Lyra Wolf

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: That Good Mischief

Thank you to Lyra Wolf for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

Banished from Asgard, Loki has settled down in California to live out his days with Sigyn by his side. As she attends school to become a doctor, he enjoys life lounging in the sun and causing mischief for those who cross the line. But when Sigyn comes home and collapses, causing a surge of dark magic, Loki suddenly finds his happily ever after on pause. Surtur is trying to break free, and if he does, not only will Loki lose Sigyn, but the very world will be destroyed. There is only one God with the knowledge and power to help, but it means ripping open old wounds and facing down past demons.

Loki is a character I will never tire of reading about. Especially the one portrayed in The Nine Worlds Rising series. Loki is a character who uses sarcastic humor and wits to arm himself against whatever emotionally comes his way. He’s quick to outthink the best of the Gods and cause mischief among them, but all for what he views as the better cause. The amount of ridicule he has to endure for being different is heartbreaking. But he refuses to back down, despite the continued abuse he endures from the Gods and their devious ways. Loki is a beautifully complicated character to follow.

Lyra Wolf isn’t afraid to show the messy and difficult parts of love. As some of Loki’s past deeds come to light, Sigyn must come to terms with his actions. And while their arguments may be full of anger and resentment, there is also a desire to understand one another. I appreciate that Sigyn thinks through all the angles and tries to see through Loki’s eyes. She doesn't assume and make immediate judgments. And any actions she does take that are born of anger she analyzes and tries to find the root of her feelings. Such complex emotions pull the reader in, allowing them to engage with the characters on a whole new level.

But the past doesn’t just haunt Loki’s current relationship. Embarking on a quest with Odin means he will have to relive the tender moments they once shared. It doesn’t help that Odin constantly brings up old buried memories. Ones that at the time were wonderful and fulfilling, but now bring a shadow of regret and disappointment. Loki is fully focused on making his current relationship with Sigyn work, despite the many challenges they have faced. His passion for their love is so strong, that he will do anything to see Sigyn safe. Even if it means confronting his unresolved feelings for Odin and the love they once shared.

That Good Mischief is a fast-paced and nail-biting ride as Loki races to save Sigyn. Surtur won’t go down without a fight and Loki must also contend with the spiteful anger of the Gods standing in his way. I enjoyed every minute of Loki’s sarcastic humor and determination to save Sigyn. I cannot wait for the next book!… (meer)

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Order of Chaos

For centuries Loki was locked away, tortured, and bound by magic. And for centuries he plotted the downfall of the Gods, the destruction of all, Ragnarok. When Loki is finally released, sparking the apocalypse is the first on his to-do list. But as the chaotic energy of Ragnarok lures him into beginning the world’s destruction, Odin reveals the one thing that could stop Loki. The only problem? Ragnarok has already been unleashed.

The characters in this series are so alluring and unique. Though based on the Gods and Goddesses of Norse mythology, Lyra Wolf has breathed new life into them. This time around the children of Loki are brought to the forefront of the story. Watching Loki attempt a fatherly role, while also maintaining his steadfast attitude was entertaining, to say the least. Each time Loki navigated a new relationship he tested the boundaries, almost to the breaking point. And of course, he made assumptions and choices that were in his best interest, while steadfastly believing it was for the other party's own good. I love this complexity about his character, how he ultimately thinks he is doing the right thing based on his beliefs, yet ends up making mistakes along the way.

And of course, there are smart-aleck quips and mischief abound in this novel as Loki navigates the treacherous calling of Ragnarok. While the humor may not have been as vibrant in this second novel, it still serves a key purpose. With all the seriousness of Ragnarok and even an army of dead marching on the world, Loki’s words and wit break up the gloom and doom of the moment. It also contributes to the novel being a fast-paced and enjoyable read. While I read books that lean on the more serious side, The Order of Chaos stays poised in a perfect balance between light and dark tones.

