Can’t get enough of Loki?

For a God of Mischief (and many other things), Loki has quite a fan base.  People seem to love the rapscallion portrayed on screen by Tom Hiddleston.  Even though for the most part Loki is pretty cavalier about humanity and pretty much looks down his nose at everyone, there’s something appealing about the character to many people.  That fan base is only sure to grow as people read Mackenzi Lee’s novel, Loki: Where Mischief Lies.

Not only is Mackenzi a talented writer who showcases Loki’s dry wit and sarcastic humor in a multitude of enjoyable ways, but she gives real depth to the Asgardian most commonly known as “Thor’s brother” (and how much he hates that moniker).  She paints a delicate balance between Loki the misunderstood child of Odin who simply wants his father’s acceptance and Loki who can be malicious when he wants to be.  She paints such a rich portrait of Loki’s life that its easy to feel empathy for an Asgardian who doesn’t fit into social norms and just wants to be appreciated for what he has to offer without being discounted for not being what is “expected.”

But this isn’t just a book about Asgard.  In fact, some of the most telling and interesting parts of the novel are when Loki is stuck on Midgard (Earth to you and me).  We find out the limitations of magic, how it can be manipulated, what life is like on Asgard in comparison, and probably the most interesting aspect, a murder mystery, magically dead bodies, and a secret society!  All the components of an intriguing tale.

More importantly, this book is about Loki.  Mackenzi does a masterful job of artfully portraying Loki’s gender fluidity (literally and figuratively) and how that compares to the more rigid interpretations of sexuality on Earth, especially during the time the book is set.  It is such a well told story about not fitting in and what affects it has on a person when people presuppose things about who you are.  You don’t need to be a fan of Marvel or the MCU or have seen the films to appreciate this wonderful story.  It is indeed masterfully written.  Technically a YA book, don’t let that stop you.  This is a great book for everyone.

Title: Loki: Where Mischief Lies
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Cost: $17.99
Age: 12-18 (but really for anyone)
Publisher: Marvel Press
Genre: Young Adult, Avengers, Thor

• Thank you to Disney / Marvel Press for sharing a copy of the book with me for review!