Normally I love all Star Wars books, though at admit I feel overwhelmed with the amount of content that Disney is pushing out of late and the ways it does in so many directions. That aside, I have read Star Wars novels since my earliest teen years and thought I would try again. This one centers around the period following the execution of Order 66 and the destruction of the Jedi as the Empire firmly takes hold. It focuses on well known side characters such as Saw Gerrera, Mon Mothma, and Bail Organa. Mon Mothma is focused on trying to politically navigate the Empires layers as it cracks down on anyone who is seen as a threat, while Bail, regardless of the consequences, speaks out on behalf of the disgraced and villainized Jedi order, trying to shine a light on the massacre of the order. To be blunt, there’s so much TALKING. It’s a great deal of political arguing and people unwilling to listen to others and it got very difficult to read and maintain focus on rather quickly. Not high on my list of sci fi novels Ive read.

Enjoyed seeing the political side of Star Wars, not just the action. In the same vien as Andor. Didn't realize it was the start of a trilogy, so excited for that!

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.

The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed is the first book in a trilogy. It takes place after the events in Episode III Revenge of the Sith and the beginning of Andor. This is a political story. This is the story after the coup engineered by Palpatine allowing him to take control of the Senate and then engineering the slaughter of the Jedi. The Jedi have been framed for attempting to overthrow and kill Palpatine, and Bail Organa is intent on proving it. I have not read any Star Wars books previously. One thing I did realize after Rogue One is that both Saw Gerrero and Bail Organa are interesting side characters that simply do not get enough of a story. This book was to focus on Saw, Bail and Mon Mothma, and it does, but it also introduces new characters including a former Separatist warrior, and an old Republic spy and her assistant/protege. And, yes, new characters help to tell the story, but I honestly would have appreciated more focus on the main three.

The story is heavily political, although there is some action as well, but it is a lot of intrigue. Mon Mothma is focused on passing a bill that will retain the power of the Senate, Bail is intent, as I previously stated on exonerating the Jedi and finding out who tampered with the evidence to implicate the Jedi. He feels he owes a duty to the Jedi and to his daughter. We do not get near enough of Saw. His story is told from the Separatists point of view and only towards the end do we get a bit of Saw himself. This series really needs more Saw.

I need to thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group – Del Ray for my ARC. This book released February 25, 2025.

eign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear Is Haunting, But Also Very, Very Good

Star Wars has always been political. (If you disagree, you may not be the right audience for my work.) The franchise was built upon and still revolves around stories of war, the parties responsible, the innocent people impacted by the aftermath, and those genuinely trying to stop it. It has been this way for nearly 50 years, and it’s not stopping anytime soon.

Whether intentional or not, Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear is a devastatingly timely narrative about a rapidly shifting galaxy, the drastic takeover of a regime, and how everyone — from so-called ordinary people to those glued to the Senate floor — is attempting to survive it.

ery little time has passed since Order 66 and the immediate aftermath of Revenge of the Sith. Political figures like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa find themselves tiptoeing upon new ground, under the watchful eye of the Galactic Empire, reeling from what they have seen in the weeks, months, and years prior. The Jedi are gone — good riddance? The new Emperor hasn’t been seen since the rapid dismantling of the Republic. Separatist worlds are counting their losses. Some, such as Saw Garrera, are already attempting to ignite a fight against those deemed responsible for the worst of the war’s casualties.

And then there are those caught between two questionable choices — serving the Empire and saving those the Republic left to suffer no matter the cost. What does the average everyday citizen do when nothing happening above or around them makes sense? Who can be trusted? Is it time to fight again — or has there been enough fighting for one lifetime?

It’s hard to read this book without thinking of current events. That’s really all I can say to that effect. You don’t have to view it that way or read it with real-world context, but personally, I tried that and failed. This is not a criticism of the book. Far from it, actually. When I say Star Wars is political, I mean Star Wars is a web of stories inspired by the worst things humanity has ever done to itself.

Perhaps you’re not into stories about passing bills, hiding from Imperial spies (or being one), or trying to speak out against the wrongdoings of people more powerful than you. But perhaps you are, instead, a fan of tales surrounding the thrill of post-war conspiracies, or the dangers of partnering with those you can’t fully trust. The blurred lines that come with pretending you’re someone you aren’t, laced with just enough truth to keep you sane. As sane as anyone can be in a galaxy like this.

Alexander Freed has always been good at highlighting the traumas of conflict and how people recover (or don’t) from the horrors they’ve been forced to witness. He steps it up even further with Mask of Fear, except this time he gets to do it with familiar characters like Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. Freed is interested in the politics of the particular era he happens to be writing in, as always, but in this case, he’s even more focused on the people responding to those politics. Not just those impacted by them, but also those who might have the influence necessary to do something about them.

You’ll thoroughly enjoy this book if you’re already a Freed fan, if the Rise of the Empire is your favorite era in Star Wars, If you really liked Andor and want to know more about Mon Mothma’s earlier involvement in the movement that would eventually morph into a rebellion.

Some books, even without fully meaning to, just happen to line up so perfectly with the times that it’s hard to believe it wasn’t actually written yesterday or even a few months ago. Things just sometimes work out that way. It’s a good story if that’s all you’re looking for, but an even better one if you’re seeking a Star Wars story that is both captivating and relevant. It all happened a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. But history has a way of repeating itself a thousand generations over.

Star Wars Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed is available now wherever you get your Star Wars books.

One of the most interesting pieces of Star Wars lore in years. As far as political thrillers go, The Mask of Fear is fast-paced and doesn't skimp on action, but it's the subtleties where the novel shines the most. The deep dive into Organa's obsessions, the exploration of a crumbling Coruscant, fantastic tie-ins with Andor and Mothma's struggling relationship - it all just feels so important.

One of the best Star Wars novels I've read.

How much you enjoy this latest Star Wars tie-in, taking place just months after Order 66, depends on how much you enjoyed the Andor TV show. Like Andor, this is a political drama. And like Andor, we already know how it ends. What's interesting is the journey in how we get there.

This trilogy openers follows Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera and their very different responses to the Republic becoming an Empire right before their very eyes. You have Mothma, the pragmatist trying to curtail the Empire through politics. Organa, the idealist (you can see where Leia gets that from) who believes the people will do the right thing if he shows the hypocrisy of Palpatine. And finally, there's Saw Gerrera, the, well, terrorist who isn't above violence and hurting bystanders to obtain his ends.

To be honest, I found the pacing of Andor unbearably slow. And like Andor, the first half of this did feel like it was taking forever to get to the point. The midpoint through the climax, however, kept me on the edge of my seat. The way our main characters' storylines tied together was top notch.

My only issue was after it tied up, the story kept going...and going. This is a trilogy opener so the author was trying set it up for book 2, but it felt a bit like the ending of Revenge of the Sith, where everyone was being shoved into their A New Hope starting positions.

Overall, this was an enjoyable (and a little scary if you want to look at it as a political allegory) read. Yes, at this point you need to have read and watched all the other canon shows/books to follow and appreciate it, but let's be honest, that's why we're all still here.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.

A fantastic spy thriller and political drama in the time of the Empire. Alexander Freed continues to be one of the most exciting and unique authors of Star Wars, bringing a gritty realism matched only by the likes of Andor.
While the start of a loose trilogy, this book is complete onto itself and only requires knowledge of Revenge Of The Sith to be able to follow the plot.

We return to a galaxy far, far away, where the echoes of lightsabers and the hum of blaster bolts resonate with Alexander Freed's Star Wars: The Mask of Fear, an enthralling exploration into the political depths of Star Wars. Set in the aftermath of Revenge of the Sith, The Mask of Fear gives us a glimpse into how Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera navigate life in the wake of Chancellor Palpatine's devastating rise to power.

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 of 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.

