TITLE:  This Is How You Lose the Time War

AUTHORS:  Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

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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."

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REVIEW:

This is a beautifully written semi-epistolary novella, with an interesting concept, novel world building and quirky characters. I loved how the characters developed together. This novella reminded me a bit of Patricia McKillip's The Riddle Master of Hed trilogy, while at the same time being completely different. Maybe it was the writing style?

Wow ! Just Wow! Where to start ? I was on pins and needles the entire time reading this story. Omg ! was this story really good it kept me on edge the entire time I was reading it.The subject matter was dark and intense and the plot engaging and suspenseful and full of twists and turns and emotional pain and was this story and emotional one.I don't know what to say other than that this story drew you right in from the very beginning and kept you there to the very bitter end.This story definitely one that touched on the readers emotions as you felt the pain of these two main characters and their struggles.

Cosima was a character who was beautiful and loving and strong and determined and lost and trying to find her a path in a new life that she created for herself but, one thing she has never been able to conquer is her feelings for her master/husband Alexander and it is only something he can provide for her and her happiness depends on it.

Alexander was one dark and dangerous man but, he was also smart and cunning and Cosmia is the only person who has ever made him feel anything close to being human and he will do everything and anything to protect her and own her body and soul to the bitter end. If I am being honest this man scared that crap out of me.

Overall we loved the story from being to end.The story had amazing characters and there was never a dull moment.The story was very dark and intense and not one for the faint of heart and one for only the open minded because it is very dark and the bdsm to the extreme that is full of pleasure and pain and only one a master and slave will ever understand the depths of emotions and pleasures this kind of relationship brings but, it is one that both parties need to embrace the dark in order to be happy. Cosmia life will be always be controlled by Alexander and his dominate nature and as she is carving out a new life for herself through sheer work determination she needs to make a choice to place herself fully in the hands of the dark and dangerous lord because once she does she will be forever owned and nothing but death with ever separate them again.....

One Enthralling read and Miss Darling is a master storyteller for sure and we have thoroughly enjoyed everything we and read from her so far and this story yet, again an was and amazing read for us !