Book Summary
In “This Is How You Lose the Time War,” readers are introduced to two time-traveling agents from opposing sides of a cosmic conflict. Red, a high-tech operative from the advanced and mechanical Agency, and Blue, from the organic and magical Garden, are elite agents working for factions that have been battling across the strands of time and alternate realities to secure the most favorable future for their respective sides. Despite being enemies, Red and Blue begin to correspond through letters left throughout time and space—hidden in the veins of a leaf, in the ashes of a burned document, in the bone of a bird. Their communication starts as taunts but slowly evolves into mutual respect, fascination, and something akin to love. However, their growing connection could mean dire consequences if discovered by their factions. The narrative oscillates between their letters and their solitary missions across different timelines, painting a picture of a complex relationship unfolding amidst a backdrop of cosmic warfare. The novel is a dance of words and emotions, exploring themes of love, destiny, and the cost of victory.
Author Intro
Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
Amal El-Mohtar is an acclaimed Canadian poet and writer, known for her poignant short stories and impactful speculative poetry. She’s won multiple awards, including the Nebula, Hugo, and Locus, for her works that often delve into intricate themes of identity, time, and relationships. Max Gladstone is a skilled American fantasy author who has also been a finalist for the Hugo, John W. Campbell Memorial, XYZZY, and Lambda Awards. His Craft Sequence series earned him wide recognition, and he’s acclaimed for his inventive world-building and complex, thought-provoking narratives. Together, El-Mohtar and Gladstone created the innovative and riveting novel “This Is How You Lose the Time War,” a book that merges their collective strengths into a unique blend of science fiction, romance, and epistolary storytelling.
Book Reviews
“This Is How You Lose the Time War” is an extraordinary fusion of sci-fi, romance, and epistolary fiction. El-Mohtar and Gladstone intricately weave a love story amidst a sprawling, time-spanning conflict. Their exploration of the complexity of human connection and the expansive concept of time is genuinely remarkable. The exchange of letters between Red and Blue—each a tribute to wit, longing, and understanding—is a distinct pleasure to read. The novel’s lyrical prose, imaginative world-building, and thematic depth make it a standout piece of speculative fiction.
El-Mohtar and Gladstone’s “This Is How You Lose the Time War” is an exquisite blend of science fiction and romance. It crafts an intricate web of time-travel, alternate realities, and cosmic conflict, against which unfolds a profoundly personal and intimate correspondence. The development of Red and Blue’s relationship from adversaries to lovers is engaging, their shared vulnerabilities and mutual respect starkly humanizing amidst their otherworldly context. The co-authors’ writing styles mesh seamlessly, resulting in a narrative that’s equally poetic, gripping, and thought-provoking.
“This Is How You Lose the Time War” is an ambitious, genre-defying novel that delivers a deeply personal story set against an epic, cosmic backdrop. The narrative is rich and multi-layered, intertwining the vast scope of time-travel and alternate realities with the microcosm of individual emotion and connection. Red and Blue’s evolving relationship is a compelling exploration of love, understanding, and shared humanity. Their exchange of letters offers poignant insights and illuminates their distinct personalities. The prose is lyrical and evocative, enhancing the novel’s introspective tone and emphasizing the dichotomy between the personal and theuniversal.
Unconventional and beautifully written, “This Is How You Lose the Time War” is a triumph of imaginative storytelling. El-Mohtar and Gladstone take the reader on a journey through time, space, and human emotion with their portrayal of Red and Blue, two adversaries turned lovers. Their correspondence, each letter a masterstroke of wit, sentiment, and eloquence, forms the backbone of the narrative and illustrates a profound exploration of love and connection. The novel’s world-building is also commendable, presenting a captivating, multifaceted backdrop to the protagonists’ personal journey. This book is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring resonance of human connection.
