Happy Fantasy Friday, friends! It’s that magical time of the week where we dive into worlds filled with epic quests, fierce heroines, mythical creatures, and just the right touch of danger. Whether you’re here for sweeping sagas or character-driven tales with a dash of the fantastical, this space is all about celebrating the stories that whisk us away from the ordinary. Let’s see where the genre has taken me this week!
Title: What If... Loki Was Worthy?
By: Madeline Roux
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 320
Release Date: April 2nd, 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:
Loki and Valkyrie seek redemption in the first adventure of an epic new multiversal series that reimagines the origins of iconic Marvel heroes.
So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have I watched the trickster god sow chaos. But . . . what if Loki saved Asgard from Tony Stark’s revenge?
Thor—Son of Odin, God of Thunder, wielder of the hammer Mjolnir—is dead. And Loki is responsible.
It was only meant to be a joke—tampering with the Destroyer, changing Thor’s course to Midgard—a bit of mischief with a chance of maiming. But Loki’s harmless prank spiraled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. The city was saved, but at the cost of Thor’s life.
Furious and heartbroken, the All-Father banishes Loki to Earth for his crime. Loki finds himself in a realm of boxed wine, instant noodles, and some sort of regional performance troupe known as the “Buffalo Bills.” It’s a meager existence, far from Asgard’s grand courts, but he finds his new friend, Brian the Gecko, a much more engaging companion than the sycophants back home. A true meeting of the minds. Loki is the God of Mischief—but he knows, deep down, that he never truly deserved to stand next to their father’s golden child Thor, as two true sons of Odin.
Yet, he cannot even endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie—Hel-bent on carrying out her oath to Thor—barges into his trailer-home with his brother’s final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr. Jane Foster and pass on Mjolnir to its rightful heir.
While Loki struggles to fulfil his brother’s last request, the far-reaching consequences of his fatal prank return to haunt him. Blinded by grief from those he lost in the chaos wrought by Asgard, Iron Man vows revenge on those who consider themselves gods. Determined to protect the Earth from the might of this unpredictable alien power, he forges Asgard’s own weaponry into a lethal suit of armor, set on eradicating any tether between their worlds. Consequences be damned. When Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy?
Review:
What If... Loki Was Worthy? by Madeleine Roux is a brilliantly imagined and emotionally resonant twist on the God of Mischief’s story. Roux masterfully explores a version of Loki who chooses a different path—one shaped by compassion, growth, and the desire to become more than the villain he’s always expected to be. The writing is sharp and cinematic, the pacing tight, and the character work absolutely stellar. It’s a powerful blend of action, heart, and redemption that not only honors the Marvel universe but elevates it. A must-read for fans who’ve ever wished for a second chance for Loki—this one delivers it beautifully.
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