This installment in the new arc is not quite as strong as the first couple of books.

However, it does deserve kudos for the return of Aurra Sing.

The story, while just okay, has enough elements to keep readers engaged.

There are still some unanswered questions and plot threads that hint at more to come.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

Will Aurra Sing play a more significant role in the future?

How will the other characters develop and interact?

These are all things that have me eager to pick up the next book in the series.

Overall, while not a standout, this book has enough potential to make me excited for what's next.

4.5 stars - The slow descent of Jacen to the Dark Side takes a significant turn in this installment. He issues an order to have his own parents detained, a truly shocking act. And it doesn't stop there; he even goes so far as to fire on them. This shows just how far he has strayed from the path of light. Jacen's actions are not only heartless but also display a growing sense of power-hungry madness.

Furthermore, Jacen attempts to backstab Lumiya. While it is most likely that this didn't succeed, it adds an interesting layer to the story. It shows that Jacen is willing to betray even those who he may have once considered allies in his pursuit of power. This act of treachery further cements his transformation into a dark and dangerous figure.

Overall, this part of the story is a thrilling and engaging read, as we witness Jacen's rapid slide into the abyss of the Dark Side. The author does a great job of building tension and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, wondering what Jacen will do next and how his actions will impact the lives of those around him.

Rating: 4 - Great Star Wars Legacy books

I read The New Jedi Order almost all at once in a single go several years ago. Therefore, I'm going to assign the same rating and write a unified review for all the books until I reread them. From what I recall of this series, the main Star Wars cast took a step back, and the next generation emerged. To me, this is precisely what I believed the newest series of movies aimed to achieve, but perhaps they just didn't make a sufficient effort? If you read this series, you'll actually notice that many ideas from these old Star Wars series have been borrowed and reused. Did you like Kylo Ren? Then you'll probably have a soft spot for one of the characters in this book. When I watched The Force Awakens, I was extremely pleased because I initially thought we were seeing Jacen Solo. However, the subsequent movies proved me wrong, yet they reminded me of the reasons why I adored these books. Overall, I would highly recommend this series to any Star Wars enthusiast and would also recommend them to general space opera fans.

4.25/5 - Audiobook

The audiobooks are truly a remarkable treat.

It's not just the outstanding narration of Marc Thompson that makes them so special. His voice brings the characters and the story to life in the most vivid way.

But what really takes it to the next level is the addition of the iconic Star Wars music and special sound effects. These elements enhance every scene, giving it a palpable sense of feeling and atmosphere.

Whether it's the excitement of a space battle, the mystery of an ancient Jedi temple, or the emotional turmoil of the characters, the music and SFX work in harmony with the narration to create an immersive listening experience like no other.

Listening to these audiobooks is like being transported into the Star Wars universe, where you can experience all the adventure and drama firsthand. It's a must-have for any Star Wars fan or anyone who loves a great story told with passion and skill.

I truly wish that these books were not just a legend and that the movies had closely followed the plot.

It is such a pity that often the movies deviate from the original storylines. These books are truly great, filled with intense emotions and captivating narratives.

They have the power to transport readers to different worlds and make them feel deeply connected to the characters.

If only the movies could have captured the essence and magic of these books, it would have been a dream come true for all the fans.

However, despite the disappointments, the books still remain a source of inspiration and entertainment.

We can always go back and re-read them, imagining the scenes and characters in our own minds.

Maybe one day, there will be a movie adaptation that does justice to these amazing books.

Until then, we can only hold onto our love for the books and hope for the best.

Tempest is a book that elicits a somewhat mixed bag of feelings from me.

On one hand, it's great to have Tenel Ka on the cover, but despite her relatively prominent presence, it doesn't quite meet the expectations one might have. We don't really get a deep exploration of her as a character.

Troy Denning, in my opinion, continues to shine in what is perhaps his greatest strength - action. He writes many outstanding action scenes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. However, there are also quite a few dull sections in the book, to the extent that towards the end, I found myself skimming through a few parts.

While Jacen's time under Vergere is still presented in a rather surface-level way in this series, the version they are going for is executed quite well. But it seems to sacrifice some characters to create tension.

Specifically, my favorite couple, Luke and Mara, are affected. I thought Denning wrote Mara extremely well in the Nest trilogy, especially with the focus on trying to break up the couple, which was ultimately unsuccessful due to their unwavering love and dedication. However, in this book, there is a strange and forced tension between them. It takes until near the end for Mara to accept the possibility that Jacen might be bad. I understand that she may not want to face the implications for her son and the various explanations they come up with, but I find it hard to believe that she would so firmly dismiss Luke's concerns, considering who he is and the faith she has shown in him.

