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

challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

Me continuing my spiral down the tragic sapphic book list that end with me giving it a 5 star rating? More likely than you think! It was already on my TBR before Bigolas Dickolas and the Trigun fandom blew up about this book, but it's the latter that finally made me buy it. Literally no regrets in doing that.

Red and Blue's romance is both tragic and endlessly romantic, and I'm SO happy I got to taste a little bit of both towards the end of the book.

Of course I was upset when Blue died, and especially when I was so easily convinced that she thought Red betrayed here because AAAAAA. Y'all were already enemies to lovers! I don't want to end with a betrayal trope. The ending really was incredible, and I figure there is probably no intention on making this a series/duology/etc., but DAMN would I read it immediately. I WANT to indulge myself in the world Red and Blue create for themselves. I WANT to see them absolutely obliterate the Agency and the Garden. I adored Blue's last letter.

I loved the different scenes and how they were set up. I loved imagining each alternate universe and different space that the two were living in and the creative ways they sent letters to one another. I loved hearing about the strand where Red visited the Garden.

The kiss? SCREAMING. DECEASED.

On another note, I wish I finished it back during Pride month but we're not too far off. Would highly suggest 💕