Title: This Is How You Lose The Time War
Author: Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Genre: Science fiction, romance, dystopian
Publisher: Saga Press
Publication Date: 2020
Format: Paperback
Length: 198 pages

Rating:

This Is How You Lose The Time War was an absolutely gorgeous book. The prose was particularly poetic, the premise incredibly unique, and the story itself was heart-wrenching and beautiful. It was an incredibly quick read, coming in at under 200 pages, but it punched above its weight in the impact it brought. This book, to me, is an example of superb storytelling that plays with form in all the right ways. I loved this book, and it’s one I know I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Fair warning: spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t read this book.

The Book: This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amar El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This Is How You Lose The Time War is the story of two rival agents operating through different realities on a planet that is sometimes very much like Earth and sometimes very different. Red is an agent for the Agency, which protects a group described as a “post-singularity technotopia.” Blue is an agent for Garden, a “single vast consciousness embedded in all organic matter.” They’re both the best at what they do, which is altering the timeline to produce a better future outcome for their respective organizations.

The story unfolds through letters that they write to each other in big moments of success or defeat. The communication initially begins with Blue taunting Red. She leaves a note where she sings her own praises, rubbing in a particularly strong victory. Agents of the Agency and Garden are strictly forbidden from contact and Red is initially panicked that the Agency will know she’s received this and punish her, but she can’t help but be intrigued, so instead of ignoring or reporting the letter, she writes back. Each time a letter is destroyed though, a shadow follows behind Red and Blue and consumes the remains of the letter, so all the while the reader is aware that something is following their interactions.

What initially begins with simple taunts quickly turns into a strong friendship and then, even further, into love. Their relationship grows as they learn to appreciate the unique aspects that each of their species has evolved into, and they begin to understand each other’s capabilities and quirks. They’ve both lived a rather solitary and lonely existence, but through these letters, they find comfort in each other’s experiences. They quickly form a rather tender bond that each grows fiercely protective over, and as their relationship begins to risk exposure, they determine to protect one another at all costs.

The Review

This was a lovely piece of fiction for so many reasons that it’s almost difficult to pinpoint a specific aspect that made it quite so endearing.

The way that the narrative unfolded through letters was brilliant. I loved the humour and wit that first came in their taunts to each other, and then the poetic prose style that followed as their relationship grew and evolved. The form was such a lovely vehicle for the emotional arc of the plot that I found it really impactful. It was gorgeous writing.

I also thought the setting was inventive and unique. Beyond the premise of alternating realities all impacted by various agents attempting to impact the timeline for their respective sides, the actual composition of the letters and how they’re consumed was so much fun. I found myself looking forward to how the letters would be sent and received as much as the reading of them.

The evolution of both Red and Blue is probably the aspect of the story that I found stayed with me the most. When we’re first introduced to them, they’re both relatively arrogant agents doing whatever they must in service to their respective organizations. Over time, through their letters to each other, you see them evolve to ask questions about their surroundings and their actions. You see them slow down and appreciate the slower aspects of their lives. They also begin to find meaning in the world around them through the words they offer to each other. It’s romantic and bittersweet and an absolute delight to follow.

The plot floated quickly and without a ton of detail, but the vibes kept everything moving swiftly. This was such a heartwarming, enjoyable read, and one you can easily go through in a day if you’ve got some time to spare. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sapphic sci-fi with an interesting premise and a lot of feeling.