Misfit

By Jon Skovron

A half-demon teenager learns the dangerous secret of her true powers in this “unusually profound urban-fantasy . . . thoughtful, scary and captivating” (Kirkus, starred review).

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. But on her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history—and Jael’s untapped potential.

What was merely an embarrassing secret suddenly 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781613122075

Book preview

Jael Thompson looks at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and frowns. She pushes back her curly black hair and stares into her green eyes so hard that the rest of her features blur.

You know what I heard? she says. That what you see in the mirror isn’t what you really look like. That since mirrors flip everything, you’re looking at a flipped version of your face. Like, the exact opposite.

What? says her best friend, Brittany Brougher. She walks into the bathroom armed with several bottles of hair product, plastic gloves, and a towel. Where do you get this stuff, J?

Jael shrugs, pushing the tip of her nose to one side, then the other.

Some NPR show, she says.

Seriously, says Britt. She elbows Jael away from the mirror and lines up the bottles on the sink. Your dad needs to get you guys a TV.

Right, like that’ll happen, says Jael. He won’t even get me leave-in conditioner.

And so, my gift to you, says Britt, spreading her hands to present the bottles. Happy early birthday!

Thanks, Britt, says Jael, turning the bottles so that she can examine the labels.

Well, honestly, I hope this is the right stuff, says Britt. She takes a moment to adjust her own perfectly styled honey-blond hair. "I tried to describe your hair to the lady at the store, and she was all, ‘So is she black or mixed?’ Which I thought was kind of a lame thing to say. Mixed."

What did you tell her? asks Jael.

"I said I didn’t think you were black, but maybe like Middle Eastern or something, but I didn’t really know for sure. And she was all, ‘What do you mean, you don’t know?’ and I said you didn’t really know either and why’s she so hung up on the labels anyway and she just kind of gave up and shoved this stuff at me."

Yeah, well, it definitely can’t make things worse. Jael grabs a fistful of her hair. I can’t even run a comb through this anymore. It’s like a giant black cotton ball on my head.

So did you really ask your dad to get you something and he said no?

Yep, says Jael. He gave me this look, you know, like I was asking for some bizarre extravagance.

Oh my God, I can totally see it, says Britt. She scrunches her face into a frown and glares at herself in the mirror. Jael …, she says, in a pretty good imitation of Jael’s father’s flat, gruff voice. "Jael, money is tight. Do you really need these things?"

No, you’re right, Dad, says Jael in a chipper, squeaky voice. It’s actually really convenient that I can store all my pens and pencils in my hair. In fact, you know what? I’ll just grow my hair a little longer so you don’t even have to get me folders this year!

Britt breaks into a laugh. I would pay you so much money to say that to him!

Oh yeah, ‘cause that would go over really well, Jael says.

Who cares, says Britt, turning away from the mirror to look at her friend directly. What’s he going to do, take away your allowance?

Ha, what allowance?

Exactly! So stand up to him for once.

It’s just … Jael stops and looks down at her hands, opening and closing them. Whatever. It’s no big deal….

Britt raises an eyebrow. It’s just what? You’re scared of him.

No! says Jael. I mean, sort of. Look, he’s all I’ve ever had, you know? And when I piss him off, he totally shuts down on me. And it’s … it’s really lonely.

"You know I get that, J, says Britt. She sits Jael down on the toilet seat and begins to work the conditioner into her hair. I feel the same way about my mom. It’s always just been me and her against the world. But that was when I was a helpless little kid. Then I started growing up and we went through this bad period where we were always fighting. But we got through it, and now we have respect for each other, you know?"

My dad actually respecting me? says Jael. She winces as Britt’s fingers catch a snarl. I’m pretty sure that’s never going to happen.

•  •  •

The next morning is October 16th, Jael Thompson’s sixteenth birthday. She climbs out of bed and nearly trips over the pile of clothes on her floor. Not that she has many clothes. Not that she has much floor. In fact, between the twin bed, the dresser, and the desk with her ancient computer, there’s just enough room to turn around.

She pulls out her school uniform from the pile of clean clothes: white blouse, a navy-blue plaid skirt, and these godawful knee-high navy-blue socks. She’s supposed to pull the socks all the way up, but that itchy feeling on her shins drives her nuts, so she only does it when she has to. She’s gone to Catholic schools all her life and she knows how to play the game.

She heads down the narrow metal spiral staircase to the bathroom on the main floor. The house used to be a one-bedroom ranch with a storage attic, but at some point the landlord converted the attic to a second bedroom. Her room is tiny and drafty, and it sucks to go down the twisting staircase in the middle of the night to pee, but she loves it anyway. Because when they moved to this house two years ago, she and her dad each got their own room for the first time.

Downstairs she checks her hair in the hallway mirror. The conditioning treatment Britt put in seemed to work last night, but her hair rallied overnight and came back crazier than ever this morning. She gives it a few halfhearted scrunches, then sighs and heads for the kitchen.

