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Misfit

by Jon Skovron (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 1,642 ratings · 351 reviews

Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help.

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father giv...more

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published August 1st 2011 by Amulet Books

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Jan 09, 2013 Wendy Darling rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, skimmed-or-unfinished, pn-angels, male-ya-author, male-pov

Annnd I'm done at 6%. Aside from a whole mess of writing issues, I expect to be a little more immersed in the characters and the story in a YA novel before I have to listen to an anecdote about a girl going down on a guy just because he bought her dinner at a fancy restaurant.

25 likes · like · see review

Jun 10, 2011 Ashleigh Paige rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: the-shameful-shelf-of-get-rid-of-it, e-arc-via-netgalley, arc

Also appears on The Screaming Nitpicker. I recieved my copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Jael Thompson as spent most of her life moving around with her cold ex-priest father. She finally feels at home in Seattle with her best friend Britt and her crush Rob, but she's scared her father will want to pick up and move again soon. On her sixteenth birthday, Jael gets a necklace left for her by her mother and learns the big secret: her mother was a demon, making Jael half demon. Now that she has h...more

12 likes · like · see review

Feb 28, 2011 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Smart, sexy and truly dangerous, MISFIT breaks new ground without forgetting the heart of its story. Though MISFIT is written for teens, adults, too, will appreciate its nuance, philosophical nature, and particularly the back story of Jael's parents, which is beautifully and painfully rendered. Math geek/skater boy Rob is about the freshest love interest I've read in awhile- he reads like someone you could really know, while still transcending the page. Skovron writes our tortured heroine Jael s...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jun 14, 2011 Gatorgal21 rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is actually a first for me, I am writing a review about a book that I have not actually finished. I wasn't expecting too much from Misfit, all I really wanted was a good, paranormal romance that would hopefully keep me, and anyone else entertained for a few days. I horribly misjudged it unfortuanately. Not to say that there wasn't good things in it, the back story about her Father and her Mother was pretty interesting, the skater boy love interest had potential to be very different and refr...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Heather rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

Jael is tired of moving around so often. Every time she gets settled in one Catholic school her father whisks them away to yet another, in another out-of-the-way place. Jael understands, really. After all, the demon Baliel has been hunting her since before she was born. He hates halfbreeds, and he really hated Jael's demon mother, so if he finds Jael he'll kill her. But Jael's uncle, Dagon, believes that Jael may have the untapped potential to destroy Baliel and bring back the era of the gods. I...more

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Nov 14, 2011 Izabela C rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First of all, Jon Skovron is a really talented writer with loads of very interesting things to say, not to mention he's downright hilarious at times. However: (1) I can see why this book rubs some people up the wrong way. (2) It's pretty obvious why most of the rest find it aggravating, too.

MY biggest problem is that about 50% of Misfit is comprised of flashback scenes. Don't get me wrong, this is fascinating info-dumpage; unfortunately - IT'S STILL INFO-DUMPAGE. As much as I want to know about...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 05, 2011 Ashelynn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommend

Wow. I didn't know what to expect when going in to read this book. Kiersten White gave a glowing blurb (along with Carrie Ryan and Holly Black!), and White recommends it all the time on Twitter. A few Goodreads friends didn't like it, though, and that had me on the fence. I didn't know if I should read it or not. My verdict? Read it. Decide for yourself. I loved it.

Jael, the kickass heroine, is an interesting character. She knew her mother was a demon since Jael's dad told her when she was eight...more

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Jul 08, 2011 Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, demons, 2011

Review originally posted at The Starry-Eyed Revue.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book going into it. I'd read the synopsis and was vaguely aware that it was about a teenage girl, demons, and supernatural powers. Sounded like my kinda read.

But the writing just blew me away! The story is written on a level that young and old alike can enjoy. The author exceptionally weaves philosophy and mythology into the back story of his heroine and her not-so-priestly father, and even though you start...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jun 18, 2011 Christy (Love of Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley

I love this book. Sometimes when I love a book, it's hard for me to articulate exactly why. That seems to be the case with Misfit, but I'll try naming a few reasons. I loved the blending of so many beliefs through history. Jael kicks ass! Rob and Jael's relationship. How her mother's story was told. The use of the elements. On and on...

