Thank you so much Blink Teens & YA Publishing, Netgalley, and TBR and Beyond Tours for sending me an ARC to read and share an honest review of!

"But of course you can't strive to belong. Because belonging doesn't come on the back of hard work; it comes as a result of being loved."

*4.25 stars*

This book was a very good, solid YA book in my opinion! It had decent worldbuilding, loveable characters, a good message, and a good plot.

First off, let's talk about the characters. I absolutely loved Hew, Orail, and Aila; they felt so real and relatable to me. Though, at times, Aila went out of character a little (like very naive in one scene and cunning in the next). I didn't hate Hew's and Aila's relationship, BUT I do wish it had been a little more developed near the end. Aila had shown no signs of being in love with him, then just decided she would tell him that she loved him. The side characters were interesting as well, though a little flat, and there were a LOT of characters' names which at times made for a confusing read.

In regards to the plot, it kept my attention the entire time, and I didn't want to put this book down because of it! It took a little while to get into the story, as there were twists that had to happen near the beginning to reveal the true, high stakes. I also think the ending went by a little fast (like the conflict was resolved a little too quickly, considering how long it took to get there). There was also a little too much telling, and not showing.

I think my favorite parts of this book though were the themes it explored and some parts of the worldbuilding. Overall, the worldbuilding was a tad confusing (and lacking in regards to the "impending war"), but I loved the fantasy version of the Scottish Highlands and Howard's take on Celtic mythology. There were many themes this book explored, but the most significant ones were: belonging, family, home, and self-worth. It was one of the most relatable stories I've read in a while in this regard.

Overall, a very good YA read that I'd definitely recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of the book!

Rating: 4.5/5

While it was a little difficult to get into at first, this book ended up being very enjoyable. The characters were interesting and well fleshed out, and I certainly didn't expect that plot twist.

This story is told in multiple POVs Hew, Aila, and a doggy. Aila must head to an island and hopefully get the Goddess to give her a medallion that will allow her to work in a specified field. If you don't get a medallion you are considered unblessed and basically, you turn into a pariah, and usually those who are unblessed end up leaving to a new town.
I really liked Hew, he is unblessed and is doing his best not to allow his status to stop him from being a priest. The town isn't making this easy, and when he is tasked with assisting Aila in her trials he hopes this will help himself as well. The dog's POV is really disjointed and a bit confusing to me at first but the further we get in the story the clearer it becomes. I did think the trials were a lot harder in comparison to what she would have had to do on the island, but at least she has Hew and her Pupper for help. I did enjoy the history of the medallions, and the story of the God and Goddess, and I did really like the way it ended.

On the island of Fuiscea, young men and women participate in the Goddess Trials to set the course of their future. But what happens when you fail the trial? Áila and Hew with the help of magical dog Orail, must learn to chart their own futures. Our Divine Michief is an enchanting young adult fantasy about finding yourself that will appeal to fans of Rebecca Ross.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I have read a lot of books this year, like almost 150, and at this point every story is starting to feel the same. This one, however, was very refreshing. I loved the Scottish influence and the unique POVs. I would definitely recommend this book to any fantasy lover.

I adore Celtic myths so when I had the chance to read this book as a ARC Belive me I took the chance in a instant. The world building in this book was DELICiOUS and the creation and grow of characters was something I enjoyed lots reading this book. The book for me was a warm and cozy fairytale from beginning to end. I liked that the ending was like it was and I enjoyed so much feel related to some of
The characters. The way the plot was so fresh and vibran is such a magical thing for me because I was a bit tired to read similar stories.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=2 | 😘=2.5 | 🤬=2 | ⚔️=3 | 13+

summary: female main character failed a test to receive a gift from a goddess; now she has to pass these trials and there’s a mischievous dog and a handsome boy off

thoughts: this protagonist was unbelievably infuriating—like, seriously so. dumb. the villain soooo obvious—no twists, no complicated character reasons, his only personality traits are that he's hot and evil—and the male protagonist fell for the FMC suuuuper quickly and for no reason. does she even have any redeeming qualities?? like why are you in love with her at all, let alone only 40% through the book?? the main premise is also pretty contrived; the test she fails involves going to an island and waiting for a goddess to show up, but the test she had to do to make up for her failure is infinitely more complicated and they don’t seem remotely equivalent. ugh. didn’t like this. the dog was cute, though :)

Found family + Scottish mythology = winning combo! It’s so easy to get caught up in all of this newer type of fantasy books and it was so refreshing to dive into a world with older more gritty mythology instead. Bit of a slow read at first but once the trials kicked in I didn’t even know where time went.

I really enjoyed the Celtic mythology that was weaved in the storyline. The world building was just right, and I didn't feel lost. I did get confused with the names a few times. I really loved how the dog played a huge role in this story. The meddling gods were great, and I loved many of the characters in the story. The tasks that were performed in the story were intriguing and drew me in. I'm eager to see where the story grows from here.

A book that deals genuinely with struggles of faith, searching for one's purpose in life, and recognising real love even when it takes forms you may not expect, Our Divine Mischief also features two strong protagonists and an adorable wish-granting pupper who may not be all she seems (if, you know, the whole wish-granting deal wasn't a big enough tip-off).

Aila always expected to receive clear guidance from the goddess Yslet when it came time to meet her--but not only did the goddess not even show up, all Aila found was a little brown dog. Now she must undergo further trials in her home village to prove she is worthy to look for the goddess again, or be declared Unblessed--and perhaps leave behind the village she so loves, if she does not have a deity-designed place to fill.