She pours herself a bowl of generic cereal. Her dad is convinced that it tastes as good as the brand-name stuff. Of course, he doesn’t eat it. He’s already at school, contemplating how best to bore the students of Our Lady of Mercy High School with obscure points of Church history. Next year, Jael will have to take his class, and she really can’t imagine anything worse than that—except sharing a bedroom with him again. But the only reason she can afford to go to Mercy is because the children of faculty members don’t pay tuition.

She sits down at the kitchen table and starts to slurp up the cereal, which has already turned to mush. Then she notices a yellow Post-it note stuck to the center of the table. In her dad’s blocky, all-caps handwriting it reads COME HOME RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL. WE HAVE TO TALK.

Jael peels the note off the table and stares at it for a moment, fighting the hot, heavy feeling it creates in her stomach. She’ll be damned if she’s going to let this rattle her, today of all days.

Oh yeah, and happy friggin’ birthday, daughter, she says aloud. Then she crumples up the note, drops it into her soggy cereal, and dumps the whole mess into the sink.

•  •  •

Our Lady of Mercy High School looks like it belongs in some grimy, low-income neighborhood in New York or Boston rather than next to the cute, craftsman-style houses of northwest Seattle. Jael finds that kind of endearing. She doesn’t really fit in either.

She crosses the school parking lot and weaves her way through the brand-new SUVs and sports cars owned by unappreciative, overprivileged students who will probably wreck their vehicles before they graduate. She pulls up the hood on her red sweatshirt and jams her hands into her pockets as a prickle of jealousy climbs up her throat. She turns sixteen today, and whatever the We Have to Talk note that her dad left is about, she’s positive it’s not Let’s Talk About Getting You a Car!

Jael hops up the front steps and through the main doors. Then she hears Miss Thompson!

It’s Father Aaron, the dean of discipline. He stands just inside the front door, where he stands every morning so he can glare at every student as they arrive at school. He’s committed like that. The harsh fluorescent lights glare off his bald head. He takes a slow bite of an apple. As Jael listens to the crunching sounds, she notices little white flecks of apple bits trapped in his walrus mustache.

Socks, Miss Thompson, he says.

Yes, Father. She drops her bag on the floor and yanks up her socks to her knees with both hands.

We want to present a ladylike appearance, don’t we, Miss Thompson? A few flecks of apple land on the floor next to Jael’s black leather buckle shoes.

You bet, Father, she says. I strive for ladylike at all costs.

Father Aaron munches his apple and frowns at her for a moment, like he’s debating whether to nail her for her snarky tone. He is not a fan of sarcasm. But then he just shakes his head and says, Get to class.

Yes, Father.

She picks up her bag and walks down the hallway past a long line of dark mahogany doors with frosted windows until she gets to her homeroom. Most of the students are already in their seats, scrambling to finish last night’s homework, chatting with neighbors, or texting on their cell phones. Ms. Spielman, the geometry teacher, sits at her desk at the front of the class, shuffling through some quiz papers. Her long brown hair is shot through with streaks of gray, and she wears flowy earth-tone cottons and a bright purple scarf. It’s that Earth Mother look that’s so popular in Seattle. It can look frumpy, but Ms. Spielman somehow pulls it off.

Jael makes her way to her desk at the back of the classroom. As she sits down, she hears Hey, Betty.

Rob McKinley has called her Betty practically since they met. He claims it’s a term of endearment that skaters give girls.

Hey, Rob, she says.

Happy b-day, he says, giving her that crooked grin he does so well.

Thanks. She almost mentions that he’s the first person to wish her a happy birthday today, but decides that makes her sound truly pathetic.

So, he says, are you doing anything cool for your b-day?

Oh yeah, says Jael. I’m having a pizza party. There will be a sack race, a water-balloon toss, and fabulous door prizes. Wanna come?

Uh …, he says, giving her a slightly baffled look. Rob is a total airhead skater boy, complete with blond bangs and an effortless sunny smile. In Jael’s experience, those types are usually incapable of talking about anything other than sports or video games. But Rob is also some kind of math and science genius, and she hasn’t figured out yet how skater boy and math wiz fit together.

Joking, Rob, she says. Just joking.

I knew that, he says, a little defensively. "So what are you doing?"

Nothing.

The PA system crackles.

Good morning, students, Principal Dawson’s voice announces over the speaker. Everyone calls him Principal Oz because the only time students see him is at graduation. The rest of the year he’s just a scratchy, metallic voice over the PA. "Please stand and join me in prayer. Our Father, who art in Heaven …"

He drones on with the Our Father while everyone gets to their feet. His voice is barely audible over the squeak and groan of chairs, and he goes so fast that he’s done by the time most people fold their hands. Everyone then switches to the Pledge of Allegiance.

One reminder, the PA says after the Pledge is finished. Don’t forget that fifth period will be canceled tomorrow for All-School Mass. That is all. Thank you and have a good day.

Chairs and desks squeak and clank as everyone sits back down.

Really, Bets, says Rob. "You should do something for your b-day."

Jael thinks about the We Have to Talk note again.

Trust me, she says. Doing nothing on my birthday is way better than some of the alternatives.

Like? he challenges.

Like on my eighth birthday, when my dad put me in the car and told me we were moving from Tucson, Arizona, to Buffalo, New York. Immediately.

