9 Books for Loki Fans Who Need More Mischief

The Gospel of Loki by Joanne M. Harris retells Norse legends from the point-of-view of the trickster god himself. Hilarious and heartbreaking, the book details Loki’s recruitment by Odin, the many years he spent helping and hindering the gods who never viewed him as one of their own, right up to his eventual fall from grace—all told in a fresh, snarky voice that richly highlights the complexities of his character. 

If you enjoy this one, you can also check out the YA fantasy novel Runemarks and its sequel, Runelight, by the same author that offers another refreshing spin on Norse myths where Loki also appears as a side-character.

Gornichec’s debut novel focuses on a relatively minor character from the Norse pantheon—the witch Angrboda who had three children with Loki—and weaves a rich and detailed history around her life. Although influenced by the myths, Gornichec puts a bewitching spin on them, crafting characters who are memorable and complicated in a searing tale of love, loss, and betrayal.

If you’re on the lookout for a more straightforward introduction to the Norse corpus, you should pick up a copy of Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, which can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike. While his retelling chiefly focuses on the more popular tales from Norse folklore such as the death of Baldr (engineered by Loki), Gaiman also makes space for certain lesser-known fables, like the story of Gerd and Frey. 

Loki, of course, makes several noteworthy appearances in most of these stories, and Gaiman clearly has a fondness for trickster figures, because this isn’t the first time Loki has shown up in his work. The Norse god also plays an important role in The Sandman comics and in the fantasy road trip novel American Gods, both of which masterfully blend the urban and the mythic in a sweeping narrative.

Loki isn’t the only trickster around. This wonderful anthology of short stories and poems, bristles with mischief and marvels, filled with trickster figures from various cultures, who steal tarot cards, outsmart the Devil and even try to outwit Death. With contributions from Kelly Link, Jane Yolen, Charles de Lint, Theodora Goss and many other celebrated writers, this is a must-have collection that will surely delight and maybe even inspire the trickster in you. 

Apart from that lovely alliterative title, Scott Lynch’s fantasy novel is also a brilliant book about con artists who rob the rich and fight for supremacy in the criminal underworld. It’s the first novel in his Gentleman Bastards series, set in the fictional city of Camorr that is reminiscent of mediaeval Venice. If you’re in the mood for a gripping tale involving trickery, heists, and lots of lies, pick up a copy of The Lies of Locke Lamora. 

If you’re more interested in the figure of Loki than in the Norse legends (not that we blame you!), then this book by Padraic Colum, the three-time Newbery Honor winning author, should be of interest. It delves into Loki’s origins and his many mischievous antics among the Aesir, along with his emotional turmoil as he never quite fits in with the Asgardian crowd, despite risking his life for the gods time and time again. After all, everyone has a breaking point.

If you’re one of those fans who fell in love with Marvel’s version of Loki thanks to Hiddleston’s impeccable acting skills, good looks, and charisma, I can assure you that you’ll also fall in love with the notorious Lestat de Lioncourt, one of the main characters in Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles. 

The Vampire Lestat is an autobiography of sorts, detailing Lestat's mortal origins, love for theatre, brutal conversion to vampirism and many other adventures over the centuries, right to his latest reincarnation as a rock star. Though Lestat is an unreliable narrator who has done some terrible things, he nevertheless wins over the reader with his persuasive charm.

Peter Aperlo’s delightful book will not only entertain and educate the kids on Norse mythology, but also provides the reader with interesting trivia about the Vikings. For those keen to learn about the sort of people who came up with the original stories about Loki, Odin and Thor, as well as the fearsome monsters that terrified their kids, Aperlo’s book is a perfect fit. 

Trickster characters tend to make excellent spies, so if you’re ready to read about some thrilling espionage, take a chance with Trickster’s Choice by Tamara Pierce. This fantasy novel follows the adventure of young Alianne—when she is captured and sold as a slave, Alianne must rely on her wits and spying skills that she learned from her father in order to survive a world rife with danger, treachery and intrigue.