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

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

The worldbuilding of this universe was left vague, but it felt intentional. There was almost no plot and the book pretty much cycled through receiving and reading letters, but the letters were so so good to read. These authors are so clever in their writing and they referenced things that I understood and probably also things that slipped my notice. It’s very verbose but in a kind of stylistic way? I very much enjoyed it. The opening chapter is *chef’s kiss.

‘It is difficult—it is very difficult, to befriend where you wish to consume, to find those who, when they ask Do I have you still, when they end a letter with Yours, mean it in any substantive way.’