Buffalo? Is that where you lived before you moved to Seattle?

No, I lived in London before I moved here.

Got it. So were you born in Arizona, then?

No, I was born in Siberia.

Okay, wait, says Rob. "So you were born in Siberia? And then you moved to Tucson, and then—"

No, I lived a few other places before we moved to Tucson.

"A few? Rob squints at her, like he just can’t even conceive of it. How many places have you lived?"

You know, says Jael, I’ve never really counted.

Why did you move so much? Was your dad military or something?

He was a monk, Jael says.

Um … Rob rubs his temples. I’m totally lost now.

That’s okay, says Jael. I’ve pretty much been lost my whole life.

Rob grins at her. So, okay, let me see if I’ve got this right. First, you—

A voice cuts in. Miss Thompson and Mr. McKinley. It’s Ms. Spielman. Whenever you’re ready, we can begin geometry class.

Sorry, Ms. Spielman, says Rob. I got it. Lock and load.

And just like that, Rob is completely engrossed in the wonders of geometry. Like someone flipped the switch from chatty skater boy to math geek and now nothing exists but angles and algebra. Jael is always amazed at how he can change focus like that. It’s irritating, sure, but there’s something about it that she also finds impressive.

•  •  •

The buzzing fluorescent lights work their drowsy magic on Jael as Monsignor Francis Locke drones on about the life and times of Jesus. The Mons, as students refer to him, is a sweet old guy, more or less the exact opposite of Father Aaron. Jael isn’t sure what someone has to do to go from Father to Monsignor. She just knows it’s some kind of honorary thing that the pope gives out. But even though the Mons is so nice and so holy, or maybe because he’s so nice and holy, Jael also finds him incredibly boring.

For Jesus had said to him, the Mons reads from the Bible, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ The Mons looks around the class with a slight smile on his face, as if to say, Oh boy, here comes my favorite part! Then he continues.

"‘My name is Legion,’ he replied, ‘for we are many.’ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, ‘Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.’ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Jael keeps her face neutral, but internally she cringes. She’d rather listen to Ms. Spielman ramble on about the Pythagorean theorem or Ms. Randolph drone on about the periodic table than sit through this Bible stuff. Geometry and chemistry are kind of boring, but the religious stuff gets way too personal, especially passages like the one the Mons just read. She’s begged her dad a bunch of times to let her go to public school. Seattle Public isn’t that bad, and some of the magnet schools are really great. But he says she needs to be in an environment like this. Like taking medicine to prevent seizures. He’s never said what he’s afraid would happen if she didn’t go to Catholic school. She’s never had the guts to ask.

Miss Thompson. The Mons’s gentle voice breaks into her thoughts. Why do you suppose that Jesus cast the demon into a herd of swine?

Uh … because the Jews don’t eat pork anyway, so it wasn’t really a waste for them?

Is that a question or a statement, my child?

It’s a statement, she says.

Then believe in what you say, he says. Make it sound like a statement.

Okay, Monsignor.

And, as always, Miss Thompson, your answer is extremely insightful. The Jews do regard pigs as unclean animals. But when we discuss demons, the answers inevitably reach deeper than we first think. Consider this: We know by the name ‘Legion’ that there are many demons within this man. So the evil in a single human being fills two thousand of the most unclean animal. What might this suggest? Mr. Buchanan?

That a man is more evil than a pig? asks Seamus Buchanan. Seamus looks like the ultimate redheaded Irish Catholic boy. He claims that he wants to be a priest someday. Jael can’t understand why someone would tell people that, even if it’s true.

Indeed, says the Mons. You are on the right track. Perhaps you are all too young to truly grasp this idea. During my time as a missionary in Peru, I often came face-to-face with the true darkness that lies within humanity. I had a small parish in a tiny neighborhood in Iquitos called Belen. An interesting place. Tropical storms caused the area to flood so frequently that the natives built their tiny houses on stilts. Half the year I had to use a rowboat to get to my home. But they were thankful for the flooding when it prevented the the Shining Path, a murderous band of the communist guerrillas, from reaching their homes during a raid.

He looks at them with his gentle gray eyes and it’s the kind of sad wisdom that Jael has only seen before in movies.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Shining Path did terrible things to the people of Iquitos. Things no human should be capable of.

Jael tries to hold back. Her father has told her over and over again that she can’t draw attention to herself like this. But …

Monsignor, I don’t get it, she blurts out. Are you saying that the communist army was possessed by demons?

Very astute, Miss Thompson, says the Mons with a gentle smile. But then his face grows serious again. Yes, I’m afraid it was nothing less than corruption from those most base and vile creatures. He scans the room gravely for a moment, then his smile breaks through again. But take heart. The miracle of this passage in the Bible, and what I want to impress most upon you, is that with God’s will, we can exorcise those horrible demons and send them back to the darkness from which they came.

It’s hard to hear the sweet old Mons go on about this kind of stuff. But of course, like most people, he doesn’t know the truth.

Jael’s mother was a demon.

The Mons turns his kind old eyes back to Jael. Does that make sense, Miss Thompson? Do you understand?

