Reign of the Empire is a new trilogy of new Star Wars novels from Lucasfilm Publishing, and the first book is titled The Mask of Fear. It’s written by Alexander Freed, a New York Times bestselling author of the Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron trilogy and the novelization of Rouge One.

The 20 year period between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope has become one of the most frequently visited eras of the Star Wars timeline.
• Dawn of the Jedi (roughly 25,000 BBY)
• The Old Republic (25,000 – 1,000 BBY)
• The High Republic (500 BBY – 100 BBY)
• Fall of the Jedi (100 BBY – 19 BBY)
• Reign of the Empire (19 BBY – 5 BBY) – When the new books are set
• Age of Rebellion (5 BBY – 4 ABY)
• The New Republic (5 ABY – 34 ABY)
• Rise of the First Order (34 ABY – 35 ABY)
• New Jedi Order (50 ABY – unknown)

The story begins in the early days of the Galactic Empire and will chronicle the rise of organized resistance against the Palpatine’s regime from Revenge of the Sith, through two decades that saw the creation of the Rebel Alliance, to the beginning of the Galactic Civil War and victory. Reign of the Empire will follow the struggle against the Empire as lived by some familiar faces including Mon Mothma, Bail Organa, and Saw Gerrera– plus a cast of original characters.

The official logline

Before the Rebellion, the Empire reigned.

“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.

The Mask of Fear will be followed by two more novels: the first by Resistance Reborn‘s Rebecca Roanhorse, and the second by Fran Wilde, marking her Star Wars novel debut.

“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,” Freed said in a statement provided to io9. “It’s a chance to write a political thriller and spy drama and sweeping historical epic all at once.”

Star Wars novels have sold over 150,000,000 copies since 1976, when the novelization was released before the first Star Wars! Will these new stories foretell movies to come?

The Mask of Fear will release February 25, 2025, and is available to pre-order now. A new novel will appear each year in 2026 and 2027, with cover by Art by Marko Menev.