Raising Loki

by Elliot Manarin

The incredible true story of an unlikely friendship between an abused raven and a grieving human… In 2014, an abandoned raven in need of rehoming came to the Coda Falconry, where Elliot Manarin worked. Little did Elliot know at the time, but the “cheeky corvid,” soon to be known as Loki, would end up putting him in hospital over a dozen times from vicious attacks. But Elliot refused to give up on him. Through trial and error, he earned Loki’s trust, creating a bond unlike any other. Their friendship only grew through the trials and tribulations to come, and soon, the mischievous Loki transformed from an abused raven, terrified of humans, into a true celebrity. With thousands of social media followers and people from all over the world traveling to meet him, Loki loves to entertain. But beyond his popularity, he has shown Elliot and the world that ravens are not only intelligent but empathetic and loving, capable of joy, remorse, and even forgiveness.

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2025

Reviews

[Bella Flegner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raising Loki by Elliot Manarin is a memoir about grief, healing, and the special bond between a man and a traumatized raven. While working at a falconry center in England, Elliot meets Loki, an aggressive young raven who has been neglected and mistreated. The bird is fearful, unpredictable, and violent toward humans, making him hard to manage. At the same time, Elliot faces personal loss and emotional pain, using his work with birds to cope and create some order in his life. When Elliot volunteers to work with Loki, their relationship starts with injuries, frustration, and repeated setbacks. Loki attacks him and resists being handled, but Elliot eventually sees that the bird’s aggression comes from fear, not cruelty. Instead of forcing the issue, he opts for patience, careful observation, and building trust. Over time, Loki begins to tolerate Elliot’s presence, accept food, and show curiosity. Small breakthroughs lead to trust, showing that healing from trauma needs safety, consistency, and time. As Loki becomes more comfortable, his true personality shines through. Ravens are very intelligent, and Loki turns out to be playful, mischievous, and emotionally expressive. He creates games, takes objects, and engages socially, showing affection and loyalty toward Elliot. Their bond strengthens, and Loki’s change reflects Elliot’s own emotional healing. By caring for Loki, Elliot learns patience, empathy, and how to reconnect, while Loki discovers that humans can be safe and trustworthy. The story gained wide attention when videos and images of Loki showed his intelligence and unique personality, attracting visitors and followers from around the globe. Beyond the personal journey, the memoir shows the emotional depth and cognitive abilities of ravens, challenging beliefs about animal intelligence and emotional life.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed reading this book Raising Loki. Although it was more than just a bird book, I especially enjoyed reading about Loki's intelligence, personality, and emotions. As a crow and raven lover myself, seeing their relationship develop allowed me to see how trust can turn fear into genuine connection through patience and compassion. I also learned that by allowing another creature to heal, we can allow ourselves to heal as well. This is what made the book so impactful and memorable to me. Raising Loki

[Alma Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written memoir full of reflection, of life, of loss, of dreams and how they change, of healing, of friendship, and of hope.

Elliot Manarin captures through this experience, so much of the meaning of humanity, of animality, what it means to be human, what it means to be animal, why we do what we do, how we deal with our experiences, run from them, lean into them, heal from them, and how much of it comes not only from our nature but from nature herself, and how akin we are to her, to each other, in our spirits. Loki’s journey was clearly grueling work but also clearly incredible reward, as nature often is, as humanity often is, and that in my view is how we change our world for better, in small moments, in tough decisions, in that day in and day out of dedication, past wins and losses, small and big victories, and in the joy of resistance, of living. Thank you Elliot, Loki and all others involved in this experience for giving this story to the world.

P.S. Reading of Loki executing revenge on that first green glove will live in my head rent free forever. It was definitely a “good for him” moment. I smiled and sobbed.

[Arlene McGinness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be sent an early copy of Raising Loki by the author. I've been so excited about reading it since I first found out a book had been written about Loki, and it has completely surpassed all my expectations. If you love corvids, you'll love this book; if you don't love corvids, you probably will by the time you've finished reading this!

It goes very deep into Loki's backstory - right from when he first arrived at the sanctuary and Elliot started working with Loki, who was a very angry, damaged raven - and manages to be both heart-breaking and hilarious. Anyone who follows Loki The Raven on YouTube or Facebook will know some of the story, but it turns out there is so much more to it. There are lots of funny stories included that made me really laugh out loud, which I'm desperate to share on here but I won't post any spoilers!

The book is so well-written and I couldn't put it down. I read it in two sittings, and it's not a quick read at all – just very addictive. I love Loki even more now which I didn't think possible. It's my new favourite book and is in my 'keep forever' collection. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Christine Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raising Loki is a beautiful and unforgettable book. Once I started reading, I simply couldn’t put it down. The author takes us on an emotional journey through the rehabilitation of Loki, a traumatized raven. The extraordinary bond Elliot forms with this beautifully complex creature unfolds with such tenderness, honesty, and insight. Elliot is a gifted writer, and his prose is as graceful and captivating as the raven at the heart of this story. I laughed, I cried, and I was completely enthralled. I can't recommend this book enough.

[Georgia Tilbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book all about a special Glossy Boi

Elliot has written this book beautifully, taking us on a real rollercoaster of emotions. Loki was once an unwanted, traumatised raven but a lot of love, patience and gwahs turned him into the well loved boy he is today. A great read for any animal lover.

[Anneka Sheikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and an emotional rollercoaster! I could not put it down! A beautiful message throughout the book of compassion, love and respect for all living creatures. An amazing first book!

[Erica The Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has any interest in animals, this is a great story. I've been following Loki the Raven on social media for quite a few years now, and was elated when this book was announced.