Review: Through love, all is possible in 'Temptation of the Force'
Tessa Gratton's newest High Republic book is a masterpiece of Jedi-centric Star Wars storytelling.
Centuries before Anakin Skywalker told Padme that the Jedi, in a way, are encouraged to love, the Jedi of The High Republic faced their own struggles with attachment, compassion, and balance. Those struggles and revelations about love are the heart of the newest High Republic book, Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton.
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.
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.
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.
Picking up about six weeks after Jedi Master Avar Kriss made a daring trip through the Nihil Stormwall and back into Republic space, Temptation of the Force follows her, Master Elzar Mann, Knights Bell and Burryaga, and Master Porter Engle in their respective mental and physical journeys. There are also POV chapters with Marchion Ro, the sadistic Eye of the Nihil who is becoming increasingly unhinged.
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.
This Blight was introduced in Defy the Storm, which now feels like a prerequisite read before Temptation of the Force as the new novel brings back a few characters from the young adult one. Through Bell, Burryaga, and Marchion Ro, we learn all the horrors this Blight can wrought. While the Jedi are horrified by the Blight’s damage, Marchion Ro is morbidly intrigued by this possible new weapon.
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.
In his ongoing historic feud with General Viess, Porter Engle becomes nearly consumed by a passion for vengeance against the villainous Mirialian. But time and again, his love for his sister Barash and his desire to see her again keeps him from going full Blade of Bardotta.
Secret husbands Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graf also come to some love-based realizations even as they continue their adorable “marriage of convenience/I don’t like him that much” shenanigans. It’s so obvious they are down bad for each other.
Even Marchion Ro experiences…not love but passion for and dedication to being an unhinged menace. He talks a big game about not being affected by the Everni curse and the ghost of his great-great-grandmother Mard Ro. But it’s clear delusion runs in the Ro family.
Overall, Temptation of the Force is a superb exploration of love, attachment, passion, and balancing those heady emotions. There’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 won’t recover from until I can get my hands on Trials of the Jedi.
Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton is available now from Random House Worlds.
Temptation of the Force: The basics
On the timeline: ~228 BBY
Within The High Republic: Phase 3; over a year after The Fallen Star
Books to read before: The Eye of Darkness and Defy the Storm
Books to read after: Trials of the Jedi (spring 2025)