Alema, a villain I really liked in the Dark Nest trilogy, has some issues here. I thought she was unique and interesting, but I'm not convinced by how she keeps surviving. Denning seems to have to go to great lengths to keep her alive, and that scene between her and Jacen just felt kind of silly. Also, I don't think her newfound power level makes sense based on her portrayal in the previous trilogy.

Lumiya, on the other hand, has a brilliant, albeit brief, fight with Luke, where she cuts off his robotic hand again. I wish this fight had been longer, but what we saw was excellent. I'm glad they're making Lumiya a truly threatening and powerful character. Starting off with this close and depressing fight for the Skywalkers is a good storytelling choice as it makes their next encounter even more tense, although perhaps a bit predictable.

Han and Leia are really well-written in this book. I love the conflict they face between not wanting to support the Galactic Alliance's gradual transformation into the Empire and not being able to accept the Correlians' attempts to get them to assassinate Tenel Ka. Their situation is going to be very difficult from now on.

Jacen's actions in this book are quite disturbing. He becomes very "Vader-y" on the 'Anakin Solo', choking a Hapan woman with the Force, shouting at people, and even firing at his own parents. This leads to a really great and tense encounter between Ben Skywalker and Jaina, Zekk, and Han on the Falcon, where Ben nearly accidentally kills Zekk and his loyalty to Jacen really comes back to haunt him.

Now, I know Ben is only thirteen, but I often feel that there is a stereotypical portrayal of young people in media as being much dumber than they actually are, and I think that applies here to some extent. However, I also understand that he is a very emotionally complex person who is likely traumatized from his experiences during the Yuuzhan Vong war and is somewhat dependent on Jacen, which makes it hard for him to accept that his hero is becoming a monster.

Overall, Tempest is a pretty good book. It has some pacing problems and a few moments that I wasn't a big fan of, such as aspects of Alema's character and the treatment of Mara Jade. But there is also some exceptional action, and the story as a whole is still engaging. It's a bit predictable at times and perhaps a hundred pages too long, but I still enjoyed reading it. I'm just eager for Jacen to finally become a Sith already, as it feels like it's been building up for so long and I'm not sure how much longer I can wait before it starts to feel a bit dragged out. 7/10

Unfortunately, my library only had the abridged audiobook version.

I do firmly believe that it played a significant part in my not liking this book as much as other Star Wars books.

One crucial aspect is that this book is situated in the middle of a series, making it extremely hard to follow.

If I didn't have my husband, who has read multiple Star Wars books, I truly wouldn't have been able to really understand and follow along.

And the second point is that being abridged might very well have been the reason it was so difficult to follow the plot.

Things seemed to be all over the place and not quite lining up neatly.

Those are the main reasons why I gave it three stars and simply couldn't give it a higher rating.

Otherwise, I did enjoy seeing familiar characters being their familiar selves and observing how the galaxy is in the hands of the Solo and Skywalker kids.

There are some fun dynamics at play and a politic-driven plot that adds an interesting layer.

I would indeed be interested in reading the rest of the series, and I have a feeling that they would enhance the overall experience of this book in retrospect.

This is truly a good read. It engages the reader and takes them on an interesting journey.

However, it is quite unfortunate that it is no longer considered canon. Canon works are those that are widely recognized and accepted as part of a particular body of literature or a specific fictional universe.

The loss of its canonicity might mean that it will not receive the same level of attention and study as it once did. It could potentially fade into obscurity.

Despite this, the quality of the read itself remains. It still has the power to touch the hearts and minds of those who come across it.

Perhaps in time, its status could change again, and it could be rediscovered and reevaluated. Only time will tell.

For now, we can still appreciate the good read for what it is, even if it is no longer part of the official canon.

The third book in the Legacy of the Force series, Tempest, is truly a remarkable piece of work. It far exceeded my initial expectations.

I had anticipated that this book would be, at best, mediocre. In fact, I had even heard some people claim that it was the worst Star Wars book ever. However, in my opinion, they were completely wrong.

This book is actually really good. In it, Jacen is delving deeper into the dark side, and the story is beginning to heat up. It also places a significant focus on the Hapes Consortium, the Queen Mother, and her daughter.

The only negative aspect that I can mention about this book is that I didn't like the character of Alema Rar at all. Additionally, there are quite a few typos in the book, which is a bit of a disappointment.

