MY FAVORITE GIRLBOSS AND MALEWIFE TOGETHER. ON THE COVER. AND ON VALENTINEÂ’S DAY TOO. THEY DID THIS FOR A REASON. JESUS CHRIST18 s1 comment Kels136

THAT WAS SO????????7 s Jonathan Koan652 441

This is the Penultimate adult novel in the High Republic series. As such, it sets up quite a lot for the finale in “Trials of the Jedi” and also has quite a lot of character development.

The two characters who get the most development are Avar KrisÂ’s and Elzar Mann. From the marketing and the blurbs released, the book appears in some ways to be a romance. While a potential romance is a featured theme between them in the book, it isnÂ’t the entire focus of the book. It raises some questions about the future with the two characters, but I am fairly certain i know how it will pan out and it should have satisfactory answers. I will say that personally it is refreshing to finally see a more traditional relationship in the books though.

Gratton has obviously learned from Charles SouleÂ’s writing on how to write the force itself and she did an excellent job in this book, particularly with Avar and ElzarÂ’s use of and connection to the force in this book.

The subplot of Bell Zettifar and Burryaga exploring the Drengir was just ok. It never hooked me, mostly because it felt a retread of the themes and storylines we had seen previously.

The attack on Naboo is heavily featured in marketing materials, but that doesnÂ’t happen until almost halfway through the book, and even then ends quite soon. This presented some questionable pacing choices as it just felt off as I read it. The moments during the battle in the middle of the book felt larger than the moments during the climax.

The book is definitely setting the stage for a big finale with Trials of the Jedi. IÂ’m curious if Charles Soule will make that book extra long to fit in everything ( Zahn did with Lesser Evil and Visions of the Future) or whether Soule will be deft and brief enough to keep it in the standard page count.

Overall, this book was entertaining, but is probably my least favorite of the adult High Republic books. But itÂ’s still a very good rating and was enjoyable, which shows how good the adult books have been. 7 out of 10. 6 s Chelsea Zukowski187 37

*screams*

--From my review for my Space Wizards Book Club newsletter--
https://spacewizardbooks.substack.com/

Temptation of the Force was among my most anticipated Star Wars releases of the year. It met and exceeded my expectations, delivering satisfying and emotionally dynamic character studies with a steady pace moving Phase 3 of The High Republic forward.

I’ll cut to the chase — this book is incredible. It’s moving, intense, and chock full of edge-of-your-seat moments. It’s romantic and sweet, and one of the few Star Wars books that fully embraces and explores the power of romantic love among its characters.

As the second adult book in Phase 3, Temptation of the Force had to keep the momentum of The Eye of Darkness and expand storylines just enough to tease how this all will end next spring. The novel not only built upon previously plotted stories, Temptation of the Force also delved into the minds and emotions of its characters so well that it stands on its own.

The core of the novel is the continued fight over the Stormwall — the Jedi and Republic forces trying to take it down and circumventing it to help people trapped behind it in the meantime, and the Nihil fighting to keep the swath of the galaxy they forcefully annexed over a year ago. There’s also a mysterious new Blight destroying every bit of life it touches, no matter which side it’s on.

With Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann on the cover and “temptation” in the title, it was all but confirmed we’d finally get to see the two childhood best friends become lovers. The synopsis also teased the two “embracing their true desires.” I’m hyped for every new High Republic book, but even the slightest possibility of romance made me 100 times more excited for Temptation of the Force.

This is a spoiler-free review, but I will scream from the rooftops how satisfying this book is in the romance department. Temptation of the Force is a beautifully written reminder that the Star Wars galaxy of stories wouldn’t exist without love. If you love love — romantic, platonic, love for life and light, etc. — you will love this book.

Avar and Elzar explore what love means for the Jedi and how they can use that compassion and care not to possess but be better heroes of light and life — together. Bell and Burryaga struggle to reflect on and move forward through their traumas, but realize that love for life, each other, and other living beings are what keeps them going.

Overall, Temptation of the Force is a superb exploration of love, attachment, passion, and balancing those heady emotions. ThereÂ’s no big battle that brings together all the characters for a needle-moving last stand. There are, however, several intense, gutwrenching, and tear-jerking moments throughout the book. All of these characters, in their own ways, are trying to wrest back power, keep power, or make things right for the innocents caught between the Nihil and Republic sides of the galaxy.

As the title implies, each character is tempted. By love, revenge, desperation, and power. While temptation can be a dangerous thing to give in to, some characters discover how freeing and powerful succumbing feels.

Temptation of the Force both stands apart and ties together previous storylines and books yet to come. The novel ends on an epic cliffhanger that I simply wonÂ’t recover from until I can get my hands on Trials of the Jedi.5 s Zain28

Thanks to Random House Worlds for the review copy of this book.

