Scottish folklore, epic adventures, and a dog MC? "Brave" (Scottish mythology) meets "Moana" (epic adventure across the sea with an animal sidekick) and I am here for it! The atmosphere is lush with detail and ambience and I could not finish the novel fast enough. This is one of those stories that you read yourself and think "this would be AMAZING as an audiobook." The reader can picture the island and the Goddess trials so vividly it's like they're happening in real time. I'm usually adverse to the whole amnesia-suffering main character trope, but it really works in this scenario. You also gotta love that plot twist at the end!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Inspired by Scottish history and folklore this YA fantasy books dives into a journey told by 3 different voices - I just couldn't put it down!
I loved all the characters, loved the inclusion of the dog (I think this will fill anyones heart with joy) and found some of the characters very relatable. Such an enchanting read with so much beauty. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I was blown away by this book! Aside from the Celtic lore and elegant world-building, I was most head-over-heels for the characters. Hew and Aila were both so real and raw; I felt what they felt in the very depths of my soul. They reminded me so much of Sean and Puck from my favorite book The Scorpio Races and THAT is saying a lot. But Orail, the wish-granting dog is one that will stick with me forever. My heart...UGH. I have such love for four-legged creatures but dogs specifically hold my heart. I could feel Aila's love for her like I love my own dogs. Orail may have outshined everyone in this book!

My only gripe is the I feel this could have been a series but maybe that's because I didn't want it to end!

I'd love to see more Celtic fantasy books like this!

So beautiful and heart-felt, this story moved me to both tears and smiles. It was the perfect pick-me-up after my book hangover from Ross' A Fire Endless.

WOW. I can’t remember the last time I finished a book in one day.
This story was so wonderful and had me hooked from very early on. I absolutely adore the early scenes with the dog! And the action packed, alarming second half left me desperate to finish.
Loveable, earnest characters and an unpredictable, frightening villain made this book a delight.
A huge thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC. I’ll be buying a copy of this for myself and gifting it to others. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved everything about this book. I mean how can you say no to Scottish lore, a wish granting DOG and multiple POV's.

I have to say that it was very seamless between the different POV's in this book. Sometimes that can get complicated if things are too far off base. But the way Hanna wrote this book made it all apart of the experience reading this book.

I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed the plot, characters and the atmosphere she wrote. I don't want to say too much because of spoilers. But I absolutely adored this book.

This book is a love letter to dog lovers everywhere.

I went into Our Divine Mischief assuming it was a wholesome little story about a girl, a boy, and a dog. Instead, I got an adventure full of mythology, humor, and love. It reminded me a bit of a lighter version of The Drowned Woods. I really enjoyed the plot, but I think I loved the characters even more. Áila was strong and stubborn; Hew was compassionate and devoted; and Orail was adorable.
You see, the dog gets a POV in this one, and she speaks in poems. Her chapters start as fragmented bursts of feelings but she becomes more eloquent as the story progresses. There is an overarching theme in her chapters as well: an undying love for her owner.
The author said that she was inspired to write this book because her dog of twelve years passed away and I think she captured that perfectly. This book was beautifully written and to be honest I am still crying over it now.
It's a perfect story for dog lovers of all kinds.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free e-ARC.

With lush & evocative beauty, this tale wove its way deep into my heart.

I walked in blind, having never read anything from the author. All I knew was a friend of mine loved it, and that was enough for me to snag an ARC copy. I’m so glad I did!

This Scottish/Celtic inspired masterpiece spins a story of belonging & identity, how home isn’t always a pace but instead a person, and how love is given not earned.

And the characters. My, what a cast! The villain did not surprise me because… well, I won’t spoil how I guessed, haha. While I’m not an animal person, Orail the wish-granting dog stole my heart. And then there’s Áila and Hew. These precious beans reminded me of two other YA couples I adore: Sean & Kate (The Scorpio Races) and Salama & Kenan (As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow). Needless to say, I loved them so much. 🥹

Everything about this story was sheer beauty, and I ordered a hard copy before I even finished my ARC. 😍 It’s a perfect story for those who love Maggie Stiefvater’s writing (particularly The Scorpio Races).


Content: mild language (d*mn; s***; p*ss)


*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

All anyone needs to know about this book is that the magic dog has a POV.


