This is the first of three young adult novels from New York Times best-selling author Mackenzi Lee that explores the untapped potential and duality of heroism of popular characters in the Marvel Universe.Before the days of going toe-to-toe with the Avengers, a younger Loki is desperate to prove himself heroic and capable, while it seems everyone around him suspects him of inevitable villainy and depravity . . . except for Amora. Asgard’s resident sorceress-in-training feels like a kindred spirit-someone who values magic and knowledge, who might even see the best in him.But when Loki and Amora cause the destruction of one of Asgard’s most prized possessions, Amora is banished to Earth, where her powers will slowly and excruciatingly fade to nothing. Without the only person who ever looked at his magic as a gift instead of a threat, Loki slips further into anguish and the shadow of his universally adored brother, Thor.When Asgardian magic is detected in relation to a string of mysterious murders on Earth, Odin sends Loki to investigate. As he descends upon nineteenth-century London, Loki embarks on a journey that leads him to more than just a murder suspect, putting him on a path to discover the source of his power-and who he’s meant to be.
In this week’s review I’ll be covering the audiobook Marvel’s Loki: Where Mischief Lies by best-selling author Mackenzi Lee and published by Penguin Random House.
By now, most of our readers are familiar with Loki, The God of Mischief, and his brother Thor, The God of Thunder, and their strained relationship. In this story, we find young Loki and Thor on assignment for the All Father. When things don’t go so well, Loki comes up with a plan to fix things but the two of them end up prisoners and make a mess of relations with the dark elves. Needless to say Odin is none too happy and has to send someone to bring them home.
Once back in Asgard, Odin confronts his sons about their ability to handle the assignment given to them and Loki admits the plan was his. Odin is pleased at Loki’s admission of guilt, but upset by his way of doing things. Then, Loki follows this up by destroying a prized, magical artifact with the help of his friend Amora. This causes Amora to be banished to Midgard, where there is no magic, for the rest of her life.
Without Amora to encourage him, Loki becomes more anguished about walking in the shadow of his seemingly perfect brother. That is until Asgardian magic is discovered to be causing the deaths of Asgardians. As part of his punishment, Odin sends Loki to investigate and tells him not to return until he has helped the Midgardians find the cause and stop it. Loki is then transported to nineteenth century London where he begins to find out who he really is and what is the causing the deaths.
I found the story interesting. We got to see a bit of why Loki is the Loki we know in the comic books and the MCU. The story shows more than just the superficial, “I hate my brother because father likes him better.” It also allows you to see how and why Loki has decided not to deny who he really is and chose to use magic and guile instead of brawn.
All in all, it was entertaining. I give “Loki: Where Mischief Lies” 3.5 out of 5 Stars.
