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The MacDuff Saga #2
The Spawn of Loki: An Epic in the World of Macbeth
The historical fantasy Macduff Saga continues as the hero of Shakespeare’s Macbeth confronts a foe greater than the mad Scottish king—the God of Mischief. Not in the legionsOf horrid hell can come a devil more damn’dIn evils to top Macbeth. Far from his ancestral home and the battles that ravaged it, Macduff has found refuge in a French coastal monastery and a place in the court of William, the Duke of Normandy. Despite his young lord’s ambition of conquest, the Thane of Fife is only interested in a respite from war. Within the abbey of Le Mont Saint-Michel, Macduff spends his days acquiring knowledge and wisdom from the monks’ impressive library. But books are not the only source of ancient lore. Lucius of Avranches has discovered runes carved into the cloister’s very walls telling the Norse myth of Loki, the God of Mischief. After betraying his fellow deities, he was bound to a rock to suffer never ending torment from a snake’s venom dripping into his eyes. The legend also reveals that after escaping his punishment, he is destined to usher in Ragnarök—the end of the world. In deciphering the runes, Lucius has freed Loki’s spirit. Taking possession of the monk’s body, the Trickster God prepares to fulfill his destiny and take revenge against all those who wronged him. Only Macduff, the Iron Thane, can raise an alliance of gods and men to stop Loki’s apocalypse.
- GenresFantasy
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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61 people want to read
About the author
Jason Henderson
107 books161 followersI've been writing for a long time-- comics, games (like Destiny 2), books-- there's always *something.* But lately I've gotten into modern-day YA novels with the Alex Van Helsing series and now middle grade with the new Young Captain Nemo series.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 4, 2017
The Iron Thane, book one of the MacDuff saga, was an imagined (albeit fantastical) sequel to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It was an enjoyable start to a series, but was somewhat limited by the connection to Macbeth. This second book of the saga is much more of a standalone. Apart from a couple brief mentions of Macbeth near the beginning, Macduff is separated, or freed, from his origin. And that makes for a much better story.
Macduff has left Scotland and is enjoying the company of William of Normandy (yes, the historical conqueror) at a monastery. One of the monk’s there has an obsessions with Norse runes and myth, and he accidentally releases Loki, God of Mischief, from his bindings. And Loki immediately assumes his role as the one who brings about Ragnarok. This is where the author makes a clever and inspired “change” to one of his characters – Susan. She is the First of the Weird Sisters, who foretold Macbeth (and later Macduff) his fate. Now it’s revealed she is actually Uror, a Norn. There is a lot of overlap in world mythology, so this works very well. The only problem is that Loki is SUPPOSED to end the world, and she is not allowed to prevent that. Unless Loki was released prematurely and is playing the ultimate con. Even the gods do not know.
This is a superb retelling of the Norse myth! It has a lot of action, but the author also develops and expands the myth to weave his tale. If the gods exist, where are they? Can the future be averted? All the major players appear. Here Loki is more evil than mischievous, but as a being that has been bound for thousands of years, and had his body slowly destroyed by snake venom, it’s believable. One of the characters asks why Loki always chooses such hideous forms as a shapeshifter. Macduff’s response is perfect, “because Loki sees himself as hideous.” The story is predictable in that our heroes must succeed (as heroes are wont to do), but the author throws in a lot of surprises. Including a startling reference to another of Shakespeare’s tragedies.
Readers do not need to have read Iron Thane to follow and understand Spawn of Loki. It’s helpful to know some of the recurring characters, and that was a good story, but this tale can stand alone without it. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and hope there is more to come. But if there is not, this book left the world in a satisfying place. Highly recommended.
Macduff has left Scotland and is enjoying the company of William of Normandy (yes, the historical conqueror) at a monastery. One of the monk’s there has an obsessions with Norse runes and myth, and he accidentally releases Loki, God of Mischief, from his bindings. And Loki immediately assumes his role as the one who brings about Ragnarok. This is where the author makes a clever and inspired “change” to one of his characters – Susan. She is the First of the Weird Sisters, who foretold Macbeth (and later Macduff) his fate. Now it’s revealed she is actually Uror, a Norn. There is a lot of overlap in world mythology, so this works very well. The only problem is that Loki is SUPPOSED to end the world, and she is not allowed to prevent that. Unless Loki was released prematurely and is playing the ultimate con. Even the gods do not know.
This is a superb retelling of the Norse myth! It has a lot of action, but the author also develops and expands the myth to weave his tale. If the gods exist, where are they? Can the future be averted? All the major players appear. Here Loki is more evil than mischievous, but as a being that has been bound for thousands of years, and had his body slowly destroyed by snake venom, it’s believable. One of the characters asks why Loki always chooses such hideous forms as a shapeshifter. Macduff’s response is perfect, “because Loki sees himself as hideous.” The story is predictable in that our heroes must succeed (as heroes are wont to do), but the author throws in a lot of surprises. Including a startling reference to another of Shakespeare’s tragedies.
Readers do not need to have read Iron Thane to follow and understand Spawn of Loki. It’s helpful to know some of the recurring characters, and that was a good story, but this tale can stand alone without it. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and hope there is more to come. But if there is not, this book left the world in a satisfying place. Highly recommended.
September 13, 2021
It begins where Shakespeare's Macbeth ended...and will take you for a ride! How could it not with a title like that. On a personal note, I knew the author from when I worked at Catholic University. Talented even way back then.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews