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Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi #8
Against the Empire
The eighth book in the thrilling series from the New York Times best-selling author of Jedi Quest and Jedi Apprentice. As the Empire's power grows, rebels face a choice: Give in...or fight. Some form resistance on battleground planets. Some go undercover, trying to fight the Empire from within. And others watch and wait.
For Ferus Olin, hatred of the Empire is personal. The things that have been closest to him have been destroyed. The Jedi Order he once belonged to has been decimated. And the future isn't looking much brighter...unless a true rebellion can be born.
For Ferus Olin, hatred of the Empire is personal. The things that have been closest to him have been destroyed. The Jedi Order he once belonged to has been decimated. And the future isn't looking much brighter...unless a true rebellion can be born.
146 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 30, 2015
Again, I won't do a full review as I didn't do one for the previous 6 books. That said, here are my thoughts:
+ So much plot, changing every 2 seconds, and yet really no resolution.
+ Too many characters, too little focus on the main ones.
+ Yet another "turn to the Dark Side" storyline.
+ Reunion of characters from earlier Watson books.
+ Obi-Wan on the cover, when he appears for 4 pages at the end.
+ Evul Empire is Evul - though is that because it's a kid's book or...?
I used to say that Watson's Jedi Apprentice books were good for even adults; I wouldn't say the same for this series (other than the first two books, which had Obi-Wan and I remember being OK). In fact, it almost makes me reconsider my feelings for JA.
+ So much plot, changing every 2 seconds, and yet really no resolution.
+ Too many characters, too little focus on the main ones.
+ Yet another "turn to the Dark Side" storyline.
+ Reunion of characters from earlier Watson books.
+ Obi-Wan on the cover, when he appears for 4 pages at the end.
+ Evul Empire is Evul - though is that because it's a kid's book or...?
I used to say that Watson's Jedi Apprentice books were good for even adults; I wouldn't say the same for this series (other than the first two books, which had Obi-Wan and I remember being OK). In fact, it almost makes me reconsider my feelings for JA.
March 16, 2021
This book definitely took a darker turn and I liked that. Ferus had kind of lost it following the murder of his partner. You can definitely see where Jude wanted this to go with them being lovers. (She even confirmed it on Twitter).
The scenes with Obi-Wan were also really enjoyable and sad. I love the stages of grief here, too and the nod to Leia...
The scenes with Obi-Wan were also really enjoyable and sad. I love the stages of grief here, too and the nod to Leia...
March 12, 2025
Star Wars: Legends: The Last of the Jedi 08 Against the Empire by Jude Watson, Judy Blundell
challenging emotional reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? It's complicated
3.5 Stars
For some reason, even though this is a continuation of the previous stories...strung together, but for some reason this did NOT land like the previous book did.
I wasn't as invested in this story.
challenging emotional reflective sad tense
Fast-paced
Plot or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? It's complicated
3.5 Stars
For some reason, even though this is a continuation of the previous stories...strung together, but for some reason this did NOT land like the previous book did.
I wasn't as invested in this story.
April 13, 2017
Against the Empire makes a shift in the focus of the series, as Trever becomes the main character for a bit. Once Lune has been enrolled in the Imperial Navy Academy, Trever infiltrates the Academy himself in the hopes to break him out. Of course, it's not that easy (when is it ever?), and to make it even more difficult, Watson brings back one her most despicable characters -- Jenna Zan Arbor.
At the same time, Ferus is struggling with the power of the Dark Side. He's given over to hate after Vader kills Roan, and now that Palpatine has shown him the power of the Dark Side, he finds himself wanting to kill Vader. He knows what that means, but he struggles to find his balance between the rebellion, playing the Empire, and exacting revenge. It's some good development, and makes for good storytelling.
I've seen a previous review noting that Ferus and Roan's close relationship suggests they were more than friends, and while I can see where that reviewer is coming from, I find it troubling that two male friends can be that close without having readers think they're gay. I don't have a problem with a gay relationship in Star Wars (I feel the need to point that out, since several readers were offended by it in the Aftermath trilogy), but I also feel like it shouldn't be assumed unless explicitly stated.
