The prose is purple, the imagery overripe; and the book is a bore, with no fruit-of-knowledge in sight. The characters, red and blue, are simple as their colours, predictable as the growth of flowers from bulbs. There is little satisfaction in their conclusion. The world is not built, wildflowers of interest and technology are skimmed, and the authors are deeply afraid to dive into the fresh pool of science-fiction plot. This is a book not great, and yet - at least it does not last so long to vex one too badly (also, I admit I am unfair, for I rate Time War higher - for I am moved by things which in quality are Sapphic).
Rating of the stars: Two fusion objects out of Five
PS: I wish it had gone more into the time travel rather than being no more than a normal spy romance story with a sci-fi fluff setting. Science-Fiction should focus on the science, or otherwise what's the point?