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

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-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? No

5.0

"I like you to know, with my words in your mouth, the places and ways in which I think of you."

If you ever need a reason to believe in love again, read this book.

Alternatively, if you ever want to spend hours staring at the ceiling lamenting the fact you are not a lethal otherworldly being exchanging love letters threats with your equally lethal, equally otherworldly opponent... Read this book.

It is in and of itself a love letter to language. There is not a line within its pages I do not adore.
And, my proof:

I tab with navy if, and only if, a line makes me stop dead, makes me think "holy shit.", demands that I read it 10 times over before I can move on. I use them sparingly. I used 18. In a book with not so much as 200 pages.

Read this book and mourn the fact you will never again read a love letter this beautiful.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings