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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 learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best-friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths.
Author Jon Skovron takes on the dark side of human nature with his signature funny, heartfelt prose.
Praise for Misfit
« “An impeccably paced and unusually profound urban-fantasy novel. Thoughtful, scary and captivating.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
In an impeccably paced and unusually profound urban-fantasy novel, 16-year-old half-demon Catholic-school student Jael Thompson comes into her powers, explores her heritage and battles a tyrannical Hell beast.
Jael, who grew up on the run with her strict, tight-lipped father, knows little of her history until her 16th birthday. Then, fulfilling a promise to his late wife, Jael's father gives her a gem that allows her access to her demon half. Through flashbacks and visions, Jael finally encounters traces of her mother, once the Phoenician goddess Astarte. She also meets her uncle, a kindly but grotesque (by the mortal realm's standards) fish demon, who helps her harness her newfound ability to influence the elements. Much tension comes from Jael's rebellious and sometimes reckless choices: She experiments with her powers and confides in a classmate despite her father's insistence that the pair stay completely hidden. Refreshingly, Jael is largely proven right: Her actions bring her the intimacies, romantic and familial, that her human half craves, even while attracting the family's sinister and powerful enemy, the demon Belial. Alongside joyous exploration, heart-pounding action and inventively horrifying imagery is a complex set of metaphysical questions: Does reality define belief or belief define reality? What is the nature of Hell? What makes a family?
Thoughtful, scary and captivating. (Urban fantasy. 14 & up)
Jon Skovron is the author of Struts & Frets, about which the Washington Post Book World said, “Skovron perfectly captures that passion—sometimes fierce, sometimes shy—that drives so many young artists to take the raw stuff of life and ‘transform it into something beautiful.’” He lives in Washington, DC.
Anonymous
Posted June 22, 2012
This is a great book. Once you start reading, it's hard to put down. Here's hoping he continues Jael's story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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.
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Posted April 16, 2013
I am in love with this
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Posted January 26, 2013
Amazing. Amazing. Amazing. And a little disturbing.
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Posted December 27, 2012
This book was really good. Like really really good. It's just great.
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Posted August 25, 2012
Ur twelve . Get over it and be patient
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Posted July 23, 2012
My name is ryleigh in real life. I am a misfit in real life. Everything im about to say is true in real life. I am twelve. My father died when i was ten. I am the only one at school who hasnt started my period yet (except for my friend). Im kinda like a nerd. I hate myself. I kinda have anger problems on some days. I sing and play a trumpet and guitar. I do ballet. My sis flips out on me sometimes and yells at me cuz im not very flexible. I dont have a facebook like everyone else. Im grounded all summer. I am bullied. My ex boyfriends only dated me to get closer to my friends. Im very scrawny yet i have a tummy that sticks out a bit. Im always blamed. I am a misfit. I am not liked. Im always getting yelled at no matter what. I feel ugly. Everyone says im sychotic and crazy and weird. I get obsessed over certain guys and they never like me back. Im always depressed cuz i dont know how to be happy. Ive never had my first kiss yet everyone else has.
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Posted July 9, 2012
Reminded me of the vladamire tod series
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Posted July 2, 2012
H e l l isnt a place. Its the absence of god. Thts a note
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.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
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.
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!
ParaBooks
Posted August 30, 2011
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.
rhonda1111
Posted August 23, 2011
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.
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*
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.
Readergirl_Reviews
Posted August 4, 2011
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.
bookluvrmindy
Posted August 1, 2011
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.
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.
Overview
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 learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive ...