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I Bring the Fire #1-3.5
I Bring the Fire Boxset
This box set contains the first three installments of I Bring the Fire plus In the Balance.
Wolves
In the middle of America, Amy Lewis is on her way to her grandma's house. She's being chased by a very bad wolf. Galaxies away Loki is waking up in a prison cell, strangely without a hangover, and with no idea what he's done wrong -- this time anyway. But he does know Thor is hiding something, Odin is up to something wicked, and there seems to be something he's forgotten...
In this urban fantasy tale a nice midwestern girl and a jaded, mischievous Loki must join forces to outwit gods, elves, magic sniffing cats, and nosy neighbors. If Loki can remember exactly what he's forgotten and Amy can convince him not to be too distracted by Earthly gadgets, Earthly pleasures, or three day benders, they just might pull it off...
Monsters
After being attacked by a serial killer, saved by Loki — so-called God of Mischief, Lies and Chaos — dragged to Alfheim, losing every cent in her bank account, and caring for her grandmother, Amy Lewis has lost her scholarship to veterinary school. But it’s alright. She has a plan. If she manages to keep her day job as a receptionist, and her night job as a vet tech, she may be able to get her scholarship reinstated and save enough money for the dreaded ‘miscellaneous fees.’
Too bad her day boss is unbearable...
Agent Steve Rogers has political aspirations, but when a suitcase nuke turns out to be something much worse and so-called Norse gods start showing up in his life, he has a priority shift.
Meanwhile, Loki’s priorities and plans haven’t changed at all. He wants Asgard to burn. Of course, earthly pleasures can be so distracting.
These three disparate characters have little in common, but they’ll have to join forces to save earth from trolls, wyrms, frost giant invasions, and an old evil growing beneath Chicago’s streets.
Chaos
In this final installment of the Cera story arc, the noose around Loki’s neck is tightening. Gerðr, the frost giantess, wants him dead; Cera, the World Seed, wants his head—literally and figuratively; the FBI wants him in Guantanamo; and an old friend from Asgard wants to bring him home...whether Loki likes it or not.
Things can’t get any worse, but when Loki’s involved, it’s certain they will. In the third chapter of I Bring the Fire, humanity’s demons are unleashed on the Nine Realms and Amy Lewis and Steve Rogers get front row seats.
Chaos might be their only hope.
In the Balance
Loki, God of Chaos, gave Amy Lewis all his memories, and one request before he saved the universe. “Remember for me.”
Amy knows Loki will find her, one way or another ... eventually. But as the weeks have ticked by she’s lost hope.
Called into the FBI headquarters to identify a magical artifact, she gets the opportunity to find Loki for herself. In doing so, she tips the scales of not one, but two universes, and has to choose for herself what form she wants Chaos to take.
The fate of the Nine Realms is in the balance, and this time it is in Amy’s hands.
***
Discover the urban fantasy series of mythic proportions that readers are calling hilarious and profound. Download this box set today.
Wolves
In the middle of America, Amy Lewis is on her way to her grandma's house. She's being chased by a very bad wolf. Galaxies away Loki is waking up in a prison cell, strangely without a hangover, and with no idea what he's done wrong -- this time anyway. But he does know Thor is hiding something, Odin is up to something wicked, and there seems to be something he's forgotten...
In this urban fantasy tale a nice midwestern girl and a jaded, mischievous Loki must join forces to outwit gods, elves, magic sniffing cats, and nosy neighbors. If Loki can remember exactly what he's forgotten and Amy can convince him not to be too distracted by Earthly gadgets, Earthly pleasures, or three day benders, they just might pull it off...
Monsters
After being attacked by a serial killer, saved by Loki — so-called God of Mischief, Lies and Chaos — dragged to Alfheim, losing every cent in her bank account, and caring for her grandmother, Amy Lewis has lost her scholarship to veterinary school. But it’s alright. She has a plan. If she manages to keep her day job as a receptionist, and her night job as a vet tech, she may be able to get her scholarship reinstated and save enough money for the dreaded ‘miscellaneous fees.’
Too bad her day boss is unbearable...
Agent Steve Rogers has political aspirations, but when a suitcase nuke turns out to be something much worse and so-called Norse gods start showing up in his life, he has a priority shift.
Meanwhile, Loki’s priorities and plans haven’t changed at all. He wants Asgard to burn. Of course, earthly pleasures can be so distracting.
These three disparate characters have little in common, but they’ll have to join forces to save earth from trolls, wyrms, frost giant invasions, and an old evil growing beneath Chicago’s streets.
Chaos
In this final installment of the Cera story arc, the noose around Loki’s neck is tightening. Gerðr, the frost giantess, wants him dead; Cera, the World Seed, wants his head—literally and figuratively; the FBI wants him in Guantanamo; and an old friend from Asgard wants to bring him home...whether Loki likes it or not.
Things can’t get any worse, but when Loki’s involved, it’s certain they will. In the third chapter of I Bring the Fire, humanity’s demons are unleashed on the Nine Realms and Amy Lewis and Steve Rogers get front row seats.
Chaos might be their only hope.
In the Balance
Loki, God of Chaos, gave Amy Lewis all his memories, and one request before he saved the universe. “Remember for me.”
Amy knows Loki will find her, one way or another ... eventually. But as the weeks have ticked by she’s lost hope.
