DVD Corner

Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation Of The Force Book Review

“Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation of The Force” suffers from too much tedious set-up.  

Written by Tessa Gratton, “Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation Of The Force” is the latest novel in Phase 3. This ensemble story has no shortage of storylines flowing throughout it such as Jedi Porter Engle chasing after Nihil General Viess, Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann’s blossoming relationship, missions in and out of the Occlusion zone (including one to take down The Lightning Crash), Burryaga and Bell Zettifar investigating Drengir sightings, Ghirra searching for her daughter Avon, a mission involving the Jedi and Republic attempting to liberate Naboo from Nihil control, and perhaps the biggest plot- Marchion Ro investigating a blight that is infesting planets. Of course, key characters like Vernestra Rwoh, Xylan Graf, Cair San Tekka and the Nameless also appear and have their own arcs as well.

With “The Acolyte” out now, The High Republic is certainly hot at the moment. So, it should come as no surprise that a new High Republic novel is hitting shelves with ‘Temptation Of The Force.’ After a rollicking start, Phase 3 slows down with this particular novel to a frustrating degree. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of quality characterization to be found here ala Elzar struggling with his past, Avar and Elzar trying to figure out how to love as a Jedi, Burryaga and his powers, and Marchion Ro embarking on a nefarious new quest, but for as much plot that is stuffed within these pages, it doesn’t move forward nearly enough. The entire book feels like a sluggish, drawn out, set-up for the end game. Characters spend an aggravating amount of time waiting around, discussing decisions, spouting exposition, or trying to get information. The seemingly endless chase between Porter and Viess lingers on and on too. By the time the intriguing ending rolls around, you’re left wondering why this specific scene didn’t happen earlier in the book instead. 

The 2 biggest talking points are sure to be Avar and Elzar’s relationship and the blight storyline. Fans invested in the relationship of the two Jedi will undoubtedly be thrilled by the novel’s further exploration of that romance. Could it have been done in a better way? Yes. It sometimes feels a bit too much like a cheeseball YA Romance novel with lines like “You balance me, your song does. It can…shape my tides, the ocean.” As for the blight plot, it feels like a rather late game plot at this point. It’s clear it will shake things up, but it feels like enough is going on outside of that already. Still, it does raise the already high stakes and makes you wonder how this will all wrap up.

June 9, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Book review | Jedi, Nihil, Star Wars, Star Wars Books, Star Wars: The High Republic, Star Wars: The High Republic: Temptation Of The Force Book Review, The Acolyte