Star Wars: The Mask of Fear (Reign of the Empire)

De: Alexander Freed

Narrado por: January LaVoy

Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigns, in book one of a trilogy told through the eyes of Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera—for fans of Andor.

“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 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.

©2025 Random House Worlds (P)2025 Random House Audio

Fantastic political thriller

Great characters portrayals examining how deeply embedded they are in their politics and how desperate is their fight against the looming darkness… unnerving to see in the face of what our own world faces today. Great sound effects like with most Star Wars productions, and excellent narrator. Recommended.

Fantastic production

The voice acting, sound effects, and ambient music were all immersive without detracting from the story. Very much heightened the experience over all. Highly recommend.

POLITICS!

Cool mix of action and politics. Awesome to have a story centered around the fall the republic into the first years of the empire!

The beginning of the Alliance

This book did an excellent job of bringing the Republic era characters to the starting point they needed to be at to start the Rebellion.

Essential back story to the Rebellion

As a whole, I very much so enjoyed everything in this book. The first part had me ho-humming a little, but I’m so glad that I allowed myself to just be told a story. Everyone in this book went into a direction and had an aspect of their part of the Rebellion, and to see it come together was a very awesome “ah-ha” moment to see how diverse the points of view strong figures of it have. I have fallen in love with the dramatic, adult centric story this has. I enjoyed Andor, the various novels providing depth to the overall story. This has been my favorite novels in this story line thus far. I feel it’s been able to show Saw, Mon and Bail as actual characters and how they have to bridge their differences for the same cause for their own reasons, to accomplish the same end goal. Very cool book, I look forward to more. Give. Me. More!

This was everything I was hoping for!

I wanted a story that talked about The Delegation of 2000 and I got way more than that! Well written and Great voices for the audiobook. Thank you for an enjoyable adventure and cannot wait for the next one!

ok story

the story is not bad I'm really tired of the subtle they them crap it just detracts from the story and it makes no sense part of the story makes you seem like there's two people or there's only really one it's annoying concentrate on the story and it'd be a better book

Narrator is alright

So far I like the espionage part of it, although I don’t like the extra characters the author decided to throw in the mix. I thought this books would focus on the three big rebel of the early rebellion. Instead I’m stuck listening to a non binary character who doesn’t really contribute to anything in the story other than family related. The saw part of the story is the most disappointing given that it doesn’t even focus on saws POV. We are stuck with some unknown alien. Lastly the narrator does good on the female parts but the male voices just sound the same. Oh well.

Intensity at every moment.

Great book, was thrilling and suspenseful the whole way through. My only gripe was that I thought the narrator had no vocal range for male characters, and most of them sounded like old raggedy men.

Significantly better than Alphabet Squadron

Releasing this book to coinside with AndorS2 was genius. I am so hyped! I haven't always cared for Alexander Freed's work but this is the political thriller Ive been wanting! Can't wait for books 2 and 3! January Lavoi has been pretty solid over the years but her range of voices seemed a bit more limited this time around.That being said I hope they stay consistent with one narrator for the trilogy. I enjoyed this!