Called into the FBI headquarters to identify a magical artifact, she gets the opportunity to find Loki for herself. In doing so, she tips the scales of not one, but two universes, and has to choose for herself what form she wants Chaos to take.
The fate of the Nine Realms is in the balance, and this time it is in Amy’s hands.
***
Discover the urban fantasy series of mythic proportions that readers are calling hilarious and profound. Download this box set today.
848 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2013
1181 people are currently reading
1508 people want to read
About the author
C. Gockel
67 books572 followersC. Gockel got her start writing fanfiction, and she is not ashamed! Much. She received emails, messages and reviews from her fans telling her she should 'do this professionally'. She didn't; because she is a coward and life as a digital designer, copywriter and coder is more dependable. But in the end, her husband's nagging wore her down: "You could be the next '50 Shades of Gray' and I could retire!" Unfortunately, the author isn't much for writing smut. She is sad about this; she'd love for her husband to be able to retire and just work for her so she could nag him.
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
April 15, 2019
Excellent use of Norse mythology
The weaving of a fictional federal unit investigating magical being and occurrences with the world of Norse mythology is very well done. The story focuses on the interaction between Amy, a veterinarian student, and Loki know for his mischievery, lies and bringing chaos about. Loved the fact that the human retelling of the legends and also movie depiction are constantly "corrected" by an amused Loki but in a way that shows we're never far off from the "truth" happening in Asgard. Also solid plots for the first three volumes. However, could not bring myself to care for the short story "In the balance". It had some interesting elements, but was mostly fluff all things considered.
The weaving of a fictional federal unit investigating magical being and occurrences with the world of Norse mythology is very well done. The story focuses on the interaction between Amy, a veterinarian student, and Loki know for his mischievery, lies and bringing chaos about. Loved the fact that the human retelling of the legends and also movie depiction are constantly "corrected" by an amused Loki but in a way that shows we're never far off from the "truth" happening in Asgard. Also solid plots for the first three volumes. However, could not bring myself to care for the short story "In the balance". It had some interesting elements, but was mostly fluff all things considered.
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December 14, 2017💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/14/2017)! 💝
March 17, 2017
I just couldn't get into it. I don't think the writing appealed to me. That said, quite a few of my friends enjoyed this series alot.
August 22, 2020
Part Three of I Bring The Fire is aptly subtitled Chaos and picks up immediately where Part Two left off. Loki’s intention on taking the mysterious World Seed for himself still burns as bright as ever. He wants to watch Asgard burn and Odin suffer even if he doesn’t quite understand the reason behind it.
Like with the previous books the story is told from a variety of view points. We see various points from Loki’s past, from when he was a child and from when he was an adult. Moments with his first wife Anganboda and his second wife Sigyn, moments with his children; moments that shape him in to the man that he eventually becomes. There are other moments as well, moments that hint to Loki’s true past.
Loki changes the most in this third book and it isn’t always for the best. Throughout the first two books Cera has done untold psychic damage to him and it is in the third book the results are seen. In Part One Loki was a mischievous character but still likable. Part Two saw him as a darker man even while he had his lighter moments.
In Part Three he is almost a completely different person. While not overtly cruel, he is manipulative even to those he purportedly cares about. He is especially this way towards Amy, taking her to Paris and away from the people who have come to rely on her.
It is only when Loki gets what he wants does he realize in doing so he loses everything.
The way Part Three wraps up makes it clear this is not quite the end. This is only a single story arc with other arcs following behind. Readers who were able to make it through Parts One and Two would do well to read Part Three. It wraps a good deal up while leaving plenty for subsequent books to cover.
March 31, 2019
These first 3.5 books in the series were a roller-coaster of action and emotions and did cost me a lot of sleep since I could not put it away.
Amy, a veterinarian student, meets Loki, God of Mischief, who is grieving for his lost sons and seeking revenge on Odin and his brother Thor.
Cera, an entity with endless magical power, is caught on Earth and Loki's way to revenge.
While fighting mystical creatures, FBI, Police and self doubts Amy and Loki build an unlikely team in a page turner that never has a dull moment.
Highly recommended!
This is an omnibus of the first three books (plus a novella) and I recommend to start with this, as Book 1 and 2 have somewhat of a cliffhanger, while book 3 and 3.5 can be put away without anxiety.
Amy, a veterinarian student, meets Loki, God of Mischief, who is grieving for his lost sons and seeking revenge on Odin and his brother Thor.
Cera, an entity with endless magical power, is caught on Earth and Loki's way to revenge.
While fighting mystical creatures, FBI, Police and self doubts Amy and Loki build an unlikely team in a page turner that never has a dull moment.
Highly recommended!
This is an omnibus of the first three books (plus a novella) and I recommend to start with this, as Book 1 and 2 have somewhat of a cliffhanger, while book 3 and 3.5 can be put away without anxiety.
November 26, 2017
Great series. The first trilogy is a freebie on Kindle unlimited - and the whole series is worth the price of buying outright! Really good series, lots of twists and turns. Refreshingly, there are no "scenes to be deleted" and neither does it completely avoid the topic of sex.
What are the powers of the universe? Is chaos good, or evil?
What are the powers of the universe? Is chaos good, or evil?
September 3, 2018
This is a Phenomenal Series! The characters are some of the best filled out characters that I have come across! Starting with characters of mythology, Odin, Loki, Thor, this book gives a story better than the Avengers! It also connects the mythological characters that show up in different countries under different names. I spent a good amount of time becoming familiar with the various mythologies!