I don't know if Skovron plans on making this into a series, but I really hope so!

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 30, 2013 Ian Wood added it

I rated this as worthy on my blog where you can find a very detailed review.

I don't do stars. A book is either worthy or warty imo, it's either worth your time or it's time wasted.

So this book is a bit weird. The pages are dirty - the chapter title pages and the first few pages before chapter one. This is not because a previous borrower did something unmentionable in polite company with this the book, but because the publisher did: the pages look like someone rubbed charcoal on them, or soot (or...more I rated this as worthy on my blog where you can find a very detailed review.

I don't do stars. A book is either worthy or warty imo, it's either worth your time or it's time wasted.

So this book is a bit weird. The pages are dirty - the chapter title pages and the first few pages before chapter one. This is not because a previous borrower did something unmentionable in polite company with this the book, but because the publisher did: the pages look like someone rubbed charcoal on them, or soot (or something). Icky! You don't get the with ebooks (for better or for worse!).

This novel is about young Jael, who is the daughter of a succubus (no, her last name isn't Bait!). She's rather like Lost Girl, but much younger. As as one herself now, she's attracting way too much attention, and she can’t handle this intensity. Her father, who actually is a father in the church (don't ask how that works!) is about as much use as fathers typically are, but her uncle on her mother's side - a full demon himself - is of much more utility in helping her coming of age become smoother, and in advising her about staying off the radar of demons who would hunt her, and defending herself from them.

Far from a big time showdown à la summer blockbuster movies, which is what I was expecting given what led to it, the finale is rather tame. I felt a bit like I did after reading Sister Mischief's ending, but on reflection, I can accept this ending more easily than that one! Even the inevitable love interest isn't totally awful!

I was thinking one morning during my reading of this novel, walking across the parking lot to work with the wind blowing softly and a fleck or two of rain in it here and there, of why we can’t all have the demon perceptions with which Jael, the mc, is blessed. I began to wonder why the demons have these perceptions, and given all that they do have, why on Earth would they be even remotely interested in us?

That part made no sense to me, but there are always issues with novels and in the end, you have to decide, worthy or warty? This one is definitely worthy.(less)

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Feb 11, 2013 Odalis rated it 5 of 5 stars

(http://lightstar-sreviews.tumblr.com/...)
My Review: Misfit… Wow just wow it’s an amazing book! I loved it.
Misfit follows the story of Jael who has lived her whole life with an ex-priest father who is still very religious despite the circumstances. Jael’s mother was a demon who supposedly died during childbirth. Her whole life was spent living from place to place with a father that was always very distant and secretive. She finds out at the age of 16 that she is a half breed, half demon and hal...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Caro rated it 3 of 5 stars

Uh.... Okay this is going to be spoilerific because I see no way to deal with my issues with this book unless we go into it.

Jael, the protagonist is a half demon/ half human. Which means she is given amazing powers for having powers over both the earth and human self. Okay that was very poorly explained. It also made Jael super human for no reason. She suddenly has powers that can defeat the Grand Duke of Hell for no reason other than her birth? and she has NO negatives as a result of this union...more

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Jul 14, 2012 Rebecca rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: did-not-finish

In the hundreds of books I've read, YA and otherwise, there have only been a handful that I just didn't finish. I don't mean books that I didn't start - if I don't get at least 10% into it, I assume that the book is just not for me, which is perfectly fine. However, I struggled with this book and actually got about halfway done with it, admittedly by skimming over several utterly superfluous sections, and finally concluded that at that point, even the best ending wouldn't change my mind about th...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Kay ^_^ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jael Thompson is a regular girl moving around from Catholic school to Catholic school. She's mostly unnoticed by all, including her father. Her friend Britt and a boy in her class, Rob, are the only people she seriously talks to. But when Jael looks into the magic necklace that once belonged to her mother, everything changes. Jael now sees into the past through the necklace and can see a younger version of her always serious father, her uncle Dagon, and her mother. But what she never knew about...more

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Mar 25, 2012 OpenBookSociety.com rated it 1 of 5 stars

Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell

Beware of spoilers

Jael Thompson has spent most of her life moving around with her father who used to be an ex-priest. Her father is more equipped as a boot camp sergeant than a father to a sixteen year old teenager. Jael finally feels at home in Seattle. She has a new best friend, Britt, and a new crush on a genius skater named Rob. But in the back of Jael’s mind she hangs onto the fear that her father will force them to move again. Jael and her father...more Brought to you by OBS staff member Annabell

Beware of spoilers

Jael Thompson has spent most of her life moving around with her father who used to be an ex-priest. Her father is more equipped as a boot camp sergeant than a father to a sixteen year old teenager. Jael finally feels at home in Seattle. She has a new best friend, Britt, and a new crush on a genius skater named Rob. But in the back of Jael’s mind she hangs onto the fear that her father will force them to move again. Jael and her father hold a very dark secret: her mother used to be a demon and Jael’s father lives in constant paranoia they will be caught by Hell’s minions who are seeking them. On Jael’s sixteenth birthday, her father gifts her with a necklace her mother had left behind for her along with the big secret he has been keeping for years: the necklace contains Jael’s demon essence. Once Jael’s powers are placed into her, she instantly becomes a powerful threat to Hell and the Grand Duke Belial is sending everything he can after her. Belial loathes half-breeds and is also after Jael for revenge for what her mother did to him. He will use anything he can to take Jael down, including her best friend and her big crush.

There are moments when a book leaves you completely breathless. Where the heroine may be flawed but redeems herself through growth in maturity and wise decisions. A book that leaves you wonderfully satisfied when you read it. Well, Misfit is not that novel.

Jael is one of the most selfish heroines I have ever read. She lacks common sense and wisdom. She also has no skill for self-preservation. Her attitude toward her father was such a big turn off. She was always acting so bratty and like a know-it-all even though she knew nothing about being a demon! She uses her powers in the open multiple times even though she’s been warned that’s how Belial will be able to find her. Britt, her best friend, was another lousy character. She is crass, superficial, vain, and irritating. She cares more about boys than self-respect. She was useless to the story except to deliver a very predictable outcome later on. Belial, the Grand Duke, that is built up so much throughout the novel, completely disappoints when he is finally revealed. He is far too cliché of a villain with his huge ego and even bigger monologues.

There are a few good characters. Rob is a skater who from the outside looks as if he cares more about outdoor acrobats than school. But he is actually a math and chemistry genius. He is really sweet, optimistic, and loveable. Uncle Dagon, demon baker for Hell and the brother of Jael’s mother, gave the story much of the comic relief it needed and provided a break in the always serious Paul (Jael’s father) and Jael’s angst.

One of the elements of the plot I really didn’t care for was the fact that Jael could see someone’s spirit and affect it. She uses that power on Rob even though she knows how incredibly dangerous it is and stupidly does it in public. She could have killed Rob! It made the romance between Rob and Jael seem completely fraudulent. Jael had no redeeming qualities so I couldn’t believe Rob could actually fall for her. Another element that made the plot fall apart was the fact that Jael was strong enough to defeat the Grand Duke of Hell, Belial. She has only had her powers for a very short amount of time and has no real way to control them. She makes more mistakes than progress, yet she somehow miraculously is able to defeat Belial. It was too unbelievable, even for a fantasy/supernatural novel. There should have been more of a build up. The dialogue was also a problem. So much of the dialogue read too dry and stale making it harder to connect with the story and characters.

The only real aspect of the this book that I truly enjoyed and loved were the flashback scenes of Jael’s parents, Paul and Astarte. The scenes were centered around how they met, fell in love, and fought demons together. I would have preferred very much for the author to have created a novel around Paul and Astarte (even though the constant reminder of Astarte’s beauty was borderline annoying at times). Jael’s story is just too boring and irritating because she is far too rebellious against a father who loves her and is trying to protect her, and cares more about herself than others.

Misfit has potential to be a good book but is lacking, the main character ruins the unique premise behind the story. The book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but offers a doorway for the author to create more novels. I do hope Jael’s character improves far better in later additions.(less)

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Mar 09, 2012 Casey added it

Shelves: fantasy, angels, teen, unfinished

DNF. I started it probably two months ago now and I just can't make myself finish it. I am really interested in the story that is taking place during current time but there is so little of it. Most of what I've read so far is background, flashbacks to how her parents got together and what brings them to their current situation. For some reason, I care very little for this information. I would rather it have been revealed another way. Plus, I find the transitions to these flashbacks confusing. Do...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Katie Cody rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, young-adult

Enter a world where everything you knew about Demons is about to be tested.

The intriguing world that Jon Skovron creates in Misfit will have you turning each page in anticipation. The demons in this story are unique and sometimes quirky and I couldn’t get enough of them. Each one was a new and interesting character that I had a fun time getting to know even the evil ones. My favorite character however was of course Jael.

Jael’s mother and her life was also shown throughout the story and it gave m...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

READ THIS BOOK this book was great, well written and the flashbacks aren't boring, read this book, here's a quote to make you at least pick up this book:

"In every drop of water, gust of air, speck of earth, and crackle of lightning, she hears the same thing: This world is alive. And it loves her.
A little while later, the storm notices that Jael has fallen asleep. The rain tapers off. The clouds sneak away like they're trying not to wake her. The wind caresses her cheek one last time, then di...more

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Dec 09, 2011 Jen (A Reading Daydreamer) added it

I have to admit, this story was pretty epic! I didn’t really know what to expect of this book, since I’ve only heard so-so reviews. I also have to admit that my thoughts are quite similar to others who have read Misfit.

While Misfit had intense and suspenseful scenes throughout the book, it also contained (in my opinion) useless information about Jael Thompson’s father’s past. Luckily it kept my interest because the boring religion scenes weren’t too long and tedious.

Jael Thompson was a charact...more

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Nov 23, 2011 Hylary Locsin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Jael Thompson has known since she was eight-years-old that she is half mortal, half demon. Her father, a Catholic professor of religion, fell in love with her mother, an ancient and beautiful succubus named Astarte. Shortly after Jael was born, Astarte was killed by an evil demon named Belial, and Jael’s father has told her very little about her mother. Now Jael is fifteen and wondering more than...more Originally posted on my blog: http://libraryladyhylary.blogspot.com ! Check it out for more reviews!

Jael Thompson has known since she was eight-years-old that she is half mortal, half demon. Her father, a Catholic professor of religion, fell in love with her mother, an ancient and beautiful succubus named Astarte. Shortly after Jael was born, Astarte was killed by an evil demon named Belial, and Jael’s father has told her very little about her mother. Now Jael is fifteen and wondering more than ever what Astarte was like and how being half demon is anything but a burden. Constantly pursued by Belial, Jael and her father have spent their lives on the run, moving from place-to-place. Now in Seattle, Jael is finally making friends and even has a boyfriend, a geeky skater named Rob. On the night of her sixteenth birthday, Jael’s father gives her a strange gift: a beautiful amulet that her mother left her. But this amulet is more than just a necklace: it contains Jael’s demon half. Once Jael reincorporates this part of herself into her body, she begins developing extraordinary supernatural powers. But the presence of the new demon power attracts the attention of Belial, who now knows where Jael is hiding and is coming to destroy her and everything she loves.

This breezily paced and entertaining novel forms a very promising start to an enjoyable new series for young adults. Demons are a commonplace character in teen paranormal fiction, but Skovron manages to keep the genre fresh with an original storyline. The novel is full of flashbacks that explain Jael’s beginnings, from how her parents met, to their days fighting rogue demons, to her mother’s sacrificing her life for her. The story also manages to delve into the topics of Catholicism, religion and faith to some degree, which isn’t often broached in this genre. The support characters, including Jael’s math obsessed, skater boyfriend and her lovable, fish-shaped uncle Dagon add to the fun. Look for a sequel to this novel being released sometime in 2012.

I wasn’t overly excited about reading this novel, but once I started it I was surprised to find how much I liked it. It really is easy-to-read and the characters are all likable and not over-done. I liked how the author included a lot of mythology and theology in the plot as well. Overall, this novel is simply difficult to not enjoy. (less)

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Oct 29, 2011 Sherre Leach rated it 5 of 5 stars

Misfit was an amazing book about a girl with demonic powers. I haven’t read many demon books and this one was great.