Yes, Monsignor, says Jael, putting on the poker face she’s had eight years to perfect. Demons are bad. Everybody knows that.

On her eighth birthday, Jael Thompson found out she wasn’t like other girls.

I have the name of an angel! she boasted to her father after school at dinner.

What? said Paul Thompson. His hard, square-jawed face usually didn’t show much emotion. But at the word angel, his eyes went wide and he froze, his fork and knife in mid cut through his tamale.

Mrs. Perez says so, said Jael. She bit down on a green bean and chewed as she said, You know the Ark of the Covenant?

I am … familiar, he said. He went back to eating his tamale, but his eyes had a strangely intense look. Jael decided it meant he was fascinated by what she had to say.

It’s a big box that has the broken Ten Commandments of Moses in it, she said.

Yes …

Well, Daddy, she said, trying her best to return the intense gaze he was giving her, the lid of the box has two angels on it. Do you know what their names are?

He blinked, then stared at her for a moment. I don’t, actually.

She smiled triumphantly. "Their names are Zarall and Jael. Can you believe that, Daddy? Can you?"

Amazing, he said. His voice sounded mild, but a muscle in his jaw twitched.

I think angels are the coolest, Daddy. Especially Michael and Gabriel. She frowned as she ate another green bean. But Uriel is pretty cool too. He guards the Garden of Eden with his flaming sword. I think I’d like to have a flaming sword, Daddy. Don’t you think that would be cool, Daddy? To have a flaming sword? Daddy?

Um. Her father’s expression was locked in a grimace, but Jael barely noticed. She was too busy showing off everything she’d learned about angels. It wasn’t every day that her father paid this much attention to what she said.

And there’s Azrael, of course, she continued. But he seems a little scary to me. And what about all those other angels? The ones that stay in Heaven all the time and never leave but just sing and sing and sing?

Jael—

"You know, Daddy, there’s seven levels of angels that don’t do anything but sing all the time, like infinity and forever. Why is that, Daddy? Why do the angels have to sing all the time? Don’t they ever get tired?"

Jael, please stop talking about angels.

But they’re just so cool! And there’s all different kinds. Archangels, of course, Daddy. But also? There’s cherubim, and seraphim, and ophanim, and you know you can pray to them? Pray to angels just like God, and—

Enough! Her father was on his feet, glaring down at her, angrier than she’d ever seen him. His wide shoulders went up and down with each breath. "Never speak of angels in this house again! Never! Is that understood?!"

She stared up at him for a moment. Then her eyes welled up with tears.

Jael, he said. Don’t cry. Don’t …

She ran out of the apartment.

•  •  •

Everything in Tucson was beige. The sidewalks, the streets, the houses—everything except the vast blue sky. Jael ran crying out the beige door, down the beige apartment building steps, and through the beige corridor that was her street.

She didn’t run for long, though. It was late afternoon and the desert heat lay on her heavily, as if she were moving through a brick oven. She slowed down to a walk for the last block to the neighborhood playground. It was her favorite place, probably because it was the only place that wasn’t beige. The massive modern climbing structure was a blast of primary colors, with a red rock wall, a blue tire swing, and three swirling yellow slides. It was sheltered by a massive black mesh canopy that kept off the hard desert sun. Jael spent a lot of time at the playground, alone.

On this day when she came to the playground, it was different. A second structure stood off to the side. It didn’t fit in with the rest. The regular play structure was made of plastic and painted metal, but this new contraption was made of a weird mix of wood, stone, and pitted iron. It looked old and not very safe, but Jael couldn’t resist something new to explore. She walked toward it.

Suddenly, a sparrow dropped down from the sky and nearly hit her on the head. She gave a little yelp and swatted at it. It gave her a long, warbling chirp in response. Then it landed at the top of one of the yellow spiral slides. It cocked its head at her expectantly.

What? she said. Like a lot of lonely kids, she had a habit of talking to animals. Sometimes she even talked to inanimate objects. I’m just going to check out the new one first.

The sparrow gave her another shrill chirp, then flew off.

Whatever, she said, trying to make the word sound like it did when the older girls at her school said it. She walked purposefully toward the jumble of wood, stone, and iron.

As she started to climb up, sparkling brown eyes snapped open near her foot. Jael gave a little shriek and stumbled backward. The structure slowly began to shift and rise until it had reassembled into the shape of a giant ox. Jael started to back away carefully toward the playground exit.

But then it spoke.

Happy birthday, it said in a slow, measured voice.

That made Jael stop.

Do you know me? she asked.

It shook its massive stone head. I knew your mother.

My mother? she asked, her eyes going wide. Her father never spoke about her mother, other than to say that she died when Jael was born. Whenever Jael asked about her, he only said they would talk about it when she was older. So Jael didn’t know anything about her, whether she was nice or mean, pretty or ugly, smart or dumb. Without any real facts, it was left to her imagination to conjure up her mother. She had imagined a thousand different mothers by this point, each more beautiful and perfect than the one before. A long line of angelic women who would one day swoop down and take her someplace safe, where everyone was kind.

What do you know about my mother? she asked the giant ox creature.

She was once a queen.

