This Is How You Lose the Time War follows rival agents Red and Blue, who work for the Agency and Garden, respectively, as they travel through time to secure their future. Initially adversaries, they start exchanging letters and eventually fall in love, transforming their mission and leading to a deeper understanding of themselves. The novel contains profanity, violence, and themes of loss and stalking.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone is lauded for its lyrical prose, intricate plot, and deep emotional resonance. Critics praise its innovative narrative and character development, though some find the complex timeline confusing. It is celebrated for its beauty and depth, offering a unique experience in science fiction.

Fans of romantic sci-fi with a poetic, lyrical twist will relish This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Comparable to Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, it captivates readers who enjoy intricate storytelling and imaginative worlds.

Mysterious / Bittersweet / Romantic / Fantastical / Emotional

**Blue**  
Blue is a protagonist in _This Is How You Lose the Time War_. She works as an agent for Garden, a nature-based collective society, and is skilled at weaving braids of time to influence outcomes. Blue is portrayed as fierce, cunning, funny, playful, loving, and tough. She keeps people at a distance but becomes fascinated by Red, an opponent and eventual lover, whom she lets into her life.

**Red**  
Red is a protagonist in _This Is How You Lose the Time War_. Initially an antagonist to Blue, Red works for the Agency, a technological society. She is logical, verbose, technical, intelligent, and awkward, with a deep sense of duty. Over time, her interactions with Blue soften her perspective and lead her to question her blind faith in her cause, demonstrating growth and autonomy.

- This Is How You Lose the Time War received the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novella in 2020, showcasing its high regard within the science fiction community.
- The book was a collaborative effort between Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, who developed the story by exchanging letters to each other over the course of several years.
- This Is How You Lose the Time War blends romantic and science fiction elements, creating a unique narrative style that has been praised for its lyrical and poetic prose.

Amal El-Mohtar

Max Gladstone

Adult

Novella

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

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This Is How You Lose the Time War Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

This Is How You Lose the Time War Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 6-10

This Is How You Lose the Time War Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-15

This Is How You Lose the Time War Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 16-20

This Is How You Lose the Time War Chapters 16-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-25

This Is How You Lose the Time War Chapters 21-25 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

This Is How You Lose the Time War Character Analysis

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Themes

This Is How You Lose the Time War Themes

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This Is How You Lose the Time War Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

This Is How You Lose the Time War Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

This Is How You Lose the Time War Essay Topics

This Is How You Lose the Time War

Before You Read

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