What do you think?
Rate this book
Loki's Saga: A Novel of the Norse Gods
Meet Loki, the Norse god of fire, magic, and trickery. For eons, he lay bound beneath the earth, serving time for an ancient murder. The worlds have changed, and at last he is free. Join Loki as he walks among the gods once more. Coming home is only the beginning of the adventure as he steals off with Freya's cats, confronts his old rival Heimdall, and journeys with Thor to the realms of dwarves and giants. In a tale that spans past and present, Loki shows us the Norse gods as they have never been seen before. This is his story, told entirely from his point of view. This is Loki's Saga.
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
29 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
J. Foslan
1 book2 followersI am the author of "Loki's Saga: A Novel of the Norse Gods," which is a stand-alone novel and is not part of a series. My other interests include Frisian, a language with about a half-million speakers in the Netherlands.
E-mail: j.d.foslan [at] gmail [dot] com
E-mail: j.d.foslan [at] gmail [dot] com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 17, 2017
I’ve read quite a few novels that retell and are intertwined with the Norse myths, particularly Loki’s role. Harris’s “The Gospel of Loki” was an especially good re-imaging from his perspective. This is the first that I’ve read that goes off script, but stays in the myth, and it pays off in spades!
The book opens with Loki bound beneath the serpent, enduring millennia of punishment for arranging the murder of Baldur. He’s about to be released, which heralds the coming of Ragnarok in the original myths. But the author makes a surprising move by not taking that path. Sure, Ragnarok will happen eventually, but who says it has to be now? Instead, Loki returns to Asgard and the gods begrudgingly accept him back into the fold – because Odin demands it. The centuries of torment have left him angry and vengeful, but slowly his playful, mischievous self comes back. Here he is the god of mischief, but also the god of fire – the blood brother of Odin, not his son.
The story then follows Loki as he assimilates back among the Aesir, and has a few adventures. The tales are original, but perfectly suited to the characters. How can he get some payback against the most powerful god who had him imprisoned? The answer lies with Thought and Memory. Heimdall and Loki have an enduring enmity, but if they can’t kill each other until Ragnarok, how can they settle anything? With an ingenious battle of wills. The Goddesses meet periodically for a female-only council each month. And Loki is desperate to know what goes on there… Mixed among the new tales are flashbacks to his life before imprisonment – referencing or recalling familiar episodes from mythology. It’s an exceptional blending of the old with the new. Loki is portrayed more positively here, he is the protagonist after all, but remains true to his nature. Aside from Odin, the author provides another main character that is rarely if ever mentioned – Forseti, son of Baldur. He’s the god of laws & justice, and he wants to know why Baldur was killed. He suspects it was more than just Loki’s jealousy, and that mystery is subtly woven throughout, until the finale.
The conclusion is the highlight of the book. The revelation of why Loki had Baldur killed is brilliant – I loved it. Moreover, the book has a satisfying ending that manages to be positive without betraying the source material. Overall, this was a fantastic read and I would definitely try another book by the author. Highly recommended!
The book opens with Loki bound beneath the serpent, enduring millennia of punishment for arranging the murder of Baldur. He’s about to be released, which heralds the coming of Ragnarok in the original myths. But the author makes a surprising move by not taking that path. Sure, Ragnarok will happen eventually, but who says it has to be now? Instead, Loki returns to Asgard and the gods begrudgingly accept him back into the fold – because Odin demands it. The centuries of torment have left him angry and vengeful, but slowly his playful, mischievous self comes back. Here he is the god of mischief, but also the god of fire – the blood brother of Odin, not his son.
The story then follows Loki as he assimilates back among the Aesir, and has a few adventures. The tales are original, but perfectly suited to the characters. How can he get some payback against the most powerful god who had him imprisoned? The answer lies with Thought and Memory. Heimdall and Loki have an enduring enmity, but if they can’t kill each other until Ragnarok, how can they settle anything? With an ingenious battle of wills. The Goddesses meet periodically for a female-only council each month. And Loki is desperate to know what goes on there… Mixed among the new tales are flashbacks to his life before imprisonment – referencing or recalling familiar episodes from mythology. It’s an exceptional blending of the old with the new. Loki is portrayed more positively here, he is the protagonist after all, but remains true to his nature. Aside from Odin, the author provides another main character that is rarely if ever mentioned – Forseti, son of Baldur. He’s the god of laws & justice, and he wants to know why Baldur was killed. He suspects it was more than just Loki’s jealousy, and that mystery is subtly woven throughout, until the finale.
The conclusion is the highlight of the book. The revelation of why Loki had Baldur killed is brilliant – I loved it. Moreover, the book has a satisfying ending that manages to be positive without betraying the source material. Overall, this was a fantastic read and I would definitely try another book by the author. Highly recommended!
January 25, 2018
Brilliant!
I feel so lost that there is no more...
This is the best retelling of Norse Mythology I've ever read.
Fits every bit of image I have for Loki.
I feel so lost that there is no more...
This is the best retelling of Norse Mythology I've ever read.
Fits every bit of image I have for Loki.
March 21, 2018
The most amazing piece of fiction I have read in a long time!
There’s so many fresh new perspectives on Norse mythology and why everything happens as it does in the old Eddas.
It’s an incredibly well researched author, and you will enjoy this if your ready for:
Loki
more Loki
Freya being a badass-warrior as she is in the myths
Sigyn actually loving her husband
Loki loving himself
Hel being portrayed as beautiful for once!
Thor being a humorous character, for once not being the joke himself like in many recent books
Loki dancing like nobody’s business
Heimdal FLIRTING
Ah, I could on!
A downside could be the dark version off Baldur as this book presents, but being written from Loki’s perspective, it all makes sense.
The language used is a bit hard to get through at first, but once you’ve settled in in the universe, it flows natural and easy.
The whole saga is told with a humour and a joyous sparkle, but once you’ve read further in, an ominous feeling of something being wrong looms over you - there won’t be any spoilers but the ending was everything I could hope for and more, with twists and curls coming up nicely
Well done, Foslan. Well done.
There’s so many fresh new perspectives on Norse mythology and why everything happens as it does in the old Eddas.
It’s an incredibly well researched author, and you will enjoy this if your ready for:
Loki
more Loki
Freya being a badass-warrior as she is in the myths
Sigyn actually loving her husband
Loki loving himself
Hel being portrayed as beautiful for once!
Thor being a humorous character, for once not being the joke himself like in many recent books
Loki dancing like nobody’s business
Heimdal FLIRTING
Ah, I could on!
A downside could be the dark version off Baldur as this book presents, but being written from Loki’s perspective, it all makes sense.
The language used is a bit hard to get through at first, but once you’ve settled in in the universe, it flows natural and easy.
The whole saga is told with a humour and a joyous sparkle, but once you’ve read further in, an ominous feeling of something being wrong looms over you - there won’t be any spoilers but the ending was everything I could hope for and more, with twists and curls coming up nicely
Well done, Foslan. Well done.
May 28, 2018
I think this is one of my favourite Loki books to date. A great take on the character, and a refreshing look at his motivations and relationships with the other gods. The book is at times light and funny, and dark and shocking, as all Loki tales should be. A very good read.
July 9, 2018
This is such a stunning book. I've recently read quite a lot of Norse mythology retellings and I have to say that this is one of the very best (it's also one of the best books I've read this year).
Loki's Saga is written in a sure yet elegant style, the descriptions are rich of details, the characterization is perfect. I particularly love the pace of the story, especially the short but absolutely delightful minor adventures presented between the major twists of the storyline - and what twists! Bravo!
Moreover, the general atmosphere that capture the reader is one full of ancient lifestyles and symbolism; while reading, you cannot help but feeling in awe of the gods, here so near and approachable and at the same time divine and complete in their own roles.
Man, this was so good! As soon as I was done reading, I had the urge to read it again, and will do so in the near future, thanks to the author for writing this magnificent story! Beautifully written and very engaging.
Loki's Saga is written in a sure yet elegant style, the descriptions are rich of details, the characterization is perfect. I particularly love the pace of the story, especially the short but absolutely delightful minor adventures presented between the major twists of the storyline - and what twists! Bravo!
Moreover, the general atmosphere that capture the reader is one full of ancient lifestyles and symbolism; while reading, you cannot help but feeling in awe of the gods, here so near and approachable and at the same time divine and complete in their own roles.
Man, this was so good! As soon as I was done reading, I had the urge to read it again, and will do so in the near future, thanks to the author for writing this magnificent story! Beautifully written and very engaging.
July 25, 2021
actual rating: 3.5
This was overall pretty decent and it definitely had its moments but ultimately I feel like it was just all over the place and couldn't decide what it wanted to be. The timeline was all over the place and even though it did generally say at the beginning of each chapter whether it was past or present I still found myself getting confused at times. It also seemed entirely random in terms of actual story as well.
At the beginning I thought it was going to be a more modern urban fantasy take and then it went into myth retelling mode and then there was a random interlude in the middle where Loki and Heimdall have some contest to see who can live as a mortal for the longest because reasons? And then it just keeps jumping from thing to thing before finally ending. There are certainly individual chapters that were interesting and did fun things with the mythology but I think the author could have benefitted from a more coherent vision.
This was overall pretty decent and it definitely had its moments but ultimately I feel like it was just all over the place and couldn't decide what it wanted to be. The timeline was all over the place and even though it did generally say at the beginning of each chapter whether it was past or present I still found myself getting confused at times. It also seemed entirely random in terms of actual story as well.
