Author: Mackenzi Lee
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
Publisher: Marvel Press
Pages: 416
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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.
I have never read a movie or comic tie-in book in my life, at least that I can remember. I know a lot of people enjoy the recently published DC novels, but I have always been skeptical of them. Then I saw Loki on the cover of a book and that trend was destined to change. I am a massive Marvel fan and fan of Loki in particular, so this immediately shot to the top of my TBR list.
This book begins with Loki on Asgard and struggling with his magic in a family that doesn't welcome it. Odin doesn't allow Loki to master his skill and instead regards his magic as a threat, but Loki sees hope in Amora, Asgard's sorceress-in-training. The two predictably get into mischief, though, resulting in Amora's banishment to Earth to die a slow, human death. Later, Loki is sent there against his will to investigate magic that has been detected and more shenanigans ensue.
I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did! Loki is such a fantastic character, but I was hesitant to get more of his backstory. Mackenzi Lee did such an amazing job weaving this tale and tying it into the current MCU Loki that I fell even more in love. It was strange to see him as an insecure teenager unsure of his abilities and watching him grow into the arrogant villain we all know and love made him so much more relatable.
All of the relationships in this book were so well written. The banter back and forth between Thor and Loki was exactly what you'd expect and I loved the new level it brought to their sibling rivalry. It was also interesting to get even more insight into Loki's relationship with Odin. It has always been obvious that Loki didn't feel he lived up to his father's expectations, but it was eye opening seeing that from his point of view as a younger character. There was also a bit of romance in this story and I LOVED it! I won't say anything more about it so as not to give anything away, but it was so nice to see such a beloved character get a moment of happiness.
The ending of Loki: Where Mischief Lies seemed to lead straight into the MCU stories we already know, which I thought was a really nice touch. I loved how this book took a character everyone already loves and brought a new level of understanding to why he is who he is. I really can't wait to read the next instalment in this series whether it continues Loki's story or moves onto a new character. If you're a Marvel fan, I definitely recommend grabbing this one as soon as possible!
