Loki has been bad. Really, really bad. He is the God of trickery, pranks, stinging barbs and chaos, but even the mighty God Odin is sick of Loki’s malarky.

In punishment, Loki has been banished from Asgard and sent to Midgard (Earth) in the body of an eleven year old boy. Suddenly being a puny young human doesn’t suit Loki at all, who as a God has never been a child, let alone one with stick legs, the strength of a small squirrel, and bad hair.

While on Earth for a month, Loki must write in a diary. This diary has its own reviewer who will discredit any lies written by Loki – directly to Odin. Loki’s punishment is on a points system, and he’s already in negative by quite a big number.

Along with him on his mission to do better (even he can’t believe he can actually do anything good), is the God Thor as his brother, and other Gods as his parents. This is supposed to give the impression of a normal, loving, human family.

The rivalry between Loki and Thor is renown, but as human brothers at school – it grows every day. Loki is left on the sidelines, ignored by the other kids in their games, but Thor is suddenly the hugely popular kid that everyone wants to be friends with.

Loki does try to make one friend however, albeit it a very rocky relationship. Loki being Loki cannot help himself, and his tricks, insults, and full on sulks at the punishment given him leads even further into negative figures on his points chart.

His ultimate punishment from Odin involves a lot of snakes until the end of time for Loki, and at first even this doesn’t change Loki’s ways. But soon he is too close to Odin’s threat and decides to make an effort. Using the internet, he tries to be helpful, truthful and even nice – which doesn’t go as planned at all. Can Loki ever change his ways?

This is the first in a series, that can also be read on its own. A funny, clever read, packed with hilarious illustrations, Loki – A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good made me laugh out loud.

A different perspective on humankind is entertaining, and I even learnt a little about the Norse Gods. Loki’s huge ego and attitude of tricks and insults is easy to dislike, and yet I enjoyed seeing the world from his point of view.

The countdown of diary entries to the month increased the tension as I read, and I did wonder how he would ever avoid Odin’s terrible punishment. I am keen to read the next book in this series.

Fun read.

Author / Illustrator – Louie Stowell

Age – 7+

(2022, Walker Books, Loki, Norse Gods, Punishment, Blame, Odin, Thor, Sibling Rivalry, Diary, Score, Funny, Humans, Humour, School, Series, Fantasy, Kindness, Being Good, Ego, Hilarious, Laugh out Loud)