Star Wars: Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear
Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigned.
“In order to ensure the security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire! For a safe and secure society!”
With one speech, and thunderous applause, Chancellor Palpatine brought the era of the Republic crashing down. In its place rose the Galactic Empire. Across the galaxy, people rejoiced and celebrated the end to war—and the promises of tomorrow. But that tomorrow was a lie. Instead the galaxy became twisted by the cruelty and fear of the Emperor’s rule.
During that terrifying first year of tyranny, Mon Mothma, Saw Gerrera, and Bail Organa face the encroaching darkness. One day, they will be three architects of the Rebel Alliance. But first, each must find purpose and direction in a changing galaxy, while harboring their own secrets, fears, and hopes for a future that may never come, unless they act.
Author: Alexander Freed
Cover artist: Marko Manev
Editor: Tom Hoeler
Release date: February 25, 2025
Pages: 496
ISBN: 9780593723463
Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear is the opening book of a trilogy covering the era between the end of Revenge of the Sith and the events leading up to the destruction of the first Death Star in A New Hope, with the trilogy covering various events during that era with significant jumps in time. It sees us fully rooted in the first year after Emperor Palpatine has declared himself head of the new Galactic Empire after his long term as Supreme Chancellor. Seemingly secure in his power, we follow events through the eyes of Senator Bail Organa, Senator Mon Mothma, and Saw Gerrera and it is through them we view the state of the galaxy.
The three are building the foundations of what will define the future, but very much from their own point of view. For Bail it is a fixation on the Jedi as he walks a path to unlock the mystery surrounding the fall of the Order, in large part because of his adopted daughter Leia’s personal connection to her twin Luke and the future of the galaxy. Mon Mothma is still recovering from the trauma of her arrest and the repercussions of the loyalty oath she signed to continue her work. Mothma intends to maintain a facade and work from the inside, with a view to stripping Palpatine of his seemingly endless emergency powers. At this point of her career, Mon Mothma is under the most restrictions. She is constantly being watched by Imperials authorities as well dealing with anxiety issues. Despite this she radiates with the strength and resolve that will serve her and the Rebellion well in the coming years.
Saw Gerrera is focused on living on the fringes and accumulating an arsenal for the war to come. Alexander Freed weaves the stories of the three characters together masterfully. Despite the familiarity we have with them (Bail since the era of A New Hope, Mothma since Return of the Jedi and Saw since The Clone Wars) and the knowledge we have of the Empires eventual demise, this story is still filled to the brim with tension.
The Mask of Fear is very new-reader friendly, and despite being the opening gambit in a trilogy, feels self-contained. Freed showcases the fragility of the times, along with the reality of running a Galactic Empire. Spying is seemingly at an all-time high, and while Palpatine has his shiny new Empire there are numerous variables that require him to consolidate his power, all the while acknowledging the staus of the Senate.
With the very specific viewpoints steering the book, there aren’t a plethora of cameo appearances, which helps to keep the focus very much on the story at hand without distractions, and with the very welcome arrival of the Andor season 2 trailer it’s deinitely a must-read for fans of all things Andor. The Mask of Fear is a satisfying slowburn with fascinating side characters, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what Rebecca Roanhorse brings to the next chapter of the Reign of the Empire series.