All in all, Tempest is a good book, and I would definitely recommend giving it a chance, regardless of what others may say. It offers an engaging storyline and interesting characters that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Tempest

I thoroughly enjoyed the book "Tempest". I was truly engrossed in the lives and actions of the characters. There was a palpable sense of tension that kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. In contrast to the previous books, which didn't fully capture my interest and I often felt like I was just slogging through, this one had me hooked from start to finish. Perhaps it's due to the different writer, but I genuinely found it more enjoyable than the first and second installments.
The story in "Tempest" has ramped up the tensions significantly. It lays the groundwork for the downfall of Jacen and the disillusionment within his family. Luke and Mara are still at odds over Ben's proximity to Jacen, especially with the persistent rumors that Lumiya has infiltrated the GAG. Ben's loyalty to Jacen scares Luke to the extent that he doesn't want Ben to be part of the Guard. Mara remains undecided until the very end of the book.

The Corellians and the Galactic Alliance are still locked in a bitter struggle, each hiding their own secrets. Han and Leia are siding with the Corellians, yet they continuously play both sides throughout the story. While I liked their perspective on the massive battle that takes place, I couldn't help but wonder why they were even included in this book. Han himself admits that he's too old for this, so their presence seems more like an inconvenience than anything else. Luke and Mara have a tough encounter with Lumiya at the Roqool depot. Luke loses his arm, and Mara has to drag him to safety before Lumiya blows them up. Although she is apparently dead, I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up again eventually. In the Star Wars universe, not many people stay dead for good, unless you're Qui-Gon.

The main battle in the book was truly outstanding. While Allston is usually the master of detailed space battles and dogfights, Denning does an excellent job here. Jacen's descent into madness becomes increasingly evident, especially when Alanna's life is in danger. Later, during the battle, he pulls a classic Vader move on one of his officers. Once the Usurper's fleet is destroyed, the Hapan Queen is safe, and the Skywalkers confront Jacen, accusing him of setting them up.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the others in the series.

Rating: 7/10
Aptly Named...A Good Book and Continuation of the Series


Warning: This review may contains spoilers.


"Tempest" is both an enjoyable and frustrating book. Jacen Solo is finally making significant progress towards the dark side. Just when you think he has momentum and the descent is truly beginning, he takes a few steps back by the end of the novel. However, his fluctuations between the light and dark sides are more believable in this context as he straddles both lines compared to the first two novels, where his decisions were harder to understand.

The way the Skywalkers and Solos view Jacen's descent into the dark side is also frustrating. I understand that it's difficult to help someone who believes they are right or doesn't want help, but no one, not even his twin, is really reaching out. In "Tempest," everyone except Ben, who has been under Jacen's influence for too long, knows exactly where Jacen is headed but believes he will have an epiphany and return to the right path. After Luke and Mara's experience with the dark side, it's hard to fathom that Leia, Han, and Jaina aren't trying to get through to him. I feel that Jacen's family is in a strange position. It's their family member going to the dark side, so I understand giving more benefit of the doubt and more chances, but it's right in front of their faces and no one is really trying to reach out.

Despite this, the novel is a good Star Wars read and a continuation of the "Legacy of the Force" series. I'm glad it focuses more on the central characters and families this time, rather than introducing new characters who may never be seen again in this or other Star Wars series. I'm also glad to see Mara and Luke finally remove Ben from Jacen's immediate influence. I look forward to seeing the friction this causes between Ben and his parents and how much Jacen has influenced Ben, potentially leading him to make mistakes towards the dark side. It's fascinating to see how much of an influence Jacen has had on and still has on Ben, even though Ben has no conscious knowledge of it.

It's amusing that with all the force sensitives in the Skywalker and Solo families and their abilities, no one has picked up on the fact that Jacen has a daughter and erased that memory from Ben's mind. All those skills and no one can sense a stray thought or feel the force links/bonds between Jacen, Tenel Ka, and Allana. I'm glad to see that despite what's happening to Jacen, we're still expanding on the relationship established in earlier series between Jacen and Tenel Ka.

So far, "Tempest" has a quicker paced plot, plot twists, better balanced politics, and our favorite characters, making it the best of the first three books in the "Legacy of the Force" series. I hope to see more of Mara in the last couple of novels, especially some good moments between her and Luke and her and Ben. I'm excited to read the next in the series.

Really good!

I love the progression of Jacen in this book. Especially, after Tenel Ka appears again in his life. Jacen seems to be torn between his duties and his two families: Tenel and Allana, and his parents, Luke and Ben.

I must say that the description of the fight against the Ducha, as well as the fight of Mara and Luke against Lumiya, is very well described. The author manages to keep the bad vibes throughout the entire scene, creating a sense of tension and excitement.

The way Jacen struggles with his loyalties and the difficult decisions he has to make adds depth and complexity to his character. It makes the reader really care about what happens to him and root for him to make the right choices.

Overall, this book is a great read and I can't wait to see what happens next in the story.