I really enjoyed the illustrations in this book. It is such a fun little look into the two brothers. I love the Avengers.

A fun and humorous book where Thor and Loki tell the Avengers the Norse myths in order to enlist them in stopping the end of the world (Thor) or explain to them why the end of the world will happen no matter what (Loki). This book would be a great way to get someone interested in Norse mythology.

My thanks to NetGalley and Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers for an advance copy of this book that mixes classic Norse tales of Gods and Giants, alongside tales of Avengers, Hulks, and Spider-Man, along with threats about the coming end of the world, or a regular Thursday in the Marvel Universe.

Not many like to to think about the fact that for mortals and even gods there are ends. One day this writer and the person reading this will not see the sun rise. The sun in fact will burn itself out at some point. The Norse Gods know this, even how it ends. With much fire, much bloodshed, much death. And possibly a rebirth. Though the fate of the Gods is written, a few will not go quietly into that good night. One will go with all the sound and fury of thunder, the other will talk, scheme, lie and beg up to the very last second. Thor & Loki: Epic Tales from Marvel Mythology is written by Delilah S. Dawson with illustrations by Gabriel Hernández Walta and is a collection of stories passed down by storytellers telling of beginnings, great feuds, trickery might Marvel masterworks and crossovers, and the end of all this and that, Ragnorok.

Hoping for a quiet day to celebrate the birthday of their friend and cohort the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the Avengers have found a great place to have a picnic, eat cake and have a bouncy house. A bouncy house that is destroyed by a giant's arm falling from the sky along with Thor, the God of Thunder and Avenger, along with his brother Loki, trickster and reason for the Avengers being a team. Both speak of a dreadful battle in Asgard that could mean the end of all life on Midgard, or Earth. Doctor Strange freezes time and tries to get to the bottom of what the brothers are talking about. To understand Thor and Loki must begin at the beginning of all things, before man, before Gods, when Giants ruled. The brothers share stories of the first men, of Goats who pull carts. Clever dwarves and evil elves. Deadly mistletoe, surprise wives and children. Of drinking oceans and crushing mountains. The Great Thunder Frog, and of course Ragnorok, the end of all things, something the brothers would like to avoid.

A very good introduction to Norse myths told quite well with a lot of humor. Mixed with this are some classic tales of Thor in the Marvel universe, the creation of the Avengers, others tales of Thor fighting Loki with the help of Marvel characters. Along with the story of the Frog of Thunder, one of my favorite tales of Thor from an incredible run by Walter Simonson. The myths are quite well written, with a bit of humor, and a bit of Marvel tossed in. The book is illustrated quite well also, a mix of classic art with modern super-heroics. The book does end a little abruptly, however I think there is more planned, probably featuring the demigods who appear on the Avengers, who I won't mention so as not to reveal spoilers.

A nice mix of Norse and Marvel Myth. A good place for people to start on, especially younger readers. The humor is good, and the stories are very well told, and even though most were familiar to me, I still enjoyed this quite a lot. I will probably pick up a hardcover of this for my nephew, as he is just starting to get interested in myths, and this will really introduce him to the rich stories of the Norse. I look forward to more in this series.