Star Wars: The Mask of Fear (Reign of the Empire) is the start of a new series that is immediately post Empire creation and focuses mostly on Mon Mothma, Bail Organa and Saw Guerrera. Or at least it should focus more on them but instead we get more side characters that I dont really care about and dont know their purpose yet. The first half of the book dragged a lot for me as the entire story was setup but the second half went much faster and I was very interested in seeing what happened next. I do recommend reading it and getting to the last parts to see the formation of what the future may be. I found the interactions with Mothma and Organa interesting and unexpected.

I did think this was interesting and definitely added to some lore in a cool way, my only beef is I found this quite boring at times.

Well done and much desired story about the beginnings of the rebellion. Freed is one of my favorite Star Wars authors, and this book may be my favorite of his. I went into the book worried that it was going to be overwhelmingly political, and while the politics definitely play a major role, there is also plenty of action and tension in the balance.

The Mask of Fear is an incredible examination into the world of the Empire after Episode 3. With high stakes, suspense and complex emotions, this novel feels like the perfect appetizer for Andor Season 2.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC copy to review!

This is an interesting Star Wars story! It takes place in between Episodes 3 and 4 after the Jedi fall. It provided unique perspectives of Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. This is the beginning of the rebellion!

This book is very political, especially with everything going on in our country right now. I think that is part of the reason I couldn’t give it 5 stars - it triggered me just a bit! Even though I am a die-hard Darth Vader and Empire fan, it just hits a little to close to home!

I did enjoy learning more about Saw Gerrera - we didn’t really find out too much about him in the films, so I enjoyed seeing more of him and how he functions. I also enjoyed learning about the other side characters, but would have liked more about Chemish. Hopefully we will learn more about them in the next books!

I feel like the pacing was pretty slow, and I struggled a bit in these spots. As I said before, very political and slow paced, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book!

Alexander Freed has fully cemented himself as one of the great Star Wars authors! I knew I’d love this from the time period and main characters alone, but was absolutely blown away by the plot execution and build up. Mask of Fear is so poignant in this political climate, and will draw in readers who are fans of the original movies, the prequels, and live action shows (especially Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor).

I DNFed this book at 21%.

I’m a huge Star Wars fan — whether it’s the movies, TV shows, or books — so I was really looking forward to this one. Sadly, I just couldn’t get into the writing style and ended up feeling disconnected from the story.

If you enjoy flowery writing and lots of political twists and turns, this might be your thing. But unfortunately it was not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I finished reading The Mask of Fear by Alexander Freed! This was definitely a political thriller type book and that vibe worked perfectly here.
While we already know all three of these characters will go on to form the Rebel Alliance, seeing some of their earlier roots really makes for a compelling story. We honestly need more books like this in the Star Wars Universe. Thanks again to @delreybooks for sending me this review copy!

Excellent political thriller leading up to the Andor series (one of my favorites). Was interesting to learn more about the beginning of the Galactic Empire and how it affected senators and imperial intelligence alike. Looking forward to the next book in this trilogy!

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.