No …, said Jael. A thrill ran through her. Maybe one of her favorite imaginary mothers was the real thing. But she stopped herself. Even if it was magic, this thing was still a stranger. And sometimes strangers lied. He could be making it all up. Oh yeah? she said carefully. Queen of what?

The creature laughed so low and loud Jael could feel it in her chest. Such a spitfire, he said. You are a lot like her.

I am? said Jael, unable to keep the dreamy tone out of her voice. She moved a little closer.

Certainly, he said. There was a time when we all admired her greatly.

‘We’? asked Jael. Are there other things like you?

He cocked his massive square head to one side. Oh, he said. You don’t know.

Know what? she asked. Who are you?

You can call me Baal. I was a servant of your uncle for a time.

A servant? she asked. Then, I have an uncle?

He stared at her for a long time, not saying anything.

Well? she said.

Still in his measured monotone, he said, This is disappointing. I had hoped to toy with you a little, halfbreed. But I think it would be lost on you. So I might as well just kill you.

His brown eyes suddenly flared orange. His mouth stretched open, bits of stone and iron grinding within. Then he charged.

Jael stood frozen in terror, unable to move.

Something small and

Reviews for Misfit

[ishanella · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pulling mythology from numerous sources and tying it together, Jon Skovron creates his own world world for Jael, a half demon and her father - an ex-monk who is running from the demon that killed his wife.

Being half demon, Jael’s family has been on the run from one of the dukes who is out to kill her. On her sixteenth birthday, a present from her mother released her powers and as she learns to wield them she also learns more about her past and find that she has to fight hard for her future.

For the most part, this book was a bit on the slow side as we were introduced to Jael’s world and the situation she found herself in. However, the way that it was executed was interesting enough to keep my attention.

The best parts of the story was the background on Jael’s parents, I enjoyed the way it was fleshed out, allowing the reader to understand Jael’s mother and also the reason her father is so overprotective.

I was also surprised to see that her father was so involved in her life, this is one of the few young adult books where we see the parent playing an important role and that was a bit refreshing.

Overall, it was a good read and quick read.

[justablondemoment · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not bad but not good. Middle of the road for me. There were alot of times that I got bored and then the book would go into history between Jaels Mom and Dad and I got interested. But mostly, I felt myself just not engaged in what was going on. Didn't like some of the characters, really liked others etc. Just a book of many opposites for me.

[lindsayroth · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Misfit by John Skovron is about Jael, a teenaged girl who’s different from the other kids. Jael’s different, because she’s half demon. Always moving around with her distant ex-priest/ex-demon slayer father, and not knowing anything about her mom, she has kept her demon side a secret from those around her. Fulfilling a promise he made to her mother, when Jael turns sixteen her father gives her a necklace. And that’s when the secret she’s lived with her whole life, and secrets her father has kept come to light.

I really liked this book. Jael is a likeable heroine; she knows she is half-demon, which is refreshing after so many other clueless-about-one’s-true-nature paranormal YA novels. She has a crush on a boy her own age, but he isn’t the catalyst that drives her, again, is a nice change from conventional YA books. I also enjoyed the flashbacks about her parents, and found their story to be as interesting as Jael’s. With a few other colorful characters thrown into the mix, and a new take on mythology to play with, I would definitely encourage you to read Misfit.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[slsmitty25 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just read Misfit by Jon Skovron over the weekend, EXCELLENT book! Finally, fully developed characters, good plot pace, interesting story! I can't wait for the next book, I just hope he keeps it up!

[becky_jean_12 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The funny thing about this book is that, despite the cover and the shaky beginning, it's really, really good.

I started this book about four hours ago on a whim. I mixed it up with a different book, and was a decent way into before I thought to myself, "What the heck am I reading?"

So I looked it up on Goodreads, and kept reading, because, well, why not? I hate leaving books unfinished if possible, and I needed a break from The Iron King (which, yes, I know is blasphemy since everybody loves it, but man, could Ash be any MORE cliched in with the whole ballroom-dancing scene? Gah!) and demons can be fun.

The first third or so of the book is a little uneven, in part due to the fact that Jael is supposedly part-demon, but is somehow pretty unremarkable as a protagonist. She's a teenaged girl who feels like an outcast at school, is uncomfortable in her own body, and doesn't really know how to tell her sort-of friend she has a thing for him. In other words, Part I Jael is a cut-and-paste protagonist, and nothing we haven't seen before. Fortunately, that changes partway through the book.

About midway through, everything changes. Jael's demonic half (which was previously dormant, a la McBride's Hold Me Closer, Necromancer) is literally forced back into her body, and we've suddenly got something new on our hands. Jael sees the world in an entirely new light, and similarly, so does the reader see her. I loved reading the descriptions of Jael interacting with her surroundings post-change:

She knows that trees are alive, of course, but she’s never thought about it much before. As she looks at them now, she can see distinct personalities. The way one leans forward makes it seem sad, and the way one shelters another is kind of sweet, like two old people on a bench. By contrast, the manicured lawn feels boring and faceless.

