Misfit: Jael und das Amulett der Dämonen

Awesome!

Misfit is an eclectic blend of past and present. The story, or rather stories, that take place in this amazing novel had me both grinning and frowning on a single page. The term half demon would usually brings about negative thoughts, but Misfit will change how you think. For me Misfit brought about diversity to an age old question, are all demons evil?

Throughout the novel the author, Jon Skovron, jumps between the past of two important characters: mortal Paul and demoness Astarte, and in the present we meet their daughter Jael, a half breed. Ultimately this is Jael's story, it is about finding herself and using events and sacrifices that happened in the past to strengthen and propel her into her uncertain future. I loved this style of writing, normally I don't enjoy when authors change narrators or point of views, but Jon Skovron pulled this storytelling off without a hitch. We learn alongside Jael the truths that for so long her dad kept from her through visions of the past.

Paul, Jael's father is a quiet man. He avoids answering every question Jael throws at him until he must face the fact that she is old enough to handle it. Jael is like any other teenage girl, but since she was a child she's known her mother was not human. Now at 16 she must face what she is and unleash what has been hidden for so long. With her newfound ability comes learning to use it. That's where her sweet natured Uncle Dagon comes into play. I loved his character. Jon Skovron could have taken the only other living relative of Jael's in any direction, and what he did was brilliant. Ah, I loved it!

In the story we also meet Jael's friends Britt and Rob. I can't say that I liked Britt, she was just annoying. I'll leave it at that. Rob on the other hand I am a fan of. He's a sweet and funny, nerdy, skateboarding heartthrob who definitely likes Jael, even if she can't really see that.

Misfit is a paranormal, fantasy filled, demon based young adult book. That said, it does deal with a lot of almost morbid situations. Brutal torture and cruelty are definitely found here, but it's a very necessary part of the story. A story that is about Demons. I would take nothing away from this fantastic read, all the elements made it the remarkable journey that it is. Hope lines every page, even the dark ones. I am definitely team half breed!

There's so much to love in this book. It's definitely worth a read, you won't be disappointed.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A misfit to a misfit

*a beautiful lioness comes in* The time has come for us to come out of hiding. The clans need us. Without you we shall all perish. The war is coming. The forest of darkness creeps ever closer. Death is at hand. The misfits are the only ones who can save us now. We need you all to come. Without you, we are doomed.

To tak

I am Lily. This is for you. *a white dove flies in and perches on taks shoulder* Sometimes though, I have trouble controlling my powers.

Kalin

She walks in. Black hair seeps out from underneath a ski cap and her piercing green eyes search Tak. "I am a misfit. I dont belong. I am a shapeshifter. People think that is strange and treat me like a monster." To prove it she turns into a crow and back. Hopefully you will let me join

Tak

I noticed. It's called MNWC news I think. Ok, it should be done by about four thirty today pacific time. *melds two sheets o metal together*

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Annabell Cadiz There are moments

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Annabell Cadiz

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.

The story felt rushed and ended abruptly.

Going to Catholic school and living with your super strict dad (who, by the way, is totally a teacher at your school) is hard enough at the best of times. Even more so for Jael Thompson because, in addition to the usual problems you might be able to imagine, she's a demon. More accurately a half-demon.

For the last fifteen years that has meant Jael and her dad move around a lot trying to stay one step ahead of the demon's working for one of Hell's dukes who wants to kill Jael. It's also meant being completely in the dark about her mother, her powers, and a lot of her family's past.

Everything changes when Jael receives a strangely beautiful necklace on her sixteenth birthday. Her mother wanted her to have it. Her father has forbidden Jael from wearing it. Jael knows the necklace is the key and that her choice will change everything. The only problem is, Jael isn't sure what to choose. Does she venture into her demonic side or stay true to her human life by going to high school and flirting with Rob--the cute skater boy in all of her classes? Jael is half-demon and half-mortal, but if she can live long enough maybe she can have the best of both in Misfit (2011) by Jon Skovron.

Misfit is Skovron's second novel and his first venture into the fantasy genre.

Misfit has a really interesting premise. Skovron artfully combines conventional ideas about Hell with mythology and his own take on things. While the story is heavy on religious references (unsurprisingly since Jael's father was a priest and she is in Catholic school) Skovron manages to present a surprisingly secular and refreshing take on demonology.

Written in the third person present tense, some of the prose here felt distancing and often pulled me out of the action of the story. Jael's narrative alternates with anecdotes about her mother (written in the traditional third person past tense) and often the flashback segments felt more engrossing.