There’s a lot of books in this series and I’ve read all the “I Bring the Fire”
books and have discovered 2 “After the Fire” books which I am reading now.
If you are looking for a series you can immerse yourself in, this is the series you want to start with!
There’s a lot of books in this series and I’ve read all the “I Bring the Fire”
books and have discovered 2 “After the Fire” books which I am reading now.
If you are looking for a series you can immerse yourself in, this is the series you want to start with!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2018
Good ole loki
Loved reading these books will have to get the next lot so I can find out how it all goes . It was a group of books I couldn't put down great storyline.
Loved reading these books will have to get the next lot so I can find out how it all goes . It was a group of books I couldn't put down great storyline.
September 20, 2021
Man ļoti patīk viss, kas saistīts ar skandināvu dieviem... Vienalga kāda fikcija tā būtu.. Un, ja vēl ir pietiekami interesanti uzrakstīts, tad es to vienkārši apriju.
Šoreiz atkal stāsts ir par Lokiju, bet nedaudz savādāk, lai arī ne tik savādāk. Ir sajūta, ka paņemts nedaudz no skandināvu mitoloģijas, nedaudz no Marvel komiksiem, pielikts klāt kaut kas no fantāzijas un zinātniskās fantastikas un... Vualā - ļoti cilvēcīgs Lokijs - ar savām vājībām, stiprajām īpašībām, šaubām un pārliecībām...
Bet patiesībā stāsts ir par Eimiju, kuru Lokijs izglābj no sērijveida slepkavas brīdī, kad pašam arī ne visai labi klājas.
Šoreiz atkal stāsts ir par Lokiju, bet nedaudz savādāk, lai arī ne tik savādāk. Ir sajūta, ka paņemts nedaudz no skandināvu mitoloģijas, nedaudz no Marvel komiksiem, pielikts klāt kaut kas no fantāzijas un zinātniskās fantastikas un... Vualā - ļoti cilvēcīgs Lokijs - ar savām vājībām, stiprajām īpašībām, šaubām un pārliecībām...
Bet patiesībā stāsts ir par Eimiju, kuru Lokijs izglābj no sērijveida slepkavas brīdī, kad pašam arī ne visai labi klājas.
November 11, 2017
Fantastic.
Okay, I've read many things about Loki, Thor, Asgard, etc since the movies came out.
But this series has me enthralled.
Starts out with Amy Lewis, mortal, being saved from a murderer, after saying a prayer for someone to save her.
Loki is that God to rescue her and the adventures begin.
The twists and turns are brilliantly disguised, but leave you thinking fantastic!
And I love Mr Squeakers lol.
Okay, I've read many things about Loki, Thor, Asgard, etc since the movies came out.
But this series has me enthralled.
Starts out with Amy Lewis, mortal, being saved from a murderer, after saying a prayer for someone to save her.
Loki is that God to rescue her and the adventures begin.
The twists and turns are brilliantly disguised, but leave you thinking fantastic!
And I love Mr Squeakers lol.
March 7, 2017
Another new author to be added to my list of favourite authors. A great book with a fabulous range of characters. From Odin, Thor, Loki and many others from Asgard, to Amy, her Grandmother, Steve Rogers and other humans. The tales go from one world to another while they fought the entity who wishes to bring the world from chaos to order as per Josef Stalins Russian revolution.
December 11, 2017
I bought this boxed set because I'd come across C. Gockel in a short story anthology and liked the writing and the world.
I've never reviewed a boxed set before. As I just finished the first part, Wolves: I Bring the Fire Part I, I thought I should jot down my thoughts as I go. The first installment in this series definitely is an installment. Veterinarian student Amy Lewis encounters the Aesir Loki, on Midguard/Earth to find information related to saving his sons by Sigyn from the void where Odin sent them in punishment for their democratic politics.
That's alot, isn't it? A strength of this series is that there is a well-crafted world here, where Gockel has taken Norse myths and given them her own tweak. It's particularly cool how Amy and the other humans are constantly comparing Loki to comics-Loki and movie-Loki, etc.
But as I said, this is an installment. There's a lot of learning about some of Loki backstory, a fun jaunt to visit an elf queen with Amy's grandmother, Beatrice, who I adore and am sad is not featured in the second book. And there's a nascent romance between Amy and Loki. This is probably the strangest paranormal romance dance I've ever read-- we keep getting glimpses of Loki's prior loves (Anganboda and Sigyn) and nary a kiss for quite a long time. (In fact this is quite chaste...all the major stuff happens off camera and Loki mostly kisses Amy's hand, knuckles or forehead for the first two books)
And then the book ends. Loki's sons' situation is not resolved. Loki's time on Midgard is not resolved. The romance is not resolved. Amy's fate is left as a cliffhanger. Let me just say I'm glad I got this as a boxed set because if I had bought this as a standalone novel it might have run up against my pet peeve of purposeful, obvious cliffhangers that end a novel without anything at all resolved.
And also its written in the present tense. This might not bother you at all, but it kept tripping my writer-brain awareness which was annoying, but not a deal breaker. My own personal taste for fantasy/UF/Paranormal is not present tense.
