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.