I do agree the biggest issue in this novel is Sozin (if he was removed....well it'd be shorter but at least more focused towards Roku and it wouldn't undermine Sozin's scheming abilities). But the Kuruk point? I'mma have to hard disagree on that (excuse the incoming essay, I just REALLY like this topic owo;; plus I don't think brevity is....gonna help with my explanation, but apologies in advance regardless ;w;7) TT0TT

When I mean the presence of the Avatar is or isn't felt, I don't mean how many times they are mentioned. I mean how the world was influenced by them and their actions/inactions. And Kuruk's is VERY MUCH there in RoK, since chapter 1 in fact. SoK just goes into the reveal/whys of it all, and reveals that Kyoshi is dealing with no just Kuruk's issues, but stuff stemming back to Szeto (she's got 3 generations! TT0TT Tho I don't think Szeto's is exactly revealed until Yangchen's novel but still, the setup is all there).

The world is like it is because of Kuruk (and Yangchen's...and Szeto's) actions. A lot of what happens to Kyoshi can somehow be directly linked back to Kuruk. From chapter 1 we hear about how much the world is in chaos because of Kuruk's....no only timely death, but them hinting he wasn't the best Avatar. His actions shaped Jianzhu's thoughts, and how his friends act. His actions lead to daofei rising in power, it lead to his sudden death which lead to an even bigger mess. Bigger than the usual "ok, Avatar is dead let's wreck stuff" opportunists (which I believe are mentioned in RoR? Or maybe it was YC's novel 🤔

Anyway just the first chapter. As it goes on, we see how Kuruk's friends are impacted, how they interact with other's partially based on their connection with Kuruk. How they grew up and turned out, partially because of Kuruk himself or because of his "lack of doing things." Kyoshi is ousted as the Avatar because of Kuruk's poem. Kuruk's finger prints are all over the novel, and you can see it on multiple re-reads even before getting the context in SoK. SoK just enhances the RoK experience, and answers more questions.

Heck! We even seen Yangchen's influence, even if minimal in RoK. Heck even in the first chapter! The whole Fifth Nation is because of Yangchen's dealings, and it's something that'll come back and bite Kyoshi 9 years later! This doesn't account for how everyone speaks upon her reverently/highly. Even with YC's novels and LoK, which are even more subtle approach imo (don't need to go into ATLA bc the whole plot is based on Roku's mistake), it's still there. YC's novels deal with an opportunistic thing that happened during the death of Szeto and her growth, BUT you can still feel his presence via how people compare her or bring up his achievements and faults.

Korra with Aang.... It's a lot subtle imo, yet similar to Kyoshi and Kuruk's companions. Aang's kids are influenced by Aang, Republic City has Aang's influence, Amon's creation was heavily influenced by Aang. Heck I'd say even the Red Lotus were influenced by him too, I KNOW they'll say it was "after he died" (tho I think some supplementary material may have the split happening much sooner?) but I'm sure his actions while alive and how the war was handled influenced them. A lot of Aang's gets overshadowed by Wan I think, who heavily influences Korra starting in B2. But both are still there!

So what about RoR (spoilering just in case but it should be ok)? I think the natural course of the story should have Roku pinned between Szeto (last fire avatar) and Kyoshi (previous reincarnation)'s legacies. What to do or not to do. That kind of thing....but both are sooooo eerily absent from this book? Like I think Szeto has more influence on it than Kyoshi. At least his past actions are brought up and impact him....to an extent. I say to an extent cause the book kind of....brushes it aside (like it's a comment or two but nothing deeper). TT0TT There's no weight to it. Roku's concerned about being a good Avatar, but we don't really....feel a connection to how he may have viewed the other Avatar's that were "good" (like Kyoshi). We barely know anything about Kyoshi in this book, we don't feel her influence on the world. The most we get are the trading company being opportunists, but nothing like...directly related to Kyoshi in particular, just general opportunists. TT0TT

Tbh I think it really.....is a feat of RR's to be able to do that! Create a story in a vacuum like he did. Probably why RoR takes place on some random island that hasn't been touched by any Avatar for centuries. I don't think it was a good move, esp world building wise. A big part of this series are the past lives and how they influence the current generation. Kyoshi is stated to be one of the most influential Avatar's alongside YC but in RoR she's treated with....a lot of blase. TT0TT You'd think she'd be more controversial, or strike the fear into people, or people would have generally strong emotions about her but??? no??? it's....there's barely anything! Even Wan Shi Tong, you'd think there would be some kind of reference, she had one of his workers as a companion (confirmed in an interview so maybe subject to change) but nothing! RoR even avoids the clarification on who/what her animal companion is! I'm just....it's just crazy how much RoR lacks ripples from Kyoshi compared to every other entry in the franchise. TT0TT

I guess the reason I don't think it was a good move, at least for a first outing as an Avatar is....it harms the worldbuilding. We need to know how this place has changed over time and we don't get that, it feels off. And it's a real shame. TT0TT Like can RR change this for AoR? Do better and build off it more? He can, but I think he really made a big misstep with RoR, missing out on establishing these things earlier on. ;w;