Book Review: Loki Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee

I like comic books. I like movies based off comic books. But I’m always hesitant about book adaptations about comic characters. Something gets lost between the glossary panels and silver screen scenes and the written text. I didn’t have high expectations when I picked up Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee. I had no doubt Mackenzi would write a good story, but I wasn’t sure how a story about Loki would translate as a book. Fortunately, it was much better than I expected.

After Loki and Amora, Asgard’s sorceress-in-training, destroy a prized Asgardian relics, Amora is banished to earth. Devastated, Loki slips further into the shadow of his older brother, Thor. Until a string of mysterious murders caused by magic on Migard (aka Earth) catch Odin’s attention and he sends Loki to investigate the issue. As Loki embarks on an adventure in nineteenth-century London, he discovers more than just a murder suspect, but who he is supposed to be. 

Between Loki’s mischief and his “adventure” in turn of the century England, Loki: Where Mischief Lies is a fun book. While it wasn’t exactly what I expected from a book about Loki, Mackenzi Lee did a great job blending Marvel with historical fiction for a fun and clever mystery.

The best parts of the book are Loki’s sass and wit and the characters. So many times, I found myself laughing out loud as I read the dialogue because it was so on point. I love how Mackenzi chose to show Loki and Thor’s relationship. While it’s unbalanced as always, there is an underlying hint of a stronger bond than either of them would ever admit. The characters Loki meets while on Migard are great, too, especially Mrs. S. I love that she wears pants and does what, at the time, was considered jobs for men. She was awesome, providing the perfect amount of feminist themes.

The only aspect I didn’t like was the last chapter. I don’t want to include spoilers, but I felt like the ending could have been different. I understand that Loki is usually considered a Marvel villain and if this book is canon to the movies, this is the start of when Loki starts making bad choices that lead to his villainy. But for a character who is known as being clever and trickster-y, I felt Loki didn’t even try to defend himself or his actions when it could have been easily explained and still be the truth.

Overall, Loki: Where Mischief Lies is a fun adaptation of a favorite Marvel character. It has a good blend of genres and includes a cast of diverse characters, including Loki himself. Fans of Loki or other comic book adaptations are sure to enjoy this book.

~I checked out a copy of Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee from my local library and chose to write this review. All opinions are my own.~

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