Hela Wrecks Chaos in Elizabethan London!
Queen of Deception: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel Book Review
“Queen of Deception: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel” focuses on Hela and her incessant need for more power. Hela is the goddess of death and the firstborn daughter of Odin, the king of Asgard. She is a formidable villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and is constantly on the lookout for ways to undermine Odin and accumulate more power. In “Queen of Deception,” Hela is attracted by a powerful magic unleashed by Lord John Dee, a courtesan in London during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The mysterious magic is the work of some Dark Elves who are attempting to take over Midgard aka Earth. While Hela isn’t particularly worried about humans, she does want to harness the power for her own rule. Despite getting close to capturing the courtesan, Odin allies Brunnhild and Lady Sif make their own way to Midgard to attempt to stop whoever is using the dark magic to wreak havoc. Ultimately, the three enemies realize they need to work together to fight against the Dark Elves, who, if they succeed, intend to wage war on all of the realms.
“Queen of Deception: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel” is an exciting adventure starting off with some mysterious figures meddling in equally mysterious magic. I particularly liked the description of how Hela feels magic; it almost wraps around her ribs, vibrating through her body. Author Anna Stephens doesn’t have to do much convincing to show Hela’s attraction to a certain type of magic she doesn’t normally have access. Because Hela is such a rude and unlikeable character in general (she literally threatens to eat the soul of every single human she comes across), it’s easy to root against her, but the Dark Elves are powerful, and so Hela quickly realizes she needs allies to survive.
The Legends of Asgard books typically delve into the rich history and mythology of the Asgardian gods, exploring their relationships, conflicts, and battles, so this particular focus on Hela is welcome. Stephens captures Hela’s disgust of Midgard perfectly, from the sights and smells to the restrictive clothes. Throughout the novel, the three protagonists face numerous challenges and obstacles, all while trying to figure out if they can trust each other. “Queen of Deception” is filled with intense battles, unexpected plot twists, and a healthy dose of humor, making it a highly entertaining read for fans of the Asgardian MCU genre.
Genre — Fantasy
Rating — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