The second book veers away from Amy. We get the introduction of Agent Steve Rogers who is part of ADUO, the gov't organization trying to deal with more and more World gates opening in Chicago letting in monsters like wyrms and trolls. We get alot of Loki backstory, and a continuing, teasing dance between Loki and Amy while Amy becomes less an actor in the story and more of a sidekick.
In the third book, Amy almost completely fades away. It's Loki and his quest to control Cera, this sentient powerful magic thingy coupled with bursts of Agent Roger and various other military and police handling monsters. This is still interesting and fun in an action way (plastic explosive laced goat meat!) but I missed Amy. I missed her as an active part of the narrative rather than just a repository for Loki's feelings and Rogers' worry.
The final little short story/novelette at the end of this Box Set (In the Balance) actually brought back Amy to the forefront of the narrative-- which made me like the entire box set more. It also lets her experience "other" Lokis in a multi-world/parallel reality kind of way that was interesting.
The end was abrupt again (this is apparently a thing in this series) and set up more story to come. while I enjoyed this box set, I think I might be done with this series. This is a matter of personal taste, however. I like emotional character arcs that.....end. I like relationships with some sort of closure. There are series that go on and on that I love, but I feel like each novel in those series is a complete story, where this Box set reads more like one really long, marathon novel that got chopped into three pieces. I did read the stand alone (same world) Soul Marked book by this author set in a world after Loki brings on Ragnarok to Chicago and enjoyed it more. Possibly because its a full story in one novel with a conclusion both to the "story problem" and also the main relationship.
Like I said, a matter of taste.
I've never reviewed a boxed set before. As I just finished the first part, Wolves: I Bring the Fire Part I, I thought I should jot down my thoughts as I go. The first installment in this series definitely is an installment. Veterinarian student Amy Lewis encounters the Aesir Loki, on Midguard/Earth to find information related to saving his sons by Sigyn from the void where Odin sent them in punishment for their democratic politics.
That's alot, isn't it? A strength of this series is that there is a well-crafted world here, where Gockel has taken Norse myths and given them her own tweak. It's particularly cool how Amy and the other humans are constantly comparing Loki to comics-Loki and movie-Loki, etc.
But as I said, this is an installment. There's a lot of learning about some of Loki backstory, a fun jaunt to visit an elf queen with Amy's grandmother, Beatrice, who I adore and am sad is not featured in the second book. And there's a nascent romance between Amy and Loki. This is probably the strangest paranormal romance dance I've ever read-- we keep getting glimpses of Loki's prior loves (Anganboda and Sigyn) and nary a kiss for quite a long time. (In fact this is quite chaste...all the major stuff happens off camera and Loki mostly kisses Amy's hand, knuckles or forehead for the first two books)
And then the book ends. Loki's sons' situation is not resolved. Loki's time on Midgard is not resolved. The romance is not resolved. Amy's fate is left as a cliffhanger. Let me just say I'm glad I got this as a boxed set because if I had bought this as a standalone novel it might have run up against my pet peeve of purposeful, obvious cliffhangers that end a novel without anything at all resolved.
And also its written in the present tense. This might not bother you at all, but it kept tripping my writer-brain awareness which was annoying, but not a deal breaker. My own personal taste for fantasy/UF/Paranormal is not present tense.
The second book veers away from Amy. We get the introduction of Agent Steve Rogers who is part of ADUO, the gov't organization trying to deal with more and more World gates opening in Chicago letting in monsters like wyrms and trolls. We get alot of Loki backstory, and a continuing, teasing dance between Loki and Amy while Amy becomes less an actor in the story and more of a sidekick.
In the third book, Amy almost completely fades away. It's Loki and his quest to control Cera, this sentient powerful magic thingy coupled with bursts of Agent Roger and various other military and police handling monsters. This is still interesting and fun in an action way (plastic explosive laced goat meat!) but I missed Amy. I missed her as an active part of the narrative rather than just a repository for Loki's feelings and Rogers' worry.
The final little short story/novelette at the end of this Box Set (In the Balance) actually brought back Amy to the forefront of the narrative-- which made me like the entire box set more. It also lets her experience "other" Lokis in a multi-world/parallel reality kind of way that was interesting.
The end was abrupt again (this is apparently a thing in this series) and set up more story to come. while I enjoyed this box set, I think I might be done with this series. This is a matter of personal taste, however. I like emotional character arcs that.....end. I like relationships with some sort of closure. There are series that go on and on that I love, but I feel like each novel in those series is a complete story, where this Box set reads more like one really long, marathon novel that got chopped into three pieces. I did read the stand alone (same world) Soul Marked book by this author set in a world after Loki brings on Ragnarok to Chicago and enjoyed it more. Possibly because its a full story in one novel with a conclusion both to the "story problem" and also the main relationship.
Like I said, a matter of taste.
May 27, 2018
This is a great series, funny and interesting. I have read the first book in other collection and it got me hooked. Loki´s description and character development is teh best of the book. There is a good work for all the mixture of Norse mythology in present days and (near future) technology.
The rest of the characters are very good too, although there are some things of the main POV female character that I don´t fully understand... may be because I never understand women and she is realistic? However the series has its share of romance, well integrated in the action because it is one important driver for the plot.
As usual, the first books seem better than the last but the perspective for the following books is still interesting.
The series has a lot of adventure, mythical creatures, action, some fight, romance and plenty of fun
The rest of the characters are very good too, although there are some things of the main POV female character that I don´t fully understand... may be because I never understand women and she is realistic? However the series has its share of romance, well integrated in the action because it is one important driver for the plot.
As usual, the first books seem better than the last but the perspective for the following books is still interesting.
The series has a lot of adventure, mythical creatures, action, some fight, romance and plenty of fun
January 24, 2020
This is a collection of the first 3 volumes of I Bring The Fire series that has a "heroic" Loki as a main character. It opens in Wolves when Amy Lewis calls for help when she is being attacked and Loki answers, kills her attacker and saves her from a horrible death. Amy then aids Loki in fitting in and getting over the death of his sons and former wife. Monsters and Chaos introduce Ceres and Steve Rogers into the mix and adds more danger with Odin taking a more personal hand by sending Thor to Earth. In the end, Loki manages to thwart multiple threats in an unexpected way. In In the Balance Amy Lewis manages to travel to a couple of other dimensions unexpectedly and finds out that not all worlds are created equal. Overall, an interesting series that has me hunting for the rest of the books and stories in the series.
February 5, 2022
When you put these three novels together and add In the Balance you will find yourself in the midst of a brilliant read. The character development is solid, and their background epics continue to interfere with the present life they are trying to put together. We have Gods, and monsters and would you believe it the FBI! Things can’t get any worse, but when Loki’s involved, it’s certain they will. Now I am not going to tell you how or why, but Loki gives all his memories to Amy and tells her to remember for him as he goes off to save the universe. Now all of this is so very complex but actually as you are reading it won't feel that way. Rather it is compelling, twisting and turning and continually building to a great crescendo! Will there be more? We have to wait and see - I received this series through BookFunnel and this is my true and honest review.
January 9, 2018
I've already read this series, but it's one that I have no issue with reading again. I've been a fan of Loki when I first came across his lore, and even more so with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this series follows closer to the Norse mythology. I loved the modern day take on the "gods" and the more personal feel to who Loki really is in a fiction way. There is some romance in the books, but it's not overbearing and distracting. A lot of the lore and myths that's mentioned throughout the series matches up surprisingly well with the actual myths, but there are some creative liberties that lend to the story and the lore surrounding the Norse mythology.
September 16, 2018
1
I couldn't put it down. Although I'm not too keen on norse mythology (or latest blockbusters) this world with its rich description and other magic creatures (we see elves and even dinosaurs) drew me in. And the mythology reveals with time and it makes even sense after googling some background. I quite liked how the relationship of Angarbodan and Loki is characterised.
There is also a good portion of humour that I enjoyed.
Only be aware that the end won't be an end and to get the whole story you have to carry on reading. (Not a problem with the box set).
2
Monsters - here we get lots to see. And Loki is behaving like one too! Poor Amy. Again, you have to read on.
3
Chaos – That's what Loki brings and his ultimate goal – order through chaos. The ending made me sad.
This would have been maybe a point to stop the series but the next book opened so many questions that I had to carry on.
3.5
I think you definitely need to read this story, don't dismiss it as it is just a “half” number. It contains quite a few insides regarding Loki's fate, which leads to the next box.
If you have read so far it is probably difficult to stop carrying on reading. Especially after the little excerpt from the next book. But in hindsight, I would recommand you don't because it is in general just a remake of the same story with different, lesser actors.
I couldn't put it down. Although I'm not too keen on norse mythology (or latest blockbusters) this world with its rich description and other magic creatures (we see elves and even dinosaurs) drew me in. And the mythology reveals with time and it makes even sense after googling some background. I quite liked how the relationship of Angarbodan and Loki is characterised.
There is also a good portion of humour that I enjoyed.
Only be aware that the end won't be an end and to get the whole story you have to carry on reading. (Not a problem with the box set).
2
Monsters - here we get lots to see. And Loki is behaving like one too! Poor Amy. Again, you have to read on.
3
Chaos – That's what Loki brings and his ultimate goal – order through chaos. The ending made me sad.
This would have been maybe a point to stop the series but the next book opened so many questions that I had to carry on.
3.5
I think you definitely need to read this story, don't dismiss it as it is just a “half” number. It contains quite a few insides regarding Loki's fate, which leads to the next box.
If you have read so far it is probably difficult to stop carrying on reading. Especially after the little excerpt from the next book. But in hindsight, I would recommand you don't because it is in general just a remake of the same story with different, lesser actors.
November 3, 2018
Fab read
Ok took me a little time to get my head round all the actual norse stories. When i managed that i had to get my head round who and how. Loki i can understand, amy is a bit hidden grandma beatrice is an enigma. She seems to know more but is hiding things. Amy and loki have adventures which when other norse gods come out get complicated. Odin is brash, thor is loud and the others are within believable parameters.
As the books move through they stick and show they are not free standing, you need to read from book one.
I have read up to book 5. It will be interesting to see what happens but i believe that i may know where the gods ended up.
Ok took me a little time to get my head round all the actual norse stories. When i managed that i had to get my head round who and how. Loki i can understand, amy is a bit hidden grandma beatrice is an enigma. She seems to know more but is hiding things. Amy and loki have adventures which when other norse gods come out get complicated. Odin is brash, thor is loud and the others are within believable parameters.
As the books move through they stick and show they are not free standing, you need to read from book one.
I have read up to book 5. It will be interesting to see what happens but i believe that i may know where the gods ended up.
