This is How You Lose the Time War
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆—𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑰 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆.
𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆.
𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒆. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.
𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘓𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘳 by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is a dazzling love story that defies time, space, and the very nature of its own existence. To be honest, it's as much a literary experience as it is a science fiction adventure, blending lyrical prose with an achingly tender sapphic romance.
Red and Blue are rivals, agents on opposing sides of a war that plays out across countless timelines. They leave each other letters—at first as taunts, then as something more. What begins as a battle of wits transforms into an intimate connection, a slow, breathtaking unraveling of devotion between two people who should never have met, let alone fallen for each other.
The writing is 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, a lyrical, poetic unraveling of devotion that demands to be read slowly—savored like a secret not meant for you but left in your hands all the same. It’s brief (under 200 pages!) but lingers long after you turn the final page.
If you love books that feel like poetry, stories that defy genre, and romance that burns impossibly bright, this one is for you.
❓️ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪᴛ?
𝚂𝚠𝚒𝚙𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚒𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚚𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 →
Thank you Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster for the gifted copy!
#ThisisHowYouLosetheTimeWar #bookreview #literaryfiction #scifi #sapphicromance
As an avid reader, there's something truly special about holding a physical book, and when it comes to *This Is How You Lose The Time War*, opting for the hardcover edition was one of the best decisions I've made. From the moment I first picked it up, I knew this wasn't just another book; it was an experience waiting to unfold. The hardcover itself is a work of art. The cover design, often featuring the stark, compelling imagery hinted at in the story's themes, immediately draws you in. There’s a weight to it, a substantial feel that tells you this isn't a flimsy paperback destined to be forgotten. The quality of the paper is exceptional – thick enough to prevent bleed-through, with a smooth texture that makes turning each page a tactile pleasure. For a book that's praised for its poetic prose and intricate language, reading it in a beautiful, well-bound hardcover elevates the entire experience. It encourages you to slow down, to savor each carefully crafted sentence, much like the characters Red and Blue savor their clandestine letters across time. I remember pausing after reading lines like, "TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE, OR TELL ME NOTHING AT ALL," or pondering Blue's musings on infinity, "SOME DAYS BLUE WONDERS WHY ANYONE EVER BOTHERED MAKING NUMBERS SO SMALL; OTHER DAYS SHE SUPPOSES EVEN INFINITY NEEDS TO START SOMEWHERE." These quotes, which you see hinted at even in the book’s promotional materials, resonate so much more deeply when you're physically holding the story. The hardcover format allows for a more immersive reading, free from the distractions of screens, letting the powerful narrative and the achingly beautiful language truly sink in. It's easy to flip back and re-read a particularly impactful passage, like Red's intense thoughts on hunger, making the prose feel even more profound. The sturdy binding means it will withstand countless re-reads, which, believe me, you'll want to do with this gem. For collectors, the hardcover edition is a definite must-have. It stands proudly on a shelf, a testament to its literary merit and stunning presentation. Publishers like Saga Press (an imprint of Simon & Schuster), who brought this edition to life, often put extra care into their hardcover releases, and it really shows here. Whether you're buying it for yourself or as a gift, the hardcover offers a premium feel that matches the high quality of the story within. It's the kind of book you'll want to display, a conversation starter for anyone who spots its distinctive spine. If you're considering diving into Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's brilliant world, I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing it through the beautiful and enduring hardcover edition. It truly enhances the magic.