Marvel: What If...Loki Was Worthy?

A Loki & Valkyrie Story

By: Madeleine Roux

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Loki and Valkyrie seek redemption in the first adventure of an epic new multiversal series that reimagines the origins of iconic Marvel heroes.

So many worlds, so little time. Infinite possibilities, creating infinite realities. Long have I watched the trickster god sow chaos. But . . . what if Loki saved Asgard from Tony Stark’s revenge?

Thor—Son of Odin, God of Thunder, Wielder of Mjolnir—is dead. And Loki is responsible.

It was meant to be only a joke—tampering with the Destroyer, changing Thor’s course to Midgard—a bit of mischief with a chance of maiming. But Loki’s harmless prank spiraled out of control, unleashing death and destruction on New York City and the heroes sworn to protect it. The city was saved, at the cost of Thor’s life.

Furious and heartbroken, the All-Father banishes Loki to Earth for his crime. Loki finds himself in a realm of boxed wine, instant noodles, and some sort of regional performance troupe known as the “Buffalo Bills.” It’s a meager existence, far from Asgard’s grand courts, but he finds his new friend, Brian the Gecko, a much more engaging companion than the sycophants back home. It’s a true meeting of the minds.

Loki is the God of Mischief—but he knows, deep down, that he never truly deserved to stand next to their father’s golden child, Thor, as two true sons of Odin. Yet he cannot endure his exile in peaceful isolation. A Valkyrie—Hel-bent on carrying out her oath to Thor—barges into Loki’s trailer home with his brother’s final words from the beyond: a plea to find a certain Dr. Jane Foster and pass the hammer Mjolnir on to its rightful heir.

While Loki struggles to fulfil his brother’s last request, the far-reaching consequences of his fatal prank return to haunt him. Blinded by grief over those he lost in the chaos wrought by Asgard, Iron Man vows revenge on those who consider themselves gods. Determined to protect Earth from the might of this unpredictable alien power, Stark forges Asgard’s own weaponry into a lethal suit of armor, set on eradicating any tether between their worlds—consequences be damned. When Asgard looks to Loki for salvation, he must answer the question: Am I truly worthy?

©2023 Madeleine Roux (P)2023 Random House Audio

Wonderful Tale

I enjoyed this story. Roux does a great job depicting Loki's arc from schemer to worthiness. I look forward to the next story

A shockingly mature and powerful story

It is truly impressive how much they managed to do. I expected this to be an enjoyable but simple story about Loki being noble and worthy from the get-go. Instead I got an excellent story I couldn’t stop listening to. It took me only a day to finish it.

Amazing book!!!

Everything perfect story!! I am excited and cant wait for the next books of this series

Loki and Quinn's relationship bring a tenderness to Loki's personality

Simple acts of kindness with no ulterior motivation wrought such intense and joyous transformation to a damaged psyche.

Loki is worthy

Such a good story. Made me furious with Tony stark and see another side of Loki. Hoping for a second part.

“what If” at its best.

Great story and I can’t wait for more. This timeline tale is very intriguing and makes you want more.

Above and Beyond

This went well beyond what would be necessary for a Loki story. The writer took special care of all characters, and was very considerate of the motives and general plot lines throughout. I loved the weaving and changing of several different stories we already know, transforming it into something that makes me wish there was a second in the series just for this Loki and Friga.

Superb amd awesome acting

The other reviewer said it best and the different and variation avoidances done by the narrator are stunning and add nuance to the characters that could have been underdeveloped or missed altogether. When the characters are sad or grieving u can hear the throat tighten almost and u know it just as u can hear the smile on their faces during the joyous times as well. *If that makes sense lol

So good, a great start

This is the launch of Marvels ‘What If?’ Novels and this is a good one to start with. It’s not based on the MCU like the cartoon, so these have a bit more freedom.

This story was much different then I expected, and Loki’s character was much more adaptable then I expected and I was surprised how invested I was in him at points.

Narrator, PHENOMENAL

The narrator was TOP NOTCH. My goodness. The variation in the voices was amazing.