And also, the magic system and world-building was fantastic, and the characters were so loveable. Orail in particular is just so good, such a good dog. This was an expertly crafted fantasy, with such a sweeping setting and interesting magic.
The plot of this book is so engaging and interesting, and I really cannot stress how much I loved the characters. I think this book was just so well-written, and I will definitely be reading more from the author.

I had high hopes for Our Divine Mischief, I mean with it taking inspiration Scottish Folklore and hints at a wish granting dog, I had a feeling this was going to be a new favourite and if anything Hanna Howard exceeded all my expectations. This tale will sweep you up and grab hold of your heart, I was smiling and crying along with our characters the entire time. Not once did the wish granting dog feel cheesy, instead Howard has managed to perfectly entwined feelings of otherness, family and most of all a persons love for their dog.

Our Divine Mischief is an enchanting read, which will pull on your heartstrings. The world building and lore woven into the tale was transportive, the characters well rounded and relatable and the message of belonging was one that was conveyed in a heartfelt manner.

Ever since Áila’s father was injured and they were driven from their home, she has never wanted to feel like a burden or useless ever again. She finally convinces her mother to allow her to go to Yslet’s island to take the Goddess Trial and get her medallion. However, what she meets there is not the goddess…and now she must go through five trials to prove she’s worthy to go back to Yslet’s island to try and gain her medallion.

I’m not sure I can express how much I enjoyed this book, and it’s primarily thanks to Hew. Such an amazing character! I’ll get into why in a moment…but this was such a unique fantasy read! I loved the Scottish lore and the different gods and goddesses. There’s some dissension occurring with the Usurper Prince, while also this little island that’s going through the motions with their prejudices against those called the Unblessed and just really minding their own business away from what’s occurring outside of their little village.

I loved the trials that really tested Áila and to see how she would get through them and the hilarity that occurred while getting through some of them.

There is a dog POV, which I love! And I mean how can you not adore Orail??? She was hilarious and adorable and could really understand more about the characters than they knew about themselves.

Now, about Hew. Hew is my new favorite book boyfriend. I’ve not read about such a kind, selfless and generous person since Elias Veturius in the Ember in the Ashes quartet. Hew is one of the Unblessed. And no matter how horrible Hew was treated, he would just walk away, and yes maybe take it out on a tree, but then he would pray and be rewarded with something positive, like seeing his adorable niece. I was floored at how he handled things and never truly lost his patience or showed his anger. I was always waiting for him to snap. He is what every person should be, just a kind and selfless person, thinking about others and truly caring about them not because he has to but because he just truly cares. I was so proud of how he stuck up for himself, especially at the end! I just couldn’t get enough of him! I cried whenever he popped up and we had to see what would happen to him today or how would someone react to what he said or did today(and I never cry in a book! Such a rarity!), but the way he was tested and how he reacted made me so mad and so sad and I just wanted to be there for him and show Hew how much of a better person he is compared to literally everyone else in this book! And I don’t think Áila deserves him!

Which brings me to say I have to give this 4.5 stars because…this might be a bit spoilery…










Even though I really rooted for the romance and for Hew to be happy and get the girl, the way it plays out made me mad because here’s Hew, someone who doubts himself immensely and has low confidence in himself as a person, tells this girl he loves her and she rebuffs him(granted it wasn’t a good time to admit his feelings, but the way she handled it was not good in my opinion and severely unfair to Hew) and never acknowledges what he says until after SHE’S happy and then she’s like “oh wait! I need Hew too!”. Sorry, but no, Hew deserved the world and I think he deserved a better girl to be honest 😅

Aside from that, this was such a beautiful story. And although the romance did not quite play out the way I think it should have, I still frustratingly enjoyed the romance at times, and it was such an enjoyable story, emotional, heartbreaking, filled with hope, love and family. Such a wonderful fantasy! I highly recommend it!

