Tessa Gratton's Temptation of the Force is definitely one I was looking forward to while catching up on The High Republic Phase III. And it was well worth the hype! This book explores all types of love, grief, and we see so many of the High Republic's most compelling characters pushed to their limits as we get closer to the end of this storytelling project. I really loved this story, where I once again got to hang out with some of my favorite Jedi and see them figure out what it means to be a Jedi in this changing galaxy.
Spoilers ahead for Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton!
Burryaga had a lot of focus in this book, which I was pleasantly surprised by. In a lot of ways, I felt like he was the beating heart in the story, and he represents what it truly means to be a Jedi. Burryaga has empathy and care for everything, even creatures like the Drengir. He does everything he can to save everyone he can, and is constantly striving towards the light. It's Burryaga's empathy that allows him to defeat a Nameless creature and save himself and his fellow Jedi- not just once, but twice. I've been very happy in Phase III to see Burryaga in the limelight much more than he was in Phase I, and his relationship with Bell is probably becoming one of my favorite friendships in Star Wars. I can't wait to see more of them as we enter the final stages of this phase.
I was on the edge of my seat when I read The Eye of Darkness last week, concerned with Porter Engle's fate, so I was shocked (and honestly laughing at myself a bit) to discover that he lived immediately upon starting Temptation of the Force. Guess we don't always have to wait as long as I did for Burryaga. Porter Engle has an interesting story in this book, where he's entirely devoted to tracking down General Viess. It sounds very un-Jedi-like of course, but it never feels like Porter is vengeful, or angry, or unfocused. Rather he's a measured, methodical hunter. It's only on his last pages in the book where his emotions get the best of him, when he spares an escaping Viess because she says she knows where his missing sister is. While we get moments of the kind, soup-making Jedi we met back in Phase I, this book really reminds you why Porter has his fearsome reputation as the Blade of Bardotta.
One of the most interesting characters here was Ghirra Starros. Ghirra is in an odd position- she's gaining support from some in the Nihil ranks for her efforts to try and turn the Occlusion Zone into an actual nation, with governance and politics. But at the same time, Marchion Ro is further from her than ever, as he grows annoyed with her and is focused on his research into the mysterious blight killing planets across the galaxy. Ghirra gloats over Nihil victories over the Republic military, but also despairs over the broken relationship with Avon. Ghirra still, at least outwardly, is fully working for Nihil interests. But she makes the right choice at the end, when she gives Avon data that the Jedi can use to try and find Marchion Ro's location. The future of her character and what actions she may take is very uncertain, especially after Marchion Ro drops an unexpected bombshell by arriving to Coruscant and threatening the Republic with the mysterious blight. But she has me more intrigued now than she ever has before.
And of course, there's the elephant in the room- Avar & Elzar's romance. I really liked how it was written. They've certainly been building it up for. a long time, and it was satisfying to see it come to fruition. Both of them agonized a lot over it, Elzar especially worried that it could lead him down a dark path of attachment, fear and anger. But after a conversation with Yoda about what it means to love within the Force, they realize that loving purely through the Force doesn't have to mean attachment- and they can be made stronger and better for it. I especially loved Elzar realizing that he sees that kind of love everywhere, like with Lina Soh loving her son and worrying about him in the Occlusion Zone, but also not giving up her principles and responsibilites for him. It was such a great interpretation of the Jedi Code in line with those original themes in Lucas' work, and I was so glad to see it here.
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