Alexander Freed is no rookie to crafting great tales in the Star Wars universe, The Mask of Fear is no different. What Freed builds in the first of the Reign of the Empire books is both familiar and refreshingly new. Fans of Star Wars have known since the beginning that the space opera we all love has been inherently political. While The Mask of Fear serves as a bridge between eras, it also dives headfirst into the political side of the universe.

While the Star Wars: The High Republic novels have been wonderful at adding context, depth and story to the overall Star Wars story, The Mask of Fear excels at offering an opportunity to reconnect with familiar characters and locations. Set after Revenge of the Sith, The Mask of Fear delivers a captivating and engaging adventure with familiar faces. Compelling characters like Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera bring us back to such familiar times that allowed me to get deeply engaged with the tale at hand. What Freed accomplishes with this new story enriches the original stories being told on the big screen–or small screen.

Freed didn't stop at established lores, but introduces us to new characters who help move the story along and bring more understanding to the universe under Imperial rule. These fresh perspectives enrich the story, making us care deeply for the narrative and the characters involved. I find it hard sometimes to dive into a Star Wars tale with all the characters, locations, and lore involved, but what Freed crafted with this novel made it easy to follow and enjoy.

Star Wars: The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed isn't just another space opera; it's a gripping political drama. If the political aspects of Star Wars aren't your thing, this book might not be for you. But for those eager to explore more stories from a galaxy far, far away, it's a wonderfully enjoyable journey.

As a huge Star Wars fan I was beyond excited to get this ARC. I really enjoyed the way it was written. Having the main characters that then had other sub characters that gained more and more attention brought more depth to the story.

"And here we all are, together again..."

Sorry, wrong show.

But my point still stands. Here we all are, back in the throes of Star Wars politics.

(Not that we ever left. It quite literally has "war" in the title.)

This book primarily follows Mon Mothma, Bail Organa (my fave), and Saw Gerrera, (and associates) during the first year of the Empire. Each character wrestles with their own deep-set beliefs as they attempt to act in accordance with what they feel is right, regardless of the cost.

So, this book is interesting.

It is set in a time when we know, for the most part, what happens to each of these characters, and we know how the Empire is both during and long after the events of this book. Thus, that robust plot armor can diminish the stakes somewhat, so the onus is really on the storytelling to shine some sort of a light on things and tell readers something they didn't know before. Which I think Alexander Freed did do successfully, especially with the characters themselves. We are reminded time and time again that these characters are just people dealt a really terrible hand who now have to make the best decisions they can with few resources or incomplete information.

Freed's imagery is pretty powerful. It's nice and heavy, with a lot of cool details to chew on. This is, in my opinion, a complete 180 to Freed's writing in the Rogue One novelization, which I found to be much more succinct. I also SO appreciate the chapter title in this book. I am so bored of books without chapter titles! These titles are a little nebulous and vague, but I still think they are an interesting addition.

My primary critique of this book is the pacing. This book is by no means short. It is nearly 500 pages, and you feel every single one of pages. I think it could have been cut back slightly to tighten up some of the pacing and POV shifts. I don't know if the best solution is for the book to have been told from the perspective of only Mon, Saw, and Bail, but I do think it would have been a good start. There are a lot of supporting characters in this book, and I think a good way to explore those characters would have been through the familiar lens of ones we know. This would also maintain some mystery around the motives of those supporting characters, rather than spending so much time with them from the start.

I'm curious about where this trilogy will go. Again, we have the plot armor in place, so it will have to continue to bring readers somewhere completely new to remain compelling.

Anyway, I definitely appreciate that more time is being spent in the side of Star Wars that tends to get pushed aside in favor of action and adventure. No shade to those things, but let us not forget that Star Wars is inherently political, and telling a story about the grittiness of upholding democracy is a great way to honor that.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Bravery's more common than we often believe."

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexander Freed, and Del Rey for the E-ARC!