I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Aila's life has been difficult, and she has faced her share of trouble through her father's injury, her family's forced relocation to Carriglas, and her mother's refusal to allow her to undertake the Goddess Trial to find out her calling. When she convinces her mother to let her make the weighty trip to meet the goddess Yslet, she believes her troubles are over, but they are just beginning. Instead of the goddess, she finds a dog who can hear her thoughts and speak her thoughts directly into Aila's mind. Instead of her calling, she is faced with five agonizing challenges to earn a second Goddess Trial. And instead of a place in society, she is banished to a tiny cabin with only Orail, the dog, and Hew, an "Unblessed" young man who brings her what she needs to survive. But Hew is good company, and Orail is protective, loving, and able to grant any wish Aila thinks or speaks. When the dashing Morgen LaCree shows an interest in her, though, she loses sight of her own values, tells him all about Orail's powers, and works with him to cheat on the challenges. When he asks to borrow Orail for a hunting trip, she agrees, even though Orail pleads silently with her to protect her from him. When Aila realizes that Morgen kidnapped her dog, she realizes that he is an imposter, and not only Orail's life, but all life within the kingdom is in danger. Only she can make it right if she find the courage and the strength.

This story is tightly plotted, beautifully paced through multiple narrators, and rich in detail, language, and culture. Most importantly, the characters are deep and real with very real faults, and strength and resilience just as real. Aila shows readers the pain of failure and the shame of betraying one you love, but she also demonstrates the ability to persevere through hardship and to work to make right what was broken. Hew's courage and independence are examples for all of us, and readers will be awed by his ability to withstand injustice with kindness and decency. From Dierdre and Matan to Brother Wellam and Yslet herself, the characters show compassion, honor, and nobility that apply to the world we live in.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. In a world where YA literature seems to grow darker and heavier to maintain reader interest, Hanna Howard shows that stories of light and hope can be thrilling, engaging, and powerful, and I am grateful to her for adding a this tale to the shelves of YA fiction.

Happy Sunday y’all! Today’s my stop on the Our Divine Mischief tour with TBR and Beyond Tours! Our Divine Mischief came out on the 17th, so make sure you grab it today!

Our Divine Mischief 4/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

For fans of Outlander and Scottish history and culture, a YA fantasy with political intrigue, coming-of-age drama, and romance.

A sweeping YA fantasy inspired by Scottish history and folklore, Our Divine Mischief takes readers on a journey told in three voices: a determined heroine, an outcast young man, and a wish-granting canine. Their adventure spans an island fishing village to the king’s court in a story about identity, belonging, and the love between a human and her dog.

The Goddess Trial is designed to push young people to their edge and mark their coming of age, but Áila LacInis is ready for whatever it brings. She sets sail from her small fishing village to the island of the goddess Yslet, fully expecting a divine encounter, but what she finds is … nothing at all. The goddess is completely absent, and the only thing on the island is a dirty, mangy dog. Suddenly, everything Áila has ever known and believed is upended and her future becomes shrouded in uncertainty.

Hew already completed the Goddess Trial and received the designation of Unblessed. He is an outcast in the village, until he is tasked with assisting Áila through a series of Ordeals the town elders designed to compensate for her failed Trial. For the first time, he has hope he can make something of his life.

Orail isn’t quite sure who or what she is. She remembers little before Áila’s arrival on the island, and now all she knows is that she’ll never leave Áila’s side. But as she begins to realize and remember, she discovers powers—and an identity—she never could have imagined.

Told from three perspectives, Our Divine Mischief is an epic fantasy inspired by Scottish history and mythology that includes political intrigue, a sweeping love story, and an exploration of the powerful bond between dogs and humans.

Y’all, Our Divine Mischief was such a cute book- now, I’m 1000% biased because I’m such a dog person, but I loved Orail, Hew, and Áila and everything they went through throughout this book. It felt as though there were two real distinct sections within this book, and each of them could have been their own book and explored differently to make a full story, but I thought it was super interesting in the way that the book was executed- Áila never actually completed her ordeals, so those could have been their own book, which would have been super cool on its own and then everything on the mainland with the usurper king could have been a book of its own, especially with Orail and her being taken, but I really liked that second half so much. Having Hew and Áila work together and then get over things and then move other things forward was so fun. Also, loved the settings throughout. And, again, Orail was for sure my favorite and her backstory and us not getting all of it until the end was great. Overall, the only part that I wish was longer was the end because it felt a little rushed, but I really just enjoyed Our Divine Mischief and thought it was a fun, quick, exciting read and think y’all should pick it up today! Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

So this was cute, but I think I wasn't in the right mood to read it when I read it and pushed on anyway? Totally a me issue and nothing to do with the book at all.

Aila is on the cusp of turning 18, in her last months that she is allowed to go to a small island in chieftain-era Scotland to meet a literal goddess who will set her on her career path. But when she gets there, she finds a puppy instead?? (A wish granting puppy?)

