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Wolves: I Bring the Fire Series #1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

C. Gockel (Author), Barrie Kreinik (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)
4.2 out of 5 stars 3,775 ratings

In the middle of America, Amy Lewis is on her way to her grandma's house. She's being chased by a very bad wolf. Galaxies away, Loki is waking up in a prison cell, strangely without a hangover and with no idea what he's done wrong - this time, anyway. But he does know that Thor is hiding something, Odin is up to something wicked, and there seems to be something that he's forgotten....

In this urban fantasy tale that is equal parts Dresden Files and American Gods, a very nice Midwestern girl and a jaded, mischievous Loki must join forces to outwit gods, elves, magic-sniffing cats, and nosy neighbors. If Loki can remember exactly what he's forgotten and Amy can convince him not to be too distracted by earthly gadgets, earthly pleasures, or three-day benders, they just might pull it off.

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  1. Book 1 of 8
    I Bring the Fire
  2. Listening Length
    7 hours and 24 minutes
  3. Author
    C. Gockel
  4. Narrator
    Barrie Kreinik
  5. Audible release date
    March 1, 2016
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  8. ASIN
    B01BYX8W1U
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Book 1 of 8 I Bring the Fire
Listening Length 7 hours and 24 minutes
Author C. Gockel
Narrator Barrie Kreinik
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 01, 2016
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B01BYX8W1U
Best Sellers Rank #333,487 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#2,095 in Fairy Tale Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)
#4,300 in Urban Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)
#7,094 in Paranormal Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
3,775 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book thoroughly enjoyable and appreciate its engaging re-telling of Norse mythology with a unique take on the characters. The writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well-written while others describe it as stilted, and the story length draws criticism for ending abruptly and not standing alone. Customers praise the well-paced narrative, with one noting it's a fast read completed in several hours, and they enjoy the humor, with moments described as completely hysterical.

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452 customers mention "Enjoyment"452 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable, keeping them entertained and worth multiple reads.

"...I loved this random story! I think I have the boxed set of this somewhere on my Kindle, so I’m definitely planning to read further...." Read more

"...It’s strengthened by the solid foundation into a well-rounded story with characters I came to care about and mysteries still to come...." Read more

"...are woven nicely into the current storyline, presumably building on the overall plot, both developing the character and grounding him in myth...." Read more

"...If you are looking for a great new series, this won't disappoint however just do your self a favour and know that if you like it you will be buying..." Read more

254 customers mention "Narrative style"251 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the narrative style of the book, which successfully combines ancient mythology with modern fantasy elements, putting an interesting twist on the Norse Pantheon.

"...And yes, I’m a mythology fan, so I loved that the author did their research on the original Norse mythology as well for all of the background..." Read more

"...It’s strengthened by the solid foundation into a well-rounded story with characters I came to care about and mysteries still to come...." Read more

"...He is, however, probably one of the more approachable versions, because he is, essentially, a father trying to save his sons...." Read more

"...The worlds are complete and the characters are flawed enough to be likable. Even the immortal god ones...." Read more

201 customers mention "Character development"178 positive23 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them compelling and humorous, with a unique take on Norse mythology.

"...on the original Norse mythology as well for all of the background character history details, marrying the two versions of Loki into one fascinating..." Read more

"...That said, this portrayal is well done because it provides a balanced view of the character, showing both what prompted his behavior and how his..." Read more

"...Amy is likable, smart, sweet and surprisingly naive. As in, often impervious to many of Loki's naughty double entendres...." Read more

"...The worlds are complete and the characters are flawed enough to be likable. Even the immortal god ones...." Read more

104 customers mention "Pacing"82 positive22 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as a fast read that customers finish in several hours.