Luckily, Jael isn't the only character who becomes more fleshed out as the book progresses. Unlike many YA novels (which tend to focus on the protagonist, their love interest, and not much else) Jael's mother, father, and even uncle are complex and developed characters, and perhaps most importantly of all, are shown to have flaws as well as strengths. I especially LOVED the lack of missing-parent syndrome in this book. Although Jael's mother is dead, both of her parents play important roles in her life, and Jael's father sticks very close to her. In fact, the parent-child relationships here kind of reminded me of Clara's with her mother in Unearthly, though in this case Jael is much more emotionally distanced from her father.

The other thing I was very happy to see in this novel is the non-traditional love interest, Rob. While there's a weird scene with some soul-sharing (I honestly wasn't sure what to make of it), Rob never angsts, rasps, or glowers once in the entire book. A very mellow and easy-going character, Rob mostly acts as an anchor for Jael amidst all the chaos of the whole demon-business, and I wanted to weep in relief for the lack of "I MUST LEAVE YOU FOR YOUR OWN GOOD" drama.

Honestly, if the next books keep up the momentum from the latter half of the novel (and I'm assuming this will be continued, though it does wrap up fairly nicely at the end), I won't have any problem continuing to read this series.

[phoenixcomet · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cleverly woven tale of Jael, a coming of age 16 year old who just happens to be the daughter of Astarte, a demi-god, currently known as a demon and Paul, a mortal. Astarte gave her life to save Paul and Jael's when she was an infant and now Jael must integrate her demon abilities with being mortal and confront Belial, her mother's destroyer. Pulling from different mythos and Christianity, I found the read very enjoyable.

[hippygirl26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[mrsboswellbooks · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This is a hard one for me to review. I was torn between "It was ok" and "I liked it"... but I didn't LIKE like it. I do have to give author Jon Skovron props for trying to write about something different in the YA paranormal genre, though.I tend to stay away from books dealing with a lot of religious material, but I was unaware of how much that would factor into the storyline of Misfit. While the premise of a half-breed girl - part human and part demon - was interesting, I found the talk of Catholicism and Christianity throughout to be quite distracting. I think focusing so much on the religious aspect took away from other parts of the story, for me.The characters didn't quite do it for me, either. I found myself not really connecting with a single character and not caring for them one way or another. Each of them seemed quite one-dimensional to me. The only character I felt the slightest incline toward was Jael's father, and only when the author reflected on his past with his wife. The other characters were either too boring, unbelievable or were so talked-up but then didn't live up to those expectations.I wasn't a big fan of the narrative voice or the dialog. It all just seemed rather dry to me. The first half to two-thirds of the novel seemed a bit slow with not too much excitement occurring. That begin said, the last third of the story picked up quite a bit and piqued my interest enough to make me finish. Although, things ended not quite as I would have envisioned. It all kind of wrapped a little too neat and tidy.Jon Skovron creates a story with potential. With quite a unique plot-line, Skovron has the ability to really expand if this turns into a series.

[krista23 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

IN the beginning pages Jael is turning 16, and for her birthday, her father has given her a necklace that once belonged to her demon mother. Jael is given this necklace with only one warning, to never wear it. After her very first fight with her father over this necklace, she looks deep into the Gem and can see things in it. The first vision is of her father, downstairs in the kitchen as he is contacting the demon world to relay the message that the necklace has been given to her. Jael becomes deeply hurt and confused as her father has always said that he no longer has contact with the demon world. After some very interesting things happen at school she ends up putting the necklace on and things only get weirder.In the description above it states this book is "steeped in mythology" and I could not agree more with that statement. There are several places throughout the story you will feel like your sitting in church being quoted the bible and the Catholic beliefs and other mythology. Also throughout the story we get to see into the underworld and the demon lives and how they view the world. Some of the chapters are from Jael's point of view and some of them are from people relaying the past through memories or the visions to Jael. She begins to really learn who she is, why they have to move around so much and really begin to see her father with new eyes.I think that the underworld and the Demon's view of our world was really what made the book worthwhile for me. My favorite paragraph in the book is when her Uncle is helping her understand what being a demon means. "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." Of course this is only a small part of a very entertaining and best chapter of the book, in my opinion.Misfit has action, interesting creatures, magic and a little romance.

[jibar_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So, I just finished it last night. I noticed this has gotten mixed review, but I did like it a lot. At times I envied Jael, at times I pitied her. Just like it should be. But above all, I really rooted for her (and Rob). Some characters severely annoyed me, at times so much so that I had to put the book (or my Kindle) down in order to escape them. I severely doubt that this was intended, but I could be just weird that way. A character this applies to would be Britt Brougher.But there were also many very emotional scenes. I think I had an enormous lump in throat when Jael touched that hedge. If you've read it, you should know what hedge I mean. It could also have been Belial's heartlessness in the scene, but it was soo sad!Usually I can understand why a book gets mixed reviews, even if I did like it. But this time around? No idea. I haven't read any other reviews yet, admittedly, but still! I liked the book enough to give it 4 clouds, so why ... but tastes differ I suppose. Still, I really liked it. I liked Dagon a lot, too. I have to mention that this book works with a lot of flashbacks, which is the main reason why it only got 4 clouds. I don't like flashbacks at all, and almost every second chapter was a flashback chapter I think. A No-No with me.

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 4 out 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 huntersTill 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.

[amwo_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I hadn't heard much about Misfit by Jon Skovron, but I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it. I thought Misfit was an interesting take on the ever-so-popular demon theme in books. Misfit had an excellent blend of action, urban fantasy, teen issues, and romance. It centers around Jael, a misfit not only because she never lives in a place for long but also because she is a half-demon going to a Catholic school. Jael's issues in this book were excellently portrayed. Skovron did a fantastic job of portraying Jael's complicated relationships with her father and friends, and recording her journey as she discovered what it meant to be half-human and half-demon. Jael constantly goes through ups and downs as she learns to control her demon powers, fights with her dad, and explores a new romance with Rob. Skovron did a fantastic job of providing background information that covered all the demon, Hell, and religion related topics in the story. It may be a bit heavy on the religion side for some people, but I think most people, religious or not, will like seeing the little connections Skovron and his characters make. His characters were also all very well developed. I liked Jael's little tifts with her father, her budding romance with Rob, and her strong friendship with Britt. However, I did have a few gripes with the characters. First, sometimes I found Jael would do things a bit out-of-character for her, like being really gutsy at times (with average girl situations, not the demon ones). Also, although Rob was adorable, I found that he was just a bit too nerdy and likeable, making him a bit unrealistic at times. However, I did enjoy the adventures the characters went through. There was plenty of action as Jael explored her demon powers and fought evil demons from Hell. However, I must warn you that some of the action scenes and scenes with creatures from Hell are a bit gory/graphic. Most of the demons do behave how you'd expect them to behave: like bloodthirsty, selfish, brutal monsters. Be warned, there is lots of blood and swearing where the demons are involved. If you're not squeamish though, you will thoroughly enjoy every part of this book, especially the action packed ones. Overall, the whole story was well thought out and had several shining moments (especially towards the end between Jael and Britt), and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a new take on demons and likes lots of action.

[summerskris_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

In the flurry of paranormal reads, readers will find a unique story with Jael Thompson, assuming that you like stories about a half-demon attending a Catholic school. Skovron takes religious stories, myths, and legends and explains how they came about through the existences of demons.Now, the story is told in third-person present tense. I don’t have a problem with third person. It is needed here because of the backstory surrounding Jael’s parents and for this one scene later on with one of Jael’s friends. However, the story always felt off to me because the story will be told in third-person present tense and then suddenly switch to third-person past tense and feed me facts about Jael.Jael finds a lot of things a bit too easy in my opinion. She’s always pushing for things to go her way and doesn’t listen to others if they don’t say what she wants to hear. She doesn’t think about the consequences, like the time she calls on Uncle Dagon when he’s in the middle of work instead of letting her father help her. When something’s going wrong, something else happens to help her out of a crisis. I know that half-demons are powerful, but Jael seems to come into her powers too easily. She usually gets the elements to follow her bidding on her first or second try.I was able to relate to Jael’s father and mother much better. They face a powerful enemy and actually have to work and plot against him, and they share strong bonds with their allies. With Jael, she doesn’t spend enough time with any one person for you to really gear any empathy towards her; at least, I had a hard time understanding her—except for her interest in Rob. Rob is a cool guy and a refreshing romantic interest. He’s a skater guy with a love for math and chemistry. How cool is that? He’s sweet and funny, and he really understands Jael.Note that the story does involve a lot of religion and exorcism, so I wouldn’t recommend the book for very religious readers who might be sensitive to the manipulation of religious stories. Also, Jael is constantly rebelling against her father, and her friends and uncle encourage this rebellion. I myself found it an affront to my familial values. It’s true that her dad is very cautious and has a lot of household rules, but he does it to protect her. Deep down, I think that Jael understood this, but Skovron doesn’t really develop her relationship with her father. In the end, Jael’s rebellious nature—and her succeeding in this rebellion—didn’t work well with me.Through concluding events, Skovron hints at more to come. If there is a sequel, I hope to find more action and even more powerful enemies to come because Misfit hasn’t proved to have much of either with Jael coming into her powers so easily as of the events of Misfit. I hope to see more father-daughter time and more cool allies, as I really liked Dagon and Father Aaron. I recommend Misfit for readers who are looking for another kind of paranormal read with a slight fantasy edge to it. I don’t recommend it for those looking for action or for those who are very religious.