September 29, 2017
4.5 stars Addictive, clever and amusing. I enjoyed the complex characterisation of Loki -who was neither all good or all bad. I also really liked Amy too. Some will find her naivete annoying but I found her innocence, counterbalanced by her random distraction into scientific excitement and discussion made her interesting enough to avoid irritation. She is definitely not stupid (altho sometimes blind to less than stellar motivations) and I liked how open and honest she was (for example her FBI bosses want her to subtly question Loki, she just pulls out the list of questions and blatantly asks him whenever he drops by). I also loved how Loki & Amy were friends more than anything else, despite her crush and the fact that Loki doesn't necessarily realise that til the end.
February 5, 2021
I love this style. It's a perfect balance of description, dialogue, inner monologue, the works. The fact that Gockel is an indie was half the reason I picked it up, can't get into wordy traditionally published books anymore and that's all anyone recommends these days. It's very plot driven and kept me intrigued the whole way through. I'm gonna go read the rest of the series now(:
One thing though, I do wish there would've been some type of glossary for Asgardian terms. I had to google a few times because, well, I'm not a Norse mythology scholar. But still five stars.
One thing though, I do wish there would've been some type of glossary for Asgardian terms. I had to google a few times because, well, I'm not a Norse mythology scholar. But still five stars.
February 7, 2023
An Explosive Box Set That's Hard To Put Down
I am already a fan of Ms Gockel's writing style and enjoyed the ambiguity of morals hat she explored in this amazing rollercoaster urban fantasy tale. It has everything that I look for in a great story; action, drama, humour, mystery and even a sprinkling of romance (some of which gets hot and sexy).
There is no cliffhanger at the end of this box set, if you wish the story could be left, however, I have added the rest of this series to my Amazon wish list as I'd like to know where Ms Gockel takes her reader next.
I am already a fan of Ms Gockel's writing style and enjoyed the ambiguity of morals hat she explored in this amazing rollercoaster urban fantasy tale. It has everything that I look for in a great story; action, drama, humour, mystery and even a sprinkling of romance (some of which gets hot and sexy).
There is no cliffhanger at the end of this box set, if you wish the story could be left, however, I have added the rest of this series to my Amazon wish list as I'd like to know where Ms Gockel takes her reader next.
March 18, 2025
I’m positive I have read other stories featuring Norse gods but I don’t think with as many as are featured or mentioned here. (Just for the record the majority of the gods, Norse or otherwise, are assholes)
Note: These stories contain Loki’s recollections of past events which help to clarify a lot about his personality and motivations.
Wolves: I Bring the Fire Part I - Amy and what is questionably a dog named Fenrir are driving to Chicago to spend her summer break from college with her grandmother. Loki has been banished to Earth by Odin. Loki's two sons have been exiled to the Void for scheming about a democratic Asgard, something Odin will not condone.
Amy and Loki meet when he rescues her from an assault. They eventually make it to her grandmother’s who welcomes Loki and seems to be aware of his magical status. The four of them (if you include Fenrir) travel to Alfheim to ask if the Light Elven Queen can help him locate his sons. The visit does not go well. Loki goes on a bender when they return to Chicago. He eventually sobers and becomes somewhat of a wiz at technology. Amy tells him he can have all of her tip money, not realizing he thinks it’s a blanket invitation to her bank account. Her grandmother is injured and Amy is confronted at the hospital by three men identifying themselves as federal agents. She has apparently been under surveillance and they now want her for questioning.
Monsters: I Bring the Fire Part II - The story resumes as we find Amy now an employee of the FBI Department of Anomalous Devices of Unknown Origin (ADUO), the agency where the aforementioned agents are assigned. The members are aware of the paranormal and believe her relationship with Loki can assist them.
Amy’s grandmother is in a nursing home thanks to Amy’s wayward mother. Beatrice had a stroke and seems to have early dementia. Amy now has her own apartment as her mother kicked her out of her grandmother’s house.
The World Seed, named Cera (meaning power in Russian) has been contained with the Promethean Sphere in an underground tunnel. Unfortunately the sphere is growing and will eventually break through the surface. Once freed Cera has the capability to destroy the world so many “bad things and bad people” want her. Cera appears as a red mist to Loki and communicates with him telepathically. She promises to help him wreck vengeance on Odin if he frees her.
Trolls and other supernaturals are accessing earth and ADUO is scrambling to destroy them and keep it hidden from earth’s citizens. The Executive Director of ADUO believes that Loki is causing most if not all of the trouble and needs to be imprisoned.
Everyone, including Loki, is using Amy to help achieve their own goals, leaving her feeling pretty much used and abused. Despite this, an evening of overindulgence at a pub almost leads to romance.
Question: Where has Cera been since the beginning of time, other than her brief stint with Josef Stalin?
Chaos: I Bring the Fire Part III - Jameson, the idiot Executive Director, sets a trap to capture Loki. Loki, not being a fool, realizes this and manages to turn the tables on Jameson, much to Agent Steve Rogers gratification.
Thor makes an appearance, coincidentally when the Dark Elves attempt to steal Cera. Amy is trapped and Loki rediscovers that he is able to hear her pleas/prayers. He also finds that he can teleport with her through the In-Between and they eventually arrive in Paris for a romantic interlude. Amy does not contact ADUO for fear their location will be traced. She eventually is so guilt-ridden about what is happening in Chicago that she convinces Loki to return. Aforesaid idiot Jameson manages to get her shot which would have been fatal had not Loki insured she was hospitalized.
