by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
Published 2019
WINNER OF Hugo Award for Best Novella Nebula Award for Best Novella Reddit Stabby Award for Best Novella British Science Fiction Association Award for Best Novella SHORTLISTED FOR 2020 Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award The Ray Bradbury Prize Kitschies Red Tentacle Award Kitschies Inky Tentacle Brave New Words Award Co-written by two award-winning writers, This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epic love story spanning time and space. 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. That's how war works. Right? 'A fireworks display from two very talented storytellers' Madeline Miller, author of Circe 'An intimate and lyrical tour of time, myth and history' John Scalzi, bestselling author of Old Man's War 'Lyrical and vivid and bittersweet' Ann Leckie, Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice 'Rich and strange, a romantic tour through all of time and the multiverse' Martha Wells, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of The Murderbot Diaries
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
Canadian · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Sophia's blend of calm warmth and quiet intensity perfectly captures the lyrical and bittersweet nature of the narrative, with emotional depth for the time-spanning love story.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Character-Voice · Storytelling · Warm · Soft · +3 more
“This voice offers a smooth, theatrical quality that balances warmth and mystery, ideal for conveying the epic scope and dramatic undertones of the story.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Kira's articulate and grounded presence, with a steady cadence and smooth alto register, provides a measured yet expressive foundation for the narrator's intimate and lyrical delivery.”
New York · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Deep
“Fernanda's calm, deep, and mysterious tone, with its rich, resonant quality, is well-suited for drawing listeners into the intricate and enigmatic elements of the Time War.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Soft · Calm · Gentle · +3 more
“The meditative and intimate quality of Selene's voice brings a soft, gentle texture that can beautifully convey the more vulnerable and personal aspects of the love story.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
One of the two rival agents, initially sharp and taunting, evolving into a voice capable of profound intimacy and passion.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Blair's warm, clear, and emotionally grounded voice, with its ability to shift between intensity and empowerment, perfectly embodies Red's initial sharp taunting and evolving passion.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Kitten Kaley Rose's cool, passionate, and energetic tone captures Red's confident and dramatic presence, ideal for her crisp and energetic dialogue.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“Lauren's smooth and intense voice is designed to draw listeners into dark stories, making it a strong fit for Red's initially sharp and dramatic persona, building towards profound intimacy.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Intense
“Clarice offers a bold and expressive voice that builds tension, suiting Red's dramatic flair and intense character, especially as she engages in the 'war' aspects.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Modulated
“Veda Sky's haunting and intense tone provides a captivating quality for Red, particularly in moments of dramatic revelation or when her actions carry significant weight.”
The other rival agent, responding with wit and depth, whose voice grows from cautious to deeply affectionate and vulnerable.
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Mina's gentle, soft, and serene voice, with its calm, steady presence and smooth delivery, is an excellent match for Blue's thoughtful and measured nature, evolving into deep affection.”
American · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Jasmine's warm, kind, and conversational tone, with a natural storytelling quality, perfectly suits Blue's evolving vulnerability and intimate responses.”
Female · Young · Conversational · Soft · Warm · Intimate · +3 more
“Alle's soft and warm young female voice, with an intimate and relaxed tone, can beautifully portray Blue's cautious beginnings and eventual deep affection.”
Nigerian · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Temitope's warm, gentle, and calm voice, with clear articulation and a pleasant rhythm, provides a thoughtful and reassuring presence for Blue's character arc.”
Indian · Young · Female · Narrative Story · Meditative
“Diya's warm, highly expressive Indian accent and soft, trustworthy quality offer a nuanced and emotionally engaging texture for Blue's intimate and vulnerable moments.”