Likewise Hew is someone who only a few years prior visited the island for the same trial and came back with love and opportunities as told by the goddess, anyway, as the people of his home assumed that no direct clear path meant you were "Unblessed" and doomed to farm peat forever and can't even go to church!!

So when Aila comes back with the dog and no medallion to point her toward an apprenticeship, religious leaders decide she can have one more chance, a set of trials laid out over weeks. But there's more on her little island village than just career-giving gods and trials, and the rumors of an Usurper Prince come in like the daily tides.

You can tell that Hanna Howard has a connection to dogs, which is great for ME who also has a connection to dogs, and although I wish there was a little more time spent on Aila falling in love with Orail (the dog in question) and more visibly bonding with her for more than being a magic dog that may just be a personal preference as well. There were also a few things that didn't quite match up (at one point in one of Orail's chapters you assume that because something happened now she can do a thing but the next time we meet her.... it's not that at all). But! The plot was interesting and I kept going to see what was gonna happen even if the points hit weren't surprising at all, and the descriptions were nice (so much cozy tea!).

Additionally, I appreciated the conversation about 'othering' - Hew being "othered" as Unblessed, that nearly no one treats him like a human being for a sort of decision the people of the town made, not the goddess herself.

I miss Scotland reading this!

Thank you to NetGalley and Blink for the eARC in exchange for review.

The cover for this one drew me in. Add to it the mystical title and intriguing synopsis, how could I not request a galley copy? I enjoyed how the magic system was set up in this story. I also found the relationship between dog and owner to be so relatable, especially for dog lovers. I consider this book to be a young adult romatasy and I think teens will enjoy it. I really like all the Scottish elements in the story and it made me even more excited to plan a visit there.

Inspired by Scottish history and folklore, Our Divine Mischief is a multi POV stand alone YA fantasy. Each of these POV narratives was written in their own distinct voice. The plot is intriguing and the world building provided an overall atmospheric read. I would recommend this to Rebecca Ross fans and anyone looking for a slower paced but rich and detailed read.

Our Divine Mischief is a YA stand-alone fantasy, inspired by Scottish and Celtic folklore. It’s set on Fuiscea, an Island, where the gods reside and magic exists, on this island, when the townsfolk are ready, they go to the goddess Yslet to be blessed, and Aila is ready, only when she visits the goddess she doesn't find it, instead she finds a puppy. It’s
unprecedented, and the priests will give her a second chance, she has to pass a series of tests to prove herself.

There are 3 POVs: Aila, the girl who will go through the trials, Hew who will be her assistant, he is an unblessed outcast, and Orail, who is no ordinary dog. I enjoy the 3 POVs, they are likable, although Orail is my favorite, such a cute, brave, and magical dog. He can grant wishes and help Aila in her trials, although at first, it would seem like mischief, he is so loyal. I feel bad about how the people treat Hew, he doesn't deserve it, he just wants to be accepted. And Aila, wants to help her family, and she knows that to do so, she must pass the trials.

I love how they help each other and are supportive without expecting anything in return, Hew doesn't want Aila to be excluded like him, so he will do everything possible to help her, just like Orail, if he has magic, why not use it to help her, and Aila is kind, does not take for granted for help. The 3 are good friends. They feel like real people, their desires and struggles are easy to relate to, and they want to feel secure, have a family & home, and be accepted.

The world-building is wonderful, I love the cabin and the cliff, almost can feel the wind in the hair or the salt in the skin. The magic system is good, feels like a historical fiction setting. It’s a magical story, it’s fast pacing but feels like an old old-fashioned tale, it has adventure, brave characters, a little action mystery, and a twist that I didn't expect, it’s a young adult and feels younger than an adult, perfect for teens who want discover Scottish mythology and people who want something with talking dogs. PS: Check the trigger warning.

Read it if you want:
• Standalone Fantasy
• Sottish / Celtic inspiration
• Mutiple POV
• Magical Dog
• Found Family

*Thank you to Blink, TBRBeyondTours and NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was an interesting book with a nice plot. It's a multiple POV and at first I didn't know who's character was speaking but when I learned more about the characters, I enjoyed.

"'I can sense what you want," she says slowly. "For a while I could only smell it, but now I can hear it in your thoughts, too. When you want something, I want to give it to you. And I can.'

