A bookblogger roundup on a book that’s been around
Many thanks to Gary Mitchelhill of Rapidsnap at Deviant Art for the banner picture!
On Fridays, I’m going to be sharing reviews on a book on my TBR that I keep hearing about. Today, it’s the widely admired epistolary novella published by Saga Press (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) that shows up frequently on r/fantasy, Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone’s This Is How You Lose the Time War. Today’s roundup includes a thumbs down, which I’d generally prefer to do. Reviews are in alphabetical order—the audiobook review is last.
Before We Go Blog
An analysis supported by quotes. Ryan Howse is often very funny, although you can’t necessarily tell from this particular review.
Some people have said there’s not enough plot in this book, but I disagree. It’s just that the plot is essentially a romantic drama with science fictional conceits mixed in. The last act of the book does start putting the screws to the characters after their relationship has been built up, but it’s not a nail-biting thrill ride because that’s never what this book was about.
Ryan Howse, “Review – This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone,” Before We Go Blog
The Fantasy Inn
A brief, but evocative, rave.
From the moment Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone announced they were co-writing a novella, it immediately became one of my most anticipated SFF releases. I was dying to get this book, blurb unseen – because with these two authors, there was no doubt it would be amazing. And weird.
Sharade, “This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar et Max Gladstone,” The Fantasy Inn
The Thirteenth Shelf
A clever critique in the form of a letter. Review includes “Notable Aspects,” rating, and a TL;DR section.
How I wish, so fervently, to rise like Lazarus from the yawning depths of my shelves, that I may reach you before you sail downstream to the thread of future wherein you chance upon, This Is How You Lose The Time War. Though under the glittering constellations of my own beloved worlds, I still long to be your vanguard of yet unseen worlds, to carry once more the banner of warning upon which I break both time and heart.
Rin, “Book Review: This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone,” The Thirteenth Shelf
Tiny Navajo Reads
An audiobook review; narration by Cynthia Farrell and Emily Woo Zeller.
I honestly didn’t realize it was written by two authors until I started listening to it. I could hear the differences between the two letter writers and when they were read aloud, I could image Red and Blue indulging in their letters to each other, letters that are forbidden, letters that acknowledge there are differences in the other side, even if it doesn’t always seem like it.
Ashley, “Tiny Navajo Listens: This Is How You Lose the Time War,” Tiny Navajo Reads
Someday I’ll get through that TBR and have a chance to review it myself—I’m not sure I’ll like it, as I’m generally not a fan of epistolary fiction, but it seems like I really need to have checked out to be able to call myself a fantasy bookblogger.
Happy Friday!
books + ecstatic = BIBLIOSTATIC 
Thanks for including my review and I think you’ll enjoy this book, even if epistolary fiction isn’t your favourite thing to read. It’s a quick read if nothing else, and you’ll be able to see what’s actually going on with the book.
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