(RUNEMARKS 0.5): THE GOSPEL OF LOKI.

THE GOSPEL OF LOKI by JOANNE M HARRIS.

With his notorious reputation for trickery and deception, 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.

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.

- Back cover Blurb

OK. Stop. Stop right there.

- First Sentence, Foreword

We travelled for days; Odin morose; Honir talking constantly - about the scenery, the sheep in the fields, the funny dream he'd had last night, speculating on whether we were there yet, how many leagues we must have travelled, or how long it was to lunchtime ....

- Memorable Moment, page 88

SOURCE ... A present from Mr T.

READ FOR ... Not applicable.

MY THOUGHTS ... First things first - the cover. Certain aspects picked out in gold foil (not that you can necessarily see it by looking at this image), I know, never judge a book by its cover but I hoped I was going to like the book as much as I did its cover.

0.5 of a series. 0.5? I ask you? But then it gets better ... before books 1 and 2 (Runemarks and Runelight respectively) which are marketed at a younger audience altogether, we have 0.6 (The Temptation of Loki). 

Anyway, 

Largely regarded as an 'adult spin-off (the first of Harris' Norse books for adults) and a prequel, which can be read as a stand alone book'. Whilst there are those out there who knowing their Norse mythology as they do will probably despair at the author's interpretation. For myself I really enjoyed The Gospel Of Loki with its ...

• Creation story
• Mighty ash, Yggdrasil 
• Nine worlds
• Cast of characters, some like Loki and Odin well known, others like Balder the Beautiful and Loki's off-spring Hel and Fenris perhaps lesser so.

Yes, its all here in this gloriously unpredictable and humorous account narrated by Loki himself no less. His language contemporary, something which will either work for you or not.

The original anti-hero, Loki makes no apologies for who or what he is. I don't usually go for the 'bad boy' but a fascinating character, like an onion, un-peel him and you'll find another layer. Then again, better people than me have been taken in by his charm.

One of those books on my Wish List for a long time. Am I glad I finally got to read it? You bet I am. What would I say to those who know there mythology and are wondering about reading it but are worried they might not like it? Go ahead, try to put aside what you think you know about Loki and co and go with the flow. After all, at worst you can come away justified that you were right all along and at best? Who knows, you might actually even enjoy it for the fun read that it is.