The characters in The Nine Worlds Rising series are such a delight to read. The depth of emotion they feel and the way Lyra Wolf has captured them in words is truly remarkable. While fans of Norse mythology would enjoy this book and series, I highly recommend any fan of the fantasy genre give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.… (meer)

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Thunder, Blood, and Goats

Thank you to Lyra Wolf for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

While Loki isn’t thrilled to be trouncing through deep snow, freezing his toes off hunting a dragon with Thor, it really is for a good cause. If he can slay the beast he’ll be one step closer to proving to the Gods he is more than just a trickster. Yet of course the hunt turns disastrous once Thor’s blundering self mucks it up. Then he’s offered a second chance when the elf Elénaril crosses their paths. Forced to work off a debt to the Gods in Asgard, Elénaril catches Odin’s eye and he’ll do anything to claim her soul.

Lyra Wolf’s interpretation of the Norse Gods is fantastic. Thor is such a bumbling hard head, I can’t help but feel for Loki. Being stuck with someone like Thor in the cold facing down a dragon would drive me crazy. I could picture Loki’s facial expression with each clipped bit of dialogue as he tried to do the best he could. I also appreciated Thor grumbling about the need for a hammer that returns to him. I do hope we experience that adventure in a future short story.

Loki is a fantastic character to follow. He’s manipulative and constantly plotting to put himself in a better light. And while readers may not always agree with his choices, Lyra builds his character in such a way that you can’t help but root him on. And to watch him receive such poor treatment from the Gods just hurts. My heart wants so much more for him.

While it isn’t necessary to read Truth & Other Lies before this novella, I feel like I gained a bit more from the story because I did read it first. The tension between Odin and Loki in the first book of The Nine Worlds Rising has a bit more of an explanation. It also helps put a few more things into perspective from the first book.

If you enjoy Norse mythology, you need to read Lyra Wolf’s books. The Nine Worlds Rising is one of those series I want to read as quickly as possible, yet I also don’t want to run out of books. I have to know what's going to happen.… (meer)

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Truth & Other Lies

While Loki may be the god of chaos and lies, he yearns for some semblance of trust and belonging among his fellow gods. Even if that means he must manipulate situations in his favor. Yet despite all he does, Loki is constantly treated as an outsider and scorned. Little does he know a prophecy stands between them. Then Loki encounters Sigyn, a woman whose power of fidelity is fit for a god. Enchanted by her, Loki can’t stay away. And as he pursues Sigyn, weaving his way into her life, he moves closer and closer to the prophecy. A long-buried truth will surface, and Loki finds that he will do anything to stay by Sigyn’s side.

At his core, Loki is such a complex character, to begin with, and the way Lyra Wolf portrayed him was done exceptionally well. From the start, readers are introduced to the family dynamic between the gods and it is tenuous at best. Witnessing the utter detachment the gods have towards Loki and the scorn they inflict on him, it's no wonder he causes mischief and chaos. Yes, he does cause some of it with his actions, but there is a deeper reason they all scorn him. One that will unfold as the story progresses.

Loki is a wonderfully moral grey character. Readers will understand his actions, even if they do not always agree with them. There were times Loki thought his idea was the only good way to solve a problem and it would leave you at the edge of your seat waiting for the inevitable fallout. It was endearing to watch him weave his way into Sigyn’s life, taking small steps to build trust even if some things he did were backhanded. It was also a bittersweet reminder of what he couldn’t achieve with the gods.

I listened to the audiobook of Truth & Other Lies and Casey Eade did a fantastic job narrating. Her voice breathed life into the characters and added to the overall tone and emotion of the story. The depth of range Casey Eade has is phenomenal. Each new character had a new accent and a new voice. No two characters sounded alike and their voices were consistent throughout the entire audiobook. It truly brought another level of entertainment to the story.

Truth & Other Lies is a book that left me craving more. I have to continue this story and know where it goes. The characters are so well done, the story so involved and emotional, I just can’t get enough of it!… (meer)