About the Author:

Title: Our Divine Mischief 

Author: Hanna C. Howard 

Publisher: Blink 

Release Date: October 17, 2023

Pages: 384

Genre: YA Fantasy 

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

*I received an e-arc from the author/publisher for review. Thank you for the opportunity! All thoughts are my own.*

I was introduced to Hanna C. Howard when her debut came out, and so I immediately wanted to read her sophomore novel, Our Divine Mischief! It did not disappoint, and I really enjoyed it.

This book takes us on an adventure in an imaginary 18th century Scotland. It was beautiful and atmospheric, and a place I would definitely want to visit. I loved the mythology that was interwoven into the story as well. 

Áila is a great female protagonist, but Orail her dog that grants wishes is the character that truly captured my heart! 

This story was about family, friendship, finding yourself, and more. If you enjoy fantasy, adventure and sweet romance than you will want to pick this one up. 

 

About the Author:

Hanna C. Howard started writing books in the fourth grade—and they were always about dogs. Her tastes have expanded since then, but her favorite stories still tend to have a dog in them somewhere. When she isn’t writing or reading with a pot of tea nearby, she prefers to be in her rambling cottage garden, conjuring beauty and nurturing compost. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband, three young hobbit children, and their athletic rescue mutt. Her first novel, Ignite the Sun, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Our Divine Mischief is due out in October of 2023.