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A review by speculativeshelves
Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
With the perfect balance of quieter character moments and intense action, Tessa Gratton has written one of the best High Republic books (and honesty, one of the best Star Wars books in general). This was one of my most anticipated books of the year but also of the entire High Republic project and it exceeded my expectations. As someone who read Light of the Jedi when this journey first started in January 2021, it's immensely satisfying 3 1/2 years later to see how just far these characters have come, how their relationships have evolved, and how the stakes continue to be raised.
At its core, this book is about love in all it's forms and I'm happy to seeing it deeply explored in a Star Wars story (especially when the Jedi Order has a paradoxical view on love - strict on "attachments" because it could lead to the dark side but love, compassion, and connection are all part of the light). Every page, every character dynamic is full of love - Avar and Elzar finally acknowledging their feelings for each other and what it means in the context of being part of the Jedi Order (they are the slowburn friends to lovers second chance Jedi love story of my dreams), the strong friendship between Burryaga and Bell Zettifar, the complicated marriage between Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graff, the tense familial relationship between Avon and her mother who is allied with the enemy, the centuries-enduring love Porter Engle has for his sister Barash, and the love countless members of the Jedi Order and the Republic have for the galaxy they are trying to save.
In many ways the love in Temptation of the Force make this arguably the happiest High Republic novel and our heroes have a lot of victories (particularly in comparison to Phase I). That being said, Marchion Ro's storyline (and further exploration of the blight that was introduced in Defy the Storm adds a layer of dread throughout. He continues to be a compelling and intimidating villain and his POV directly contrasts with the other POVs - there is certainly no love to be found. The ending raises the stakes once again and I am excited, yet terrified to see how this story ends (I can't believe we only have one more adult novel left????).
At its core, this book is about love in all it's forms and I'm happy to seeing it deeply explored in a Star Wars story (especially when the Jedi Order has a paradoxical view on love - strict on "attachments" because it could lead to the dark side but love, compassion, and connection are all part of the light). Every page, every character dynamic is full of love - Avar and Elzar finally acknowledging their feelings for each other and what it means in the context of being part of the Jedi Order (they are the slowburn friends to lovers second chance Jedi love story of my dreams), the strong friendship between Burryaga and Bell Zettifar, the complicated marriage between Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graff, the tense familial relationship between Avon and her mother who is allied with the enemy, the centuries-enduring love Porter Engle has for his sister Barash, and the love countless members of the Jedi Order and the Republic have for the galaxy they are trying to save.
In many ways the love in Temptation of the Force make this arguably the happiest High Republic novel and our heroes have a lot of victories (particularly in comparison to Phase I). That being said, Marchion Ro's storyline (and further exploration of the blight that was introduced in Defy the Storm adds a layer of dread throughout. He continues to be a compelling and intimidating villain and his POV directly contrasts with the other POVs - there is certainly no love to be found. The ending raises the stakes once again and I am excited, yet terrified to see how this story ends (I can't believe we only have one more adult novel left????).