I'm a latecomer to the Star Wars franchise, only starting to really dive into it within the last year, so please be aware that my review is from a more casual side. Nevertheless, I've been really enjoying jumping into all of it's different types of media and series, and I found this book a nice addition!

This is a Star Wars story that focuses on the politics. Instead of epic battles and fights, this is the aftermath of the war that made the Republic the Empire. Through characters such as Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Saw Gerrera, we get to see the immediate aftermath of Palpatine taking control and what that means for the universe. It's filled with truths to be found and secrets to unfold, creating a riveting story.

Rogue One and Andor are two of my favourite Star Wars projects, so I really enjoyed that I got to learn more about Mon Mothma in this book! Again, as a casual enjoyer of Star Wars, this story gave me so many more insights on her as a character, her motives, and just generally the way she goes about things. I'm excited to find out more about her in the next books in this trilogy, as well as to go back and watch other Star Wars stories with her in them with newfound knowledge.

I had a great time reading this story and learning more about the Star Wars universe and some of it's large characters. I urge fans of the series to pick it up for themselves!

Following the immense success of Alphabet Squadron, expectations for Alexander Freed’s next work were high. And yet, he has not only met them—he has surpassed them. With The Mask of Fear, Freed crafts an unrelenting and unapologetic exploration of fascism’s cost and the moral dilemmas that come with resistance, offering a striking reflection of modern society with a level of clarity rarely seen in Star Wars literature. And yet, against all odds, it remains a story of hope—a pillar for the franchise. Freed’s newest novel continues the standard of excellence he established with his masterful Alphabet Squadron trilogy. In this latest work, he delivers a stark, uncompromising narrative about the perils of rising fascism and political corruption. Of the three central protagonists, only one truly engages in the kind of aggressive negotiations we’d expect, while the others navigate the shadows of Coruscant’s back alleys and the harsh glare of the Imperial Senate.

As the story unfolds, we follow these characters as they take their first steps toward forming the Rebellion, each in their own way: Mon Mothma wields political strategy and legislative finesse to gain an upper hand, while Bail Organa channels righteous determination to defend the Jedi he once stood alongside. Every chapter highlights their struggle, filled with missteps and revelations, as they seek to loosen Palpatine’s grip on the galaxy—all while Imperial forces work to thwart them at every turn. Yet, through their arduous journey, one truth becomes undeniable: without compromise, their efforts will fail. While the novel delivers a stark warning about fascism’s dangers and the erosion of democracy, it also examines the harsh realities of moral absolutism. No matter how desperately Mon and Bail cling to rules and ethics in their fight against tyranny, The Mask of Fear makes it painfully clear—defeating a dictator often demands uncomfortable sacrifices.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I think anyone that loves Star Wars will love this book. I really enjoyed getting more information about Mothma and Organa -- I am biased though, because they are some of my favorite characters.

Not much is added to the lore here, and seems more character-driven than pushed forward by the plot (but maybe that is just because I know what is going to happen in the future).

I would recommend this book to another Star Wars fan, and plan to buy a physical copy for myself.

This is an excellent start to an exploration of this period between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" in the new canon. I loved seeing all of the characters that we know from the films working to begin the rebellion

As a huge fan of the political aspects of Star Wars, I really enjoyed this delve into the politics in the immediacy of the rise of the Empire and I'm very much looking forward to the other two books in this trilogy. I'm a big fan of the complexity of characters like Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Saw Guerrera and this book really centres the different ways characters react to and try and resist the dawn of the Galactic Empire, and how effective those efforts are. You also get an introduction to the interior lives of Mon and Bail - how they each see each other at this period in time after Padme's death and how that relationship evolves from being reluctant allies to a place of common ground.

I got a little stuck about 40% in - ultimately I do think that the shifting between perspectives so much makes it hard to get absorbed in any one storyline when the pacing is slower in the first half of the book - but I'm glad I picked it back up and flew through the last 25% or so.

