Star Wars: Reign of the Empire - The Mask of Fear - Review of the Book

      Ricky Church reviews *Star Wars: Reign of the Empire – The Mask of Fear*.

      One of the most captivating eras in the *Star Wars* universe is the time between *Revenge of the Sith* and *A New Hope*, when the Empire enforced its rule with absolute power throughout the galaxy. While some *Star Wars* media, such as *The Bad Batch*, *Obi-Wan Kenobi*, and *Andor*, have delved into this timeframe, many questions remain about how Darth Sidious and his followers established such significant control in the brief period following *Revenge of the Sith*.

      *Reign of the Empire* aims to address some of those questions in *The Mask of Fear*, the first installment of a trilogy that chronicles the Empire's expanding dominance alongside the origins of the Rebellion, featuring Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera as the main characters. Written by Alexander Freed, who has previously contributed to *Star Wars* with his *Alphabet Squadron* trilogy, *Battlefront: Twilight Company*, and the *Rogue One* novelization, *Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear* is a gripping and enlightening narrative that combines elements of espionage and political thriller while providing deeper insights into some of the franchise's most recognizable figures.

      Set only a few weeks after *Revenge of the Sith*, the fledgling Galactic Empire is striving to solidify its grip on the galaxy while reintegrating the recently vanquished Separatist worlds. Mon Mothma is working to curtail Emperor Palpatine’s influence over the Imperial Senate, while Bail Organa copes with the Jedi's extermination and is determined to clear their name by demonstrating that Palpatine unjustly ordered their demise. At the same time, Saw Gerrera is fixated on opposing the Empire's fascism by any means necessary, pushing all three characters towards a confrontation that would ultimately lead to civil war in the galaxy.

      Freed adeptly portrays the personalities of Mon, Bail, and Saw, illustrating their early characterizations. Bail and Mon are still learning the intricacies of political maneuvering against the Empire, while Saw, although already hardened by the Clone Wars, has yet to fully adopt the ruthless tactics of a terrorist who makes no distinctions between military and civilian targets. The evolution of these characters is captivating, particularly for Mon and Bail, as we are provided with their perspectives, while Saw is primarily depicted through the observations of others.

      Mon and Bail's overly optimistic belief that they can take down Palpatine through legal channels is misguided, but this aspect adds to the book's enjoyment, as they endeavor to outsmart him and his allies despite the growing presence and power of the Imperial Security Bureau. Mon’s storyline is particularly compelling as it sheds light on the Senate's operations during this period and incorporates the deleted subplot from *Revenge of the Sith* involving the Delegation of 2000, where Padmé Amidala, Bail, and Mon urged Palpatine to relinquish his emergency powers following Count Dooku’s death. Freed's decision to expand on this subplot is a smart move, and Padmé's influence (or absence) is clearly felt throughout the narrative.

      Freed also introduces new characters intertwined with the Republic's shift into the Empire, including Soujen, a Separatist assassin enhanced with various technologies, and Naki and Chemish, an ISB officer and her unofficial protégé. Soujen is an intriguing character, possessing genuine grievances with the Republic but awakening to a drastically changed galaxy and feeling rage over the Separatists' capitulation to the Empire. He has a cold demeanor, is quite straightforward due to his programming, yet showcases enough individuality to formulate his views on Saw’s crew and Bail Organa. His ability to improvise as he navigates his path adds to his refreshing character, especially compared to other Separatist villains we've encountered in *The Clone Wars*, as Soujen has a sympathetic background and a conflicted mindset.

      While Soujen’s story provides a broader view of the galaxy, Haki and Chemish's narrative focuses more on ground-level experiences, particularly Chemish's investigation of potential militia movements on Coruscant and Haki's surveillance of Bail. This approach delivers a relatable perspective on the abrupt transition to the Empire, with many citizens either accepting or remaining indifferent to the new way of life. Previously a senior Republic officer, Haki now views the Empire as a continuation of prior governance, even as some new Imperial officers are inexperienced or overly youthful. Her humorous and playful personality often clashes with those around her, but when she switches to her professional demeanor, she is quite formidable, and her deduction methods bring an engaging and lively energy to the story.

      Freed’s pacing and structure are dynamic and captivating, offering strong character development among his cast. The way he depicts Coruscant from the viewpoints