Books Reign of the Empire Book Trilogy

The audiobook is released!

 

One chapter in and already I’m loving this!

 

Spoilers for Mask of Fear:

Spoiler

https://www.tumblr.com/geedeeswriti...poilers-below-for-reign-of-the-empire-mask-of

 

An hour left in the audiobook, and this is the book I've been waiting for since I first saw ROTS in theaters.

 

My copy arrived from B&N today. The timing with the Andor trailer is the best Star Wars marketing synergy since the Rebels/Thrawn fun.

 

I enjoyed the part where

Spoiler

the protestors storm Cantham House and Coruscant Security does nothing to stop them. Very much an Imperial thing to do. I love how Bail’s repeated calls to CorusSec went ignored. Palpatine knows exactly who his enemies are and is keeping a very close eye on them.

 

Spoiler: chapter 2

Great, a CIS cyborg assassin in the Imperial Era, was hoping for a storyline like that for some time.

Spoiler: chapter 3

"Tens of thousands dead" after the attack on Coruscant seems like understatement, considering the
population density on the planet.

 

This book is a return to form for deep, layered storytelling that was a hallmark of some of the best EU books of the past.

Full speed ahead.

 

There's some very strong allegory of real world events, such as

Spoiler

an attacker at Mon Mothma's home who uses the patio doors to gain entry

and frequent references to "the administration" when referring to the Empire. Mon Mothma goes through some really bad experiences at their hands, to the extent that

Spoiler

she has to regularly use anxiety medication.

It'll be interesting to see where the rest of the trilogy goes and whether it will be influenced by anything in Andor - this book definitely reflects the tone of season 1.

 

This book is too real and I keep wanting to scream.

 

You've captured the sentiment of about 1/4 of my original editorial notes.

 

Yeah, i typically read sw novels at night to calm my nerves. This one is not so great for that...

 

Spoiler

I really liked the realness of the book. As an American, it was hitting pretty close to home. The whole mood, especially in the first chapter, was incredible. I liked the expansion on the Separatists and liked that they delved into CIS intelligence which that in itself sounds like a fun story hook. I personally felt that the second half of the book started to drag for me, but I think I think I just need it to digest. Excited for the next books. But I do have one question that came to me. Tycho is a Pau'un who was the chief of staff of the Senator of Sluis Van. While the Slussi are not canon, it could be inferred that the Senator was a member of the species. The senator died and Tycho took his place. I'm curious how different planets and species would react to having a different species represent them.

 

It's hard to believe this book wasn't written yesterday. It's so sublime.

 

Did anymore of those pesky Sages of Dwartii show up...?

 

Spoiler: chapter 14

Hope that Pius Dea will be eventually recanonized.

 

Hmm - clearly the Pete Best of that philosopher circle...

Or defamed later...

 

We will continue to add Sages of Dwartii until morale improves.

 

Spoiler: chapter 20

Finally a new Crymorah mention, and seemingly the most significant one so far, with level of their political influence in the Senate indicated. So far Mon here is more pragmatic then her in Andor.

 

Spoiler

Already was in solo's VD some of the artifacts Vos had was from them

 

I feel compelled to point out that this book contains the second canon instance of something for Mon that's very interesting:

Spoiler

In both this and the YA Teen Leia book, Mon tricks a suspicious Imperial by 'revealing' that she's covering up an affair instead of rebel activity. And for the second time, the Imperial buys it completely. Apparently, as far as fascist zealots are concerned, it's more plausible that Mon is the hottie of the Senate than actively working to overthrow the Emperor.

 

Just starting the audiobook.

On a scale of 1 to "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis, how is this book going to be for my political anxiety ?