Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear is a forthcoming novel by Alexander Freed that will be published by Random House Worlds on February 25, 2025. The novel was codenamed Furore during development, and was officially announced on July 29, 2024. It is the first novel in the Star Wars: Reign of the Empire trilogy.
Publisher's summary[]
Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigns, in book one of a trilogy told through the eyes of Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera.
"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.
Development[]
Background[]
Mon Mothma (left) and Bail Prestor Organa (right) are two major pillars of the Reign of the Empire trilogy.
Mask of Fear is part of the wider Star Wars: Reign of the Empire trilogy addressing the Imperial Era[1] and rise of the Alliance to Restore the Republic over the course of twenty years,[4] with Mask of Fear in specific covering the first year of Imperial reign. Subsequent books jump forward in the timeline to take full advantage of the allotted time frame.[5] The "pillar characters," as dubbed by Random House Worlds editor Tom Hoeler, are[6] Senator and eventual rebel leader[7] Mon Mothma,[6] Senator and secret early rebel organizer[8] Bail Prestor Organa,[6] and Partisan leader[9] Saw Gerrera,[6] himself an early example of someone who offered armed resistance to the Empire.[9] Each appearing across the trilogy in what Hoeler figured would be a fairly equal capacity,[10] the three each have their own viewpoints that result in them interacting with each other, clashing against themselves, and coming together in what Hoeler promised were "great" ways.[11] Hoeler further promised that the trilogy would feature new characters, with some of those characters passing between books and growing with each installment.[6] These original characters are able to change and evolve in ways unlike Gerrera, Mothma, and Organa, who all mark the passage of time and can change in their own ways,[11] but who already possess other canonical stories that detail their histories, including fates for Gerrera[12] and Organa.[13]
The origins of Reign of the Empire, and with it The Mask of Fear, lied with a desire to tell stories with the same "real" feeling as Andor,[14] a Star Wars Disney+ series that, in part, features a political perspective on the rebel movement through the eyes of Mothma.[15] Indeed, the name "Mask of Fear" has its roots in Andor,[16] where the early rebel Karis Nemik identifies that "oppression is the mask of fear" in his rebel manifesto.[17] All the same, Hoeler has acknowledged that trying to match Andor's successes is a lofty goal[14] and noted how the series is not a direct Andor tie-in,[16] instead explaining that it covers similar ground as Andor by drawing on the intent and specificity seen in that show.[14] Hoeler has further stated that Reign of the Empire contains looks into the underlying politics of the Imperial Era and questions of how people on the "same side" differ,[18] a theme also explored in Andor[19] and other Star Wars works.[18] According to Hoeler, the trilogy also connects well with Dr. Chris Kempshall's then-recent book Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire.[20]
Saw Gerrera (pictured in 19 BBY, around the time frame of The Mask of Fear) is the third pillar of The Mask of Fear and Reign of the Empire overall alongside Mothma and Organa.
Mask of Fear is written by[1] the long time Star Wars author[21] Alexander Freed,[1] who previously has dived into themes of resisting the Empire in works like the rebel-focused novel Battlefront: Twilight Company,[22] Alphabet Squadron trilogy of novels,[23] and the Mothma-focused short story "Contingency Plan."[7] Hoeler identified "Contingency Plan" as a story for fans to read while they were waiting for Mask of Fear[24] and was very pleased Freed agreed to join the project. The subsequent two novels are written by Rebecca Roanhorse and Fran Wilde, respectively, who were also returning to the Star Wars universe with the project.[25]
Writing and content[]
- "I'm enormously excited to be a part of this project and explore an era of Star Wars especially rich with the nuanced stories of 'ordinary' citizens—people living inside the machinery of the Empire, still figuring out what's happened to their government and in violent disagreement over ideas of democracy, resistance, revolution, and complicity. It's a chance to write a political thriller and spy drama and sweeping historical epic all at once, as well as spotlight Mon Mothma—a character I've been passionate about for ages. I can only hope the end result does justice to the grand themes of the prequel films, and manages a similar blend of timelessness and relevance."
- ―Alexander Freed, on The Mask of Fear
Author Alexander Freed (pictured) defines The Mask of Fear as a political thriller, spy drama, and wide-reaching historical epic all in one.
According to Freed, The Mask of Fear is a combination of a political thriller, a spy drama, and a wide-reaching historical epic.[1] Hoeler echoed that sentiment, calling the book something of a political spy thriller, although he did understand comparisons to "West Wing"-style stories.[26] According to Hoeler, the novel also deals with themes of grief as the Imperial Era begins.[27] With the Jedi Order destroyed, the Republic transformed into the Empire, and his comrade and fellow senator Padmé Amidala dead,[28] Senator Organa finds himself carrying the weight of those losses on the hope of taking those burdens from others.[27] Compounding Organa's emotional state is his status as a new father[29] after adopting Amidala's daughter Leia.[28] Trying to do right by her while also dealing with his emotions, his losses, and the actions of the newly anointed Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine creates strife in Organa, who nonetheless has support in Leia and[29] his wife, Queen[28] Breha Organa.[29]
The novel also deals with the Delegation of 2,000 and Amidala's legacy, with the team consulting the deleted Delegation subplot from Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith as a guide.[30] When discussing his editing work, Hoeler joked that a good portion of the notes his team offered were "just screeching about Mon Mothma."[31] According to Hoeler, every time he reads through The Mask of Fear he has the feeling he will never emotionally recover from its events.[32] He further described the book's tone by posting lyrics from the Linkin Park song "One More Light" as if they were sung by Bail Organa.[33] As of July 29, 2024, a hard copy of The Mask of Fear existed in some form, and Hoeler owned one such copy.[34]
Mon Mothma stands alone in pushing for change in the Imperial Senate within Andor, a scene that resembles the cover of The Mask of Fear.
The cover of The Mask of Fear is by artist Marko Manev,[35] whose work was intended to depict a quiet sense of isolation,[36] scene, and, quite importantly, the scale of Imperial power. To sell those points, Manev's cover depicts Mothma standing alone in the Imperial Senate, where she is surrounded by other senatorial pods. However, she is the only one to float forward and light up against the room's darkness.[35] While Hoeler figured that Organa, Mothma, and Gerrera would receive equal time in the spotlight in each book, it was ultimately Mothma who got the "cover treatment" in The Mask of Fear.[10] The light shining on Mothma on the cover represents both a beacon within the Dark Times and a spotlight upon the rebellious senator.[36] In effect, the cover is similar to an Imperial Senate scene in Andor.[37]
Announcement[]
On April 1, 2024, an upcoming book codenamed "Furore" was teased via the Random House website.[38] In July 2024, "Furore" was further advertised as a "movie & TV tie-in" science fiction book set to released on February 25, 2025. Already speculated by Star Wars fans to be an upcoming franchise release,[39] an updated listing on the Random House site later confirmed that the text was indeed a Star Wars novel.[40] On July 28,[41] ultimately only one day before The Mask of Fear and the greater Reign of the Empire saga was announced,[1] Hoeler teased that an announcement about "Furore" was to come in the near future, as per Random House Worlds' publishing schedule.[41] In a subsequent quote tweet, Hoeler offered fans a chance to earn a free copy of "Furore"—which he would pay for himself—provided they could correctly guess the story-to-be.[42] In the early hours of July 29, Hoeler then said a new Star Wars book would be announced the next day or in the near future, provided it was possible to do so.[43] Finally, the Reign of the Empire trilogy, and with it The Mask of Fear, was announced later on July 29th via Io9,[1] much to the joy of the Random House Star Wars team[44] and io9 deputy editor James Whitbrook, who had the chance to write the trilogy's reveal article. Whitbrook identified The Mask of Fear as a political thriller.[45]
Bail Organa finds himself grieving the Republic and lost friends in The Mask of Fear (Organa pictured during the formation of the Empire with Senator Padmé Amidala, who died shortly thereafter)
The trilogy was specifically not announced at the recent San Diego Comic Con in order to give it its own time and space, which further enabled the publishing panel at the convention to focus on other upcoming works. Additionally, it was decided revealing The Mask of Fear and Reign of the Empire after San Diego Comic Con would be a fun surprise to fans.[46] No fan who responded to Hoeler's contest correctly guessed the premise of The Mask of Fear, although he did note one fan got close. No matter the case, he decided to honor some of the closest guesses in the name of fair play by providing them with free books.[47] Also revealed alongside the book was Manev's cover.[35] As a forewarning, Hoeler also told fans of how the book saw Organa "going through some things"[48] as he grieved the Republic, the Jedi, and lost friends.[27] Hoeler also confirmed that Queen Breha Organa was featured in the novel[49] and stated that its first chapter alone would be enough to make a fan cry.[50]
Media[]
Editions[]
- ISBN 9780593723463; February 25, 2025; Random House Worlds; Hardcover[2]
- ISBN 9780593723470; February 25, 2025; Random House Worlds; Ebook[2]
Appearances[]
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| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
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Locations
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Sentient species
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Miscellanea
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
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External links[]
Star Wars: The Mask of Fear (Reign of the Empire) on Penguin Random House's official website (backup link)- Tom (@DarthInternous) on Twitter: "Looking at the publishing schedule... (Stay tuned...sure to cause a furore)" (backup link)
- Star Wars' New Book Trilogy Explores the Politics Behind the Rise of the Rebellion on Gizmodo (July 29, 2024) (archived from the original on July 29, 2024) (First identified as Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear)