This Is How You Lose The Time War

Written by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

Narrated by Cynthia Farrell and Emily Woo Zeller

* HUGO AWARD WINNER: BEST NOVELLA * NEBULA AND LOCUS AWARDS WINNER: BEST NOVELLA *

“[An] exquisitely crafted tale...Part epistolary romance, part mind-blowing science fiction adventure, this dazzling story unfolds bit by bit, revealing layers of meaning as it plays with cause and effect, wildly imaginative technologies, and increasingly intricate wordplay...This short novel warrants multiple readings to fully unlock its complexities.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From award-winning authors Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone comes an enthralling, romantic novel spanning time and space about two time-traveling rivals who fall in love and must change the past to ensure their future.

Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandment finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.

Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, becomes something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.

Except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. That’s how war works, right?

Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epic love story spanning time and space.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508287056

Amal El-Mohtar

Amal El-Mohtar is a Hugo Award-winning author of science fiction, fantasy, poetry and criticism, and the co-author of the New York Times bestseller This is How You Lose the Time War, written with Max Gladstone, which has been translated into over ten languages. Her reviews and articles have appeared in the New York Times and on NPR Books. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.

Reviews for This Is How You Lose The Time War

[Jim Ferguson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is poetry of love, time, betrayal, and rebirth.

[Tabitha D. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While it wasn't what I expected it was still an enjoyable and sweet listen with some beautiful writing. There were moments where I teared up more than once. However, I feel like given it's concepts and depths that it is a book that'd benefit from being reread and I plan on doing that in the near future. The performances by the narrators were absolutely wonderful. They really added to the experience which made the characters more real.

[Hello · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sign me up for all the poetry sci-fi out there, please.

[Tara Denis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The language is poetic and rich. A multilayered plot that would reveal new treasures upon re-reading.

[sarah wells · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read it instead of listened to it. I couldn’t keep track of which character was narrating

[Eve Norman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

you NEED to read this. im serious. read it now you don't need information you need to go in blind and read this.

[Klara Mendrek · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Nothing special. More a young adult take on science fiction.

[Jude · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes, there’s a lot of buzz around a book and when you finally read it, you wonder why. And sometimes, you can believe the hype. Everything I heard and read about This Is How You Lose the Time War is true.

In a kind of Romeo and Juliet retelling, it follows two agents of warring entities – Red of the Agency and Blue of Garden – as they learn to know each other through letters. As the story unfolds, they find endlessly creative ways to get these letters to reach the other through time and space. It begins as some sort of taunt between enemies and ends up being the ultimate love letter.

I couldn’t be happier that I decided to listen to the audiobook instead of reading. I think it’s the first time a dual narration makes absolute sense, probably because this novella is written partly in epistolary form.

I got lost in the time travel, all the civilizations and threads, but I have no regrets. I’m not sure the reader is supposed to follow anyway. This is more than a story, it’s an experience. Let yourself get carried away by the music of the words, the poetry, the longing, the beauty of it all.

[Mark Espina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everything about this book is pure magic. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve listened to it.

[Samuel Saker Kunkel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just wow. This is the story Isaac Asimov would race to write after he finished reading Song of Achilles. What else could transcend time and space and infinite possibility but hate… and love. Powerful prose, intimate and raw, an incredible amount of story in an economy of words. Just enough, and so, so, so much.

[Han Solo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So. Good. Read. This. Now six more words, to finish.

[Jocelyn joyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was beautiful, poetic and heart wrenching and a great read.

[Ellie Fraley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! I loved the cultural references throughout the novel and the story is so unique! I devoured the audiobook asap. 10/10 recommend!! ?

[Crazed Apps · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was quite a good read, and the ending was lovely.

[KelliJean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Holy fuck. ❤️ this was so beautifully written. Loved every word.

[magundah.michael · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun story with an interesting structure. In the first half, the parts between letters felt a bit pointless and drawn out, but they became much more interesting later on.

[Sonja Bus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The audiobook was so amazing to listen to!! It's the perfect way to consume this novella in my opinion (I couldn't really get into the ebook that well). The narrators did a fantastic job.

[Merle Arrowsmith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rivetting, gloriously inventive, a deliciousness of words, at once speeding through space-time and slowly savouring each line.

[kost0620 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started listening. I was confused about 70% of the time as to what was going on, but it ended so beautifully, I don’t even care I didn’t grasp a good deal of it. What a beautiful story! The narrators’ did a wonderful job of storytelling. I am more moved than I thought I’d ever be.

[Yuly Varlamov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh it’s *very* nice. I know I’ll want a physical copy once I have a permanent place with a bookshelf.

[lumberjac67 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book 10/10 will read again! Amazing!

[Tina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was truly an imaginative, creative, unique endeavor that totally paid off. Both authors brought such distinct personalities and characteristics to Red and Blue that were crystal clear in the way each crafted their letters, joked, flirted, and philosophized. What a way to explore how two different individuals on opposite sides can fall in love.

[Amy McDougal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Once I got an understanding of how the time travel systems were happening, I enjoyed the book more. I really loved the letters of communication between Red & Blue. The way they described words by taste & touch... beautiful.

[Rob Gary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was great! Very engaging. I really loved the character dynamic.

[freitags · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So poetic and imaginative! The audiobook is especially well done and I recommend highly reading AND listening to this.

[mintylikesrainbowsspam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book that must be read/listened to twice, for more reasons than I had expected. The style is breathtaking.

[anniemdesautels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My head is spinning a little. Absolutely beautiful. Loved the writing style & following the narrative through love letters. So sharp & poetic. I was sucked in immediately. It was a little difficult to tell exactly what was happening during some of the action parts but I am not a seasoned sci-fi reader so it makes sense that events transcending time & space would be confusing to follow along with

[Mack b · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. This one really messed me up in the best kinda way. Incredible in scope, far reaching in feel. Would recommend. :)

[lee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic text! a
potpurri of images from beginning to end.

[claire.rosenfrisk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An ode to love, and a love letter to revolution: I don't care who wins.