Cera has escaped from the Promethean Sphere and conjoined with Loki. Havoc ensues as she commences with Stalin’s objective of world domination. As the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. In her case it’s destruction of people and anything they've built or manufactured. Amy manages to reach Loki’s consciousness and enables him to take control of Cera’s actions. He tricks Cera into the In-Between where he is destroyed along with her.
Hoenir heals Beatrice of her brain damage and gifts her with a magical tool. Beatrice and Amy are reunited and Loki remains missing. Amy decides to return to veterinary school in Oklahoma although Steve wants her to stay in Chicago.
In the Balance: I Bring the Fire Part 3.5 - Steve has Amy visit his office to see if she can identify an object. It is Laevithin, Loki’s sword. She picks it up and is transported to alternate realities which are in many ways more dire than the one she left. She eventually makes it home after discovering she is pregnant with Loki’s child.
Speculation: I’m thinking that Bohdi Patel is Loki reincarnated. Bohdi was declared deceased, came to life and now has no memory. Loki had given Amy his memories and told her not to let him forget. In other words, Bohdi seems to be a blank slate ripe to assume Loki’s identity. Bohdi also seems able to open locked doors and avoid guards, not a common ability for the non-magical.
I Bring the Fire Series Continuation:
IV Fates
4.5 The Slip (short)
V Warriors
VI Ragnarok
6.5 The Fire Bringers (short)
Atomic (short)
Magic After Midnight (short in Once Upon A Curse)
Rush (short in Once Upon A Kiss - I own this)
After the Fire:
VII Soul Marked
VIII Magic After Midnight (full length)
Note: These stories contain Loki’s recollections of past events which help to clarify a lot about his personality and motivations.
Wolves: I Bring the Fire Part I - Amy and what is questionably a dog named Fenrir are driving to Chicago to spend her summer break from college with her grandmother. Loki has been banished to Earth by Odin. Loki's two sons have been exiled to the Void for scheming about a democratic Asgard, something Odin will not condone.
Amy and Loki meet when he rescues her from an assault. They eventually make it to her grandmother’s who welcomes Loki and seems to be aware of his magical status. The four of them (if you include Fenrir) travel to Alfheim to ask if the Light Elven Queen can help him locate his sons. The visit does not go well. Loki goes on a bender when they return to Chicago. He eventually sobers and becomes somewhat of a wiz at technology. Amy tells him he can have all of her tip money, not realizing he thinks it’s a blanket invitation to her bank account. Her grandmother is injured and Amy is confronted at the hospital by three men identifying themselves as federal agents. She has apparently been under surveillance and they now want her for questioning.
Monsters: I Bring the Fire Part II - The story resumes as we find Amy now an employee of the FBI Department of Anomalous Devices of Unknown Origin (ADUO), the agency where the aforementioned agents are assigned. The members are aware of the paranormal and believe her relationship with Loki can assist them.
Amy’s grandmother is in a nursing home thanks to Amy’s wayward mother. Beatrice had a stroke and seems to have early dementia. Amy now has her own apartment as her mother kicked her out of her grandmother’s house.
The World Seed, named Cera (meaning power in Russian) has been contained with the Promethean Sphere in an underground tunnel. Unfortunately the sphere is growing and will eventually break through the surface. Once freed Cera has the capability to destroy the world so many “bad things and bad people” want her. Cera appears as a red mist to Loki and communicates with him telepathically. She promises to help him wreck vengeance on Odin if he frees her.
Trolls and other supernaturals are accessing earth and ADUO is scrambling to destroy them and keep it hidden from earth’s citizens. The Executive Director of ADUO believes that Loki is causing most if not all of the trouble and needs to be imprisoned.
Everyone, including Loki, is using Amy to help achieve their own goals, leaving her feeling pretty much used and abused. Despite this, an evening of overindulgence at a pub almost leads to romance.
Question: Where has Cera been since the beginning of time, other than her brief stint with Josef Stalin?
Chaos: I Bring the Fire Part III - Jameson, the idiot Executive Director, sets a trap to capture Loki. Loki, not being a fool, realizes this and manages to turn the tables on Jameson, much to Agent Steve Rogers gratification.
Thor makes an appearance, coincidentally when the Dark Elves attempt to steal Cera. Amy is trapped and Loki rediscovers that he is able to hear her pleas/prayers. He also finds that he can teleport with her through the In-Between and they eventually arrive in Paris for a romantic interlude. Amy does not contact ADUO for fear their location will be traced. She eventually is so guilt-ridden about what is happening in Chicago that she convinces Loki to return. Aforesaid idiot Jameson manages to get her shot which would have been fatal had not Loki insured she was hospitalized.
Cera has escaped from the Promethean Sphere and conjoined with Loki. Havoc ensues as she commences with Stalin’s objective of world domination. As the saying goes, you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. In her case it’s destruction of people and anything they've built or manufactured. Amy manages to reach Loki’s consciousness and enables him to take control of Cera’s actions. He tricks Cera into the In-Between where he is destroyed along with her.
Hoenir heals Beatrice of her brain damage and gifts her with a magical tool. Beatrice and Amy are reunited and Loki remains missing. Amy decides to return to veterinary school in Oklahoma although Steve wants her to stay in Chicago.
In the Balance: I Bring the Fire Part 3.5 - Steve has Amy visit his office to see if she can identify an object. It is Laevithin, Loki’s sword. She picks it up and is transported to alternate realities which are in many ways more dire than the one she left. She eventually makes it home after discovering she is pregnant with Loki’s child.
Speculation: I’m thinking that Bohdi Patel is Loki reincarnated. Bohdi was declared deceased, came to life and now has no memory. Loki had given Amy his memories and told her not to let him forget. In other words, Bohdi seems to be a blank slate ripe to assume Loki’s identity. Bohdi also seems able to open locked doors and avoid guards, not a common ability for the non-magical.
I Bring the Fire Series Continuation:
IV Fates
4.5 The Slip (short)
V Warriors
VI Ragnarok
6.5 The Fire Bringers (short)
Atomic (short)
Magic After Midnight (short in Once Upon A Curse)
Rush (short in Once Upon A Kiss - I own this)
After the Fire:
VII Soul Marked
VIII Magic After Midnight (full length)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2018
I really enjoyed this series. Having never read this author I downloaded this free bundle series and was very glad I did. What a great take on Loki, Thor and the Nine Realms. I liken this books series to the 2014 remake of Maleficent. A look at the other side of why a character could be considered "bad". I read the series in about 4 days and I am already starting the next book - I think that speaks for itself. You have a new fan C. Gockel.
May 14, 2018
Persevere
I nearly gave up on this, it is so chaotic at the start and so much information coming at you from such disparate points of view. It starts to click by the end of the first book and really gets going in the second.
There's quite a dependence, I feel, on the reader knowing Norse mythology. I had a vague enough grasp to muddle through. By the end, I was staying up to 1am to read what came next.
I nearly gave up on this, it is so chaotic at the start and so much information coming at you from such disparate points of view. It starts to click by the end of the first book and really gets going in the second.
There's quite a dependence, I feel, on the reader knowing Norse mythology. I had a vague enough grasp to muddle through. By the end, I was staying up to 1am to read what came next.
January 30, 2019
A fun take on Norse gods and the mythology of religion across the board. Not overly heavy and a very easy read. I would have enjoyed much more detail and length but that seems to happen to me a lot since I somehow always end up with YA books. The audience for these books is a little older than most YA books I think. It kind of reminds me of the Percy Jackson books that I've read in that it's fun take on a classic subject.
March 4, 2020
Total surprise!
This was actually really good! Kept me up late at night wanting to read just one more chapter. The character development was on point and Loki is quite likeable though he is supposed to be evil.
I could do without the bad language though it is sparse. Also not a fan of the whole series thing.
The next few books are a bit pricey so not sure I'll continue BUT they were fun to read and made me laugh and cry. Still, glad I picked this set up!
This was actually really good! Kept me up late at night wanting to read just one more chapter. The character development was on point and Loki is quite likeable though he is supposed to be evil.
I could do without the bad language though it is sparse. Also not a fan of the whole series thing.
The next few books are a bit pricey so not sure I'll continue BUT they were fun to read and made me laugh and cry. Still, glad I picked this set up!
April 4, 2020
I can I say right now how much I enjoyed this book? I have no idea why it’s labeled “romance”. It does have elements to it that are romantic but the world is vast and honestly it’s more fantasy than anything else. I started this a while ago and I dropped it because I didn’t have the time. But I got sick and wow! Love it!
It’s so freakin hilarious and Loki is so funny. Towards the end it starts to get pretty serious but it doesn’t take away from the story. It’s sad but I liked it. ❤️ ❤️
It’s so freakin hilarious and Loki is so funny. Towards the end it starts to get pretty serious but it doesn’t take away from the story. It’s sad but I liked it. ❤️ ❤️
October 13, 2017
Quite enjoyable series
This collection includes the first 3 books of the series and also a novelette also known as book 3.5. The dialogue was often quite amusing and the characters well defined. I ended up buying the remaining books in the series so that is a good indication of how much I liked the stories.
This collection includes the first 3 books of the series and also a novelette also known as book 3.5. The dialogue was often quite amusing and the characters well defined. I ended up buying the remaining books in the series so that is a good indication of how much I liked the stories.
October 17, 2017
Sorry it took me so long to find this series. Terrific!
Loki has always been a personal favorite and these books put him into a setting showing all his warts and graces, and he is so much fun! The author has put so much time and study into the mythology and developed an inventive and engaging storyline based on intertwining gods ands myths. Absolute pleasure to read.
Loki has always been a personal favorite and these books put him into a setting showing all his warts and graces, and he is so much fun! The author has put so much time and study into the mythology and developed an inventive and engaging storyline based on intertwining gods ands myths. Absolute pleasure to read.
October 18, 2017
Great Update of Legendary Norse, Loki
Truly enjoyable plot update of Norse mythological trickster Loki. Well worth reading. Looking forward to continuing the story in Loki 5 and beyond. This particular series will do well with readers of science fiction and the Norse god mythology. I was lucky to receive the first four digital books for free.
Truly enjoyable plot update of Norse mythological trickster Loki. Well worth reading. Looking forward to continuing the story in Loki 5 and beyond. This particular series will do well with readers of science fiction and the Norse god mythology. I was lucky to receive the first four digital books for free.
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