This Is How You Lose the Time War (Deluxe Edition)

The prose, the poetry, the plot, an astonishing masterpiece <3 And the Deluxe Edition is just beautiful :) Two Characters on the opposite side of changing the world and it’s history. But their deeply connected and leave letters for each other. A tale of trust and love. The world building is masterfully executed and directly implied in the prose or the letters that start every chapter. Some say it was difficult to read. I’d put it like this: It‘s good to be attentive and observant while reading but it’s absolutely worth it. Even if you get lost or carried away sometimes by the wonderful, empathetic and poetic writing. Just go with it, enjoy it. If you really feel like you didn’t get or missed something just go back a few lines. Read again. Your effort will be rewarded :)

** 2.5 stars ** // What a curious story. As much as I was of the opinion that I love lyrical/poetic prose, I think this was too much for me. Paired with the generous use of technical terms of Sci-Fi related things I understood virtually nothing - up to the very end. Which was a shame really, as I did understand enough to know that this is probably quite a remarkable story. Still, as I couldn't really follow and therefore probably didn't grasp the whole of the story, I also didn't really build a connection with the characters (whatever they were - I didn't even understand their nature). I'm of the opinion that readers need to be able to understand what the writer wanted to say. Which doesn't make these two authors bad at their craft but I still didn't particularly enjoy reading this book. The one thing I understood was the romance part of it, yet I'm evidently not romantic enough (it just read more pretentious than truly emotive) for this aspect to safe the story, unfortunately. As this is my first foray into Sci-Fi literature, I'll concede that this may also have been a contributing factor to my reading disappointment.

This story was so beautiful that it gave me goosebumps and I devoured it. This Is How You Lose the Time War is a short love story about two rival agents on opposite sides of a time war. Through their letters, we gradually witness their characters and their relationship gradually unfolding. Full of yearning, it’s a captivating and intimate read with such beautiful prose. I almost never reread books, but I would pick this one up again just to take in every detail and etch the words into my mind. The fact that the main characters are two strong, smart and badass women makes the story even more powerful.  I should mention that I initially found it difficult to follow and it may not be for everyone. I think that it is intentionally disorienting, with the time shifts and a lack of context, so you have to slow down while reading and can interpret parts of the story as you wish. For me, though, every moment of confusion was worth it, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something different. 

So, so well written. It made me pause multiple times just to let the words sink in. It’s a love story - and it’s confusing in the beginning. But as you get familiar with the characters you learn your way around this world. And the beautifully crafted love declarations are one of a kind.

I would have never imagined that I'd tear up reading about time-travelling agents fighting on opposite sides of a war, who then fall in love through the letters they send each other... But well, I did. This book paints a dystopian future with bloodthirsty battles fought through time and space and, at the same time, manages to be full of poetic writing and heartachingly beautiful loveconfessions! I can't recommend it enough!