Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, Kat and her books lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when a reading slump attacked…But I believe a good book recommendation can save the world (and let’s face it…the world could do with some saving right now). That’s why today I’m going to share six books that are perfect for all the waterbenders (and Avatar: The Last Airbender fans) out there.
6 Book Recommendations for Waterbenders
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
I figure I should probably start out this list of book recs for waterbenders with a book that has the word “water” in the title. I know what you must be thinking right now: what a stupidly stupefyingly creative thing to do, Kat! Yes, my own ingenuity astounds even me sometimes. But this book has so much more going for it than just an amazing title! A Song Below Water is an extremely relevant story that uses magic and mythological creatures (Sirens!!) to shine a light on vital topics such as racism, microaggressions, intersectionality, and misogynoir.
The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang
Pitched as the darkness of The Poppy War meets the elemental magic of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this book is full of high-stakes battle scenes, tender family dynamics, and insanely detailed world-building. Also, it features ice magic, wind magic, and blood manipulation; this book couldn’t be more perfect for waterbenders if it tried.
📖 RELATED POST: Come read M.L. Wang’s exclusive guest post on my blog
Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
Did I choose this book expressly because it has a big wave on the cover? Absolutely. But also because, as the amazing Uncle Iroh explained, “Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are capable of adapting to many things. They have a sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.”
This “sense of community” flawlessly describes the townspeople of Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town that Rosa calls home, and gives me ALL the Water Tribe vibes.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
The moon is the source of all waterbenders’ power, and the original waterbenders learned to bend by observing how it pushed and pulled the tides. As such, I obviously had to include a book about the moon in this waterbending-inspired reading list. That was just a given.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon is, as the Perfectly Tiny Dragon in it states, a “joyful joyness.” You read that correctly – a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Imagine, a dragon that fits in your pocket and likes to cuddle on your lap! If that doesn’t make you want to pick up this utterly magical and delightfully whimsical book, then I don’t know what will.
📖 RELATED POST: Come see what I had to say about The Girl Who Drank the Moon!
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
One of the more sinister parts of being a waterbender is the ability to manipulate blood. So I just had to include Blood Like Magic on this list. (Sorry not sorry for recommending 2021 releases that you can’t even read yet. Let’s get crushed by our TBRs together!) It’s got Black witches, paranormal magic, and murder! *dun dun dunnnnn* Plus, it’s set in Canada (O CANADA)! Color me intrigued. Actually, scratch that. Color me ABSOLUTELY FREAKING EXCITED!!
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Located at both the Northern and Southern Poles, the people of the Water Tribes are completely surrounded by snow, ice, and a perpetual winter that would rival the frozen armageddon that Elsa accidentally brought to Arendelle (she’s totally a waterbender, btw). The Bear and the Nightingale has a bone-chillingly frosty setting that is beautifully atmospheric, making it the perfect novel to pair with the Sokka, Katara, and Korra’s frigid hometown.
Honorable Mentions:
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Have you read any of these books?
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If you lived in the ATLA universe, what kind of bender would you be?
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I love this post, Kat!! I’m currently rewatching Avatar right now and OMG there are so many good moments, like the directors and writers are absolute geniuses (who can forget the classic cut scene in the first book when Zuko says “he’s clearly a master of evasive maneuvers” and Sokka says “you have no idea where you’re going, do you?” I cackle every time). I actually haven’t read any of these yet but they’re going on my TBR because anything even remotely like or connected to Avatar is something I want to read!
Laura @BlueEyeBooks
Thank you so much for this lovely comment, Laura! And BWAHAHAHA it’s been too long since I last binged ATLA, so I completely forgot about that scene, but GOSH THAT’S HILARIOUS. I agree 10000% that the creators just….wowowow. They are, as you said, GENIUSES. Anyways, I hope you find a book from this list that you end up enjoying! And thanks again for reading :)
the bear and the nightingale is just perfect with how wintry it is! <3
I’m so glad you agree, Tasya! Thanks for the lovely comment :)
The Girl Who Drank the Moon is probably one of my favorite MG reads ever!! Ooh I should pick up A Song Below Water — and I really liked your comment about Katara (and Tavia and Effie, who I’m assuming are from A Song Below Water) 😁
I totally about about The Girl Who Drank the Moon – it is just an EXCELLENT book and so full of love and magic! And I hope that you enjoy A Song Below Water if you end up reading it!
Thank you for such a lovely comment :)
Ahhhhh!! I love this!! I hope you do the other 3 elements!! Korra was good, but I’ll always love ATLA more.
Meeghan!!! Thank you so much and I’m glad that you enjoyed this post! I definitely had a lot of fun writing it! And yes, the other three elements are all getting their own rec posts, so keep an eye out for those. Also, I totally agree – Korra was good, but nowhere near the same caliber as ATLA. But then again, nothing is quite as good as ATLA in my opinion haha.
Your recommendations never fail to make me smile! I haven’t seen ATLA yet haha but I’ve so many wonderful things about it, and I’m so excited to read these books! Maybe these books will be the push I need to finally get onto the ATLA bandwagon!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy my recommendations! That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! And gyahhh you haven’t seen it yet???? It’s so so so good, I can’t recommend it enough! I hope you like both these books and the tv show, if you ever get around to either. Anyways, thanks again for such a lovely comment! It means so much to me :)
As a fellow Avatar fan (and waterbender) this was such a lovely recommendation post! I personally loved The Wicked Deep and the coastal small town setting 🥰 I’m also excited to read The Bear and the Nightingale!
Caro!!! Thank you so much for this lovely comment! It makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed this post! The Bear and the Nightingale is written by the same author as Small Spaces, and is just as beautiful and atmospheric! It’s truly such an amazing series, and I would really recommend it (especially as a winter read!)
I’m SO excited to read The Bear and the Nightingale, I got a copy and plan to read it during the winter time 🥰
I hope you love it!!!
Fabulous list! Don’t Date Rosa Santos was a surprise lovely read when I picked it up :)
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m so glad that you enjoyed this list! And I agree – Don’t Date Rosa Santos is such a heartfelt book that was a really delightful read!
I love The Girl Who Drank the Moon! I try to push it on everyone!
I agree – it’s such a magical book! I read it a couple of years ago, but it still stands out in my mind as a truly beautiful MG read!
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