This Is How You Lose the Time War: ARC Mini Review

book review

 

36516585._SX318_.jpgTitle: This Is How You Lose the Time War
Author: Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Genre: LGBT Science Fiction/Fantasy
Publication Date: July 16th, 2019

Arc was provided by publisher through a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

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Synopsis: “Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.

And 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.

Except discovery of their bond would be death for each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war. That’s how war works. Right?” (Goodreads)

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My Review:

This was a very quick read and the writing style was different and one that I haven’t come across yet. Although it was unique, I’m not sure that I liked it all that well.

The book has two point of views, Red and Blue. They are both on opposite sides of the war and so their communication is done through letters. The letters were interesting to read and in the beginning were filled with banter. As the book progresses, their relationship dynamic changes and so the feelings in the letters change as well. There are also small little chapters of them seeing each other in different time periods which was pretty interesting.

Overall, the book is more poetic/centered around a relationship than I would have liked which I think takes away from the sci-fi aspect, at least for me anyways. Either way it was still a decent read!

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Arc Review: The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried by Shaun David Hutchinson

Title: The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried
Author: Shaun David Hutchinson
Publication Date: February 19th, 2019
Rating: 2 stars

eARC provided by publisher through NetGalley

->Click for Synopsis<-

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried follows Dino who’s family owns a funeral home and as a result he has to take care of an ex-best friend named July who died recently. Although she is supposed to be dead, weird things begin to happen and now that she is up and moving no one is dying like they should.

The cover and synopsis pulled me in but the story fell short. Although the plot was interesting and unique, the characters were flat and the friendship between Dino and July didn’t really seem like much since they hadn’t been friends for awhile and seemed to have moved on before her death. I am sure the author had a point in a lot of the death talk since their was a significant scene but it was lost since I felt no connection towards the characters.

The book is also filled with a lot of fart jokes, rotting flesh smells, and just weird disgusting things decaying bodies do. I am sure others would find these things to be hilarious but I am not one of those people.

It may have fallen short in numerous areas but the relationship between Rafi and Dino was cute even if their characters lacked a bit of development. Overall, it just wasn’t for me but I am sure others will love what this book offers.