I do not want to give too much away for this book because I definitely want everyone to read it. To begin, Jael is half demon, half mortal, an anomaly. Her Mother was a Succubus known by many names (trust me, you’ll be surprised when you find them out) who gave her life to protect her daughter. The book gave us a nice back story about the history of her mother and father, and histo...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First 50 Pages: The first 50 pages of Misfit grabbed my attention pretty quickly. There are not many books that can do that. Usually, I have to force myself past the first few chapters before the story really starts to get interesting. There are those few exceptions and Misfit is one of them.

Review: Misfit is a good book. I’ve been told that there have been plenty of good reviews for the book. I never take that into consideration t...more See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy....

First 50 Pages: The first 50 pages of Misfit grabbed my attention pretty quickly. There are not many books that can do that. Usually, I have to force myself past the first few chapters before the story really starts to get interesting. There are those few exceptions and Misfit is one of them.

Review: Misfit is a good book. I’ve been told that there have been plenty of good reviews for the book. I never take that into consideration though. I’m often the odd one out. That is no exception with Misfit.

The characters are your normal teenage characters; slightly cliché, slightly normal, and very teenager. All of them in this case are rather loveable. Jael represents the main character, the half demon and half teenage girl. She doesn’t start the book knowing she is a half-breed. Surprisingly, she receives that news rather well. Jael faces a tough life with her upbringing. Again, she seems a little too well-adjusted, all things considered.

Jael’s father is a bad ass, ill-adjusted father. The reader will find out his background as the story progresses, so I don’t want to say that much about him. He comes across as a pompous ass until the end of the book.

The two other supporting characters, Jael’s friends, are just that, supporting. Both play interesting parts through the book to help develop and shape how Jael ultimately acts and reacts. One will make her think the best of herself while the other forces Jael’s hand against her will. But both help the main character to grow and progress through the book.

The plotline is good. Misfit is a very entertaining read. There isn’t much of a life lesson, or any analogy to life or society or any of that mumbo jumbo. Misfit is just pure entertainment. That is the way I like it. I spend a lot of time reading in the car waiting for my wife to finish her classes. Misfit fit the bill and kept me plenty entertained. This book wouldn’t make such a bad movie honestly, although maybe one for the younger crowd.

I do have my grievances though. The dialog is very plain Jane. I love well thought out and creative dialog in books. I love when authors purposefully misspell words to convey that accent. The creative expressionism gives some good taste to the title. Kind of like when a musician will play a note harder or softer, or draw it out. It shows their creative spirit. It expresses emotion in ways that a by-the-book method couldn’t. Misfit is very “said Jael”, or “said Rob.” The characters feel like they have no differing personality in their speech. Any differing personality traits are explained through imagery and explanation. But there isn’t anything in the dialog. Even the protagonist could be confused as Jael speaking with a couple of swear words. I think if the author had added a little more life in the dialog, Misfit could easily become a title that really stands out.

On the flip side though, the imagery is well played. The dialog may have been lacking, but the wordsmithing used to describe the scenery and thoughts of the main character were well done. I especially love how the author describes how the natural forces of nature were feeling, thinking, and acting. My favorite piece was the near the end of the book when Jael created a storm, she falls asleep, and the wind notices, gently brushes her checks as if to say good bye, and then leaves. The author wrote it much more beautifully than that, but you will have to read the book to see for yourself. Jon Skovron may want to spruce up the dialog a bit, but his expressionism for imagery is head on.

Conclusion: Misfit is a book for the younger audience. Adults may find it a little bland and boring. The plot line is good. Misfit is very entertaining. But the dialog will throw readers off a bit. The dialog structure is more in tune for the younger audience, maybe 11-17 years old. I would highly recommend this book for any readers of that age. Misfit is pure entertainment that will attract younger readers to keep reading. (less)

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Sep 19, 2011 Bibliojunkies rated it 4 of 5 stars

**** From Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS:

Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been superstrict—but that’s probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history and Jael’s untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must...more

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Aug 30, 2011 Trisha Wolfe added it

I really didn’t think I’d enjoy this book as much as I did. It sounded very young in the summary, and from some reviews, I thought that maybe it wouldn’t have much romance. Though there is sparse romance between Jael and Rob, it’s more getting to know each other, and learning to trust for Jael. I really liked where their relationship is going. And although Rob was a bit of a weird mix, I admit when I was in HS, I wasn’t a stereotype. I had a lot of odd layers. And so does he, being some kind of...more

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Aug 25, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Actual Rating: 3.5/5

MY THOUGHTS
Misfit is a decidedly unexpected read, one that coats us in a somber and dark residue for the duration of the story and forces us to squirm a bit as we learn more about Jael's demonic heritage. This story is certainly neither bad nor poorly written, just one of those whose subject matter is at times uncomfortable though we can't help but want to fight through the boundaries of our comfort zones and tentatively set foot on the other side to follow Jael on her journe...more Actual Rating: 3.5/5

MY THOUGHTS
Misfit is a decidedly unexpected read, one that coats us in a somber and dark residue for the duration of the story and forces us to squirm a bit as we learn more about Jael's demonic heritage. This story is certainly neither bad nor poorly written, just one of those whose subject matter is at times uncomfortable though we can't help but want to fight through the boundaries of our comfort zones and tentatively set foot on the other side to follow Jael on her journey. Religion plays a fairly large role, but Mr. Skovron keeps his story from being a sermon, infusing the characters with relatable and intriguing personalities that keep the religious overtones from overwhelming the plot itself. Misfit is a challenging read based on the content, leaving us a bit in limbo in terms of our thoughts on it as a whole, but for all the elements that add to our indecision, the characters themselves provide a saving grace.

Jael is a light in the rampaging darkness of her story, dealing with a father who is physically present but emotionally absent while struggling through a Catholic school that teaches lesson after lesson wherein demons are the epitome of evil. Half-demon herself and with a deceased demoness mother, we instantly feel Jael's loneliness and desire to be different from the depictions she's assaulted with on a daily basis. She's strong mentally, and, when she comes into her demonic powers, incredibly strong physically, allowing us to easily root for her to find her place in her family, her humanity, and her demonic legacy.

In addition to Jael, Mr. Skovron also entertains us with several well-executed secondary characters. Jael's demon uncle Dagon adds quite a bit of levity to the story, working with Jael to help her understand her new gifts while training her to face the demon hunting her. Love interest Rob is adorable, his interactions with Jael sweet with an underlying tang of romantic tension that provides a welcome distraction from the weight of Jael's new purpose, the revelations regarding the death of her mother, and the destruction Belial (the demon after her) is bent on executing. Also of interest is the gradual growth between father and daughter, the pieces that have kept him from fully embracing his role as a parent beginning to fall into place with Jael's acceptance of who she truly is.

Overall, Misfit is strong in its characterization, giving us something positive and tangible to latch onto as armor against the pain, the exorcisms, and the suffering we witness over thousands of years when Jael is granted access to a few of her mother's ancient memories. Finishing this book does result in an involuntary full-body shudder to shake loose the lingering unease, so for those who relish a story that doesn't wrap you in a soft, welcoming cocoon but rather pushes buttons and seeks to evoke a visceral response, Misfit will appeal to you.
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Aug 23, 2011 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked Misfit. Everybody at one time or another thinks they don't fit in.
I have heard of halfbreeds before but never a demon and human halfbreed. Jael mother was a demon older than most churchs. Her father Paul was a monk and when he fell in love with a demon they became demon hunters
Till they became parents and than they tried to run to protect their daughter from the Grand duke Belial a very powerful demon who cant stand halfbreeds. Astarte dies to help protect her daughter to hide her...more

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Aug 17, 2011 Mary rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reviewed from e-galley provided by publisher via netgalley.com.

