Our divine mischief

Title:

Our divine mischief

Author:

Summary:

"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." -- Amazon.com.

Audience:

Ages 12 and up. Blink.

Physical Description:

373 pages : map ; 22 cm

Genre:

Fantasy fiction.

Subject Term:

Magic -- Fiction.

Belonging -- Fiction.

Dogs -- Fiction.

Human-animal relationships -- Fiction.

Publisher:

Blink,

Publication Date:

2023

ISBN:

9780310156222

Publication Information:

Grand Rapids, Michigan : Blink, [2023]

Call Number:

YA HOWARD

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003611533	New Young Adult	HOWARD	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

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.

Our Divine Mischief is:

A YA fantasy adventure for fans of Rebecca Ross's A River Enchanted, Garth Nix's Abhorsen books, and the Outlander series. Told from three points of view, one of which is a mysterious, poetic canine. Perfect for readers 13 and up.

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up--Seventeen-year old Aila finally has her mother's approval to go to the island where the goddess Ysla awaits to award her the medallion that will give her status in the community. But upon arrival, Aila discovers only a rambunctious puppy and no sign of the goddess. Returning home a failure, with a puppy in tow, the priests announce a series of trials for Alia to endure in order to earn her medallion. The priests assign Hew, one of the "unblessed"--a person who returned with a blank medallion and is forced to provide menial services--to look after her and keep things organized, on track, and understandable during the trials. The trials are physically difficult and emotionally overwhelming; but her dog, Orial, provides Aila comfort, resources, and a magic that cements their bond. When the third trial goes awry, bringing politics, violence, and an awareness that Orial might be a key to great power, Orial's life is endangered. Aila and Hew take action to ensure her safety even at the risk of their own. Told in alternating chapters, including Orial's poetic voice, this fantasy sets readers firmly in Scottish folklore cementing the story as part romance, part political intrigue, part thriller, and at its heart, a dog story. Readers will root for the three protagonists as they struggle to save Orial, alert their community to the dangers alive in the kingdom, and prove to themselves and their community that they belong and are worthy. VERDICT Offer this book to readers who enjoy their fantasy mixed with a folklore twist, romance, and, of course, dogs.--Connie Williams