What do you think?
Rate this book
The MacDuff Saga #2
The SPAWN OF LOKI
Macduff, the hero of Shakespeare's MacBeth-- returns to confront Loki, Master of Lies, who has awakened to trigger Ragnarok, the twilight of the Gods.
- GenresFantasy
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
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