"...That said, this portrayal is well done because it provides a balanced view of the character, showing both what prompted his behavior and how his..." Read more

"...story of Loki and Amy and those who know and interact with them is original and entertaining That being said the way the book leaves you just..." Read more

"...mythology, but I also enjoy different interpretations when it is well done...." Read more

"...Now, on to the good parts. This is fast moving (once it finally gets started), funny, inventive plot which continually surprises the reader with..." Read more

89 customers mention "Interest"75 positive14 negative

Customers find the book engaging and thrilling, with plenty of action and interactions that draw them in, leaving them wanting more.

"...There is plenty of mystery, action, adventure, and humor... and a little splash of romance to keep the story exciting...." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and enjoyable. Their interactions hold your interest and leave you waiting to see how things will develop." Read more

"...of technology in her city, and together they have a nice adventure visiting the elves...." Read more

"...While Loki was complex and engaging, Amy was a complete flake. Very little about her was appealing...." Read more

83 customers mention "Humor"83 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with entertaining dialogue and moments that are completely hysterical.

"...I loved the humor in this story! And I liked that this wasn’t a romance...." Read more

"...His brushes with technology are infrequent enough and well chosen to be amusing even as they emphasize how out of place he is...." Read more

"...There is plenty of mystery, action, adventure, and humor... and a little splash of romance to keep the story exciting...." Read more

"...This is fast moving (once it finally gets started), funny, inventive plot which continually surprises the reader with unexpected twists, throw ins..." Read more

134 customers mention "Writing style"83 positive51 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it very well written and easy to read, while others describe it as stilted.

"...has potential because the story-telling is imaginative and the writing is solid. Keep in mind, however, that this book a novella and not a full novel." Read more

"...it felt like it included all of the small movements and was overly detailed)..." Read more

"...However, as I mentioned it was well written and I did enjoy the story, so I do plan on continuing to read the next book." Read more

"...The book is well written and the characters come to life, including Loki's foibles and at times child-like innocence when dealing with modern Earth...." Read more

115 customers mention "Story length"36 positive79 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story length of the book, with several noting that it ends abruptly and lacks a conclusion, while one customer describes it as a fun read with romantic elements.

"...The storyline itself felt like it rambled a bit and was overly long..." Read more

"...There is no closure or ending to anything brought up in the first part. It simply ends in what almost feels like mid thought...." Read more

"...Amy is likable, smart, sweet and surprisingly naive. As in, often impervious to many of Loki's naughty double entendres...." Read more

"...Namely, it ends without resolving anything, forcing the reader to buy the next book in the series to find out what happens next...." Read more

Poor writing and an unannounced cliffhanger!
1 out of 5 stars
Poor writing and an unannounced cliffhanger!
I'm glad Amazon now gives the ability to delete books from your cloud. This one got pitched. I can't stand the cliff hanger's attempt to force purchase of the next book. Good writing should drive the next purchase, not some cheap plot device. In this case, the writing wouldn't drive me to buy the next. Read the stilted, grade school writing of the author's "about" for a glimpse of the problems. A few writing courses or even just reading something like" Adios, Strunk and White" would help tremendously. And not making it clear that this is an incomplete book prior to purchase means I will not buy from this author, even if she does complete books in the future. She in my "bad author" list.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Gypsy M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Slow to start. Doesn't really pick up till Loki meets Amy.
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Odin casts Loki’s sons Valli and Nari into a rip in space, Loki follows them through the rip to save them. But in the darkness he finds nothing, except the call of a young woman. Amy, about to get raped and murdered by a creepy guy who ran her off the road, prays for someone to save her. She winds up with Loki. On the run from Odin, still searching for his sons, Loki wonders why he could hear her prayer, and stays on Earth, getting to know Amy, her grandmother, and her odd dog-like creature Fenrir.

    I loved this random story! I think I have the boxed set of this somewhere on my Kindle, so I’m definitely planning to read further. Yes, I am a Loki fan. And yes, he does have so many of the same mannerisms of the Marvel character. And yes, I’m a mythology fan, so I loved that the author did their research on the original Norse mythology as well for all of the background character history details, marrying the two versions of Loki into one fascinating character (as others have pointed out, it pulls mostly from mythology, and nothing really from the comics aside from his personality). And I loved that the characters in the book knew both the mythology and the comics as well, and referenced them through the book. Like when the police chief searched on the computer for him and came up with the comics. And how Amy Googled and found the mythology and kept asking Loki for which stories were true and which weren’t. It’s very fourth wall. And I loved that his trickster nature and illusions were brought in quite a few times, as well as not understanding certain things in modern America. I loved that he decided that cars were sentient (mainly because of the car alarm beeps that sounded like they answered people). I loved the scene with the police chief texting the X-Files lady about Loki. I loved the humor in this story! And I liked that this wasn’t a romance. Loki does keep mentioning Amy’s chest size, but it was never acted upon, which felt more in line with Amy not trusting him and trying to resist falling for his tricks. I loved that Loki wasn’t a villain in this (mis-understood, used as a scapegoat, and a rebel, yes) since it’s hard to follow a villain as a central character. The storyline itself felt like it rambled a bit and was overly long (maybe because it felt like it included all of the small movements and was overly detailed), Amy was rather bland and didn’t have much to her character other than being skeptical and rooted in the modern world and rather pessimistic, I didn’t really care for it switching to flashbacks every so often, Asgard was never really brought to life in the flashbacks (we really only get to see the interior of Odin’s palace -which could have been any palace really and the inside of Hoenir’s hut) the beginning didn’t really take off for me until Loki met Amy, and the largest thing that rankled with me was that it was told in present tense (I found myself gritting my teeth as I got used to the present tense with each chapter beginning). I loved the cliffhanger ending for this (which felt just so Loki).
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Margaret F.
    4.0 out of 5 stars While having both deep and dark points, the fun times are just begging to be read aloud.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

    I picked up the Urban Mythic Box Set a while ago because I enjoy the myths it springs from, but like most books, it ended up buried on my Kindle until this week. I happened upon it when needing a break from my planned reading list. Sometimes luck is with you, and a random choice brings you a new favorite author, as I seem to have found with C. Gockel.

    This book is the beginning of a series focused around the Norse mythic character of Loki. Tricksters are complex creatures and it’s a tossup whether they are villains or something else. In this, Loki is definitely something else, though he has both bad moments and good.

    The myths and stories often bug me. It’s not that I have a bad boy preference but more I can see the full character arc. I see both where Loki has the potential to be good and is good along with where that nature is twisted because of the actions of others. The supposed good guys often behave horribly, but no one calls them on it. It’s fine to bully Loki because he deserves it. There’s no recognition given to how his behavior is a response to mistreatment in the first place.

    Yes, I have a soapbox, and Loki puts me right up there on it.

    That said, this portrayal is well done because it provides a balanced view of the character, showing both what prompted his behavior and how his response can be out of proportion and brings chaos along with it. There are a lot of hints about things hidden from him as well, giving the character a sense of mystery and more to come.

    Then there’s Amy. She gives a lovely human perspective to it all. She doesn’t have an easy life. Amy has to work and save every penny each summer to pay for her veterinary degree. She’s far from trusting, but she judges a person on their actions for the most part and revises that judgment when she learns more. As a vet in training, she has a soft spot for animals I can appreciate (along with a technical curiosity I found amusing), but it’s more than that. She’s a “roll with the punches” type of person who holds those around her to the same high standards while giving them a chance to improve instead of writing them off. She doesn’t sit back and accept, but tries to figure out what’s at the root of things even when the light it shines doesn’t show her own behavior off well. There were a couple of times when I thought the author had been caught up in the revised fairy tale, but Amy is the one to see behind the curtain.

    I’m a sucker for books that make me want to share quotes, and even more when the moment is still strong when out of context. While there are definitely both deep and dark points in this story, the fun, and funny, times are just begging to be read aloud. This is especially true where Loki’s confusion with the modern world comes into view. His brushes with technology are infrequent enough and well chosen to be amusing even as they emphasize how out of place he is. A quick example is the perspectives of Amy and the standard SUV with remote versus Loki and “Car,” a living metal creature that understands politely worded requests like please open a window.

    Even better, those tangles with technology are not just there for humor value but end up becoming relevant in the story.

    I’ve focused a lot on the main characters (though Amy’s grandmother Beatrice and Fenrir, an ugly rat mutt of a dog, deserve not to be left out along with Loki’s caretakers), but the story is strong with as many serious as funny moments. The characters are definitely a strength, but this “part one” offers complex events that change the characters in many ways. It is an opening into a story world that is both familiar and unknown.

    This is neither a Marvel nor a mythological recounting of the Norse tales. It has been influenced by both, and they’re mentioned in the story, but this tale is of its own telling. It’s strengthened by the solid foundation into a well-rounded story with characters I came to care about and mysteries still to come. The book offers a fitting series beginning with a satisfying, complete arc and introduces the next piece to come. The “cliffhanger” ending comes in what is more like an epilogue than part of the main story. As such, it did not bother me beyond making me want to continue to the next book.

    P.S. Read as part of the Urban Mythic Box Set.
    11 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in Australia on June 19, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very interesting book. Characters well presented. Found it hard to putdown. I enjoyed the whole Loki series and look forward to reading more of this authors' books
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  • alocin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Asgard meets Urban Fantasy - interessante Mischung mit sympathischen Personen
    Reviewed in Germany on January 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Die Grundidee der Geschichte "Nordischer Gott trifft armes Menschenmädchen" klingt nach einem Klischee, das C. Gockel aber schnell sprengt.

    Sie zeichnet sympathische, glaubwürdige und mehrdimensionale Personen. Amy gewöhnt sich nur langsam an den Gedanken von Magie und lebende Figuren aus alten Mythen. Loki hat widersprüchliche Facetten. Er schwankt zwischen Überheblichkeit, Egoismus, Ritterlichkeit, Dankbarkeit, Unfug. Rückblicke machen seine Reaktionen und Charakterzüge verständlich.
    Ich mag die Situationskomik, die die Autorin aus der Konfrontation Lokis mit unserer modernen Welt zieht.

    C. Gockel schreibt meist in der dritten Person aus der Perspektive eines neutralen Beobachters. Dieser Stil wirkt gerne distanziert, das passiert mir in diesem Buch aber nur an einigen wenigen Stellen für kurze Zeit. Meist gelingt es ihr auch aus dieser neutralen Position, mich in die Geschichte hineinzuziehen.

    Wolves bietet jede Menge Abenteuer und immer wieder interessante Interpretationen der nordischen Mythologie. C. Gockel könnte eine neue Lieblingsautorin von mir werden, mal sehen, was die nächsten Bände bringen.
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  • ElenaDM
    5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELENTE
    Reviewed in Spain on July 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Simplemente, me ha encantado. Sin meterse en grandes profundidades, desarrolla una (o dos, en realidad) historias que pasan de lo mágico a lo cotidiano o a lo emotivo con gran naturalidad. Maneja igual de bien el presente que el pasado de Loki, aunque con los suficientes cambios de matiz en éste como para hacerlo más personal.
    No se ciñe estrictamente al mito nórdico, ni falta que le hace. Porque es capaz de construir su propia versión, tan atractiva o más que la oficial. Así como un Loki en el que prevalece su faceta de cabeza de turco de Odín. Un Loki producto de la corte de Asgard, donde es el "bicho raro" que todos detestan. Demasiado impulsivo y rebelde, incluso algo malévolo, y "diferente", en la Tierra es entrañable, divertido, oculta su dolor y es agradecido con Amy y Beatrice (un personaje magnífico). Y, la verdad, es adorable.
    La historia es muy entretenida, llena de pequeños giros, y te engancha sin remedio y con gran habilidad.
    Me compré los cinco de golpe, por impulso, y me alegro lo indecible.
    ¡Evidentemente, lo recomiendo muy muchísimo mucho!
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  • Albert David Ditchfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun story well told
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was expecting a light tale of improbable adventure and that is exactly what I got. Anybody who enjoys fantasy and science fiction will enjoy the novel. It is a bit short and inclucusive, sort of leaves you hanging. I guess this prompts you to pursue the rest of the series. All in all, great for a pleasant afternoon when you can curl up in an armchair for a few hours of joyfull reading.
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  • EllieWC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chaos is better organised
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    If you get the characters right you've done sometimes nearly half the work. I sometimes find I get the characters right then the characters will often help me write the book - not what they look like that's not very important - what people look like is not about their character. You have to describe the shape they leave in the world, how they react to things, what effect they have on people and you do that by telling their story.

    Terry Pratchett

    I loved these books and thought that Terry Pratchett had so much to say about the way that they were written that I would start by quoting him here and also when I am talking about Chaos, as he was just so right in the physics of chaos.

    This is a set of books for those who love the Nordic myths, who, whilst not gods by any means, live in a world connected to ours by the World Tree, but in a different galaxy.

    Their ‘power’ is actually magic – but the magic is a form of energy that they and other ‘mythical’ creatures such as Elves, Dwarves etc can manipulate. And these other creatures also have their own worlds in different galaxies all connected by the World Tree (Yggdrisil), whose branches enable them to move through worlds by providing links for the portals they create or use.

    Using magic energy is debilitating. It can make them hungry or sleepy or both – that is energy expended requires energy input to fuel it.

    In the Nordic myths, Loki was a ‘Trickster’. He was the adopted brother of Thor. He was in reality the son of Laufey who was the ruler of the Frost giants of Jotunheim but was abandoned shortly after birth . Odin found him and brought him to his home in Asgard and raised him alongside Thor.

    Odin’s uncle was Mimir and Odin’s son was Baldur. In this story, Loki dislikes Baldur because he sees through the glamour that Baldur uses to manipulate others especially women. Loki sees that part of Baldur’s glamour is very dark and uses dark magic.

    Loki was known to be very handsome himself n truth and charming to women. Whilst he was faithful when married – he was married twice – once his wife died and once he was divorced – he was free with his sexual favours outside of marriage.

    Norse heroes value courage, strength and cleverness and tend to get their way by cunning or force, and murder, mayhem and weird sex is rife amongst them according to the myths.

    All this mythological details and explanations are to be found in the stories of this series and to understand what is happening it is really best to read them in order and then you won’t be disappointed.

    Loki was also known as Chaos because his actions often had unexpected consequences- as Chaos does in Physics – remember the butterfly flapping its wings in South America causing a hurricane in he UK? But Terry Pratchett also comments that:
    Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order, because it is better organized.
    There is a Trinity that operates within the book and the concepts:
    1. Order – the status Quo with no change
    2. Chaos – Destruction into change
    3. Creator – creative destructive into change
    Realised into characters as:
    1. Odin – Steve
    2. Loki – Bodhi
    3. Hoenir - Amy
    And the following quote sums up Loki so well:
    If complete and utter chaos was lightning, then he'd be the sort to stand on a hilltop in a thunderstorm wearing wet copper armour and shouting 'All gods are bastards!
    The author clearly knows not only their Nordic myths but also the theories behind chaos and energy and weaves them seamlessly into the story to explain the ‘mythical’ occurrences and how the ‘magic’ actually happens. The reality demonstrates that there is no magic as such, just the ability to manipulate energy through areas of our brain.

    Loki is a character you cannot help but love despite his faults and author brings him, and the other Nordic characters to life easily, so that you really begin to understand the complexity of their way of thinking that seems arbitrary and sometimes contradictory.

    I found the books compelling and read the series through as one complete set.

    5 for all of them. Oh and Sleipnir is delightful – make sure you read his short story.
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