheepfarmer’s daughter and joins up as a foot soldier. Then… everything else happens but she is always a warrior at heart.
Fire
1.) Zuko: Best Redemption Arc
In general I don’t think these are well done. Zuko tends to be my number one example. I feel like the best example I have is Alabaster from The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin and it still doesn’t totally count. Also spoilers…
2.) Iroh: Wisest Character
Elodin from The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. He is the Master Namer at the University. It is literally his job to have an understanding of things as to name them. He is also an incredible teacher and his patience while people are taking in his learnings is unmatched.
3.) Azula: Best Downfall
Xifeng from Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao. This is a East Asian inspired Evil Queen (ie. Snow White’s step-mother) origin story. So we go in knowing it’s going to end badly, however Xifeng’s descent and how far she is willing to go to get what she wants is so spirally and good.
Air
1.) Appa: Favorite Fictional Animal/Pet
Gleep! The purest little dragon in the world from Myth Adventures by Robert Asprin. He is a baby dragon and he would think you are wonderful.
2.) Aang: Purest Cinnamon Roll
Chestnutt from Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia is the first one that comes to mind. Not only is she the softest character (personality wise and literally) but she reminds me a lot of Aang. Chestnutt wants to help people but struggles with being seen as capable.
3.) Avatar State: A Stubborn Character/ A Character That Struggles With Letting Go
Stevie Bell from the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson is incredibly stubborn. Yes, she is smart and passionate, but she is so stubborn. Stevie has a hard time letting go of a puzzle and initial perceptions of people. She makes a lot of mistakes when she can’t let go of the reins and let someone else take care of it. Super fun character to read though.
Pretend adult here 