As a dedicated acolyte of The High Republic series, I have eagerly awaited and devoured each new installment with enthusiasm. From the exhilarating adventures of Phase 1 to the customary Star Wars prequel act of Phase 2, the journey through the High Republic universe has been nothing short of captivating. Combined with the lore to date, and the cover we were gifted for 'Temptation of the Force' by Tessa Gratton, the anticipation was palpable for the latest chapter in this intricate web of storytelling.

From the very first act, Gratton's prose ensnares the reader with its emotional depth and vivid descriptions. The first half of the book, along with the tumultuous final chapters, stand out as the pinnacle of the story's excellence. These sections are brimming with intensity, enthralling plots, and powerful character moments that epitomize the Star Wars ethos.

Fans of Avar Kriss, myself included, will find much to celebrate within the pages of 'Temptation of the Force' as GrattonÂ’s portrayal of the Jedi Master truly shines. Gratton captures Avar's essence stunningly, illustrating her evolution from Phase 1 to the present day. From the heartbreak she and Elzar felt after losing their polestar, Stellan, to the resilience shown after escaping the Occlusion Zone in George Mann's 'Eye of Darkness,' every nuance of Avar's emotional journey is vividly portrayed, drawing readers into her struggle as she grapples with the aftermath of past events.
The world-building in this novel is exemplary. Gratton broadens the High Republic universe with a detailed and engrossing backdrop. The intricate settings and the vivid sense of place are so well-crafted that you can almost feel the environment around you. This level of world-building adds a layer of richness to the universe, making it easy to become absorbed in the story.

The thematic exploration of love, loss, and attachment is a central component of the story and is handled with great care. Gratton delves into the different ways these themes manifest, particularly in the context of the Jedi. This philosophical exploration adds depth to the characters and provides a rich, reflective layer to the lore. It's fascinating to see how the characters grapple with these universal themes, making their struggles and triumphs feel all the more authentic and poignant.
While not required, familiarity with the previous phases enriches the reading experience of 'Temptation of the Force,' offering a gratifying journey for readers who have traversed the entirety of the High Republic saga. Despite any reservations I may have had during the prequel phase of THR, Gratton seamlessly incorporates callbacks to previous entries in the series and weaves in connective tissue from Phase 2.

This continuity not only enriches the experience for long-time readers but also provides a sense of cohesion and progression within the larger story. It's truly rewarding to witness how the threads from earlier books are skillfully woven into 'Temptation of the Force,' creating a narrative that feels both expansive and interconnected. As I delved into the story, I couldn't help but appreciate the rich tapestry of interconnected plotlines, each one evolving and blossoming into captivating arcs within the pages of this book.

However, not everything is perfect. The middle portion of the book - roughly the 25% that follows the gripping first half - felt slightly cumbersome and drawn out. This section seemed to lag, and at times this added to my issue of feeling phase 3 takes two steps forward and one step back. This might not be an issue for all readers, but I found myself longing for the pace to pick up again as it did in the beginning and end. Despite this, the emotional storytelling kept me engaged enough to push through. To date, ‘Temptation of the Force’ is the best of Gratton’s work that I have experienced, and a must-read for any fan looking to continue their journey during this saga of Star Wars.

9.1/10, “A” tierstar-wars4 s Nova487 1 follower

i need a cigarette sometimes star-wars-books-ranked3 s Arezou263 19

It occurred to me, about halfway through Tessa GrattonÂ’s Temptation of the Force that this is the second to last adult novel of The High Republic. Of course, weÂ’ve got the audio drama coming this December, and several more books, and even more comics coming between now and the end, but that sense of building to a grand finale became harder to shake once it settled in. Fortunately, Temptation of the Force doesnÂ’t ask you to shake that feeling. It embraces it wholeheartedly, setting the stage and building everything to a boiling point in a way that makes it impossible to put down.

The story follows both the Jedi and their Republic allies, as well as the Nihil as the two engage in a fight over the Stormwall — with the Jedi fighting to take it down, or at the very least breach it — and the Nihil fighting to maintain the power they’ve won. At the same time, both sides are now dealing with a new Blight, first seen in Defy the Storm, that destroys all life it comes in contact with.

Where this book truly stands out, particularly with the real world climate in which it is released, is how spread thin the characters are. There isn’t one Big Battle they’re all gearing up to fight — though I’m certain that’s where the series will culminate. At this stage, we just find our heroes each pursuing their own avenue all in the name of doing what they consider to be the right thing. Communication isn’t always possible, nor is mobilization. Instead they’re just left to survive and fight in the best way they can, sometimes contradicting the efforts of others, including those they love, but with everyone united in a vaguely common cause.

