Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong, M.A. Marr Series: The Blackwell Pages #1
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on 2013-05-07
Pages: 358
Source: Purchased
Amazon-Indiebound
Goodreads
In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok, that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters--wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds, all bent on destroying the world.
The gods died a long time ago.
Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history--because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.
However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids--led by Matt--will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.
My Thoughts:
As I’ve mentioned before, I am a huge fan of mythology in my stories! Retellings, continuations, gods in the modern day, all of it! So when I heard that Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong were co-authoring a middle grade series based on Norse mythology I was thrilled! I love me some Greek myths but I couldn’t wait to see their take on Norse gods and goddesses! I was not disappointed!
Loki’s Wolves is of the “myths in a contemporary setting” variety. The Norse gods and goddesses are dead but their descendants live on. The chosen descendants (one for each god or goddess) will stand in for the gods and goddesses at Ragnarök (the end of the world.) No biggie (!!!) Turns out the end of the world is closer than anyone anticipated and the chosen descendants are young teens. No pressure (!!!)
I loved that we got to see the story from multiple points of view. Matt, Laurie, and Fen are great characters. Matt is descended from Thor while Laurie and Fen (cousins) are descended from Loki. This creates obvious differences since the characters have some of their ancestors characteristics. What I really loved was how these teens figured out who they were apart from their godly counterparts. They really grow and change which is sometimes lacking in middle grade adventure series!
And, oh yes, there is adventure! Quests and monsters and fate and betrayal and all of the lovely things that go hand in hand with mythology abound! Matt, Laurie, and Fen are getting to know one another as well as the other godlings. They also have to figure out their quest as they go. I loved how this helped to introduce the mythology and give readers some background.
A great start to a new middle grade series! Perfect for fans who like a side of mythology with their action and adventure!
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