Authored by Jude Watson, The Last of the Jedi: A Tangled Web marks the fifth installment in the series of young reader novels titled Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi. Scholastic released this book in July of 2006, and the cover's artwork is credited to John Van Fleet.
In this story, Ferus Olin receives a summons from none other than Emperor Palpatine. The former Chancellor extends clemency to Ferus and seeks his assistance with an issue on a particular planet. Initially hesitant, Ferus finds himself compelled to accept the Emperor's proposition, leading him and his companions, the Erased and Trever, into a perilous and thrilling escapade.
Who Are the Last of the Jedi?
Since evil Emperor Palpatine destroyed the Jedi Knights and seized power, his reign has been absolute. He controls the Senate. He controls the Imperial Army. He controls the galaxy. He is a Sith.
And now, for mysterious reasons, he wants to control Ferus Olin, ex-Padawan.
Ferus does not want to aid the Empire in any way. But when the Emperor threatens the lives of the people closest to him, Ferus doesn't have a choice. He agrees to go on a secret mission for Palpatine—to become a double-agent—and somehow keep his allegiance to the fallen Jedi Order.
Can he succeed? Or are the Emperor and his henchman Darth Vader too powerful to overcome?
The thrilling new series from The New York Times bestselling author of Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest.
Ferus Olin is summoned by Emperor Palpatine, and subsequently learns that Roan Lands and Dona Telamark, individuals from his past on Bellassa, are being detained and awaiting trial. Palpatine offers clemency to Ferus' acquaintances on the condition that Ferus aids in locating the saboteur responsible for disrupting the computer systems of Sath city on Samaria. Left with no alternative, Ferus accepts the terms. After secretly informing his friends, the Erased, Trever Flume, and Clive Flax, of his arrangement, he makes his way to Samaria.
While Ferus dedicates himself to finding the saboteur, Solace, Trever, and Oryon embark on a mission to rescue Dona and Roan, in an attempt to free Ferus from the Emperor's obligations. Clive, a client of Olin and Lands, accompanies Ferus, while Keets Freely and Curran Caladian remain with Dexter Jettster. With the assistance of Keets and Curran, Solace's group eventually succeeds in rescuing Roan and Dona.
Ferus locates the saboteur, revealing her to be Astri Oddo, aided by her son, Lune Divinian. Astri confesses that she was employed by Aaren Larker, the prime minister of Samaria. Ferus overhears a noise on the roof, discovering Darth Vader conducting an inspection. Reunited with Solace, Trever, Oryon, Dona, and Roan, they collectively move towards Solace's ship, which was previously stolen from the Galactic Empire. Ferus, however, chooses to stay behind, becoming a double agent against the Empire.
Meanwhile, back on Coruscant, Keets and Curran are apprehended for infiltrating a Senator's office. They later manage to escape with the aid of a weapon provided by Dex's droid.
On the third page, the name Ilum is incorrectly spelled as "Illum".