Back and forth their letters go between time and distance, sometimes taunting, sometimes playful, but always clandestine as to avoid detection by their superiors. Most of this book is presented in a series of letters, running through a gamut of emotions as the communications between the two rivals turn from hostile to understanding and then to love. Seeing it as the challenge it is, Red accepts, and what follows is, shall we say, a romance for the ages. But then, in the aftermath of a battle, Red finds a note among the ashes, which reads: Burn before reading. The two factions have been locked in conflict for years, dispatching their skilled agents through time to influence and change the course of history, with neither side coming up on top. Red works for the Agency, a highly advanced technological society, whereas Blue represents the Garden, a world steeped in environmentalism and nature.

At the heart of it is a relationship between two agents fighting on opposite sides of a time war. But in the end, I supposed it surprised me, both in the good way and the bad, and I’ll go into the reasons why in a little bit.īut first, here’s my best attempt at a summary of the story, which will be tough, because like I said, it’s not a very conventional one. Honestly, when I picked this one up, I had expected to either love it or hate it-no in between. To be sure, This is How You Lose the Time War is a very imaginative novella, but the style and tone of it is so highly unusual, I doubt it would be for everyone. Well, for such a short book, this one’s going to be a doozy to review. This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max GladstoneĪuthor Information: Amal El-Mohtar | Max Gladstone

This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

I received a review copy from the publisher. Book Review: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This is how you lose the time war pages