In this thrilling sequel to The Mask of Fear, set one year before season one of Andor, truth becomes a weapon of the Empire.Over a decade into the Empire’s reign, life under Imperial rule has become routine. The days of the Republic have long passed into memory—if they are remembered at all. Within the Senate, Mon Mothma and Bail Organa face dwindling influence, for there is no difference between the will of the Emperor and the direction of his Empire. Bail increasingly shifts his focus to support clandestine resistance efforts, knowing a successful fight against the Empire will come from beyond the halls of power. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma sees one chance to take a stand when she makes a horrifying discovery about the lengths the regime will go to weaponize truth and loyalty. The Empire’s newest target: the next generation raised under the Emperor’s ever deepening shadow, including Mon and Bail’s daughters.Across the galaxy, disparate rebel factions are rendered outcasts, branded criminals, and pitted against each other. On Ghorman, an idealistic student group seeks to make meaningful change, unaware of the ISB agent who seeks to sabotage them from the inside. Leaders like Saw Gerrera and Anto Kreegyr squabble and bargain to survive one more day against the crush of Imperial might. Trust is rare and betrayal quick. A distracted, disorganized resistance is one that is easy to snuff out. There are few heroes . . . and no alliances.When one of Gerrera’s partisans is captured by the Empire, time is running out for senators, outcasts, spies, and all those that desire a better tomorrow. What the prisoner knows could help the Empire eradicate any whisper of resistance, end any rebellion before it can truly begin—and ensure that the Empire’s truth is all the galaxy will ever know.
Contributors: (W) Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse is a New York Times bestselling and Nebula, Hugo, and Locus Award–winning speculative fiction writer. She has published multiple award-winning short stories and novels, including the Sixth World series, Star Wars: Resistance Reborn, Race to the Sun for the Rick Riordan imprint, and the Hugo Award–winning epic fantasy trilogy Between Earth and Sky. She was the guest editor of America’s Best Science Fiction & Fantasy (2023) and a contributor to the New York Times “100 Best Books of the 21st Century.” She has also written for Marvel comics and games, and her TV writing includes FX’s A Murder at the End of the World, the Marvel series Echo for Disney+, and Netflix Adult Series Animation. She has had her own work optioned by Paramount, Amazon Studios, Netflix, and AMC Studios. She resides in Northern New Mexico withher husband, daughter, and very good dog.