Jael has known she's different since she was eight years old and her dad told her she was half demon. Her mother, a demon, had died when she was three months old, and Jael and her father had led an itinerant existence, moving from one place to another to protect Jael from the demons who felt threatened by her existence. Jael understands her dad's motivations but feels hemmed in by his overprotectiveness. On her sixteenth birthday, Ja...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Shirley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Misfit's main character Jael, has known since she was 8 that her deceased mother was a demon. It's not until she turns 16 that she learns the rest of the story.
It has been just her and her dad for as long as she can remember. She doesn't have many friends because they moved so much she didn't have time to make any lasting ties. Besides that, most of the moves were made at a moments notice. Her dad is a good father, but not exactly a loving one. He doesn't talk about her mother and Jael has learn...more Misfit's main character Jael, has known since she was 8 that her deceased mother was a demon. It's not until she turns 16 that she learns the rest of the story.
It has been just her and her dad for as long as she can remember. She doesn't have many friends because they moved so much she didn't have time to make any lasting ties. Besides that, most of the moves were made at a moments notice. Her dad is a good father, but not exactly a loving one. He doesn't talk about her mother and Jael has learned not to ask any questions. On her 16th birthday, her father gives her a gift that changes everything.
I really did like this book. It is a great story and has a super mythological and religious basis. Jael's character is totally believable and the supporting characters are great also. Having the back story of her father and mother help tie everything together and give you a better understanding of why her father is the way he is and having Jael be able to "see" this back story helps her grow as a character as well. As a side note, and a totally personal observation. Jael's Uncle Dagon is my absolute favorite character. His comedic relief is a perfect compliment to all the intense drama playing out throughout the story.
As much as I like this book, there were a couple of things that I feel like need to be mentioned. Nothing bad and nothing that keeps this from being a story well worth reading, honest. First, there are quite a few grammatical errors. I'm a stickler for these, so I really try not to be too critical. I just thought that it was worth mentioning. To be fair, my copy was a sample from a bookstore, which was not a final copy so some of the errors that I noticed may have been fixed by the time it went to press. The only other problem I had was the tense went back and forth from present to past. Not just in the flash back scenes, but throughout the story. It isn't a huge deal, it just makes reading it a little distracting at times. Other than those minor details, Misfits was a wonderfully unique tale that was well worth the read.
The only other thing that needs to be said isn't a criticism, just a warning. This is a YA book, but there are several very graphic and violent scenes in this book. They add to the story and I can see why the author wrote them. It just makes this book more suited for older, or more mature YAs.
I hope that this isn't the last we see of Jael and her friends and family. The door is left wide open for this story to continue and I hope that it does. There is much more to Jael's adventures and so much more of her history to learn about. Hopefully there is a sequel in the future. (less)

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Jul 31, 2011 Regina Linton rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: net-galley

Jael, what a beautiful name. Jael show you what it is like to live in poverty and has one true friend, Britt. Jael moves a lot because of her father doesn't feel that they can stay safe in one place for too long.

Jael knew from an early age that her mother was a demon. Her father was a monk. Jael lost her mother at an early age but was not informed that once she turned sixteen her life was going to change. She changed mentally and physically and finds it hard to confide in anyone. Even her best f...more

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Jul 31, 2011 Victoria rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-more-than-half-but-didn-t-fini, arcs-galleys, young-adult

There aren’t enough books written that use demonic influence as part of the main character. Thereof this book had some exciting principles that hopefully could stand up to the challenge.

The characters are believable. These aren’t cardboard cut outs that just move the reader through the story at scheduled intervals. The situations the characters are faced with allow the reader to immerse even more in the story and their lives.

The plot was intriguing. It stands as one of the most original yet. (...more

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About Jon Skovron

Jon Skovron has been an actor, musician, lifeguard, Broadway theater ticket seller, warehouse grunt, technical writer, and web developer. Now he is a father and the author of Young Adult novels Struts & Frets, Misfit and the forthcoming Man Made Boy (Fall, 2013), as well as many short stories and essays. He generally likes stories that are dark, strange, and occasionally funny.

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Quotes from Misfit

“The stuff you do is way more important than the stuff you believe.” — 20 people liked it

“Jael" It still gives her a strange shiver when he says her name. Like she can almost get a sense of the person he believes she's capable of becoming. A person who deserves an exotic name spoken with reverence. But now he looks a little sad. "If all you ever do is try to avoid pain, you'll never create something truly worthwhile.” — 8 people liked it

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