The Last Airbender Prequel: Zuko's Story

Right off the bat, I want to state that, in my opinion, The Last Airbender is an enjoyable movie. I watched Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon show on multiple occasions, and I felt that the film represented the show well. I know everything wasn’t the same. Some bending effects were delayed, and they kept pronouncing some of the names differently (which annoyed me slightly). The costumes were different, and the actors/actresses didn’t look exactly like the characters in the show. However, I liked it because it was a little different. It provided more content, much like the book. I think they could have added more makeup to Zuko’s scar in the movie, and on the book cover, it looks more like claw marks than burns. Nonetheless, I was excited to read the book because Zuko is my favorite character in the Avatar: The Last Airbender series. Zuko’s story begins with him on his ship, thinking about the incidents after his father burned his face in the Agni Ki. Zuko leaves the infirmary, moving through the hallways as the servants whisper about what happened. His Uncle Iroh begs Zuko to recuperate, but Zuko refuses. After Zuko has an emotional scene in his room, he composes himself when he hears knocking on the door. He’s happy at the thought of his father entering his room to apologize for what happened, but only Azula comes to push his buttons as he packs his clothes. Zuko leaves the palace as Iroh, Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Zhao watch. (Zhao looks like the one from Avatar: The Last Airbender rather than the one from the movie.) I was shocked to see Mai and Ty Lee there, but it makes sense that they wouldn’t be old enough to head out on their own. Unfortunately, Firelord Ozai disagrees with that sentiment. I thought Iroh joined Zuko’s journey from the start, but apparently not. On the streets, Zuko attempts to convince civilians of the Fire Nation to join his hunt for the Avatar. No one is willing to go against Fire Lord Ozai’s rule. Throughout the rough negotiation, Zuko is hot-headed. After a while, Zuko has no choice but to ask his sister Azula a favor. Somehow, he convinces Azula to ask their father for a ship for Zuko. In exchange, Zuko must take his uncle on the trip. Iroh gets Zuko a ship crew, and they sail off. Zuko plans to visit all the air temples to see if the Avatar is hiding in one of them. The first temple they explore is the upside-down Western Air Temple. Iroh suggests Zuko takes it easy and gives himself time to heal. Zuko says some mean things to Iroh, but Iroh brushes it off because he understands what Zuko’s going through. Iroh suggests they go to Avatar Roku’s former home to find answers there. I love Iroh’s comment, “I only nag because I care, nephew” (p. 31). Zuko and Iroh encounter Fire Sage Shyu, who leads them to a vast library of previous Avatars’ letters and stories. As Zuko learns the invaluable information, he overhears the Fire Sages firebending, using advanced moves. Things don’t turn out well when Zuko demands they teach him. Iroh steps in and declares he’ll teach Zuko the advanced firebending. Later, Zuko removes his bandage to reveal his scar. One night, when Zuko meditates in his room, he hears a noise and investigates it. Zuko discovers the Red Spirit stealing supplies from his ship. (The Red Spirit mask is the Blue Spirit mask in a different color, although it’s difficult to tell since the book is printed in black and white.) Zuko fights the Red Spirit, but he gets away. Zuko enters town and approaches his uncle to explain what happened, but Iroh asks him not to interrupt the play. Zuko watches the show until he realizes the firebender performer is the Red Spirit. Zuko approaches the Red Spirit after the show. They reach an agreement and help each other get what they desire; for Zuko, it’s a map, and for the Red Spirit, it’s his son. Zuko explodes after separating from the father and son duo and Iroh. When Zuko returns to his ship, he receives a gift from his friendly Red Spirit. No matter what Zu