Straightforward, really. And how like a dog - how simple and painfully beautiful - to want to grant all your desires."

On the island of Fuiscea, there is a tradition. When a person comes of age, they can take a "goddess trial" and row to an island where the goddess Yslet will meet them and give them a medallion telling them what they're meant to do with the rest of their lives. Different medallion materials mean different trades or callings. If a person ends up with a gold medallion, they are considered Unblessed and shunned by the rest of the village. When Aila goes to the island for her goddess trial, the goddess doesn't show up at all. Instead, she ends up with a strange puppy that seems to grow overnight and can grant all her wishes.

Aila calls the puppy Orail, and although a dog was the last thing she wanted or was looking for, she finds herself forging a bond with the strange misfit hound. In order to determine if she is worthy of a second goddess trial, Aila must prove her worth through a series of "ordeals," but with the aid of Orail and an Unblessed boy named Hew, she might just achieve everything she's dreamed of. Along the way, many trials and heartaches befall Aila, leaving her questioning just what it means to belong somewhere, who she belongs with, and what she will do to safeguard the bonds she has with those she loves.

This book was a very interesting premise. I liked the setting although the pseudo-Scottish dialect and terms made things a bit hard at times, and I could have used a pronunciation guide along with the definitions and guide to deities in the back. My muddling the words aside, I did enjoy the island and the characters inhabiting it. I don't think anyone will be able to help picturing a setting and heroine quite similar to that of the Disney/Pixar film "Brave" - except with a wonderful dog as an additional character. Orail is hands down the best part of this book. Anyone who's ever had a beloved dog will recognize something of them in Orail. Her train of thought and her actions are all so believable and easy to picture, as well as her simple, unselfish love for her human.

Aila and Hew are good enough human protagonists. Aila isn't flawless and has to learn and grow. She makes mistakes and has to pay prices for them. Hew is a bit of a tight fussbudget, very much governed by his faith, but he has his own flaws. The problem is that neither of them outshines or is as interesting as the dog. There are other human characters in the novel (the local laird, some priests, members of Aila's family), but none of them are really developed that much and with the exception of the novel's big bad, it's not really clear if we're supposed to like or dislike them.

This brings me to the only real issue I had with the novel. To me, this novel feels like it should have been a duology. Without giving too much away, there's an abrupt location change between the first and second half of the books, as well as an abrupt plot twist and change in the type of story being told. As a result, the second half of the novel tends to feel a bit rushed and some of the solutions to certain issues feel a bit unsatisfying. If this novel had been two books, I think there could have been a lot more character development, lore building, and just general establishment of time and place.

It could have ended with the plot twist cliffhanger, and then novel two would pick up in the new location and establish things and build characters there. Other than this feeling of a rushed second half and ending, I can say that I did genuinely enjoy the book, and especially Orail. I just wish I had more adventures to look forward to with such a good girl. 3.75 rounded up to four stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Hanna Howard for the free advanced reader copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed Hanna Howard’s ‘Our Divine Mischief’ this book called to be read snuggled up under blankets, with rain pouring down outside — which is exactly how I read it.

I loved how Howard was inspired by Scottish history and folklore, and I loved how she weaved in the Gods and Goddesses. I felt like her setting felt incredibly vivid and real, I could picture the landscape with ease. Her writing is incredibly atmospheric.

I enjoyed all three of the POVs that we got, I think they all worked nicely with each other to show different parts of the story without ever feeling too recappy of events. Each narrative voice was also incredibly distinct which made it easy to read.

I was at first a bit confused by why we had so much mention of the larger political story (the Usurper) as for a while this felt randomly thrown in and like it wasn’t needed for the story. However, it became apparently clear that this was a part of the plot later on in the story. Part of me thinks the book could’ve done without this plot and it could have still achieved what it wanted to via the Goddess Trials. When the characters left their town it began to feel like a different book to the one it had been up until that point.

I was a bit let down in the romance, Áila and Hew needed to have more chemistry and build up between them. It was both the slowest burn ever and the quickest insta love from the both of them. For Hew it seemed like he just fell in love with the first woman who was kind to him, and for Áila at the end it just felt random — her care for Hew was there, but it never really felt very romantic.

Overall, I really did enjoy evading this. It was gripping, with interesting characters and lovely prose.