The dawn of Yangchen

A young Avatar and her companion strive to make their marks in this sequel to The Shadow of Kyoshi (2020). Yangchen is a talented Avatar with the ability to relive the experiences and pain of all the Avatars who came before. While learning how to manage these episodes was traumatic, eventually she began to use her visions to deal with diplomatic obstacles. Despite her raw talent, Yangchen blunders through a meeting with the merchant rulers, or shangs, of the city of Bin-Er. She learns of Unanimity, an asset that would give the shang possessing it dangerous powers. The narrative toggles between the third-person perspectives of Yangchen and Kavik, a Waterbender whose family fled to Bin-Er. A reluctant spy, he trades in secrets with the goal of helping his family return to their northern homeland. When Yangchen catches Kavik, they make a deal: He will help her secure Unanimity in exchange for his family's receiving travel papers. What starts as a transaction eventually develops into deeper loyalty as the duo's shared trials foster mutual trust. Tensions are heightened when family obligations and political intrigue threaten their newfound companionship. Despite the tightly written narrative, the pace of the first half gets bogged down by political intricacies and flashbacks before the action picks up. Readers are left with a promise of a sequel. In this Asian--inspired world, Kavik is cued as coming from a culture reminiscent of northern Indigenous peoples. An intriguing romp occasionally slowed down by worldbuilding details. (Fantasy. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.