Name: This is How You Lose the Time War
ISBN: 9781529405231

Amal El-Mohtar

Max Gladstone

This is How You Lose the Time War

Jazelle H

“And then we’d be at each other’s throats even more.” Oh, petal. You say that like it’s a bad thing.

Cassidy Nolan

Emiley Jones

smile??

Syrina

Lily Hagen

Amalie Elisabeth

I am more sensitive to your footsteps, I think, than anyone alive.

Alli

A fugitive becomes a queen or a scientist or, worse, a poet. 

Charlie de Zeeuw

She wants there to be a God, so she can curse Her.

Jordan

Tell me something true, or tell me nothing at all. 

Kathi

Emily Klo

Fortunately, geniuses understand that young men are often fools.

blue

Instead, she stirs the spoon, empty, into the tea, and watches as the leaves unclump, swirl, spindle into letters. Each rotation is slow, and she marks paragraph breaks with small sips; every sip undoes the letters until she swirls them into meaning again.

We treat the past as trellis, coax our vineyard through and around, and harvest is not a word for swiftness; the future harvests us, stomps us into wine, pours us back into the root system in loving libation, and we grow stronger and more potent together. 

I have been birds and branches. I have been bees and wolves. I have been ether flooding the void between stars, tangling their breath into networks of song. I have been fish and plankton and humus, and all these have been me. 

But while I’ve been enmeshed in this wholeness—they are not the whole of me.

You were right, back when—I have built a you within me, or you have. I wonder what of me there is in you.

orwyn

Hope may be a dream. But she will fight to make it real.

Some days Blue wonders why anyone ever bothered making numbers so small; other days she supposes even infinity needs to start somewhere.

So in this letter I am yours. Not Garden’s, not your mission’s, but yours, alone.

Dearest, deepest Blue— At the end as at the start, and through all the in-betweens, I love you.

sofia mae

Sadie Hoffman

Red rarely sleeps, but when she does, she lies still, eyes closed in the dark, and lets herself see lapis, taste iris petals and ice, hear a blue jay’s shriek. She collects blues and keeps them.

I would rather break the world than lose you.

Larissa Campos

Red wrote too much too fast. Her pen had a heart inside, and the nib was a wound in a vein. She stained the page with herself. She sometimes forgets what she wrote, save that it was true, and the writing hurt. But butterfly wings break when touched. Red knows her own weak- nesses as well as anyone. She presses too hard, breaks what she would embrace, tears what she would touch to her teeth.

Sabrina D. 

Adventure works in any strand—it calls to those who care more for living than for their lives. 

M. Sosotris

I’ve finally finished it!

This book has been on my TBR for a million years (give or take) and I’ve always been so intimidated to read it. I always wondered if it could live up to the hype.

What an absolutely gorgeous book. 

The main conceit is quite simple, but the way it unfolds is just spectacular, and filled with so much subtlety and poetry and nuance. I had a fabulous time. And I have to say, the ending I was expecting (and would have been disappointed to encounter) didn’t happen. And I am SO GLAD! 

This book is an absolute delight. Please read it!

Two time-traveling agents from warring futures, working their way through the past, begin to exchange letters—and fall in love in this thrilling and romantic book from award-winning authors Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. In the ashes of a dying world, Red finds a letter marked “Burn before reading. Signed, Blue.” So begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents in a war that stretches through the vast reaches of time and space. Red belongs to the Agency, a post-singularity technotopia. Blue belongs to Garden, a single vast consciousness embedded in all organic matter. Their pasts are bloody and their futures mutually exclusive. They have nothing in common—save that they’re the best, and they’re alone. Now what began as a battlefield boast grows into a dangerous game, one both Red and Blue are determined to win. Because winning’s what you do in war. Isn’t it? A tour de force collaboration from two powerhouse writers that spans the whole of time and space.

This Is How You Lose the Time War

Eleanor

i honestly think the shortness of this books makes it worth a read. i find it difficult to believe someone can fall in love the way they do in this book, but every word is so poetic you can turn a blind eye about it. 

i found it difficult to understand some words and the whole “world” they live in, but i guess that’s the whole point. 

mirta <3

i honestly think the shortness of this books makes it worth a read. i find it difficult to believe someone can fall in love the way they do in this book, but every word is so poetic you can turn a blind eye about it. 

i found it difficult to understand some words and the whole “world” they live in, but i guess that’s the whole point. 

“[An] exquisitely crafted tale...Part epistolary romance, part mind-blowing science fiction adventure, this dazzling story unfolds bit by bit, revealing layers of meaning as it plays with cause and effect, wildly imaginative technologies, and increasingly intricate wordplay...This short novel warrants multiple readings to fully unlock its complexities.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review). From award-winning authors Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone comes an enthralling, romantic novel spanning time and space about two time-traveling rivals who fall in love and must change the past to ensure their future. Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandment finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, becomes something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future. Except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. That’s how war works, right? Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epic love story spanning time and space.

it’s so nicely written. it shattered me in ways I didn’t even expect. I probably shed a few (TONS) of tears. first, at how complex hard to grasp the words I thought they were dancing in front of my eyes; and how gut-wrenching the choice of words were, how Red and Blue addressed each other, and how they express their love—it’s kinda embarrassing to use this word knowing they expressed this in the book in long paragraphs and they didn’t even mention the word love FUDGE—and affection. if love isn’t about choosing each other despite the uncertainty, risks, and rivalries then idk what love is. just read it and you’ll know what I mean. 

Lindsay Ornedo

Relatively short, but packed an insane amount of emotional punch. 

Ashley Flitter

Weird. Poetic. Timeless. 

Relatively short, but packed an insane amount of emotional punch. 

i want to meet you in every place i have loved.

- it's very good, but it tickles me how this is the book of all books that constantly sparks controversy on social media. genuinely i have seen civil wars started over whether or not this book is any good. like... this is the book that we're choosing to lose our minds over?

- i don't dislike it, but i do think it gets far more attention then it probably deserves. i suspect the beautiful but still accessible romantic paragraphs are what helped this skyrocket in the public eye

- it's an acceptable sci fi love story. everyone needs to calm down

- i want to meet you in every place i have loved. 

- it's very good, but it tickles me how this is the book of all books that constantly sparks controversy on social media. genuinely i have seen civil wars started over whether or not this book is any good. like... this is the book that we're choosing to lose our minds over?

- i don't dislike it, but i do think it gets far more attention then it probably deserves. i suspect the beautiful but still accessible romantic paragraphs are what helped this skyrocket in the public eye

- it's an acceptable sci fi love story. everyone needs to calm down

An incredible/unique lesbian sci-fi story

I might have to read this again. The language is beautiful, though sometimes hard to completely absorb (this might be because I listened instead of read). As a reader who likes to know things (e.g., character descriptions, setting, background), I had a hard time accepting the vague references to the context of the "time war." However, it is clear that the book's main focus is on the relationship between the two main characters, and here the poetic writing and imagery truly shine. I want more of both Red and Blue <3

Niza Contreras

I wanted to like it more than I did. At times beautiful, at times confusing, at times a poetry of love. A thorn in your side that you come to love just a little. A multi-colored tapestry. Worth reading. 

BC Hark

An absolute delight to read. The format is wonderful, and it is emotionally rich. I CRIED my eyes out. 

Chloe 

Someone referred to this as a “romance story with sci-fi set dressing” and that feels right \complimentary. The writing style was beautiful and I love the playful use of time travel in the story. 

Coley T

This Is How You Confuse the Hell Out of Me

“This Is How You Lose the Time War” has been sitting on my shelf (for like, a few days) like it holds the secrets of the universe. Apparently, those secrets are encrypted so hard that no amount of IT skills I have can decrypt the vault. I DNFed it 34min into the audiobook, cause I legit couldn't tell what was happening, or why anything mattered.

I don't know, but everyone's saying it is. I had more fun studying for my exam earlier (no, really I had the time of my life).

Did I, at any point, know what was going on?

I kept waiting... and waiting... and I thinking I'd have an 

 moment. But I had a “nah uh” moment. Over and over for 30 minutes. I don’t mind working for a story — but I need to feel like there's a story to work for.

If you loved it, I'm happy for you. Truly. I'm not here to yuck your yum.

I’m not even mad. Just confused. And not confused in a fun, "I can't wait to figure this out!" way. More in a “what just happened and why do I feel like I missed the prerequisite course” kind of way.

So no, I didn’t finish it. And no, I’m not going to lose sleep over it. But this 

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

This Is How You Confuse the Hell Out of Me

“This Is How You Lose the Time War” has been sitting on my shelf (for like, a few days) like it holds the secrets of the universe. Apparently, those secrets are encrypted so hard that no amount of IT skills I have can decrypt the vault. I DNFed it 34min into the audiobook, cause I legit couldn't tell what was happening, or why anything mattered.

Is it poetic?
I don't know, but everyone's saying it is. I had more fun studying for my exam earlier (no, really I had the time of my life).

Is it lyrical?
Sure, what the hell.

Did I, at any point, know what was going on?
Absolutely not.

I kept waiting... and waiting... and I thinking I'd have an “aha” moment. But I had a “nah uh” moment. Over and over for 30 minutes. I don’t mind working for a story — but I need to feel like there's a story to work for.

If you loved it, I'm happy for you. Truly. I'm not here to yuck your yum.
I’m not even mad. Just confused. And not confused in a fun, "I can't wait to figure this out!" way. More in a “what just happened and why do I feel like I missed the prerequisite course” kind of way.

So no, I didn’t finish it. And no, I’m not going to lose sleep over it. But this is how you confuse the hell out of me.

Yearning. Loving. Losing. I loved this. Needed time to get into it, but was so greatly written. One of the best written Lovestorys I've read so far. They did such great worldbuilding without overexplaining. A Lot was left to imagine And i Loved that. Very vast but so deeply written. 

Celina Irena Kuhn

I still feel really confused having finished this book, but I thought the writing was stunning. I was constantly noting down quotes and pages that I thought were beautiful. A favourite line being ‘you slid back through my life, and I have known you since before I knew you’. 

I enjoyed the narrative of letters and the unfolding romance within these letters and across time. I just felt lost for like 70% of the plot. 

Beth Bartholomew

I still feel really confused having finished this book, but I thought the writing was stunning. I was constantly noting down quotes and pages that I thought were beautiful. A favourite line being ‘you slid back through my life, and I have known you since before I knew you’. 

I enjoyed the narrative of letters and the unfolding romance within these letters and across time. I just felt lost for like 70% of the plot. 

that girl that recommended this to me at the bookstore was right: tough the first few chapters out and it will make sense. this was beautiful and lyrical, the way it wrote imagery and concepts that should be all too outlandish felt familiar still, and warm. i can't remember the last time i read yearning like this and i would do it again, teary-eyed at a coffee shop.

HELL YEAH! Loved love love this book! It was captivating from the start! That twist? DID NOT see it coming?!? The love. The yearning. All so sweet and how it all came together in the end. I know people either love or hate this book and I’m soo glad I got to be on the side that loved it 🥰 

Sofia B

First of all, the book is refreshing. In the first half of the book I was confused because what was the war? Why are they having this war exactly. I disregarded it though cause clearly the authors are focused on showcasing the main characters and how are they're going against their agenda.

Now I have this theory of mine cause seeing the title, there's a specific phrase, 'time war'. This had me thinking that Red represents the future while Blue represents the past. There's a glaring evidence from Red using a pod and the sun as her food, using electronics to convey her letters too. While Blue is using paper. wax seals, typewriters, and nature for her letters. 

And about their powers, its seems that Red is able to go back to the past because the past had already happened and that's why she was able to go back and revive Blue once again. Blue, she can never get to the future since she represents the past. 

And the seeker, wow I called it. It's definitely Red herself who came back in time just to get some memory scraps of Blue. And she was able to revive her again just from the memory. 

I also love how in the end Blue said that being together this is how they will win and the title is This is how you lose the time war, by having opposing agents love each other. 

Although they can't really cross each other but they can dance around and cross over again and again because history repeats itself. The past will eventually show in the future but in another way like wars which is never ending. 

This book definitely isn't for everyone, some people won't get it because I feel like this is written just for the fun of it. And I like the idea. I read this by trying to understand how and the authors are writing it this way. And I enjoyed that so much. I can't give it a 5 star though because I wish some parts are explained clearly but maybe the story is up to the people to judge and this is mine. 

Spoilers alert before reading!

First of all, the book is refreshing. In the first half of the book I was confused because what was the war? Why are they having this war exactly. I disregarded it though cause clearly the authors are focused on showcasing the main characters and how are they're going against their agenda.

Now I have this theory of mine cause seeing the title, there's a specific phrase, 'time war'. This had me thinking that Red represents the future while Blue represents the past. There's a glaring evidence from Red using a pod and the sun as her food, using electronics to convey her letters too. While Blue is using paper. wax seals, typewriters, and nature for her letters. 

And about their powers, its seems that Red is able to go back to the past because the past had already happened and that's why she was able to go back and revive Blue once again. Blue, she can never get to the future since she represents the past. 

And the seeker, wow I called it. It's definitely Red herself who came back in time just to get some memory scraps of Blue. And she was able to revive her again just from the memory. 

I also love how in the end Blue said that being together this is how they will win and the title is This is how you lose the time war, by having opposing agents love each other. 

Although they can't really cross each other but they can dance around and cross over again and again because history repeats itself. The past will eventually show in the future but in another way like wars which is never ending. 

This book definitely isn't for everyone, some people won't get it because I feel like this is written just for the fun of it. And I like the idea. I read this by trying to understand how and the authors are writing it this way. And I enjoyed that so much. I can't give it a 5 star though because I wish some parts are explained clearly but maybe the story is up to the people to judge and this is mine. 

Decided to complicate my own life by reading it in English and that's why the beginning was a little bit hard for me, however the story was so compelling that I pushed through my linguistic difficulties. I loved this book so much, it moved me in a way no book has recently. Soooo recommended 

Emma

Finnegan Cole

This excellent book is an explosion of  ideas, and it’s so wonderfully written. The ways B and R get to read each others letters reach a next level of creativity! I just love them. 

Barbara

Enchanting, addictive, unique love story. 

Maria Fernanda Arnay

Good world building without getting too caught up in the details; this is not hard sci-fi in that way. 

It is a high concept love story and I was very here for it! 

Also, in the words of the great Roy Kent, "you can't put it down because the chapters are so short!"

Liam Richardson

I really enjoyed this book. 

Good world building without getting too caught up in the details; this is not hard sci-fi in that way. 

It is a high concept love story and I was very here for it! 

Also, in the words of the great Roy Kent, "you can't put it down because the chapters are so short!"

It's confusing, there isn't a sequence in the history. However, the poetry in chasing is wonderful.

This is How You Lose the Time War

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