I'm still enjoying this series a lot more than I expected. It gets better as it goes, which reinforces my feeling that this series is really just one long novel, broken into parts. I think it works better that way, since the characters are given more space to develop, and I'm excited to see how this is going to end. It's only been with the last five or six books where I've been that caught up in the story.
At the same time, Ferus is struggling with the power of the Dark Side. He's given over to hate after Vader kills Roan, and now that Palpatine has shown him the power of the Dark Side, he finds himself wanting to kill Vader. He knows what that means, but he struggles to find his balance between the rebellion, playing the Empire, and exacting revenge. It's some good development, and makes for good storytelling.
I've seen a previous review noting that Ferus and Roan's close relationship suggests they were more than friends, and while I can see where that reviewer is coming from, I find it troubling that two male friends can be that close without having readers think they're gay. I don't have a problem with a gay relationship in Star Wars (I feel the need to point that out, since several readers were offended by it in the Aftermath trilogy), but I also feel like it shouldn't be assumed unless explicitly stated.
I'm still enjoying this series a lot more than I expected. It gets better as it goes, which reinforces my feeling that this series is really just one long novel, broken into parts. I think it works better that way, since the characters are given more space to develop, and I'm excited to see how this is going to end. It's only been with the last five or six books where I've been that caught up in the story.
January 11, 2023
Fersus’s choices continue to grow more complex and his world more morally gray as the books continue to build towards what promises to be a drastic conclusion. Each action-packed chapter is better than the next.
December 6, 2019
Another Great Book with action and suspense!!!
January 6, 2019
Star Wars Legends Project #189
Background: Against the Empire was written by Jude Watson and published in October of 2007. It is the eighth book of the Last of the Jedi series, following Secret Weapon (my review).
Against the Empire is set a few weeks after Secret Weapon, 18 years before the Battle of Yavin. Ferus and Trever are the main characters, although all of the surviving characters are still around as well, including recurring antagonist Jenna Zan Arbor. Most of the action takes place on Coruscant and Bellassa.
Summary: Ferus's partner is dead, cut down by Darth Vader in cold blood. The Emperor has exploited Ferus's grief and rage, bringing him closer to the Dark Side than ever. Obsessed with finding out the secret of Vader's origin, Ferus's resistance work takes a back seat. Meanwhile, Lune Divinian has been taken and enrolled in the Imperial Naval Academy, and Trever has gone undercover to rescue him, and the resistance fighters on Bellassa work quickly on a daring plan to save Amie Antin before she can be taken off-world.
Review: I just have to start by pointing out that one of the first episodes of Rebels also features Ezra Bridger infiltrating an Imperial Training Academy undercover as a cadet. With only a few books left in the series, there are a lot of balls in the air, and Watson does a good job juggling them here. The way a few of the divergent plotlines converge feels a bit too convenient right at the end, but I really appreciated the way she wove some of the elements together.
The excessive convenience of the climax is also underscored by yet more imprecision regarding Force abilities, which apparently make it trivial to drop "hundreds of meters" (which at least has some precedent in the movies), or leap upward hundreds of meters (which does not). I more than half suspect at this point that Watson doesn't know how far a meter or a kilometer is, so sloppy is she in throwing these numbers around. This is far from a significant flaw, however. The main issue, if there is one, is how much water this story has to carry towards building a major conclusion to come, without allowing us much of the payoff yet. It's a necessary evil, and this was still an enjoyable read.
B+
Background: Against the Empire was written by Jude Watson and published in October of 2007. It is the eighth book of the Last of the Jedi series, following Secret Weapon (my review).
Against the Empire is set a few weeks after Secret Weapon, 18 years before the Battle of Yavin. Ferus and Trever are the main characters, although all of the surviving characters are still around as well, including recurring antagonist Jenna Zan Arbor. Most of the action takes place on Coruscant and Bellassa.
Summary: Ferus's partner is dead, cut down by Darth Vader in cold blood. The Emperor has exploited Ferus's grief and rage, bringing him closer to the Dark Side than ever. Obsessed with finding out the secret of Vader's origin, Ferus's resistance work takes a back seat. Meanwhile, Lune Divinian has been taken and enrolled in the Imperial Naval Academy, and Trever has gone undercover to rescue him, and the resistance fighters on Bellassa work quickly on a daring plan to save Amie Antin before she can be taken off-world.
