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Yes, I know I’ve just finished the previous book in less than a week ago. Partly because the book is shorter, but also because I felt like in a trance reading this. The story is just intriguing like that. There are a lot of red herrings/plot twists, and even double plot twists. The story continues its previous book well, with an even darker tone. As with the previous book it follows two parallel storylines of the protagonist and the antagonist, which allows us to understand what led the bad guy to do that.

However, I’m not quite satisfied with the sudden change of personality of the Fire Lord. While it forwards the story well, it happens just so quick, it feels unbelievable.

Yes, I know I’ve just finished the previous book in less than a week ago. Partly because the book is shorter, but also because I felt like in a trance reading this. The story is just intriguing like that. There are a lot of red herrings/plot twists, and even double plot twists. The story continues its previous book well, with an even darker tone. As with the previous book it follows two parallel storylines of the protagonist and the antagonist, which allows us to understand what led the bad guy to do that.

However, I’m not quite satisfied with the sudden change of personality of the Fire Lord. While it forwards the story well, it happens just so quick, it feels unbelievable.

I never expected a prequel novel to be so exciting to read. It leads you from one surprise to another. To quote DiMartino, the co-creator of the franchise,

Any prequel story presents a unique challenge, […] [s]ince the reader already knows how things eventually turn out, they are one step ahead of the hero.

Nonetheless, I was drawn in the story with all the new characters who shaped the fearsome Avatar we know. As the events unfold, I am constantly amazed at how they fit in the blank of the original story.

Though, as it is a prequel story, watching the original show is a must.

The book approaches the problem from various views: business view, algorithmic view, and practical view (giving examples). The book accentuates the diversity of problems and thereby encouraging readers to critically think of their own problems. While it suggests that search results should be influenced by sponsors, it also notes that without balance that will as well lead to failure.

The explanations are clear and there are various exercises which are useful for learning

The explanations are clear and there are various exercises which are useful for learning