Avatar: The Last Airbender--Ashes of the Academy

By Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, Faith Erin Hicks

Book Overview

When things take a turn for the worse and a seed of doubt about the new headmistress is planted, Zuko takes action by installing one of the people he trusts most, Mai, as an academy teacher. Can Mai keep a watchful eye over Kiyi and keep her on the right path, or will the academy's cruel culture shape her footsteps into those of her other half-sibling, Azula? Faith Erin Hicks, Peter Wartman, and Adele Matera are back with another new adventure in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Written in consultation with the co-creators of the animated series, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1506737730
• ISBN13: 9781506737737
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Dark Horse Books
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Avatar: The Last Airbender – Ashes of the Academy (Mai Teaches the Next Generation of Fire Nation)

Avatar: The Last Airbender – Ashes of the Academy occurs in the Royal Fire Nation Academy for Girls. Ursa voices her concerns about her youngest daughter, Kiyi, attending the school, fearing it will twist her personality like Azula’s. Fire Lord Zuko assures his mother he has changed the curriculum. The girls will learn the history of the Hundred-Year War the Fire Nation started. Fire Lord Zuko escorts his mother on a tour of the school and introduces Headmistress Shihan to her. Headmistress Shihan discusses her and some parents’ reservations about the new changes. Fire Lord Zuko argues that this transformation of the Fire Nation’s knowledge will better serve the young women of all social classes. Kiyi is excited to begin school. All the girls rush inside, including Kiyi’s best friend, Lihua. Lihua tells Kiyi of her fears about attending school when her family is not prominent in politics or society. Kiyi promises to protect Lihua if any of the other girls try to bully her. Kiyi is a confident young lady, possibly bolstered by her brother’s status as the Fire Lord, which makes her a princess of the Fire Nation. In school, Kiyi argues with one of the teachers about the Fire Nation’s responsibility in the war and how Fire Lord Zuko helped end it. I love how the first line of the book is the original opening to Avatar: The Last Airbender, spoken by Katara (Mae Whitman). “Long ago the four nations lived in harmony. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.” When the girls are allowed outside to play on the playground, Kiyi and Lihua run into a few rich bully girls. They are willing to accept Princess Kiyi but not commoner Lihua. Kiyi’s anger escalates into a firebending battle that lands her in the Headmistress Shihan’s office. Headmistress Shihan blames Lihua for the fight and punishes her. Kiyi sticks up for her friend. Lihua regrets switching schools, but Kiyi vows Headmistress Shihan will learn her lesson. The next day, Fire Lord Zuko enters Headmistress Shihan’s office to confront her about her methods and resistance to change. Headmistress Shihan informs Fire Lord Zuko about the importance of looking after his most prominent citizens, who can give him the most support. Fire Lord Zuko decides to add a new teacher, the daughter of Governor Ukano, Mai. Now all Zuko has to do is tell Mai his decision. Mai is shocked he would consider her as a teacher. Mai’s mother thinks it’s a wonderful idea. Zuko agrees Mai is great with Tom Tom. He reveals his secret reason for wanting Mai there: to spy and ensure Headmistress Shihan is following the rules he has set. Mai is perturbed by Zuko’s revelation of her relationship to Governor Ukano. Despite her hatred for the school, she concurs to teach the girls tomorrow. At the entrance, Mai reminisces about her younger days at the school. Her father pressured her to befriend Princess Azula so it would benefit his career. It’s interesting to see young Ty Lee following Azula. This comic answers the question of who was Azula’s first friend between Mai and Ty Lee. Mai visits Headmistress Shihan before classes begin. They disagree on former Headmistress Pearl’s teaching skills under the rule of Fire Lords Sozin and Ozai. Mai informs Headmistress Shihan of her purpose: to ensure the children learn what occurred during the Hundred-Year War. It’s awkward and nerve-racking for Mai, but she appeals to the girls by describing the life cycle of a cicada-beetle. This gives Mai the idea to send the girls outside to catch bugs. The girls are ecstatic, and Kiyi sticks to Mai like glue at times. (It’s funny how Kiyi introduces Mai to Lihua.) Headmistress Shihan is annoyed to see the girls playing outside instead of studying the history of the Fire Nation. When the class reconvenes inside, Headmistress Shihan confronts Mai about her teaching subject. Mai believes kids should have fun and not listen to the corrupt school system, which forces students to mistrust their neighbors and friends and to attac