Overall, it's just really great to see how much depth can be added to this story - we know the outcome, that their efforts to scale back the Empire will fail, but the journeys these characters go on to set up the later plots of Star Wars make the universe so much more compelling and also resonate with living through turbulent political times. It is a slow-paced political novel, so not for everyone, but definitely a good read.

My review posted to my Space Wizards Book Club Substack:

We know how this story ends. We know the evil Galactic Empire is defeated for good by the courageous Rebel Alliance. We know the Jedi are (somewhat) redeemed and reborn several times — now, supposedly led by a new Skywalker. But Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear isn’t that story. It doesn’t even star the biggest figures in the Skywalker Saga. Still, it’s one of the most political poignant, reflective, and important Star Wars stories this side of Andor.

The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed is the first in a new trilogy of novels spanning the nearly two decades between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. The series chiefly follows Senators Mon Mothma and Bail Organa and Saw Gerrera — the leader of what will soon be the anarchic Partisans. This book is not your typical action-adventure tale with space wizards and laser swords. It’s arguably the most political Star Wars has ever got in a book, and for good reason. Star Wars has always been and always will be political sci-fi with a dash of fantasy. I knew going into this book that it would contrast strikingly with the themes in The High Republic. What I didn’t expect was to read a Star Wars book that felt a little too much like non-fiction.

Star Wars stories have always had parallels to our own political issues and conflicts — from the original trilogy’s release shortly after the Vietnam War to the prequel films exploring political corruption and government surveillance during the war on terror. In The Mask of Fear, Freed examines an era of the Star Wars political cycle we haven’t seen much of: the quick rise of the authoritarian Empire thanks to a wave of populism orchestrated and manipulated by a dark side-wielding fascist.

It’s easy to compare The Mask of Fear to Andor, especially because Mon and Saw feature prominently in the novel. If you love the Disney+ series’s darker tone, you will enjoy this book. However, The Mask of Fear isn’t about acts of rebellion. The book is set mere weeks after Revenge of the Sith and the obliteration of the Jedi Order. Through its main characters and a few new ones, we see their dawning realization of what they allowed to happen to the galaxy.

For Mon Mothma, that realization comes through learning the delicate differences between a democratic senate and an Imperial one. Her story focuses on her trying to rally political support for a bill that would quietly subdue Palpatine’s power. What she learns is that despite any action within the Senate, it’s Palpatine’s galaxy now and we’re just trying to survive in it.

For Bail Organa, his love of the Jedi and the Order put him on a desperate and dangerous mission to expose the truth of what happened to them. Despite a life of privilege and a newborn at home, Bail becomes frantic and paranoid with desperation to prove the Jedi didn’t betray Palpatine and the Republic.

Saw arguably has the less interesting storyline in The Mask of Fear. We get his and his followers’ perspectives through a new character — a former Separatist sleeper agent struggling to figure out where and with whom he fits in this new galaxy. Though I would’ve liked to get more inside Saw’s head, the chapters with Soujen illuminated the confusing chaos of the aftermath of the Clone Wars. It’s no longer Republic vs. Separatists. Those who are against the new Empire find themselves with a common enemy with their former enemy.

An intensely political book, The Mask of Fear is still very much character-driven. It’s just as much about a post-war evolving galaxy as it is about personal politics and reshaping morality. Mon, Bail, and Saw are pushed to their limits in this book, which makes for a gripping prequel to what we eventually see in the organized Rebellion and Galactic Civil War two decades later.

Mon and Bail are idealists in their own ways but don’t often get along. Mon, to a fault, still has faith and love for established political systems and tries to get things done in the best ways she knows how. She learns quickly she has to get her hands dirty — literally — and shows hints to the “irritating” senator we know her as in Andor. Bail, on the other hand, becomes blinded by his righteous quest for justice for the Jedi and risks his life to find the truth.

Saw, who I hope we get more time with in future books, is not unlike the extremist Partisan leader of the Rebellion era. He’s also blinded in a way — by a need for vengeance for his homeworld — that it’s clear he and his followers already believe the only way to combat violent authoritarianism is with violence.

