Star Wars The High Republic: Temptation of the Force
The reunited Jedi prepare to strike back against the ruthless Nihil in this thrilling sequel to Star Wars: The High Republic: The Eye of Darkness.
For over a year, Jedi Masters Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann were kept apart by the Nihil’s Stormwall. After Avar makes a daring escape from inside the Occlusion Zone, the star-crossed Jedi are reunited. But while the physical distance between them has evaporated, their shared grief over their failure to protect the galaxy from the Nihil threat still remains.
To rally the Jedi Order, and the Republic, Avar and Elzar cling to their belief in serving Light and Life. Working together they lead a daring mission into Nihil space to liberate the planet of Naboo, and show those trapped behind the Stormwall that the Jedi will never abandon them. Now back within close orbit of one another, the two Jedi Masters can no longer deny the bond that has always drawn them back together and made them stronger.
After finally embracing their true desires and imbued with renewed purpose, Avar and Elzar devise a plan to turn the tide of the conflict with the Nihil once and for all. Accompanied by Jedi Knights Bell Zettifar, Burryaga, and Vernestra Rwoh, the Jedi begin their hunt for Marchion Ro. But to seek out the Nihil’s dangerous leader the Jedi will have to survive the Nameless terrors that they have thus far been powerless to stop.
Author: Tessa Gratton
Cover artist: Grant Griffin
Release date: June 11, 2024
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9780593723098
Avar Kriss, one of the brightest lights in the Jedi order has retiurned after surviving a year away from the order. Becoming a key figure in aiding the trapped citizens of the Occlusion Zone and getting them safely back to Republic space, she spent much of that year searching her feelings in regards to her relationship with fellow Jedi Knight Elzar Mann, but just when times were at their toughest for Avar she recieved a message from Elzar that gave her the strength to crumble the barriers that she had put up towards loving Elzar.
A common theme among many of the characters in Phase 3 is choice. Avar chose to trust her feelings for Elzar, while Elzar chose to dedicate himself to the service of the Jedi and the council as they continue to strategize against Marchion Ro. In addition, Elzar has to deal with the guilt of his actions. He stepped over to the dark side and took a life, and with that the pairessentially reversed their positions regarding a potential relationship, but despite all of this Avar trusts the song of the Force she feels deep inside. Leading the first major Republic assault on the Nihil, Elzar and Avar face their pain head on to create a future together.
Tessa Gratton brilliantly balances these quiet character moments with the monumental threats facing the galaxy. Temptation of the Force clearly connects to Defy the Storm, which Tessa co-wrote with Justina Ireland and a number of the emotional heartbeats sprout from Defy the Storm, as does the device that alllows them to pierce the Stormwall. There’s a familiar cast of returning characters fans of the series both love and are terrified for and it’s fun to see them interweave and interact together. There’s also the realisation that this is the home stretch for these characters and for Phase 3. Followers of Elzar and Avar are in for a very satisfying payoff, with the pair building bridges to face their past triumphs and mistakes, but also to face up to the grief they feel after the loss of Stellan Gios.
Given all of that, will Temptation be a chore for non-romance readers? Far from it. The loss of Stellan still stings, and while the heartfelt dialogue between Avar and Elzar may not work for some it’s well worth the effort, but they’re not the only characters in play. Burryaga (who’s optimism in the darkest times manages to give them a chance to defend themselves against the blight roaming the stars and the effect the Nameless have on the Jedi), Bell Zettifar and Marchion Ro all get their moments and the way in which Gratton connects to the core of the characters allows us some deep insight.
Here’s hoping the notes laid down here, so late in the third phase of The High Republic, are picked up and composed into a beautiful final song.
- Hardcover Book
- Gratton, Tessa (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 448 Pages - 06/11/2024 (Publication Date) - Random House Worlds (Publisher)