At the beginning I thought it was going to be a more modern urban fantasy take and then it went into myth retelling mode and then there was a random interlude in the middle where Loki and Heimdall have some contest to see who can live as a mortal for the longest because reasons? And then it just keeps jumping from thing to thing before finally ending. There are certainly individual chapters that were interesting and did fun things with the mythology but I think the author could have benefitted from a more coherent vision.
December 10, 2023
To me this book is close to the Norse mythology equivalent of Madeline Miller's stories. It's beautifully written, gripping and satisfying till the end. A first novel and independently published as well?
I am an absolute novice to Norse mythology but am definitely hooked on it now. So long Greek gods! (Just kidding they're equally cool to read about).
I wish this book was picked up years ago and got some publicity, so that we would possibly have more books by this author.
Here and there I had a little trouble following the story but it didn't keep me from enjoying every page.
I am an absolute novice to Norse mythology but am definitely hooked on it now. So long Greek gods! (Just kidding they're equally cool to read about).
I wish this book was picked up years ago and got some publicity, so that we would possibly have more books by this author.
Here and there I had a little trouble following the story but it didn't keep me from enjoying every page.
June 27, 2024
The tale continues. Now free of his bonds, the Norse God Loki is again free to stir up some trouble and regain his place among the gods of Asgard.
Well-written, thoughtful, and fun. Loki's Saga brings new adventures to the Trickster and answers some old questions. This reimagining of the Norse gods alternates between the present and the ancient past, telling old tales anew and delving into new stories as Loki struggles to find his place in Asgard once again.
A great read. I love this book and highly recommend it.
Well-written, thoughtful, and fun. Loki's Saga brings new adventures to the Trickster and answers some old questions. This reimagining of the Norse gods alternates between the present and the ancient past, telling old tales anew and delving into new stories as Loki struggles to find his place in Asgard once again.
A great read. I love this book and highly recommend it.
August 13, 2018
Interesting
Pretty darn cool. This is told from Loki's point of view so you get a totally different idea of things than from the old myths. He's still a Trickster God and a frost giant but he's more mischief than really bad.
I do like this view of him and really enjoyed the story. The personalities of the characters felt very natural and familiar.
Pretty darn cool. This is told from Loki's point of view so you get a totally different idea of things than from the old myths. He's still a Trickster God and a frost giant but he's more mischief than really bad.
I do like this view of him and really enjoyed the story. The personalities of the characters felt very natural and familiar.
November 4, 2019
This is the Loki of myth, still at his old tricks: playing at being a mortal for a while for the lulz, shifting to female form to fool everyone, scheming and stealing and having a blast. Oh, and saving everyone’s rears while he’s at it. We get to hear, eventually, the story of why he killed Baldur, and Foslan’s interpretation is fascinating.
If you love Trickster!Loki you should read this.
If you love Trickster!Loki you should read this.
April 20, 2018
Loki
Great Loki story and flowed easily from start to finish, looking forward to new works by this author and new Loki stories in general.
Great Loki story and flowed easily from start to finish, looking forward to new works by this author and new Loki stories in general.
January 5, 2026
I had to take some time to really sit in my feelings about this one.
There was a portion of this book that went on for a bit too long in my opinion, and by the time you're in the meat and potatoes of the book, that particular section feels like a bit of a fever dream. It's important to establish a loyalty between two characters, but I felt it could have been just a little bit shorter. (It was still enjoyable, though!)
Overall though, this is probably one of my favourite retellings of Loki's story, and it includes a favorable take on Sigyn as well. It was incredibly worth the read, and the ending filled me with hope, instead of dread like so many Norse Myth based ficiton often does.
There was a portion of this book that went on for a bit too long in my opinion, and by the time you're in the meat and potatoes of the book, that particular section feels like a bit of a fever dream. It's important to establish a loyalty between two characters, but I felt it could have been just a little bit shorter. (It was still enjoyable, though!)
Overall though, this is probably one of my favourite retellings of Loki's story, and it includes a favorable take on Sigyn as well. It was incredibly worth the read, and the ending filled me with hope, instead of dread like so many Norse Myth based ficiton often does.
September 16, 2020
A must-have for Loki devotees
And in my opinion, this is a much more believable version of Loki's story than the version put forward in the Eddas
And in my opinion, this is a much more believable version of Loki's story than the version put forward in the Eddas
October 11, 2021
A wonderful tale
This is one of the better tellings of Loki's tales, and one of the better stories of Loki fictionalized. I love the whole college student approach.
This is one of the better tellings of Loki's tales, and one of the better stories of Loki fictionalized. I love the whole college student approach.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews