Misfit by Jon Skovron

 Misfit by Jon Skovron

Release Date: August 1, 2011

Publisher: Amulet Books, Imprint of Abrams

Age: Young Adult

Source: ARC from friend

Pre-order your own: Barnes and Noble

Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been super strict—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.

     One thing I have to say about Misfit by Jon Skovron is that it was completely different than many things I’ve read in the past. Skovron gave it a dark feeling, but throughout the entire book, he still managed to make you realize that Jael, while trying to get in touch with her Demon side, was still trying to do the right thing.  The format of the story was also interesting, as rather than changing from narrator to narrator, it alternates between past and present.  One chapter you hear whats happening to Jael currently and the next chapter, your listening to the Demon hunting adventures of

Astarte the Demoness and her Mortal Ex-Priest husband, Paul.  Misfit by Jon Skovron was definitely an interesting read and I would have to say that I’ve never read about a Demon Hunting team or a Demon, Mortal Teenage Girl before so Misfit kept me intrigued the entire time!  These days, Young Adult literature is filled with angels, vampires, and even werewolves, but Jon Skovron introduces YA to an entirely new spectrum of fiction!  I also really enjoyed the characterization in the book.  

     In my opinion, the two best characterized roles in Misfit had to be Paul and Jael Thompson.   Skovron depicts characters that have realistic feelings just like you and me.  I could sense Jael’s curiosity to learn more about her mother and herself, her anger at her father, her feelings towards Rob, her fear of Belial (the Grand Duke of Hell), and her care for Brittany.  Although Jael’s Father, Paul Thompson, appears as quiet man, he also had some deeper feelings like his mourning for his Wife (Astarte Thompson) and his caring for Jael.  I’m not sure why, but if I had to choose a favorite character, it would probably be Jael’s uncle on her mother’s side, Dagon.  He was just a fun character and played a great role, fighting for Jael to have the opportunity to learn about being a demon.  I also liked Rob, the guy Jael had a crush on.  He added a sense of comidy to the story with his skater attitude and use of the word “Google-Fu.”

     Misfit is a novel about discovering yourself, no matter who you are.  Make sure to pick up a copy as soon as it hits stores on August 1st!

Overall: ✮✮✮✮✮ (5 out of 5)