I am a sucker for The High Republic Era of Star Wars. I have really enjoyed everything that’s come out sweet in this time period, and Temptation of the Force is no different. ROMANCE IS BACK IN STAR WARS!

Tessa Gratton manages to continue the Phase III story that began with The Eye of Darkness and Defy the Storm with such a good story that I couldn’t put the book down. The story continued and evolved with a could of interesting new wrinkles with only one adult novel left.

Of the main story, there were two things that really stand out for the future of what’s left of this publishing initiative.

Marchion Ro is going to help the Republic deal with the mysterious blight affecting worlds? This seems wild after everything that has been going on, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

The second is that General Viess told Porter Engle that she knows where his “sister” Barash Silvain is!?! Now, I thought she was just long-dead, and her taking the Barash Vow was something a Porter was dealing with emotionally. Guess not!

My favorite line in the book was unquestionably:

“Elzar was gobsmacked.”

Good romance had definitely been missing from Star Wars for way too long, and The High Republic has been building this kiss between Avar and Elzar. Sure, other High Republic books have had their fair share of romantic plots; however, the Elzar/Avar ‘ship has been a nice slow burn. When she kissed Elzar, I yelled “FINALLY!” to nobody in particular.

The conversation between Elzar and Yoda about love was great. Elzar is confused! He knows what the Jedi preach about attachment, but Avar has just told him that she loves him. The Force is telling her that is the right thing. He feels the same way, but he’s conflicted.

“Master Yoda, do you think it’s possible to be free of attachment, to be pure in the Force, but also to love an individual? Or a place or…the whole Republic, I suppose.”

“Depends on what is meant by love, I believe,” Yoda answered readily. “Some beings think love is connection. Love is recognizing you, in me. In the whole galaxy. To name a thing is to love it, some teachings say; others that love is vulnerability or a natural, bodily need.” Yoda shook his head. “What the real answer is, I do not know. But if you find the answer for yourself, and it opens the Force to you more widely, brings you closer to the light, then wrong you cannot be.”

Our biggest introduction to Jedi and love is obviously Anakin Skywalker’s obsessive love for Padmé Amidala. However, what if he had managed to have this conversation with Yoda.l would he have figured things out or was he too far gone at that point?

I really enjoyed Temptation of the Force. Quite frankly it’s one of my favorite Star Wars books. It’s just a brilliant book. I think any fan of the High Republic should definitely check it out, but, as with all of this Phase III material, new readers would be lost in the overall story plot.

You can pick up the book here.