Bonus Book June 2025: This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant 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, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.
Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war.
Book Club Questions
Thematic & Literary Questions
How does the book explore the concept of time? Did it feel more like science fiction or fantasy in its treatment of time travel?
What role does language and writing play in the development of Red and Blue’s relationship? How would their connection have changed if they communicated differently?
The novella is told almost entirely through letters—did you find this epistolary format effective or limiting? Why?
How do the philosophies of the Garden and the Agency reflect real-world ideologies or systems? Which felt more relatable or utopian to you?
The story is often described as “poetic” or “lyrical.” Did the prose style deepen your immersion—or did it ever get in the way of understanding the plot?
Character & Relationship Questions
When do you think Red and Blue truly fall in love? Is there a turning point that changed their relationship from rivalry to romance?
How do Red and Blue evolve over the course of the book? Which character’s arc resonated more with you?
Did their romance feel believable to you, despite the high-concept setting and abstract world-building? Why or why not?
How do Red and Blue subvert the classic 'star-crossed lovers' trope—and how do they embrace it?
If this story was told from a third-person perspective or from one character’s POV only, how might it change the emotional tone or impact?
World-Building & Genre Questions
How well did you feel the world(s) were built, considering how little exposition is given? Did you want more, or did the ambiguity work?
What do you think the authors are saying about fate versus free will? How does that play out in both Red and Blue's missions and choices?
This book exists at the intersection of science fiction and fantasy—how did that genre blending affect your expectations and enjoyment?
If this story were to be adapted into a film or limited series, what style or director would you want attached? What challenges would an adaptation face?
How did the book challenge your ideas of conflict, morality, and identity in speculative fiction? Would you recommend it to a reader new to sci-fi/fantasy?