That really is what’s at the heart of this story. As Gratton mentions in their author’s note at the end of the book, Temptation of the Force is truly a story about love, and that shines through on every page. Whatever kind of love it might be, it has a home in this book. That line in Attack of the Clones where Anakin tells Padmé that the Jedi are, in their way, encouraged to love, is really examined here in the way the characters all interact — or in some cases, don’t — with one another.

RIP Anakin Skywalker, you would have loved Temptation of the Force.

Temptation of the Force hits shelves on June 11. Special thank you to Random House Worlds for the advance copy for review purposes.1 Zariah??16 3

THE ELVAR KISS SOMEBODY SEDATE METhis entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review1 Max111

4.5collection fiction1 alec james7

this book is catnip for bisexuals 1 Jason86 6

This dad read Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton, the next adult novel entry in The High Republic phase 3. What Gratton has achieved with this book is nothing short of outstanding. With prose thatÂ’s full of imagery and emotions, engaging storylines that move the entire initiative forward, and a thesis on the Jedi love, Temptation of the Force ranks among some of the strongest ever from The High Republic.

Since the start of phase 3, the chess pieces have slowly been moving to position all parties to the conclusion of The High Republic narrative. Temptation of the Force essentially is the second chapter of a three-part narrative, and another second chapter The Empire Strikes Back, its strengths lie in deep character exploration while advancing the overall story. IÂ’ve had my frustrations with some of the other phase 3 books, mostly in terms of focusing on smaller portions of certain characters and their place in the overall storyline and my feeling that the larger narrative isnÂ’t moving quickly enough. Those frustrations have been quelled with Temptation of the Force, as the book solidifies everything thatÂ’s come before it while thrillingly catapulting things forward (phase 3 concludes with Charles SouleÂ’s Trials of the Jedi coming in Spring 2025).

Similar to how I felt Lydia Kang handled multiple storylines in phase 2Â’s Cataclysm, Gratton mixes characters and storylines in Temptation of the Force in a way that kept me entertained and engaged the entire time. Un the YA or middle grade novels, the adult High Republic books typically take on a grander scope, juggling multiple storylines and points-of-view, and necessarily so. Sometimes this tactic can be challenging to keep up with or confusing if the included cast of characters is so diverse and broad that it requires a character encyclopedia just to keep up. Gratton handles each and every storyline with the utmost care and even the characters who I found least interesting (sorry Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf) have a part to play and the overall book is stronger for their inclusion.

At the heart of Temptation of the Force is the relationship between Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann. I have been amongst the rabid fanbase waiting eagerly to see just where things go with these two. What Gratton has achieved with between Avar and Elzar is nothing short of genius. This isnÂ’t simply a tale of two childhood friends who simply need to hookup. Gratton explores how theyÂ’ve both been affected by grief and how their commitment to the Jedi Order and the Force is a reality that they both must face. Through Avar, Gratton lays out beautifully her thoughts on the Order and love, a scene that affected me strongly; itÂ’s some of the best writing Star Wars has ever seen. There are a number of key Avar and Elzar chapters that will leave fans stunned, thrilled, and hopefully left profoundly impacted. I canÂ’t overstate how brilliantly this relationship is handled, it's simply transcendent.

The Marchion Ro we saw last in was an Evereni adrift. Having defeated the Jedi and set up his Stormwall, he petulantly left all the politicking to Ghirra Starros. In Temptation, MarchionÂ’s on a side quest to get to the bottom of the blight and to figure out how it affects his Nameless (and if it can be weaponized). Along the way, Marchion is haunted by a family ghost, a character I was thrilled to see him share scenes with, one who goes nameless in the novel and in this review. The Marchion we start with and the Marchion that ends the novel are two vastly different people and I cannot wait to see where things go from here.

I want to discuss Burryaga but to do so would spoil too much. All IÂ’ll say is that if you didnÂ’t already love him you will after Temptation of the Force. His POV is a beautiful mixture of heartbreak and determination.

Temptation of the Force is weakest when it delves into the intricacies and technical breakdown of how the Jedi attempt to combat the Stormwall. And by weakest, I mean that the character-based stuff is so strong that these aspects simply pale in comparison. Additionally, a few space battle scenes are critical to the plot, and while these scenes typically aren't my favorites, Gratton handles them well enough.

Temptation of the Force is Star Wars literature at its best. Tessa Gratton has crafted one of the strongest adult novels of the entire High Republic initiative. With a story that propels things into the second half of the phase, beautiful reflections on the Jedi and love and outstanding character development, Temptation of the Force is easily a
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