Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi #2 – The Desperate Mission
by Jude Watson

Published by Scholastic

Scott's Rating:   3.5 out of 4

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This is the second book in the Last of the Jedi series. It is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The following is from the book cover:

“Obi-Wan Kenobi is on a Mission. Along with the former Jedi Apprentice Ferus Olin and a headstrong kid named Trever, he is trying to keep the Jedi's most important secret safe from the inquisitive Empire. With Boba Fett on their trail and time running out, Obi-Wan, Ferus, and Trever must make some daring and desperate escapes...into more danger. Along the way, they discover some incredible news: Obi-Wan and Yoda are not the only Jedi to have survived the Emperor's annihilation of the Order. There is at least one other...and he is hiding in the Caves of Ilum, a place where nightmares become reality and dark warnings tell of conflicts yet to come.”

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Scott:

    This continues to be a great series since it is set in one of the most interesting periods in the Star Wars timeline that has yet to be thoroughly covered. As you might expect, there are a few Jedi remaining who have survived the execution of Order 66. The last book brought Ferus back into the spotlight while this book also brings an unlikely hero back as well. It’s good to see that some of them survived, but it’s also easy to see why Yoda wouldn’t be calling them their last hope.

This book features a lot of noteworthy encounters in it. It starts out with a battle between Boba Fett and Obi-Wan. Also seen is Obi-Wan returning to Polis Massa to try and cover the tracks of Yoda, Bail, and the twins at the close of Revenge of the Sith. And as the cover shows, there’s a rematch between Ferus and his Padawan nemesis Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader (albeit through a dream). Ferus also gets a quick glimpse at what’s left of the Jedi Temple after the massacre from the film. Dark Warning also features more interaction between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn. This was only hinted at in the conclusion of the film. I’m glad to see it realized here. These are just the kinds of situations and dramas that you want to see in a Star Wars book.

I also have to note the nice looking cover by Henry Ng. It’s not only a great rendition of Darth Vader but of Ferus Olin as well.

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Scott:

    My only complaint is that Obi-Wan seems to be a little too out in the open when he’s supposedly trying to hide his identity. He openly battles Boba Fett in one scene, travels across the galaxy in others, and generally doesn’t lay low. Considering he’s the galaxy-wide famous “Negotiator”, you’d think more people would recognize him. This would especially be the case with Boba Fett.

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Scott:

    Nothing to add here.

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