At its core, Star Wars is a story about good triumphing over evil. We get those thrilling, action-adventure tales in the original trilogy as well as The Phantom Menace. There’s certainly more beneath the surface, and the franchise has explored so many facets of its sci-fi/fantasy storytelling over nearly 50 years. That’s what makes Star Wars so great — there really are stories and characters and themes for everyone.

While we know the ending, The Mask of Fear isn’t interested in giving us a neat conclusion. It’s the first in a trilogy, so that makes sense. Instead, the novel ends with a beginning — establishing threads that will stretch and break and knot until our main characters are the ones we see in Andor, Rogue One, and A New Hope.

The Mask of Fear isn’t a good vs. evil fight with clear villains and heroes. There’s an intriguing moral ambiguity and grayness among all the characters that make it easy to empathize and even side with their decisions, even the most radical ones. In the end, all the characters learn to accept the long road of resistance they have ahead of them. Despite when this story takes place — the dark, early days of an authoritarian regime — there are sparks of joy found in righteous anger and acknowledging the fight ahead.

I am truly a sucker for Star Wars but have been let down in the past with the lack of promised interconnectedness of the books and media. Resistance Reborn I'm looking at you. So when I heard about this trilogy of books I was interested but didn't want to get my hopes up. So when I tell you I was sat for this book I am truly sat for this book! It's in such an interesting part of the timeline that's only recently been shown in the limited series but not as explored in books. Even Star Wars legends didn't truly cover the struggle and politics of the recently risen Empire(there was coruscant nights series but I haven't read them yet) and seeing more of Bail and Mon Mothma, outside of the clone war series (I honestly think Disney is killing it with Mon Mothma's character in particular lately). Of course they were my favorite perspectives. Seeing Mon navigate this new landscape and Bail dealing with the weight of what happened hurt. I loved watching Mon work and just felt for Bail. Soujen the third perspective that gave us insight to Saw was okay for me only because Saw Gerrera's group I've never been truly interested in. There is little action compared to most of the Star Wars franchise and is truly a book of politicking so it might not be for everyone. I was worried as someone who wasn't a fan of the Andor series that I wouldn't like Reign of the Empire but I was happily wrong. I'm excited this era in the timeline is getting attention and grabbing a copy of this book for my cousin who adored the Andor series so we can pour over the details of this book together.
Thanks Netgalley for a copy of this book. You don't know how happy you made this Star Wars fan.

Reign of Fear cuts to the core of the galaxy shifting away from democracy. As a fledgling Empire spreads its wings the characters struggle against the encroaching darkness. From inane bureaucratic moves to the horrors of imperialism, each change adds up in monumental ways. Mon Mothma‘s public moves have made her a target for the new regime and she scrambles to wield her political power to reclaim a failing democracy. Bail Organa is a man haunted by the ghosts of failure. His colleague, friend, and confidant Padme Amidala and her ideals echo with him. Saw Gerrera, Onderon survivor, terrorist threat, violent insurgent, and charismatic leader takes action. No compromise, no remorse, and no hesitation. Unlike the others, Saw knows what happens to a world once the Empire wields its might against the people. Alexander Freed explores how these vastly different leaders could unite for something greater. The beginnings of what would become an Alliance. This is the first book in the Reign of the Empire trilogy which will focus on these three characters through the galactic civil war. This first book delivers on that promise, and I look forward to seeing these characters throughout their journey in the next two books.

This is a must-read for fans looking for a deep political thriller in a galaxy far, far away.

Sal P.

This book is another used to bridge the gap between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. It most reminds me of The Phantom Menace with all of the electioneering that is doomed to fail because of future events. I kept reading thinking there would be an interesting theory or explanation that would make it worth the time. Instead I got a brief escape into creative writing about the beginnings of the rebellion with characters that obviously don’t go the distance. Hopefully any future releases in this space will build on this one like Episode 2 and then Episode 3 did.

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.