Review: I just have to start by pointing out that one of the first episodes of Rebels also features Ezra Bridger infiltrating an Imperial Training Academy undercover as a cadet. With only a few books left in the series, there are a lot of balls in the air, and Watson does a good job juggling them here. The way a few of the divergent plotlines converge feels a bit too convenient right at the end, but I really appreciated the way she wove some of the elements together.
The excessive convenience of the climax is also underscored by yet more imprecision regarding Force abilities, which apparently make it trivial to drop "hundreds of meters" (which at least has some precedent in the movies), or leap upward hundreds of meters (which does not). I more than half suspect at this point that Watson doesn't know how far a meter or a kilometer is, so sloppy is she in throwing these numbers around. This is far from a significant flaw, however. The main issue, if there is one, is how much water this story has to carry towards building a major conclusion to come, without allowing us much of the payoff yet. It's a necessary evil, and this was still an enjoyable read.
B+
October 28, 2023
Whoa. I loved these books when I was younger, but I'm still finding myself heavily invested in them. More than I used to be, if I'm honest - and you can find more details about that at the bottom of this review in a rambling draft that I wrote on 4 hours of sleep lol
Watson is juggling a lot of characters and plotlines here - and in such a short run of pages. She makes it look effortless. As for Ferus, damn. He is hurting so much and the fact that I can feel his pain in a kids' book, populated by writing that is deliberately less mature, indicates an incredible amount of skill on Watson's part.
Written approximately 15 minutes before I passed out in bed last night -
Not finished yet but I'm on page 30 and I'm like "Ferus is reacting like he lost a partner-partner, not a business partner - actually the word 'partner' is being emphasised a lot???". So I checked. Author confirmed. FERUS IS QUEER. FERUSSSSSS ISSSSS QUEEEEEER. I'm so excited. Watson just became even more awesome imo for stealthily writing a queer character into the EU canon, which was famously heteronormative. I mean, I don't like everything Disney has done post-acquisition, but damn at least we get openly queer characters in the books now.
I am crying rainbows rn. And also actual crying, because Ferus lost his HUSBAND. I'm seeing the whole series in an entirely new light.
Watson is juggling a lot of characters and plotlines here - and in such a short run of pages. She makes it look effortless. As for Ferus, damn. He is hurting so much and the fact that I can feel his pain in a kids' book, populated by writing that is deliberately less mature, indicates an incredible amount of skill on Watson's part.
Written approximately 15 minutes before I passed out in bed last night -
Not finished yet but I'm on page 30 and I'm like "Ferus is reacting like he lost a partner-partner, not a business partner - actually the word 'partner' is being emphasised a lot???". So I checked. Author confirmed. FERUS IS QUEER. FERUSSSSSS ISSSSS QUEEEEEER. I'm so excited. Watson just became even more awesome imo for stealthily writing a queer character into the EU canon, which was famously heteronormative. I mean, I don't like everything Disney has done post-acquisition, but damn at least we get openly queer characters in the books now.
I am crying rainbows rn. And also actual crying, because Ferus lost his HUSBAND. I'm seeing the whole series in an entirely new light.
March 31, 2018
Ferus' Saga continues as he plays the double agent trying to gain information about other Jedi still hiding in the galaxy. The death of Roan by Vader draws Ferus to the darkside though....can he withstand it's call or will he travel the path of the darkside? Time will tell as events occur that test his resolve.
Trever, Lune and the others of the resistance have their hands full with their own missions and problems and for me that's where the book falls flat. I'd rather have more time with Ferus and his quests, including his desire to discover who Darth Vader really is. I find that a lot more enticing than anything the others are doing. Their adventures are okay, just not..."omg...I have to see what happens next".
On to the next one though as Ferus heads to Alderaan at the behest of Obi-Wan to check on the claims of a force baby and to then bury the lead.
Trever, Lune and the others of the resistance have their hands full with their own missions and problems and for me that's where the book falls flat. I'd rather have more time with Ferus and his quests, including his desire to discover who Darth Vader really is. I find that a lot more enticing than anything the others are doing. Their adventures are okay, just not..."omg...I have to see what happens next".
