Just Arrived: “The Gospel Of Loki” by Joanne Harris
Well, I haven’t done one of these for a while, since 29 August 2013 to be exact, but am very pleased to add Joanne Harris’s The Gospel Of Loki to the TBR table.
I know Harris as a magic realist writer, commencing with Chocolate and Blackberry Wine but didn’t make the transition to her kids’ Fantasy novels (Runemarks) so am looking forward to doing so with her first Fantasy work for adults.
As the title clearly hints, it’s a retelling of the Norse myth cycle from the point of view of that old trickster, Loki — and since the Norse myths are longtime favourites of mine, and the anti-hero merging to outright villain is trademark Harris, I am looking forward to the read with considerable interest.
First though, I have to finish my own current work-in-progress, Daughter Of Blood, so in the meantime, here’s the backcover blurb:
“With his notorious reputation for trickery and deception, and an ability to cause as many problems as he solves, Loki is a Norse god like no other. Demon-born, he is viewed with deepest suspicion by his fellow gods who will never accept him as one of their own and for this he vows to take his revenge.
But while Loki is planning the downfall of Asgard and the humiliation of his tormentors, greater powers are conspiring against the gods and a battle is brewing that will change the fate of the Worlds.
From his recruitment by Odin from the realm of Chaos, through his years as the go-to man of Asgard, to his fall from grace in the build-up to Ragnarok, this is the unofficial history of the world’s ultimate trickster.”
Also, I have to say, the cover is absolutely gorgeous with a detail and texture the accompanying image really doesn’t do justice. I think you have to see the hardcopy version for yourself.
Thanks for letting the readers know about this book. You are right – the cover is eye-catching and gorgeous. I saw it at Whitcoulls and just had to pick it up and skim read a few pages.
I have finished reading it now, and was not disappointed. It is a good read. I suspect there will be a sequel.
Odd thing was I kept seeing Loki from the “Thor” movies every time I read it, even though the book-Loki has red hair, while movie-Loki had dark hair.
I “think’ that traditionally Loki had red hair, because ‘of course’ he was/is a fire god, something Diana Wynne Jones brings out really well in “Eight Days Of Luke.”
I haven’t read LOKI yet, mainly because I’ve been too busy re-reading my own books for series’ continuity reasons and don’t want to get sandbagged by anything new before that’s done. I’m glad you enjoyed it though: Joanne Harris is a consistently good writer so I figured LOKI would be well done.