While Skovron did a wonderful job introducing Jael and her family and explaining her origins, the story felt rushed and ended abruptly. Misfit is a great setup for what will likely become a popular series but on its own the ending of this one felt a bit too open-ended. At times gory (but not too gory) and often surprising, Misfit is a great pick for horror and fantasy fans alike.

Possible Pairings: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, Mister Monday by Garth Nix, Paranormalcy by Kirsten White

¿Misfit¿ is an exciting new paranormal book for teens that I highly recommend to paranormal lovers of all ages.

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 me a chance to really understand her as a character. There were definitely some intriguing things I found out about Jael’s mother.
Jael was a fun character to get to know and had some great depth to her. From a young age she knew what she was, but it wasn’t until her dad gave her an unusual present that thing really started getting out of hand. Jael also grows a lot throughout the book and it was fun getting to know her and seeing how she handled all of these new situations being thrown at her.
The love interest, Rob, was a very fun character and every time he came around he would bring a smile to even the gloomiest face. I loved seeing how he and Jael interacted with one another.
“Misfit” is an exciting new paranormal book for teens that I highly recommend to paranormal lovers of all ages.

Books to the Sky Reviews: Loved this book!

This was such a refreshing break from vampires and werewolves.

It was a little bit of of adjustment to get into to the verb tense that the author used, but once I got past that, it was all systems go!

I'm huge into the supernatural beings that survive over centuries so that the reader is taken into historical moments. This book didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed reading about some of the biblical history but with "demons" involved in the mix.

Because the author delved into the history of Jael's father, I felt like I really got to know him and understand his point of view.

In fact, the author developed the characters so well that I felt quite connected to each of them. I understood their strengths and their weaknesses.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal story!

YA Bound

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 Science genius and a clueless skater boy. But I found him very endearing.

Jael was easy enough for me to relate to. Although I prefer first person narrative, I understand why the author used third. We're able to see a lot of backstory about her parents, and who Jael is. I usually don't like a lot of info, or input from parents in my YA, but I really enjoyed it in this book. It felt like I was reading two stories. And her father and mother were really kick butt back in the day. It helped that I got to know who her father was, and that I understood why he was the way he was.

The mythology is very dark. But it's done in a way that's not too deep or evil feeling. With the jokes and fun relationship with her and her demon uncle, and the her humorous outlook on herself, Jael's story was really entertaining. And I love to read about different kinds of mythology and Biblical stuff. It's just cool. So I loved all the info the author weaved throughout the story, while combing it with an original take on demons, and how the realms of Earth and Hell work. It was interesting, and a fun read.

like it

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 till shes older.
Jael goes to catholic school but they move almost every year this has been the longest almost 2 years. She has a hard time when they talk about demons because she is half demon.
jael has a good friend Britt and she likes a skaterboy Rob.
When she is sixteen her demon half is released back into her and her Uncle a demon starts teaching her about demons and how to use fire, water,air,earth and spirit.
Belial finds her too but wants her to suffer before he kills her.
I like how the story jumps back to the past so she sees her mom and her dad fight demons how they fell in love. Her uncle and mom relationship over the years.
I read the book straight through. Easy read and keeps you believing that it good be true. I was given this ebook in exchange of honest review.

Great book!

I love book with a solid plot line. This book gave me such a great reading experience, I just might read the book over again. What I like most about this book is the great plot line. I adored the biblical references as well as the history to the characters. When a author can great not only good characters but good back round history as well, it makes me giddy. In reading this book, Mr. Skovron wrote a dark, edgy book that I could not put down.

The characters in the book were well developed but also grew right before the readers eyes. I love that as the reader, Mr. Skovron gave such a great history to the characters that the reader really got to know them.With a strong back round in place, the reader felt everything in the book. His writing is great in describing the characters feelings and places.

The love interest in this book I absolutely adored! I am a total romance junkie. To see two people fall in love, discover secrets, and escape death at every twist and turn of the pages, I love it! Freaking LOVE IT! I can't express how well the love interest develop. Not too fast nor too slow. With the action and adventure going on, the reader falls into the story, weaving through fights, lust, anger, and revenge!!

I have not read anything like this before. I enjoyed reading every moment of it! You must read this book. Exploring the world as a half-demon, being in Jael shoe's is something that you don't want to miss. A dark and dangerous book, Misfit is what you want to read!
*some cursing*

Unique & Refreshing

I thought Misfit was a fun, unique novel and most definitely a compelling read. (You know, one of those books you want to take to work with you and read while you're working because you need to know what happens next?) The characters were compelling and the story kept me turning page after page just to see what would happen next.

The MC, Jael, is a teenage girl with a twist--she's half-demon. From the beginning, Jael knows what she is, which is refreshing because it makes her a stronger character. She knows from the beginning what the risks of her exposure are and she knows that she has to be careful. Even so, this is the first time that she and her father have stayed in one town long enough for her to actually make friends. And wouldn't you know, just a Jael moves towards having her first boyfriend, all Hell breaks loose.

I loved watching Jael learn to deal with her demon side--the strength and power that comes with unleashing it. It was interesting because she knew what she was but never really understood the consequences of that until her demon nature was unlocked. Also, back to that boyfriend, Robby--he's pretty awesome, but you're going to have to read the book to learn more about him.

Overall, Mr. Skovron has written a fast-pace, action-packed YA novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I'd probably recommend this novel for older YA readers (15+) because of sexual references and violence.

Courtesy of Readergirl Reviews a Teen Book

When I first started reading this book, I was certain I was going to hate it. Although it was a little slow to get started for me, my doubts came less from that and more because of the subject matter and the way it was presented. Let me first state at the outset that I've read many books that have demons in them and enjoyed them immensely. So despite the fact that my religion is Christian, it doesn't ordinarily prevent me from enjoying a story just because demons are in it. In this book, though, the demons names were pulled straight from the Bible, as they were the names of some of the most vile gods written of in that book. I had a hard time, therefore, getting past the fact that these bad gods are now demons that are good guys in Misfit. Meanwhile Christianity is portrayed as being somewhat bleh. So the whole message seemed at first rather "Chrisianity bleh, demons/bad gods, yay!"

I did stick with it, though. I shoved my theological mind into a corner and tried to just read it as an enjoyable piece of fiction, and things got better for me. Jael was an interesting character... strong, independent, and determined to discover her roots and cultivate her half demon side. Rob was cute and a good pairing for her. Her relationship with her dad and, yes her demon uncle Dagon, were actually the most interesting elements of the book to me.

In the end, I enjoyed the book and liked the characters. I am honest enough with myself to admit that my entire issue with enjoying the book in the beginning was that certain elements stepped on my theological and religious convictions. Once I was able to kind of set that aside and just take the book in for its entertainment value, I was able to enjoy it a lot more. In the end, it won me over.

I devoured this book in one day!

I devoured Misfit in one day! I just couldn't stop reading until I was finished, so I spent my whole Saturday in my PJ's having my kids wonder why I was neglecting them.
In Misfit, Jon Skovron sticks with true demon myths, using real demon names and demon rankings, and creates a story that is more graphically violent and "demon-like" than any other Urban Fantasy book I have read in a long time! And, when the evil demons are involved in the story-line (and just about every other demon you meet is an evil demon), the scene is always grotesque and morbid, and always leads to a horrifyingly bloody fight or to a demon possession . . . and then to an exorcism!
Misfit begins with the story of the main character and heroine, Jael Thompson's, sixteenth birthday. Jael has known since her 8th birthday that she is half-demon and that her mother died when she was a baby, but that is the only thing her dad has ever told her about her demon life. And she knows they are always running from another demon who is trying to find her, but she doesn't know why. Jael has always had questions for her father that he always seemed to avoid but the only real question on her sixteenth birthday is wondering if she will be moving on her birthday.AGAIN!
And Jael's dad appears to be too cheap and stingy to even acknowledge her birthday.he only leaves a note asking her to see him after she returns from school. But at least her friend gives her a token birthday gift (hair conditioner!) for her always unruly hair (yes, the unruly hair is symbolic of Jael's true nature.LOL!) I loved following the story of Jael's life because I loved learning about what led to her existence and what she is capable of. And I could feel Jael's pain because her dad is the only person she's ever really had in her life and he's always been distant and has imposed a strict lifestyle on Jael, sending her to Catholic/Christian schools her whole life, telling her that's what she really needs.
But when Jael does see her dad after school, he gives her a necklace for her 16th birthday (something he promised Jael's mom he would do) and then her whole life changes! She starts to have dreams and visions of her parents' past and she even starts to learn about her demon life. There were times when Jael was having visions of her parents' past that I actually started tearing up . . . and other times when I had tears rolling down my face and almost started full on bawling!
And when Jael first experiences her life as a demon, I thought, "Seriously? She's "that" kind of demon?! How the heck will she be able to handle that?" But the story only gets better! Her uncle, Dagon, helps her learn how to use her powers and gives her advice on how she can control her demon. The things Jael experiences during this learning process are both horrifying and amazing all at the same time! And we discover that Jael is not the only one who's in danger from the demon that's been searching for her since the day she was born.everyone she cares about is in danger.

