Loki: Where Mischief Lies by Mackenzi Lee
Published by Disney USA
 
AS fans of Marvel know, there has been a glut of announcements heralding upcoming shows, including one about a new tv series based around the character of Loki. 

It was because of this I set out to discover Marvel’s series of Young Adult books, and Where Mischief Lies, especially as it one focuses on this very character. 

It was a decision helped by the fact it was written by Mackenzi Lee, author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue and subsequent books that I loved last year. As someone whose prior novels still hold a place in my heart – and on my bookshelves – anything with her name on it immediately sparks my interest, particularly where the story is about my favourite Marvel character and possibly my favourite anti-hero of all time. 

The type of character Loki is can only be described as morally grey but it’s rare for a character such as this to get a chance to shine, to have a story told from his perspective rather than as a difficult but humorous side character. 

Loki: Where Mischief Lies really takes the time and effort to delve into this character in a way I have never seen done before. 

The time it focuses on is long before the events of the main storyline of him or his brother Thor and takes place when he’s a teenager, which not only makes it more relatable to the audience it is aimed at but does a service to the character and plot. 

From a young age Loki has been aware that all of his life and all that he does is part of a competition against his brother to one day be named King of Asgard in place of their father Odin. 

However, Thor has always been everyone’s favourite to win in this. Loki is a sorcerer, and though magic has its place in this world, when it comes to positions of real power all the prior kings have been warriors, such as his dad and brother. 

From knowing this Loki has developed a sense of inadequacy, the feeling of being an outsider and the need to suppress something he was born with and learn to change. 

The real turning point in the first part of the story is when Odin looks into a ceremonial mirror for telling the irrefutable future and sees one of his sons leading an army against Asgard. 

After eavesdropping on a discussion about this, Loki has a sense this vision was of him and not his loyal, golden brother and must come to terms with what that could mean.

From this one, defining moment the story spins out into an adventure including magic, murder and nineteenth century London with the question of who Loki is – and may turn out to be – always at the back of his mind. 

This is an incredible book that mixes the traditional action and superhero genre with identity, romance, family and what it really means to be good or evil.