“Love is what we have, against time and death, against all the powers ranged to crush us down.” ― Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, “This is How You Lose the Time War”
“This is How You Lose the Time War” is a riveting science fiction novella that follows the main characters, Red and Blue, through time and space as they grow from enemies to lovers. The book alternates between chapters from one protagonist’s perspective to the letters they send each other. Although the book was published in 2019 by authors Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, it first shot to fame in 2023 after a string of viral social media posts brought it into the public eye.
Red and Blue, the central characters, are top operatives for two rival organizations fighting a war by traveling through time to shape the future. Red works for the Agency, a technological utopia, and Blue for Garden, a heavily interconnected and nature-based society. Initially, the two exchange secret letters to taunt each other. However, as they travel through time to thwart each others’ plans, they gradually fall in love through their private correspondence. Unfortunately, their organizations begin to notice their interactions, forcing Red and Blue to make increasingly elaborate plans to protect their relationship.
“This is How You Lose the Time War” is an extraordinary book with an intriguing plot and writing style. The prose, though it can be challenging to decipher at times, is eloquent and beautifully composed. It masterfully weaves clever wordplay, references to a variety of outside sources and incredible writing into a story that deserves reread after reread to fully appreciate. There are gorgeous passages and witty puns in each chapter that make you want to laugh, cry and everything in between.
Additionally, the story itself is fascinating. The characters, despite being extremely powerful and futuristic, feel human with distinct personalities and realistic reactions. The book also does not fall victim to the gaping plot holes or convoluted explanations often seen in time travel stories. Adhering to a soft magic system, the novel briefly explains the foundations of its technology and societies before getting to the love story at the very core of the story. The ending is foreshadowed throughout the book, revealing plot twists that feel both stunning and deeply cathartic. Though many conflicts are resolved, my only criticism is that the conclusion seems rather deus ex machina, leaving the reader desiring a more thorough explanation. That being said, the story as a whole is extremely well written and the resolution feels like a culmination of everything that Red and Blue have gone through throughout the entire book.
Finally, the novel’s overarching message is that those on opposite sides of a conflict often have more in common with each other than not and that there is humanity to be found in everyone. Red and Blue, being on opposite sides of a war that extends past eternities and realities, are far from ideal romantic partners. However, after exchanging multiple letters, the pair find that they can see much of themselves in each other and are considerably more compatible than they previously thought. Though they are not humans, the book also does a wonderful job humanizing them, giving them thoughts and dreams that the reader can relate to and empathize with. Altogether, the book shows the importance of compassion and empathy in reconciling with others and the ubiquity of kindness.
Overall, I cannot recommend “This Is How You Lose The Time War” enough! As a whole, the novella is unique and inventive, placing the reader in a combination of both new and familiar settings while portraying an untraditional love story between two unlikely individuals. This book manages to fit a wonderful narrative written in prose that will cause you to pause in the middle of a chapter in awe, purely based on the creativity and raw ingenuity of El-Mohtar and Gladstone. This book manages to teach us about conflict, resistance, resolution and, most importantly, about love.
