Reviews

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

meeegann's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

3.25

bethaaaaann's review against another edition

challenging mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

earlgreyjedi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I do not possess the linguistic skills to do this book any justice, I can only say that it was simply incredible and recommend that you read it. There is so much clever wordplay mixed into the enemies to lovers romance that is Blue and Red’s relationship all to the backdrop of an epic time war that is reminiscent of some sort of high fantasy space opera. I took my time with this book despite how relatively few pages make it up. Admittedly, after finishing my masters degree, I did just want to read fluff that didn’t make me think too much. Read this book when you have the emotional capacity to question the world, how we communicate with one another, what love is, and how really we should all just want to settle down in a nice cottage with a dog and a nice cup of rose hip tea (which I will now be off to purchase, goodbye). 

as a side note, there are so many lines which I marked in this book, but I think one of my favorites was Red mentioning her prose purpling. Just the lovely meaning it takes, that she is becoming a mix of Blue and herself, in doing so is becoming more loquacious, and additionally calling out her overly ornate way of writing in the moment itself which has also been a result of her knowing Blue. SO GOOD

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder, and War

mk_1109's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

rc2's review against another edition

2.0

The prose was very prettily written, but I never felt like the characters actually connected. Repeatedly saying "I love you, I love you, I love you" in every letter does not a romantic relationship make. Yes, they were desperate, but I felt that it could have been better explained. Although I could be missing the point.

marge_batton's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

ashbluewinters's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

grdsbrg's review against another edition

5.0

4.75

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! The last couple chapters had me in shambles.

I loved this book. It surprised me. I came in with no expectations at all, and dear lord did it deliver!!! I thought it was so heartwrenchingly beautiful. It evoked in me so many feelings and emotions. The world-building was very complex at first, yet so beautiful later on. I would definitely love to reread this someday.

I struggled to figure out what rating to give this book. I’ll say it wasn’t full 5 stars for me just because my brain was too tiny for some of the lyrical prose. It was stunningly executed but there were times where I completely missed what was being said because of it. It is also a book where you have to relinquish understanding and control a lot, which is something I struggle with at times when it comes to reading. I have this inherent need to understand EVERYTHING. That’s not happening with this book... But I eventually buckled in for the ride and let it sweep me away. Other than that I absolutely devoured this little gem!!!

P.S. I’ve made it to 35 books this year!!! So proud of how far I’ve come - I used to think it impossible for me to read more than just 15 a year… Next year’s for aiming higher!!

blightedness's review against another edition

3.0

Poesía pura

manu_ela's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0