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citrus_seasalt 's review for:
This Is How You Lose the Time War
by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
2nd book finished for Pride Month! Time traveling sapphics involved in a forbidden romance, what’s not to love? (Or at least pique your interest?)
3.5 or 4 stars, not sure which score to give?? I was very excited to read this, I’m a sucker for dramatic queer romances with poetic language that veers on flowery. With that said, this reads more like an extensive poem and less like an actual story, which normally I wouldn’t mind, except for the romance was a little rushed? (The wording of the letters came off as a bit overambitious.)
The evolution of the letters when the romance had some millennia to develop was solid, though. (And I do appreciate the “enemies to lovers” being, well, actual enemies.) When the writing hits, it hits, and there’s a sort of palpable yearning on the page. I loved the building conflict that culminated in the Romeo and Juliet-esque ending, and every alternate timeline— both the settings and the ways Blue and Red would thwart each other’s plans— were very creative! The actual time war part of the plot was interesting to read about, although sometimes kept vague from the character-focused nature of the story. And for a plot with this much surrealism, I thought some of the final twists were predictable? (I guess it’s not that much of a problem, though, if their inherent tragedy still made me feel something.)
I did giggle at the running gag of Red saying “as the prophets say” and it being a pop culture reference every time. When I’d be so wrapped up in the purple prose, the snark and sarcasm— especially in the letters— brought back my attention. I’m not sure how else to describe the general writing style except for “quirky”? (It’s not kooky, even if a couple scenes are strange. It’s too lofty for that.)
I can see why so many people enjoy this book, and I’m not opposed to all the fan content I see of it, but… eh, I have mixed feelings. El-Mohtar and Gladstone’s writing blended wonderfully, and I enjoyed the voices they gave to Blue and Red. The premise had potential, the conflict was creative, and I still think it’s sweet overall. “This Is How You Lose The Time War” is objectively good, imo. But unfortunately, this didn’t emotionally impact me as much as I hoped it would.
3.5 or 4 stars, not sure which score to give?? I was very excited to read this, I’m a sucker for dramatic queer romances with poetic language that veers on flowery. With that said, this reads more like an extensive poem and less like an actual story, which normally I wouldn’t mind, except for the romance was a little rushed? (The wording of the letters came off as a bit overambitious.)
The evolution of the letters when the romance had some millennia to develop was solid, though. (And I do appreciate the “enemies to lovers” being, well, actual enemies.) When the writing hits, it hits, and there’s a sort of palpable yearning on the page. I loved the building conflict that culminated in the Romeo and Juliet-esque ending, and every alternate timeline— both the settings and the ways Blue and Red would thwart each other’s plans— were very creative! The actual time war part of the plot was interesting to read about, although sometimes kept vague from the character-focused nature of the story. And for a plot with this much surrealism, I thought some of the final twists were predictable? (I guess it’s not that much of a problem, though, if their inherent tragedy still made me feel something.)
I did giggle at the running gag of Red saying “as the prophets say” and it being a pop culture reference every time. When I’d be so wrapped up in the purple prose, the snark and sarcasm— especially in the letters— brought back my attention. I’m not sure how else to describe the general writing style except for “quirky”? (It’s not kooky, even if a couple scenes are strange. It’s too lofty for that.)
I can see why so many people enjoy this book, and I’m not opposed to all the fan content I see of it, but… eh, I have mixed feelings. El-Mohtar and Gladstone’s writing blended wonderfully, and I enjoyed the voices they gave to Blue and Red. The premise had potential, the conflict was creative, and I still think it’s sweet overall. “This Is How You Lose The Time War” is objectively good, imo. But unfortunately, this didn’t emotionally impact me as much as I hoped it would.