Science Fiction Annotation
Title: This Is How You Lose the Time War
Genre: Science Fiction
Publication Date: July 16, 2019
Number of Pages: 198 pages
Geographical Setting and Time Period: The story takes place across multiple universes and in the past, present, and future.
Series: n/a
Plot Summary: The story follows Red and Blue, two opposing agents in an expansive time war. Red belongs to the Agency and Blue to the Garden. Both characters are described as beyond human but both identify as women. Red finds a letter titled "Burn Before Reading" on the battlefield after a victory. This letter is from Blue and thus begins Red and Blue's correspondence that transcends time and space.
The letters between Red and Blue detail their journey from enemies to lovers while weaving an intricate storyline of time travel, betrayal, loyalty, and of course, love.
Subject Headings:
The subject headings on Novelist include:
- Space and time
- Romantic love
- Enemies
- Letter writing
- Time travel
- High technology
- Secrets
Appeal:
Setting
This novella is under 200 pages but the authors still manage to build an intricate world that includes time wars, opposing factions, and time travel. The setting often changes throughout the story but the authors provide elaborate details that paint a vivid picture. In one chapter, Blue describes London as, "the kind of London other Londons dream: sepia tinted, skies strung with dirigibles, the viciousness of empire acknowledged only as a rosy backdrop glow redolent of spice and petalled sugar," (p. 55). These descriptions throughout the novella help immerse readers into this beautiful, detailed world.
Writing Style
The writing in This Is How You Lose the Time War is intricate and complex but is also lyrical and romantic. This writing style will appeal to a variety of readers from long-time fans of science fiction to those who enjoy beautiful prose.
Characters
Red and Blue are enemies in an expansive war but against all the odds, they find love and acceptance through each other. Readers will find themselves rooting for these two characters until the very last page.
3 terms that best describe this book: emotional, romantic, and intricate
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works
Time Travel: A History by James Gleick
Common Appeal: an exploration of time travel
Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity by Carlo Rovelli
Common Appeal: explores space and time through the lens of physics
The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality by Brian Greene
Common Appeals: explores the concept of space and time through the lens of string theory
3 Relevant Fiction Works
Time Was by Ian McDonald
An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim
This book keeps popping up everywhere! I think it's a sign I have to read it! Excellent annotation! Your summary and appeals are very well written. Keep it up!
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