I absolutely LOVED Misfit. I didn’t think it was my kind of book, but it was so well written that it grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.
Jael is celebrating her 16th birthday when the book begins, but it doesn’t even seem like her dad has noticed. Her mother died when she was a baby, so she and her dad are all each other has. It has been hard for Jael to make friends, because they have moved so often because her father keeps getting different teaching jobs at Catholic schools.
But everything changes when she gets home from school and her father gives her a gift from her mother. He tells her that her mother was a demon, and was killed by a very evil demon who was trying to kill Jael because she is half demon, half human. Wow. Pretty much to take in all at once. And there’s her uncle – her mother’s brother – who is also a demon that has now agreed to help teach Jael about being a demon.
The rest of the book is about Jael learning about demons, hell, and developing her powers. And of course it is expected that there will be a huge showdown at the end when Jael has to face Belial, the Grand Duke of Hell, who killed her mother. But it’s also a coming of age story. Jael grows up a bit. She develops a closer relationship with her father, and she learns about building real friendships.
I loved Skovron’s descriptions of hell, of Jael’s powers, of her parents’ escape, of her entering souls, and of the big battle at the end. Everything was so creative, and so well-described that I was literally mesmerized. To me, this was the best part of the book. Ok, there is Rob, the heart-throb-sweetest-boyfriend-ever character. When she told him about her demonic heritage, I thought he was a little too understanding – I would have expected at least a little disbelief or suspicion, but other than that, I have no complaints.
You really just have to read this one. The story is good, but it’s special because of the writing. I just felt like I was inside Jael. She was so strong that I never doubted she would prevail even though she had doubts herself.
I would recommend this to all fantasy, mythology, thriller, and paranormal readers. I think both boys and girls would like this one. I’ve put Struts & Frets on my list (Skovron’s other book) just because I have to read some more of his writing!
Published by Amulet, August 1, 2011
eBook received for review from NetGalley
384 pages (qualifies for my 350 Page Book Challenge!)
Rating: 5/5
Whoa. That sounds like it could be a great read. I'm going to have to add that one to the list. :)
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