On to the next one though as Ferus heads to Alderaan at the behest of Obi-Wan to check on the claims of a force baby and to then bury the lead.
July 5, 2021
Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi (Book 8): Against the Empire
Spoilers in review. The series continues to get better and more interesting as it goes. The dilemmas facing the characters grow and Ferus Olin moves ever-closer to the Dark Side and this seems to be the longest book in the series yet. The author seems to have introduced the first homosexual character in the Star Wars universe. Ferus Olin and Roan Lands were introduced in the series as "partners" and initially it seemed this meant their business, which was sort of a law firm. But they're repeatedly described as "partners" in a more intimate sense, and Olin takes Roan's murder at the hands of Darth Vader particularly hard (further developed in Book Nine). Darth Vader revels in Lands' death as having taken away Olin's "Padme," per the text. I give it four stars of five, definitely starts delving into more adult themes.
Spoilers in review. The series continues to get better and more interesting as it goes. The dilemmas facing the characters grow and Ferus Olin moves ever-closer to the Dark Side and this seems to be the longest book in the series yet. The author seems to have introduced the first homosexual character in the Star Wars universe. Ferus Olin and Roan Lands were introduced in the series as "partners" and initially it seemed this meant their business, which was sort of a law firm. But they're repeatedly described as "partners" in a more intimate sense, and Olin takes Roan's murder at the hands of Darth Vader particularly hard (further developed in Book Nine). Darth Vader revels in Lands' death as having taken away Olin's "Padme," per the text. I give it four stars of five, definitely starts delving into more adult themes.
July 28, 2018
Once again, Jude Watson delivers with another book in the Last of the Jedi Series.
After 8 books, there’s always fear that the series will go stale, but, aside from one or 2 just “ok” stories in this series, the entire span has been a lot of fun to read.
Against the Empire still continues to wrap up some open storylines and lays down the foundations for the canon films. Watching Ferus and Trever grow from unknowns to 2 of the best characters in the entire Star Wars EU has also been a literary treat.
Dunno how Watson is gonna wrap this thing up in 2 more books but I’m looking forward to seeing how this 10 book spread is gonna conclude.
After 8 books, there’s always fear that the series will go stale, but, aside from one or 2 just “ok” stories in this series, the entire span has been a lot of fun to read.
Against the Empire still continues to wrap up some open storylines and lays down the foundations for the canon films. Watching Ferus and Trever grow from unknowns to 2 of the best characters in the entire Star Wars EU has also been a literary treat.
Dunno how Watson is gonna wrap this thing up in 2 more books but I’m looking forward to seeing how this 10 book spread is gonna conclude.
June 12, 2022
This one is a solid entry into the series, but it's a bit disappointing. I think too many plots and different points of views are used in this book, which results in it jumping around and every subplot not really feeling fully fleshed out and downright convenient. Interesting plots are wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly, and Ferus, left in an interesting point at the ending of the previous book, isn't really in it much and doesn't get a great arc like I was hoping for.
A serviceable book that ends on an interesting note.
A serviceable book that ends on an interesting note.
April 3, 2018
Fast-paced, entertaining and strong with the Force. Miss Watson knows her stuff. Lots of characters in all the chapters, which didn't bother me as it does some people, but I will grant that the focus could have been more on Ferus' struggle with the Dark Side and Vader's struggle with his past. Still, because I enjoyed it very much and even though it is no longer canon (or never was, as some claim) I give this excellent book 4 stars.
December 14, 2019
More Insidious Plots are Discovered
This series keeps getting better and better. This book takes a darker turn with more insidious plots and rumors of another undercover agent besides Ferus. Peril comes to those close to him while Ferus struggles to find his way. The Dark Side Beckons. Jude Watson packs more thrills and excitement in her books than some of the new canon books. Excellent read, can't wait for the next chapter!
This series keeps getting better and better. This book takes a darker turn with more insidious plots and rumors of another undercover agent besides Ferus. Peril comes to those close to him while Ferus struggles to find his way. The Dark Side Beckons. Jude Watson packs more thrills and excitement in her books than some of the new canon books. Excellent read, can't wait for the next chapter!
December 19, 2023
It's interesting that this series has branched out to show many perspectives other than Ferus's & Trever's. I do miss Ferus & Trever being the primary focus, but I am enjoying the other characters' storylines too. I'm curious to see how all the different plot threads will be resolved in the final 2 books.
