The Last Jedi ( novel ) The Last Jedi is a novel by Michael Reaves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff that was released on February 26 , 2013 . The book ' s original name was " Jedi Dawn " , but on March 2 , 2011 , Bohnhoff confirmed that the title had changed , saying , " I noted that Jedi Dawn has already been used for another book and Michael really likes the title Last Jedi . " The book was originally going to be the fourth " " novel , but it is now a standalone followup to the series . Publisher ' s summary . " Ever since Emperor Palpatine ' s Order 66 - - which called for the execution of all Jedi - - Jax Pavan is the last Knight around to fight the dark side of the Force . Together with his droid I - 5 , Jax has eluded Vader time and again , all the while wreaking havoc against the Empire through the underground resistance on Coruscant . But now the Rebel ' s leader on the city - planet has been captured , and it ' s up to the Last Jedi to ride again . . . possibly for one final adventure . " Back cover . " KNIGHT OF RECKONING " " Order 66 has all but exterminated the Jedi . The few remaining who still wield the Force for good have been driven into exile or hiding . But not Jax Pavan , who ’ s been steadily striking blows against the Empire — as a lone guerrilla fighter and a valued partner of Whiplash , a secret Coruscant - based resistance group . Now he ’ s taking on his most critical mission : transporting a valued Whiplash leader , targeted for assassination , from Coruscant to safety on a distant world . It ’ s a risky move under any circumstances , but Jax and his trusted crew aboard the Far Ranger , including the irrepressible droid I - Five , are prepared to pit their combat skills and their vessel ’ s firepower against all Imperial threats — except the one Jax fears most . Reports have raced across the galaxy that the dark lord of the Sith has fallen in a duel to the death with a Rebel freedom fighter . But Jax discovers the chilling truth when he reaches out with the Force . . . only to touch the dark , unmistakable , and malignantly alive presence that is Darth Vader . And Jax knows that Vader will stop at nothing until the last Jedi has fallen . " Plot summary . Part One : Vaster than Empires Aboard the ship " Far Ranger " , Jax Pavan , Laranth Tarak , Den Dhur and I - 5YQ transport Thi Xon Yimmon , Cerean leader of the Whiplash resistance movement . They are en route to Dantooine , where Yimmon will be safe from the attacks that have taken place on Coruscant . They make a stop on Toprawa , where Jax and Laranth meet with Aren Folee of the Antarian Rangers . After continuing their journey , the ship is assaulted by Imperials at the Twins . Darth Vader and several stormtroopers board the dying ship during the battle . Laranth is killed , Yimmon is taken , and I - Five is nearly destroyed . Vader leaves with the Cerean , believing the fate of the survivors sealed , but Jax and Den leave with an escape pod , with I - Five ' s remains and the miisai tree that Laranth once gave to Jax . They are picked up by an escort of the Antarian Rangers and return to Toprawa . There they seek refuge in Mountain Home , a hideout used by the resistance there , and they meet several people . I - Five is refitted in the body of a DUM pit droid . Den and Jax are shaken by the previous events and contact Coruscant . After several days of staying on Toprawa they leave for Coruscant . There they have a meeting with the main members of Whiplash : Tuden Sal , Acer Ash , Dyat Agni , and Sheel Mafeen . Pol Haus is also present . After Jax meets with the Cephalon Aoloiloa , who warns him of events to come , he infiltrates the Imperial Security Bureau . Vader is present and he sees Jax , who is disguised . Jax quickly leaves after knowing Yimmon isn ' t there . Back at his ship , the " Laranth " , an Inquisitor is onto them . Part Two : Flight and Pursuit Jax , Den and I - Five leave Coruscant in a rush . They make for Mandalore , where several Imperial ships have been seen . Jax meets with a Black Sun contact of Tuden Sal , Tyno Fabris . Jax negotiates with him and Prince Xizor and eventually learns of Kantaros Station in the Both system , where Yimmon might be . Meanwhile , Tuden Sal is planning to kill the Emperor but Haus disagrees with him . After withholding information , Sal removes Haus from Whiplash . Haus uses Mafeen to gather intel . Den and I - Five refit the droid in a new body and disagree with Jax ' s methods . The three leave for Kantaros .