[bookswithbite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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*

[readingfanatic09 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[bookaddictdiary · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Man, this was a tough one for me. Not because of any fault of the author or the book itself, but the personal experiences that I brought to the book. I almost didn't finish it because of this. It was tough slogging through it at times, especially earlier on in the story, but as the plot continued to move forward, they started to get further away from the items that just rubbed me the wrong way.Misfit introduces young Jael, a recently turned sixteen-year-old girl who finds out that she's a half-demon. That explains why she's never really fit in, and why her father insists on constantly moving so no one could become suspicious. Her ex-priest father is strangely not religious himself, but insists that Jael attend a strict Catholic score in hopes that it can help deflate her demon nature. And when a group of demons come calling for revenge, Jael is forced to embrace her demon side.Okay, so here's why this is difficult for me: I went to a very strict Catholic elementary school, so this book brought back a slew of unhappy memories and, in many ways, hit too close to home (and not in a good way). Because of the Catholic school setting, I spent much of the novel being incredibly uncomfortable, which was only added to by the incredible amount of religious/Catholic overtones here. These aren't just any demons, we're talking Heaven and Hell, Biblical, post-apocalyptic type demons, and the religiously-charged approach made me very uncomfortable.Thankfully, as the book went on this seemed to wan as the plot became more interesting and started to stand on its own. While I do feel like it never fully reached its potential, the later parts of this novel were considerable improvements on the earlier bits. However, I felt like I never fully got over the bad memory-inducing trip into my younger years as a Catholic school girl. Sadly, because of this, Misfit just wasn't for me.

[coranne_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just couldn't finish it. It was just too ... not my type of book.

[bookluvrmindy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.I also loved Rob, the regular skater dude who calls Jael “Betty.” Rob sometimes even cuts it short to Bett (LoL…random!). He is curious about how physics and magic can come together as one, and this gives Jael hope that maybe one day she can confide in someone about what she is.This book never stops moving! I was always intrigued and glued to the book, reading about Jael’s story. I came to love each and every character as the story progressed; even Jael’s dad who I really had a hard time liking in the beginning, but who I now have a soft spot for in my heart.This is for sure a book I would recommend to someone who is looking for an Urban Fantasy book that isn’t mild like most Urban Fantasy book these days.

[jessibelle_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. It was a bit slow to start. And sort of confusing. It might've been the format that it was sent to my kindle in. It's the story about a 16 year old girl who finds out she actually half-demon half-human. A half succubus. She finds this out through "visions" of memories of her mother that she somehow gets transmitted to her through a necklace.The characters are good. I don't know if I truly like Jael as a character though. I do like the fact that she attends a Catholic school when she is technically classified as a demon. In certain situations, I admire her ability to stay cool and do what needs to be done to save herself. I thoroughly enjoyed Rob and her Uncle. They both have the humor that Jael needs to make it through this current situation. I do wish her Uncle had done a lot more for her than what he did.I didn't really like the dream flash-backs. They did provide insight, but they were kind of dull and didn't make sense where they were placed in the book. I do appreciate the partial story of her mother because it let me know that she didn't just leave, she sacrificed herself for her daughter and her husband.This book rates 3 1/2 stars for me because it didn't say "HEY! PAY ATTENTION TO ME!" It was well written and I would definitely check out book 2 (if there is going to be one).

[booktwirps · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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)

[krau0098 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I got an advanced reading copy of this book through NetGalley(dot)com. I was intrigued by the cover and the premise sounded wonderful too. It was a very good book. Started off a little shaky but by the end I was totally engaged and wanted to read more about these characters.Jael has known she was different since she was eight years old. Her mother is an ancient demon, her father is a crabby Catholic priest. For some reason Jael's father always keeps them moving from place to place which results in a lot of loneliness for Jael. Then on her sixteenth birthday Jael's father gives her a necklace from her mother and when Jael puts it on things start changing. The great thing is that everyone thinks she is totally hot, the bad is that Jael's mother's enemies are coming out to play.This book starts of a little shaky and awkward sounding, but as it continues the author really hits his stride and delivers a wonderful story. I liked Jael as a character; her demon uncle is an absolutely wonderful character, and the male lead Rob is a wonderful blend of ironic qualities.A lot of things are done really well in this book. I loved how various mythologies were blended in with demon culture; this was exceptionally well done. I loved the flashbacks to Jael's parents' earlier lives. I also absolutely loved the magic system and how magic is explained. The author does an excellent job of correlating magic to science.The writing is well done, easy to read and very engaging. The book ends well but with lots of room for more trials for Jael, Rob, and her father. By the end of this book I was really enjoying the world, the characters, the magic, and was sad that it was over.Overall a great start to a new paranormal young adult series. At points it reminds a little bit of Michelle Rowan's Demon Princess books; although this book has more depth to it. I loved how mythology was tied in to the story and really enjoyed how magic and science are correlated. I also loved Jael and Rob's relationship; it is a nice healthy teen relationship that really makes the reader smile. I hope there is another book in this series and can't wait to read it if there is.

[rjgonzales_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Magical, Inventive, and deliciously Devilish! Jon Skovron crafts a wicked paranormal YA novel that will set fire to readers’ hearts.Definitely different. And my first time reading a book about demons! I really enjoyed it, but found the beginning just a tad bit slow for me, but hey—every novel needs a beginning. It needs to set up for what is to come later on! :DAside from the imaginative descriptions of the demons and other creatures and creepy settings that felt as though you were watching a movie, this novel also featured another key element I always enjoy in YA literature, even if it’s only every now and then. Comedy. It’s always nice being able to crack a smile or two every so often while reading. No one is asking for an asthma attack, but the comedic dialogue in books is always appreciated by me.Overall, this paranormal novel was great. I enjoyed it and would like to see what the author has planned next. The ending makes for a great jumping point for a sequel, so I wonder if there are any plans there.