A review by aryelee
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

emotional hopeful tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

What a book! This was such a gorgeous story about love shining through a never ending, all consuming war. It's the Romeo and Juliet narrative set in space and time among beings that are not human but are still painfully alive. It's choosing each other! It's reaching out, reaching back, going from taunts and an opportunity to enjoy a little fun in the dullness of the same war always fought over and over, and the slow change to wanting more, wanting each other, connecting with the enemy who is more similar to them than the leaders crying for blood and victory. 

The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because this is more sci-fi than suits my tastes, which is expected because I am not a huge fan of sci-fi and pretty much never read this genre. Parts were a little confusing or slow enough to be dull so I struggled to get through. But that ending! That entire closing section of the story! Well worth pushing through slower parts to reach.

Honestly, this was a fast read despite how slow it felt at times and how I had to drag myself through a few chapters. Knowing the story fully now, I can see myself going back to reread it. Just, maybe not for a while.
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