Hardcover, 201 pages
English language
Published July 16, 2019 by Simon and Schuster.
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 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.
I like this style in short stories. It definitely wouldn't work for a novel. I'm surprised to find how well it works here. Exactly the right length.
This was enjoyable overall. A love story unfolds amongst two rivals who are trying to destroy and revive the world respectively. It starts with little taunts left in unusual letters and blossoms into more as the story progresses. I found myself genuinely entranced with the characters and caring about their outcomes. The ending was not exactly expected so it took me by surprise a little.
The main reason I can't rate it higher is because of the world-building. There was both too much and not enough world-building going on. Too often I found myself confused and unable to track what was going on in the background. Once the story ramped up, it didn't matter as much because the information wasn't being handed out as much unless it directly affected the characters. I feel like if the world had been hashed out a little more, or even a little less, I …
This was enjoyable overall. A love story unfolds amongst two rivals who are trying to destroy and revive the world respectively. It starts with little taunts left in unusual letters and blossoms into more as the story progresses. I found myself genuinely entranced with the characters and caring about their outcomes. The ending was not exactly expected so it took me by surprise a little.
The main reason I can't rate it higher is because of the world-building. There was both too much and not enough world-building going on. Too often I found myself confused and unable to track what was going on in the background. Once the story ramped up, it didn't matter as much because the information wasn't being handed out as much unless it directly affected the characters. I feel like if the world had been hashed out a little more, or even a little less, I would have found it a lot more enjoyable.
Admittedly, it might also just not be a good one to listen to on audiobook, which is what I did. I found it enjoyable enough that I might see about revisiting it in the future and reading a physical copy to see if it's easier to track what's going on and understand it better.
An interesting story of a two characters on opposite sides of a war fought through time. It begins with Red finding a letter with the words, "Burn before reading," which turns out to be from her adversary, Blue, who teases and challenges her before their next encounter. This time war is fought between two forces, Agency and Garden, who move agents (like Red and Blue) through time to tease and alter events so that, far in the future, victory is theirs.
Each chapter features an event as seen by Red or Blue, in alternate, with a hidden letter discovered by one or the other once victory (or defeat) is tasted by one or the other. But after a few rounds, the tone of the story changes, as both Red and Blue start to talk about their past, and their lives during the war. Then, events happen that show that at …
An interesting story of a two characters on opposite sides of a war fought through time. It begins with Red finding a letter with the words, "Burn before reading," which turns out to be from her adversary, Blue, who teases and challenges her before their next encounter. This time war is fought between two forces, Agency and Garden, who move agents (like Red and Blue) through time to tease and alter events so that, far in the future, victory is theirs.
Each chapter features an event as seen by Red or Blue, in alternate, with a hidden letter discovered by one or the other once victory (or defeat) is tasted by one or the other. But after a few rounds, the tone of the story changes, as both Red and Blue start to talk about their past, and their lives during the war. Then, events happen that show that at some time in the past, their lives have intersected with each other, thought they may not be aware of it at the time. It is then that romance and love being to blossom between the adversaries, an affair that both have to keep hidden from their masters.
At the end, as adversaries, one is given the task of killing the other, with not way out without betraying the other. Yet, there may be a way, and it may involve a shadowy character that has been following their steps, but not revealed until the end of the book.
A recreation of feeling, of feelings, of imagination and purpose and the other side of it all. A wonderful story that asks only that you play along.
Another re-read. First read this in 2020, and absolutely loved it but found myself a little less enamoured upon rereading. Still extremely romantic, and full of beautiful prose, but apparently I've changed and simply found it less engaging this time. This is definitely a “me” problem, however, and I'd still recommend this to anyone who enjoys lovely words, yearning, and science fiction.
A quite beautiful and perplexing exploration of love between two enemies.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I especially loved the letters between the two. It was very sweet to see them slowly open up w/ e/o and reveal their inner feelings, and the mess and complexities that brings.
I did have a bit of trouble following who was who at times.
But other than that, this was fantastic.
I had to read this book 2.5 times. Once at my normal pulp-reading speed, once again at a pause-after-the-letter speed (like: a 1-day pause), and then a whole bunch of go-back-and-re-read-a-piece-because-I-clearly-missed-something.
It's great. I do recommend taking your time on your first read. The plot is macramé, and it's really nicely done.
I think I did have a little trouble with the transition from being competitors to being in love. Seemed a little abrupt. I guess I still missed something important. Maybe there was implied stuff I'm too dumb to comprehend.
Anyway. Good book. Have a crack at it. Maybe you'll do better than I.
3.25 ⭐ Update: After finishing, everything in my early review still stands; the writing did get a little easier to read/ understand as things ramped up to the climax, but there was still so much left unexplained and just left open. A nice little love story, but if you don't understand something don't even worry about it 'cause it doesn't really matter, mostly only the letters and the events of the ending do.
- original review _
I started this and will try to get through it, but it seems like this book's biggest uniqueness is also its downfall - the poetic writing. I will not lie that the deeply floral, expressive, and comparison language is wonderful to see/listen to; but when trying to describe ever quickly changing settings, premises, and other details in a sci-fi timeline hopping environment it just as quickly causes confusion, and kills the pacing, as …
3.25 ⭐ Update: After finishing, everything in my early review still stands; the writing did get a little easier to read/ understand as things ramped up to the climax, but there was still so much left unexplained and just left open. A nice little love story, but if you don't understand something don't even worry about it 'cause it doesn't really matter, mostly only the letters and the events of the ending do.
- original review _
I started this and will try to get through it, but it seems like this book's biggest uniqueness is also its downfall - the poetic writing. I will not lie that the deeply floral, expressive, and comparison language is wonderful to see/listen to; but when trying to describe ever quickly changing settings, premises, and other details in a sci-fi timeline hopping environment it just as quickly causes confusion, and kills the pacing, as I find myself re-reading paragraphs multiple times just to understand exactly what something meant or what happened. And this is a very short book too so it is not as bad but still, it's discouraging to find myself taking forever to finish a quick chapter (and I read high fantasy).
Without spoilers, this book is written in alternating characters voices, different settings, and letters back and forth between them. There is a premise but it just kind of throws you into it without explanation (yet as of where I am at). So trying to track what's going on, whose turn it is, and immerse myself into the newest timeline setting and figure out what they are trying to accomplish amid over the top and flowery language, in the span of <10mins before it changes all over again, is daunting
I listened to the book but may have been better read than listened to. Was not a bad listen though. The narrator's were great. The writing exquisite and beautiful. This is the first book ive read by two authors and the way things intertwined was great. Theres a lot of dichotomy throughout the novella and worth reading until the end. Best going into it without knowing much about it. As a birder though I do love the bird references and the beauty of the world they created; throughout all strands. Solid and would recommend
The first time I read it, it was in audiobook form and the interruptions meant I missed a few things. This time, so much more fit together.
Even in the flaws it grows stronger. This is a book that is going to stay with me for a long, long time.
Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladsonte's "This is How You Lose the Time War" follows two agents, Red and Blue, on opposite sides of a war that spans all of time and (some of?) space across multiple universes.
Each chapter starts with a snapshot of what each agent is doing to advance their side's cause, whether that's taking part in major historical events or planting the seeds for 'coincidences' in the future, and ends with the discovery of a letter from their counterpart. What begins as acknowledgements of respect, nods across the battlefield, gradually grow into something more.
Fans of science fiction may be disappointed by the lack of focus on the time-traveling, universe-hopping backdrop to this story of star-crossing lovers. Details are sparse, and little is disclosed about the factions or why they are at war other than hints and impressions throughout the book.
The gradual, tip-toeing romance between Red …
Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladsonte's "This is How You Lose the Time War" follows two agents, Red and Blue, on opposite sides of a war that spans all of time and (some of?) space across multiple universes.
Each chapter starts with a snapshot of what each agent is doing to advance their side's cause, whether that's taking part in major historical events or planting the seeds for 'coincidences' in the future, and ends with the discovery of a letter from their counterpart. What begins as acknowledgements of respect, nods across the battlefield, gradually grow into something more.
Fans of science fiction may be disappointed by the lack of focus on the time-traveling, universe-hopping backdrop to this story of star-crossing lovers. Details are sparse, and little is disclosed about the factions or why they are at war other than hints and impressions throughout the book.
The gradual, tip-toeing romance between Red and Blue via their elegantly composed letters is the strength of this book. There is a sweetness as the characters, hovering just beyond what one might call "human", discover that they are capable of such love, and for who should be their mortal enemy, no less. Readers who never tire of "Romeo and Juliette" will find much to love in "This is How You Lose the Time War".
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone write gorgeously, but I had trouble following the story.
What an incredible journey this book was! Filled with delightful prose, beautifully abstract concepts, and a deep, heartfelt tale of two warring lovers across time. If you love sci-fi, romance, and abstract storytelling you'll love this!
A little confusing but also cute & fun