Hew did get to meet Yslet, but she declared him Unblessed herself, so he has been relegated to peat-cutting and filling any other odd tasks the priests may have for him. He loves the gods and wants to become a priest himself, but he can't do so in this village at least, and he hates the thought of leaving behind his sister and her family. When he is appointed as Aila's chaperone as she prepares for each of her trials, separated from her family and any others who might give her help, he hopes, perhaps, to support her through what he himself has already experienced as an Unblessed. He never expected to start falling for her--and he certainly didn't expect her dog to start talking in his head.

Orail knows two things: she can grant certain kinds of wishes, and she loves Aila <i>so so so</i> much. Also she can think in verse sometimes. That's unusual for a dog, right?

As Aila and Hew navigate her trials and grow closer together, they begin to uncover just what's going on with her dog--and what's going on with that handsome newcomer to the island who brought the news about the Usurper Prince's uprising.

I'm not great at summaries so beg pardon for that, but ANyway I absolutely loved this book so much! The atmosphere was lovely--the island village, the cliff and forest walks, the sea, and running through it all the folksong custom-written for this book, Golden Light and Thistle. Aila and Hew were both such complex characters struggling with distinct personal conflicts that yet dovetailed so beautifully, and Orail was just--DARLING and DEAR and SUCH a good doggo. The handling of deities and organized religion was also well-done; I especially liked that there were both genuine believers and those who did not behave according to the beliefs they claimed, practices added that weren't necessarily honoring to the gods that were eventually called out without the religion itself being derided, and how both Hew and Aila went through their own moments of doubt and questioning without being looked down on for them or having them resolved too neatly. It felt realistic without detracting from the importance of their beliefs.

I found Howard's first book fun enough, though it contained enough familiar elements to be a little predictable--this one felt fresh and new in so many aspects and was an excellent story on all plot and character levels, and I'm now excited to see what she'll do next!

(also it came with a QR code to download that lovely custom folk song I mentioned earlier and it's SO PERFECT for the book excuse me while I go listen to it so many more times)

<i>I received a review copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion.</i>

I really enjoyed this book! There are far too few books on the myths and legends of the other countries in Britian and I loved learning more about Scotland. It has old gods, faith, a talking dog, good vs evil and good character development that goes some way to redeem some poor choices. I also liked the way that being a good person was positioned higher than being religious

The book also managed to provure actear or two from my dry old eyes!

Overall a great YA book that I read in 2 days, 4 star.

This was a nice story with a great plot. The pacing picked up pretty fast once the trials started and couldn’t keep the book down. I enjoyed the characters as well especially Hew and the talking dog Orail.

First I wanna say thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this arc. Now I will say this was a decent book i definitely liked it it was cozy I wanna say like found family with cutest little chaotic doggo you’ll ever meet. It did get alittle boring at time but that’s not fault to anyone over all the book is 3 stars I did enjoy it

Wonderful to see Scottish Mythology and folklore represented here in the most beautiful story that is full of autumnal witch vibes.

This book was not what I expected and I loved it! Aila is about to face The Goddess Trial and find out what assignment she'll get within her community. But when the trial gives an outcome that no one's ever seen, they don't know how to handle it. Coming back with a dog, Orail, and confusion about where she stands, Aila must now go through five "Ordeals" to see how the gods favor her and if she can redo her trial. In preparing, Orail and Aila's bond grow and now they can communicate with each other, with some special perks. Local boy, Hew, has been assigned to chaperone Aila as she prepares for her Ordeals, and the three of them become close. But an outsider who has posed as a friend, jeopardizes everything.

The trial and Ordeals portion of the book was reminiscent of previous books that send their MCs through challenges to prove themselves, but also not redundant; the tasks, the relationship-building, and references to their gods were all unique ideas. I did not anticipate the antagonist or the turn the story took until just when it was revealed. This story also broke my heart. There was such strong relationship building between Aila, Orail, and Hew, that when things took a disastrous turn, I teared up in anger and frustration at the decisions made. However, without that choice, the ultimate resolution wouldn't have happened, and thankfully my heart was happy at the end.

Definitely don't pass on this book. It has great story telling, and you'll easily become engrossed in the story.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I liked learning a bit about Scottish myths and gods. I liked how Orail still wanted to stick by Aila even if it cost her.

I really enjoyed this, it was cute.

A little bit hard to get into at first with the Scottish accents, but I appreciated reading about a different culture/myths from the usual. Quite an original story and I particularly loved the humour around the talking magical dog. Surprisingly poignant in parts.

4/5

I really struggled with what to rate this book. Because while I loved the world that the author created, loved the author's prose, and loved the very ending of this book, I really struggled with the pacing of the plot as well as the lackluster climax of the book. The main plot of the book doesn't actually begin till the 50% mark, and then it felt very rushed to the ending. I wish that certain *spoilery* aspects of the story had been revealed sooner so that Hew and Aila could fight against them sooner. That their fight had been more of the main story, rather than feeling like a side story. And I wish that Hew and Aila had defeated the villain. They had a part in it, yes, but watching him be defeated in front of them without actually doing it themselves was very disappointing to see.
However, the very end of this story. I have no words for the beauty in the prose and the beauty in the way that all the threads wrapped up into a beautiful Celtic knot. It was so lovely and so sweet, and it truly redeemed a lot of the story for me.

Our Divine Mischief

A fun premise with characters you can’t help but love. Hew was my favorite. He was so unproblematic with the ability to listen to his gut, be who he was and continue to believe in his dreams while those around him worked to bring him down. He is truly the type of character with characteristics you can aspire to. Then there is the pov from a lovable dog that thinks in poems. A unique addition to the story.

The storytelling felt aimless at times with overly heavy foreshadowing at others. Overall I really did enjoy the story I just think the structure could have used a little more work. A solid YA read though.