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

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

 I am not sure how to review this book. We are not even 2 weeks in a new year, and I already know it will be extremely hard to read a better book than This is How You Lose the Time War in 2025.

The writing was pure perfection. It was so captivating and beautiful; I was sucked in since the very first page. I think it might be my favourite love story ever. The yearning of the main characters made me want to yearn with them.

I usually do not like books written in the POVs of multiple characters, but this was just delightful. I think it worked out incredibly well.

I have to admit—I was worried I would not enjoy the book's format. A story told mainly through (love) letters was not something I had seen before, but I enjoyed it. I think it made me feel like I was deeper in the story, more connected to the characters.

The characters, two women and soldiers in the very distant future, were both written beautifully, and their letters were very intimate. I loved how gentle they were to one another and how they were both ready to destroy everything to protect the other.

I only wish this book was longer. I found the world the authors created fascinating, and I would have loved to see more of it.

I do not think This is How You Lose the Time War is a book for everyone, but I definitely feel like everyone would find something in it that would resonate with them.