An ex-priest, his half demon daughter, and a fish god walk into a Catholic school...

You've got to admit it DOES sound like the lead-in to a terrific joke, but the mess of her life is no joke to Jael Thompson. Her father is an ex-priest who now teaches at the Catholic school she attends. Her mother was a famous demon who is now dead. And despite that less than fairy tale beginning, the most she's had to worry about lately is remembering to pull up her socks before Father Aaron hands out some sartorial discipline at Our Lady of Mercy and wondering if that cute skater dude, science geek guy, Ron, likes her.

But sweet 16 hits Jael not so sweetly and even though she's always wanted to know more, well, anything about her dead mother, what she finds out is a little hard to take for even a half-breed demon. Now, she's seeing visions, has become waaay too attractive for her classmates to ignore, and that whole thing about influencing the elements could be cool...if not for that part about the Grand Duke of Hell, Belial, wanting to kill her.

Filled with demonology, world religion and myth, and that scariest thing of all...high school, Misfit makes being a Catholic school girl seem way more dangerous than it probably is...probably.

Good Read

I picked up this novel with trepidation as there are already many mixed reviews out concerning Misfit, and I wasn't sure if I was going to like this novel or not. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this novel is actually very well written, with just enough characterization, background knowledge, action, and romance for it to be a perfect piece for a lazy afternoon.

Skovron does a wonderful job blending past and present in his novel as Jael begins to understand what it means to be a half-breed, part demon, part mortal. The first time the story jumped into the past, I was a little taken aback as I wasn't ready for it, but Skovron easily transitions between the two stories and it was really interesting to learn about Jael's parents prior to her birth. Skovron's use of both Bible stories and Greek mythology was also a nice touch as I haven't read a novel that combines the two ideas together before, and it made for a very interesting read.

While I do prefer a first person narrative, I did come to enjoy the third person narrative as it gave me access to knowledge and ideas that the first person narrative does not. Overall, I think this was a good read and I suggest those interested in stories about the underworld read it. Three and a half stars.

Different and fun

Jael is tired of running. It seems like every time she gets settled in at a new school, her father packs them up and moves again. Jael is part demon, a half-breed, and her father keeps them moving to keep her safe. Her mother was murdered by demons for being a traitor when Jael was a baby and now they are after her.

When Jael turns sixteen, her father gives her a necklace with a strange red stone attached. It is a gift her mother asked him to present to Jael on her sixteenth birthday. He warns her that she can never, ever put it on. But, when the stone begins burning in her school bag during mass one day, Jael feels compelled to put it on. She is then able to summon her mother's brother, another demon, who then gives her all the information she needs. He also awakens the demon half of her that has been laying dormant for sixteen years. Now Jael is turning the heads of every man in school. Everyone wants her, and it's making her uncomfortable. To make matters worse, the demons that have been tracking her have now honed in on her location. Now Jael has to make a decision: Leave her friends and the boy she's started falling for, or stay and fight against the demons who want her dead.

I really enjoyed this book. It unraveled at a perfect pace. It is told in third-person with flashbacks that show the reader how her mother and father met, and their life together as demon hunters before Jael was born. The characters are well-drawn and the story is rich with biblical and mythological stories. People that are extremely religious (especially devout Catholics) may not like this one. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal adventures with a little romance thrown in.

(Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley)

An instant favorite - check it out

This book has become one of my favorites. Fans of fantasy and paranormal can add this book to their must read list. Misfit is a well written story that will drag you to hell and back for more. Jon Skovron combines elements of Greek Mythology along with Biblical references to create a world in which demons and magic exists. Misfit is a unique coming of age story where Jael must now embrace her demon side nature in order to save the ones she loves and herself. The story starts off slow, but quickly picks up pace once Jael receives an unusual pendant. Jon Skovron does a fantastic job weaving in the additional storyline of how Jael's parents meet, fall in love and start a battle for survival. Magic within the story is connected with nature and readers will get a laugh out of Jael's first training into the magical arts. Be prepared to expect some interesting exorcisms, for you can't have a book about demons without some possession. I've become an instant fan of Jon Skovron's writing and I'm looking forward to reading more books about Jael and her adventures to come.

No text was provided for this review.