Loki

Young adult author Bergess (Junk) frames his gleeful adult debut as Loki, Norse god of mischief, attempting to set his story straight. With a reputation and history to rewrite, the wily, defiant, and prideful Loki chronicles his many contributions to Asgard, home of the gods. Beginning with his birth (from a lightning-struck ash tree), Loki boasts of his many accomplishments. Upon arriving in Asgard, he claims he found Odin and the other gods living in muddy caves and took it upon himself to civilize them. Most notably, he convinces Odin to steal an eye from the fire god Surtr and use it to illuminate the day (“Yes, I invented the sun.”)—but with the unfortunate side effect of Surtr’s anger bringing about the Ragnarok prophecy, foretelling the end of days. From weird and whimsical romantic entanglements (Loki becomes a mare to seduce a giant’s horse) to the creation of the first humans to ongoing beefs with the thunder god Thor, Burgess’s Loki turns classic Norse legend on its head and doles out heavy doses of sarcasm and contempt at not getting enough recognition for all he has done for Asgard. This will be a treat for any fan of remixed mythology. Agent: Millie Hoskins, United Agents. (May)