Hardcover, 208 pages
Ukrainian language
Published 2024 by КСД.
Книга «Так програють війну часів» — це епістолярна повість авторів Амаля Ель-Мохтара й Макса Гледстоуна. Поки світ гине, ворожі організації — тоталітарне Управління й Едем — змагаються за право володіти минулим, а отже й майбутнім. Червоні й Блакитні агенти мандрують нитками часу й корегують історію так, як вигідно саме їм.
Здається, планета, а з ними й організації, приречені на смерть. Та все може змінити один лист: від Блакитної — найкращої агентки Едем — до Червоної. Спілкування насмішок поступово перетвориться на заборонений зв’язок, що може врятувати людство від зникнення. Та яким чином? Коли б хто дізнався про секрет двох дівчат ворожих коаліцій, то вбив би їх обох.
The use of language is an absolute delight, although the plot frequently borders on baffling. I did enjoy Red and Blue’s inner voices although they were both hard to get that invested in. That said their love story is pretty adventurous in its unconventional delivery and it’s certainly a likeable book.
Oh, this book is so fun! It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes the unseriousness of it easier to take for this reader. <spoiler>And women who are in love but also kill each other — my favorite ❤️💙</spoiler>
Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladsonte's "This is How You Lose the Time War" follows two agents, Red and Blue, on opposite sides of a war that spans all of time and (some of?) space across multiple universes.
Each chapter starts with a snapshot of what each agent is doing to advance their side's cause, whether that's taking part in major historical events or planting the seeds for 'coincidences' in the future, and ends with the discovery of a letter from their counterpart. What begins as acknowledgements of respect, nods across the battlefield, gradually grow into something more.
Fans of science fiction may be disappointed by the lack of focus on the time-traveling, universe-hopping backdrop to this story of star-crossing lovers. Details are sparse, and little is disclosed about the factions or why they are at war other than hints and impressions throughout the book.
The gradual, tip-toeing …
Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladsonte's "This is How You Lose the Time War" follows two agents, Red and Blue, on opposite sides of a war that spans all of time and (some of?) space across multiple universes.
Each chapter starts with a snapshot of what each agent is doing to advance their side's cause, whether that's taking part in major historical events or planting the seeds for 'coincidences' in the future, and ends with the discovery of a letter from their counterpart. What begins as acknowledgements of respect, nods across the battlefield, gradually grow into something more.
Fans of science fiction may be disappointed by the lack of focus on the time-traveling, universe-hopping backdrop to this story of star-crossing lovers. Details are sparse, and little is disclosed about the factions or why they are at war other than hints and impressions throughout the book.
The gradual, tip-toeing romance between Red and Blue via their elegantly composed letters is the strength of this book. There is a sweetness as the characters, hovering just beyond what one might call "human", discover that they are capable of such love, and for who should be their mortal enemy, no less. Readers who never tire of "Romeo and Juliette" will find much to love in "This is How You Lose the Time War".
»This is How You Lose the Time War« is a truly stunning piece of writing.
I still can’t comprehend how Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone could squeeze so many genres and ideas into such a short book, without it feeling overwhelming. Science fiction, space opera, star-crossed romance, time travel et cetera. It’s probably easier to count what this book is not than what it is.
Though I must admit that I found it a bit cheesy at the end, the book still managed to catch me off guard with heartbreaking plot twists. I don’t think I can ever reread this book without tears when Blue writes »As you wish« or the last sentences: »Maybe this is how we win, Red. You and me. This is how we win.«
Unconditional and unreserved reading recommendation!
Hauntingly beautiful. A love-letter to the written word.
it's a magical realist (?) romance in a science fiction Time War setting, an unusual choice, but one that works well, given how strange the consequences of warping causality would be. If you can get ahold of the audio book, it's pretty good, has different readers for Blue and Red.
it's a magical realist (?) romance in a science fiction Time War setting, an unusual choice, but one that works well, given how strange the consequences of warping causality would be. If you can get ahold of the audio book, it's pretty good, has different readers for Blue and Red.
