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

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is just beautiful.  In some ways it's a very old story but also shockingly original. It leaps between so many interesting scenarios, and where another book might get bogged down in explaining all the little hows and whys of the world,  this instead gives you a series of beautiful snapshots, all leading to a very satisfying ending.  

I didn't know where it was going,  and didn't quite know where I was some of the time,  but it was a hell of a journey.

Along with the high-concept aspects of the world building, there's also some brilliant mixing of pop culture references,  everything from Shakespeare to 80s pop music can be presented as ancient lore. And I never expected to find myself laughing at a seal-clubbing pun. 

I did find it a little difficult at first to remember who was speaking (or rather, writing) but as far as obstacles to enjoyment go, that was pretty quickly cleared.