'Temptation of the Force' excerpt, new High Republic comics
Plus: An updated guide to The Acolyte and The High Republic.
Down bad Jedi
According to author Tessa Gratton, Temptation of the Force’s emotional spine is comprised of four conversations between Jedi Masters Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann. With the new High Republic book arriving in a little over two weeks, StarWars.com finally shared the first excerpt — showcasing a snippet of one of those relationship-changing conversations.
“Despite it being Chapter One, it’s the last conversation I wrote,” Gratton said in an interview with StarWars.com. “For a long time, the scene existed only in the characters’ memories…”
In the excerpt, Avar and Elzar finally reunite in private to celebrate her escape from the Nihil’s Occlusion Zone. In his quarters, the two Jedi share pastries, mead, and words about their shared past.
“She busied herself by pouring for them. “Did you water it down?” Elzar asked.
“Pinkapple juice,” she said lightly. Locating some had been the reason she was in the Jadeite neighborhood in the first place. Cutting the sourstone mead had always been for Stellan’s sake, when they were fifteen and goofing off. Not because he opposed the alcohol, but to sweeten the flavor.
With full cups, they saluted each other and drank. It wasn’t as good as when they were kids — probably because they weren’t getting away with anything anymore. They hadn’t had any idea what was to come back then. Of course, nobody ever did, but when she was a teen, Avar had thought she’d be an exception. She, Elzar, and Stellan: all exceptional.”
The excerpt also includes the two Jedi’s hesitant thoughts about their future — how grief over the loss of Stellan Gios and the last year dramatically changed both of them.
“It had been awful last year, not knowing if she’d hear him again — the comforting, necessary harmony of his familiar song. Not having it when she reached for it had taught her a lot about what she needed. Who she was.
Avar grabbed Elzar’s bun and tore it apart. She held a chunk up to his mouth, and he smiled a little, eating it. As he chewed his attention drew inward.
At different times in their lives, they’d been as close as two beings could be. She knew him better than anybody, and she could tell Elzar was aware of the real answer to her question. He was searching for the version he wanted to share. What he was willing to tell her.
A long time ago, he’d have told her anything.”
Read the full excerpt at StarWars.com, and preorder The High Republic: Temptation of the Force to read the rest of the novel when it arrives on June 11.
ARC reading updates: I’m 70% through Temptation of the Force and I’ve been screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet since Chapter 1. Reviews are embargoed until May 28, so this may be my first Star Wars book review that drops well before publication day. I cannot wait to talk about it.
Echoes of Fear comic series
The High Republic Adventures saga is getting another miniseries, this time to delve into the mysterious Echo Stones.
Publisher’s summary:
Jedi Knight Reath Silas and Jedi Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo are charged with delving into the Jedi Archives to learn more about the mysterious Echo Stones and their Force-amplifying powers. Their journey will ultimately lead them outside the safety of the Jedi Archives into a perilous adventure. In their search, they uncover the dark legend of the ancient Sith Lord Darth Ravi, and his quest to solve an ancient puzzle that could grant him power beyond all-imagination… or destroy him.
The High Republic Adventures: Echoes of Fear is written by George Mann, illustrated by Vincenzo Riccardi, colored by Michael Atiyeh, and lettered by Comicraft. Eduardo Mello does the cover art.
Echoes of Fear #1 arrives at comic shops on Aug. 21.
With the series starring Reath Silas and Amadeo Azzazzo, the four issues will be a great prequel story for Tears of the Nameless. The young adult novel also by Mann arrives on Sept. 24 and stars Reath and Amadeo (the Knight and Padawan are also on the gorgeous cover).
Have you been reading the lastest High Republic Adventures comics? Let me know what you think about them in the comments!
Updated: Everything to know about The Acolyte and The High Republic
With less than two weeks until the new Star Wars show — and the world premiere happening last night — it’s time for some updates to my guide to The Acolyte and The High Republic.
I wasn’t at the premiere in California, unfortunately (someday, I WILL attend a Star Wars premiere). But I did make some small tweaks to the guide, which explores where The Acolyte falls on the Star Wars timeline, short character bios, and reading recommendations for The High Republic — including all the Vernestra Rwoh books.
I also slip in all the reasons to read Phase 2 of The High Republic even though this part of the era is several hundred years before The Acolyte. Based on trailers and everything we know about the show so far, The Acolyte and Phase 2 both appear to showcase a creeping darkness targeting the Jedi.
Note: This guide is for paid subscribers, but free subscribers can use their one free paid article to read it. Also, becoming a paid subscriber directly helps me continue researching and writing guides like this. Becoming a paid subscriber is the best way to support your favorite writers and creators.
This guide will get more updates as the show airs on June 4.
Have questions about The High Republic and The Acolyte? Share them in the comments and I’ll try to answer them in the guide!
This week’s Star Wars releases
May 22
The High Republic Adventures (2023) #6
Star Wars (2020) #46
Down Bad Jedi is a heading I never thought I'd see... and yet....