February 3, 2021
Not my favorite.
There are parts of this book that are distressing, and parts that seem to be place keepers - just words to fill the space. I don't like here Ferus is going. Lune is mega cool!
There are parts of this book that are distressing, and parts that seem to be place keepers - just words to fill the space. I don't like here Ferus is going. Lune is mega cool!
September 7, 2018
The main thing going on in this series is giant glaring plot holes. Kids book yes but kids aren’t that stupid.
March 9, 2021
The Emperor tries to turn Ferus Olin to the Dark Side.
Watson has clearly marked the temptation to do good through evil works in her Jedi's story.
Watson has clearly marked the temptation to do good through evil works in her Jedi's story.
November 3, 2021
I'm having a lot of trouble reviewing each book as opposed to as a part of the series. I really liked the events in this book, and I'm really fond of Lune.
October 19, 2024
It is part of the story, but not much happened. This one feels like it was written to connect the previous and the next book...
May 19, 2022
Interesting stuff going on.
March 27, 2023
Great continuation! I will say after the intense plot of the previous book this one fell a little short but continued the story in intriguing new ways.
May 8, 2016
Trevor is in the Imperial Navy Academy on Coruscant to save Lune and is having a tough time adjusting. He can't be kicked out before he helps the boy, after all. But after they find each other, Lune is taken as a test subject to Jenna Zan Arbor. Vader's hired her to get her to eliminate memories. He doesn't want to think of his past life - including Padme - anymore.
Ferus is hell-bent on revenge and uses his anger to mask his pain. He's on a slippery slope and while he recognizes his excuses for what they are, he is okay with falling. He gets Roan's cousin Malory to take a job at a hospital on Coruscant so that he can learn more about Vader. That's where he realizes just how dangerous the pull of the Dark Side is.
Flame proves to truly be helping the Eleven in Ussa, but I still don't trust her. Neither does Clive, so he goes to Acherin to investigate more about her.
One of the weirdest things is reading an adult say "Holy moon!" (end of chapter 19)
Ferus is hell-bent on revenge and uses his anger to mask his pain. He's on a slippery slope and while he recognizes his excuses for what they are, he is okay with falling. He gets Roan's cousin Malory to take a job at a hospital on Coruscant so that he can learn more about Vader. That's where he realizes just how dangerous the pull of the Dark Side is.
Flame proves to truly be helping the Eleven in Ussa, but I still don't trust her. Neither does Clive, so he goes to Acherin to investigate more about her.
One of the weirdest things is reading an adult say "Holy moon!" (end of chapter 19)
May 16, 2011
This is a very good book and it tops all the other books by far. In this book Ferus Olin, former Jedi apprentice on a mission to save any surviving Jedi anfter being betrayed and terminated, is starting to stray away from the good and starting to accept the dark side and it's anger that could destroy him and all hopes of the rebellion. Can he possible be both a Jedi and Sith or just in the middle without being corrupted? Well you'll have to read the book to find out. I recommend this book to everyone.
July 17, 2015
As much as I love the personal story of Ferus Olin, I suppose the series would inevitably begin to weave the personal fabrics in with the grand tapestry of the larger Rebellion. I'm not sure if I'm sold on this direction yet, but I'm willing to give Watson the benefit of the doubt. I'm not sure where things go from here, but at book 8 of 10, I'm definitely just along for the ride. All the way to the end.
Read
March 10, 2017Ferus is looking into Darth Vaders past, specifically the hospital where he was created. Meanwhile, his friend has gone to the academy to rescue a force user. This is a clever storyline, as the reader knows what Ferus may find and it just waiting for him to get there. Ferus is starting to experience the dark side and his struggle is interesting. A good read.
December 8, 2013
Another interesting look for Ferus Olin working against the Empire. But also interesting for Darth Vader as he begins to become annoyed with Ferus knowing full well there is unfinished business between them. C+
Want to read
October 11, 2013Need this to complete my collection.
March 2, 2012
Munchkin (9 years) has really enjoyed me reading this series to her.
May 16, 2013
Filled with a lot of action but plot is kinda weird
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews