I didn't manage to finish this book during my first attempt. So, I had to give it a second try. The second time around, I recalled the reason why I had difficulties persevering with it. The writer's prose is rather dense and lengthy, and it is not at all similar to the first two books of the series.

To make matters worse, the plotline is somewhat overly complex (particularly when it comes to what it ultimately amounts to in the end). I think it's nothing more than filler. I didn't believe that there was anything that occurred here that couldn't have happened more succinctly elsewhere in the series.

Nevertheless, I'm still looking forward to the next book in the series! I hope that it will bring a more engaging and straightforward story, with prose that is easier to follow and a plot that doesn't feel overly convoluted or filled with unnecessary details. Maybe the next installment will be the one that truly captures my attention and makes me fall in love with the series all over again.

This process is indeed slow. However, it serves a crucial purpose. It ensures that every single detail regarding what is happening within the plot is thoroughly mentioned. By doing so, it allows the reader to vividly picture a highly tense scene.

Each and every aspect is carefully considered and included, leaving no stone unturned. This attention to detail adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

The slow pace may seem tedious at times, but it is necessary to create a truly engaging and immersive experience for the reader.

As the story unfolds, the reader is able to fully understand the complexity of the situation and feel the tension building up.

This method of storytelling guarantees that no important detail is overlooked, resulting in a more satisfying and memorable reading experience.

The characters in this story are written BRILLIANTLY!!! There are so many secrets lurking beneath the surface, and an abundance of ties that crisscross in the most intricate ways. It's truly crazy to see how clever Jacen is when it comes to covering up his darker character. He has this uncanny ability to explain away so many things, leaving poor Ben completely confused as to what is real and what is a lie.

My absolute favorite part was undoubtedly the battle involving Luke, Mara, and Lumiya. That encounter was simply epic, and it's one that I will never forget for as long as I live. The intensity, the skill, and the drama all combined to make it a truly unforgettable moment.

I also loved how Jaina and Zekk's relationship evolves and grows throughout the book. Their connection deepens, and it adds an extra layer of complexity and charm to the story.

Han and Leia, as always, fought strong together. They are a force to be reckoned with, and in this installment, I felt like the Millenium Falcon itself fought just as hard, almost as if it had a personality of its own. Overall, this book is a thrilling and engaging read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

This was an outstanding addition to the series.

It truly delved deep into Jacen's relationship with Tenel and their child. The story was filled with intense emotions that tugged at the heartstrings, while also being action-packed from start to finish.

I found it fascinating how it provided a more in-depth understanding of Jacen's mindset. It showed the complex web of thoughts and feelings that influenced his actions and decisions.

By exploring his relationship with Tenel and their child, we were able to see a different side of Jacen, one that was more vulnerable and human.

This addition not only added to the overall story arc but also made me more invested in the characters and their fates. It was a great read that left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

This series has truly delivered more excitement and intensity than ever before!

The storylines are becoming increasingly captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page.

I am so glad that I have the remaining volumes right here at my disposal.

It means that I can continue to immerse myself in this thrilling world without having to wait in agony for the next installment.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and challenges await the characters, and how their stories will unfold.

This series has definitely become one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and entertaining read.

Jacen Solo, apprenticing with a Sith. Had the galaxy gone mad?

Legacy of the Force the Third: Tempest. I'm really not quite sure what to think of this one. It has many of the common flaws of the post-NJO. It also fails to build on the series' moral-philosophical core in a meaningful way. In that sense, Tempest might be the least meaningful of its kind.

On the other hand, this book is much more readable and technically solid than its predecessor. As far as being pulpy escapism goes, Denning does succeed here. In the end, all I can think of is how we got here in the first place.

I do stand by my initial comments on its technical worth. Troy Denning can write fiction. He knows the basics of narrative structure and scene construction. He also knows that, most of the time, Star Wars should be escapism first and political caricature second. When all is said and done, I had a fun time reading this book.

There are some positive developments. Alema Rar has always been a fascinating character in concept. Tempest more than makes up for her previous appearance. This time, she has a twisted spin on the Jedi belief of Balance in the Force. Another character that has come back is Jagged Fel. However, there are also some negative aspects. The continuity has taken hits, and the main plot feels thin. The handling of the World Brain is also a letdown.

Finally, the continued development of Jacen Solo is concerning. He has taken another 180-degree turn and seems to have dropped the moral-philosophical strand that dominated his thoughts. He is no longer a morally complex anti-hero but rather an Anakin Skywalker pastiche.

Legacy of the Force: Tempest is an easy, quick, and generally entertaining read. But it has many of the same problems as the previous works and makes some of the underlying problems worse. It's better than Bloodlines, but it doesn't stand out as a work of its own. I'm still looking forward to seeing how Aaron Allston combines the different visions of the three authors in Exile.

Jacen Solo's descent into the dark side persists as he betrays not only his master, Lumiya, but also Luke, Mara, and his very own parents.

His actions become increasingly heinous. At the novel's conclusion, Luke, Mara, and Jaina Solo come face to face with Jacen. However, Jacen shockingly denies any connection to Lumiya, who was Luke's former love and arch enemy.

Alema also makes a comeback, determined to ensure that Jacen Solo remains firmly on the path of the Dark Side as a means of exacting the ultimate revenge against Leia Solo.

Jacen's betrayals reach new heights as he sacrifices his master to the Skywalkers and even orders his flagship to fire upon his parents aboard the Millenium Falcon. This proves that he places his mission to bring peace to the galaxy above his own family.

"Star Wars Tempest" indeed represents a dark chapter in the Star Wars universe. But Jacen's treachery is far from over. It will continue to wreak havoc and bring more harm to the galaxy before the "Legacy of the Force" series reaches its conclusion.

A very interesting story indeed. Jacen is truly demonstrating just how cold and calculating he can be. The fact that he issues arrest warrants for his own parents and even fires on the Falcon is simply astonishing. It shows a complete lack of regard for family and loyalty.

And then there's Ben Skywalker. He has shown himself to be nothing more than a mindless follower. He seems to be blindly following Jacen's orders without any thought or consideration of his own. It's quite concerning to see him in this light.

One can only hope that Ben grows up soon and starts to think for himself. He has the potential to be a great Jedi, but he needs to break free from Jacen's influence and find his own path. It will be interesting to see how the story unfolds and if Ben is able to overcome his current situation.

The pace of the story continues to decelerate,

following the exact same trajectory that all the characters embarked upon in Bloodlines.

More individuals from NJO keep making their appearances,

including Tenel Ka and Alema Rar, who will become major players later on.

However, there isn't anything overly special about this particular installment.

I would venture to guess that this might have been a book that turned off those who weren't quite as invested in it later on.

But boy, did they miss out on Sacrifice and everything that came after it!

It's a pity that some might have given up too soon, as the subsequent events and developments in the series are truly captivating and engaging.

Those who persevered were rewarded with a rich and immersive story that took them on an unforgettable journey through the Star Wars universe.

This book represents a significant advancement compared to the previous Legacy books.

It is more tightly focused, with nearly all of the story unfolding within the admittedly vast Hapes cluster.

The conflict and action are intense, to the extent that I found myself truly concerned for the main characters.

The battles, whether involving lightsabers or taking place in space, are among the most vivid and engaging that I have encountered in Star Wars books for a long time.

Aside from an unusual fixation on Caf Dispensers, a slight overreliance on his previous Dark Nest trilogy (which I didn't particularly enjoy), and a somewhat stretched credibility regarding the damage to the Falcon, the book functions quite well.

Moreover, the decision to avoid Jacen as the viewpoint character for most of the novel is a positive aspect.

The stakes are clearly raised, and it gives the impression that events are actually occurring, rather than simply being set up for future developments.

Overall, this book is a worthy addition to the Star Wars literary canon.

In a long-running series, it is almost inevitable that there will be installments that give the impression of being more like filler. In such cases, the story seems to be expanding rather than truly progressing.

Tempest seems to fall into this category for the Legacy of the Force novel series.

It's not as if nothing occurs in this book. There is actually a significant amount of plot. Alema Rar returns from the dead and makes an attempt to assassinate Jacen. Subsequently, she decides to side with Lumiya instead. Meanwhile, there is an attempt on the life of Tenel Ka in the Hapes Cluster, and Han and Leia are the prime suspects, simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time while on covert business for the Corellian government. Jaina and Zekk get involved in the search for the assassin but then find themselves as targets of unknown Hapan conspirators. Luke and Mara investigate the murder of a Jedi on Coruscant, which leads them back to Lumiya. And Ben, well, he is also engaged in various activities. A lot of the familiar characters are running around, involved in the typical affairs of politics, intrigue, and fighting. It's a great deal of commotion and excitement, yet it ultimately doesn't signify much.

Nevertheless, Denning's writing shows a bit more strength this time around. Although he still has a tendency towards over-plotting and trying to incorporate elements from every Star Wars novel ever written, his inclination to write scenes of brutal violence has been somewhat subdued here. There is plenty of action, but less gore and fewer tragic deaths. And while Jacen continues on his path towards the Dark Side of the Force, Denning does not wallow in sadness, anger, or grief in the way he did during the New Jedi Order series or even the Swarm War novels. Instead, he constructs (mostly) plausible psychological positions for his characters, attempting to justify the tensions between the regular heroes of the Galactic Alliance and move the story forward. I still prefer the writing of Allston and Traviss, but this book was better than I had initially expected from Denning. Sometimes, it truly is all about expectations.

Just like the Waterloo digression in Les Miserables, I feel that the most significant events in this novel take place near the very end. We embark on a long journey through a lot of additional territory only to arrive at some rather basic conclusions. Still, the journey could have been far worse.

Maybe because I was coming in in the middle of the story, but this one was a little confusing.

I found myself struggling to understand the context and the relationships between the characters.

The plot seemed to be moving forward at a rapid pace, and I felt like I was missing some crucial information.

However, I was still intrigued by the story and wanted to know more.

I tried to piece together the events that had led up to this point, but it was difficult without having read the beginning.

Despite the confusion, I could sense that there was an interesting story unfolding, and I was determined to keep reading and figure it out.

I hoped that as I continued, the details would start to fall into place and everything would make sense.

Maybe I would discover that the confusion was just a clever device used by the author to keep the reader on their toes.

Only time would tell, but for now, I was ready to dive deeper into the story and see where it would take me.