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keller_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The ending was a little more gruesome in parts than I felt was necessary.
jadeeby's review against another edition
2.0
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
The Good: I love the name Jael. Love it love it love it. I think it's one of the prettiest names I've heard in a long time. I also LOVED the concept of this book and I can totally appreciate where Skovron wanted to go with this novel. Everyone, at some point has felt like a outsider or "misfit" and I really think Skovron is targeting lots of teenagers who do feel like a misfit more often than not. I like that a teenager who feels so alone can pick up a book like this and feel, at least for the moments while they are reading it, that they are not alone.
The Bad: I was really looking forward to reading this book but it really wasn't my cup of tea at all. I thought the writing was a little on the younger YA side. It was hard to stay focused because I felt like the book was targeted more towards young middle school age kids. (And maybe that's what it's supposed to be and I missed the memo?) Also, there were TOO many quote tags. Before or after each character spoke there was a says or said. It was driving me nuts. It really messed up the flow of the book when I was trying to concentrate on the lines. Another thing that really tripped me up was the first half of the book laid on the religious tones way to thickly. This book had such great potential it really saddens me that it didn't live up to my expectations. I felt that the entire novel was a little bit rushed and it sounded more like a rough draft than a final draft. I see a lot of potential for author Jon Skovron but I might be more cautious before picking up his next novel.
Overall, this really wasn't a book for me but I can appreciate the paranormal YA tones it had going on. I think this book would be better for a younger audience, more like 5th and 6th graders but I would give this book a D+
*I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The Good: I love the name Jael. Love it love it love it. I think it's one of the prettiest names I've heard in a long time. I also LOVED the concept of this book and I can totally appreciate where Skovron wanted to go with this novel. Everyone, at some point has felt like a outsider or "misfit" and I really think Skovron is targeting lots of teenagers who do feel like a misfit more often than not. I like that a teenager who feels so alone can pick up a book like this and feel, at least for the moments while they are reading it, that they are not alone.
The Bad: I was really looking forward to reading this book but it really wasn't my cup of tea at all. I thought the writing was a little on the younger YA side. It was hard to stay focused because I felt like the book was targeted more towards young middle school age kids. (And maybe that's what it's supposed to be and I missed the memo?) Also, there were TOO many quote tags. Before or after each character spoke there was a says or said. It was driving me nuts. It really messed up the flow of the book when I was trying to concentrate on the lines. Another thing that really tripped me up was the first half of the book laid on the religious tones way to thickly. This book had such great potential it really saddens me that it didn't live up to my expectations. I felt that the entire novel was a little bit rushed and it sounded more like a rough draft than a final draft. I see a lot of potential for author Jon Skovron but I might be more cautious before picking up his next novel.
Overall, this really wasn't a book for me but I can appreciate the paranormal YA tones it had going on. I think this book would be better for a younger audience, more like 5th and 6th graders but I would give this book a D+
*I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
missbookiverse's review against another edition
2.0
Lang und breit
In den ersten Kapiteln hat es zwischen Protagonistin Jael und mir gefunkt. Ich fand sie interessant, exotisch und wollte mehr über sie erfahren. Sobald sie ihre Dämonenkräfte entdeckt, wird aber jegliche Charakterentwicklung außen vor gelassen. Jael verblasst zu einem übernatürlichen Schatten, für den ich schon gegen Mitte des Buches kein Interesse mehr aufbringen konnte. Leider verhält sie sich auch zunehmend dämlicher. Sie erzählt ihrem Vater absolut nichts.
Natürlich gibt es in Jaels Leben auch einen Jungen, für den sie etwas empfindet. Die Liebesgeschichte findet aber nur ganz am Rande statt und entwickelt sich in einem erfrischend harmlosen Tempo.
Die Idee mit dem Halbdämon und den damit verbundenen Kräften hat mir gefallen. Auch die religiöse Ebene wird hier recht tiefgründig bedient. Es wird viel darüber philosophiert, ob ein Dämon etwas Böses sein muss und es kommt auch Kritik an blinder Religion auf. Manches davon fand ich zu klischeebehaftet, z.B. die Erzählungen über den Exorzismus, der natürlich größtenteils an Unschuldigen praktiziert wurde.
Viel besser dargestellt fand ich die Kräfte, die Jael entwickelt. Sie kann die Elemente manipulieren bzw. darum bitten sich zu ihren Gunsten zu verändern. Wie sie damit umgeht, wird lebhaft beschrieben und es steckt eine gewisse Logik dahinter. Jael kann nicht plötzlich „zaubern“, sie arbeitet mit den Elementen und verändert ihre molekulare Struktur. Ich kann zwar nicht beurteilen wie wissenschaftlich korrekt diese Herangehensweise ist, aber mir kam sie schlüssig vor.
Um seine Geschichte niederzuschreiben, hat Autor Jon Scovron einen allwissenden Erzähler gewählt. Diesen Alleswissern begegne ich in letzter Zeit immer öfter und meistens kann ich mich mit ihnen nicht anfreunden. So war es leider auch hier. Mit dem allwissenden und dadurch recht distanzierten Erzählstil hätte ich mich vielleicht noch begnügen können, aber wenn das Ganze dann auch noch im Präsens geschrieben ist, stehen die Chancen schlecht. Das meiste hat sich dadurch einfach klinisch und kalt gelesen.
In einigen Kapiteln wird in die Vergangenheitsform gewechselt, weil es sich um Rückblicke handelt. Damit bin ich wesentlich besser klar gekommen und ich bin mir sicher, dass es den Leser inhaltlich nicht überfordert hätte, wenn man beide Handlungsstränge in dieser Zeitform verfasst hätte.
Bei den Rückblicken handelt es sich übrigens um Szenen aus dem Leben von Jaels Eltern. Im gegenwärtigen Handlungsstrang erfährt Jael gerade erst, dass ihre Mutter eine Dämonin war und sie somit ein Mischling ist. Die Flashbacks enthalten also nötiges Hintergrundwissen, aber mir waren sie für diesen Zweck viel zu detailliert. Ich wollte mehr über Jael wissen und nicht ganze Kapitel über ihre Eltern lesen.
Kurz und knapp
Misfit beginnt vielversprechend, verrennt sich anschließend aber in einer Gut-Böse-Kampfgeschichte, bei der die Charakterentwicklung auf der Strecke bleibt. Immerhin lässt sich das Buch gut als Standalone lesen, obwohl eine Fortsetzung am Ende durchaus möglich ist.
In den ersten Kapiteln hat es zwischen Protagonistin Jael und mir gefunkt. Ich fand sie interessant, exotisch und wollte mehr über sie erfahren. Sobald sie ihre Dämonenkräfte entdeckt, wird aber jegliche Charakterentwicklung außen vor gelassen. Jael verblasst zu einem übernatürlichen Schatten, für den ich schon gegen Mitte des Buches kein Interesse mehr aufbringen konnte. Leider verhält sie sich auch zunehmend dämlicher. Sie erzählt ihrem Vater absolut nichts.
Spoiler
Weder dass der Dämon Belial, der sie seit ihrer Geburt jagt, sie höchstwahrscheinlich entdeckt hat, noch dass eben dieser Dämon sie gefangen, gefoltert und wieder frei gelassen hat. Selbst wenn ihr Vater nichts daran ändern und sie nicht beschützen kann, so was behält man doch verdammt noch mal nicht für sich! Ach und Belial ist auch nicht der Cleverste. Wenn er Jael doch schon seit zig Jahren sucht und vernichten will, warum lässt er sie dann so schnell wieder frei? Auch seine Verkleidung als Jack/Britts neuer Freund war mehr als offensichtlich. Ich wünschte daraus hätte der Autor nicht so ein Geheimnis gemacht.Natürlich gibt es in Jaels Leben auch einen Jungen, für den sie etwas empfindet. Die Liebesgeschichte findet aber nur ganz am Rande statt und entwickelt sich in einem erfrischend harmlosen Tempo.
Die Idee mit dem Halbdämon und den damit verbundenen Kräften hat mir gefallen. Auch die religiöse Ebene wird hier recht tiefgründig bedient. Es wird viel darüber philosophiert, ob ein Dämon etwas Böses sein muss und es kommt auch Kritik an blinder Religion auf. Manches davon fand ich zu klischeebehaftet, z.B. die Erzählungen über den Exorzismus, der natürlich größtenteils an Unschuldigen praktiziert wurde.
Viel besser dargestellt fand ich die Kräfte, die Jael entwickelt. Sie kann die Elemente manipulieren bzw. darum bitten sich zu ihren Gunsten zu verändern. Wie sie damit umgeht, wird lebhaft beschrieben und es steckt eine gewisse Logik dahinter. Jael kann nicht plötzlich „zaubern“, sie arbeitet mit den Elementen und verändert ihre molekulare Struktur. Ich kann zwar nicht beurteilen wie wissenschaftlich korrekt diese Herangehensweise ist, aber mir kam sie schlüssig vor.
Um seine Geschichte niederzuschreiben, hat Autor Jon Scovron einen allwissenden Erzähler gewählt. Diesen Alleswissern begegne ich in letzter Zeit immer öfter und meistens kann ich mich mit ihnen nicht anfreunden. So war es leider auch hier. Mit dem allwissenden und dadurch recht distanzierten Erzählstil hätte ich mich vielleicht noch begnügen können, aber wenn das Ganze dann auch noch im Präsens geschrieben ist, stehen die Chancen schlecht. Das meiste hat sich dadurch einfach klinisch und kalt gelesen.
In einigen Kapiteln wird in die Vergangenheitsform gewechselt, weil es sich um Rückblicke handelt. Damit bin ich wesentlich besser klar gekommen und ich bin mir sicher, dass es den Leser inhaltlich nicht überfordert hätte, wenn man beide Handlungsstränge in dieser Zeitform verfasst hätte.
Bei den Rückblicken handelt es sich übrigens um Szenen aus dem Leben von Jaels Eltern. Im gegenwärtigen Handlungsstrang erfährt Jael gerade erst, dass ihre Mutter eine Dämonin war und sie somit ein Mischling ist. Die Flashbacks enthalten also nötiges Hintergrundwissen, aber mir waren sie für diesen Zweck viel zu detailliert. Ich wollte mehr über Jael wissen und nicht ganze Kapitel über ihre Eltern lesen.
Kurz und knapp
Misfit beginnt vielversprechend, verrennt sich anschließend aber in einer Gut-Böse-Kampfgeschichte, bei der die Charakterentwicklung auf der Strecke bleibt. Immerhin lässt sich das Buch gut als Standalone lesen, obwohl eine Fortsetzung am Ende durchaus möglich ist.
michalice's review against another edition
2.0
Review from Much Loved Books
Jael lives at home with her father in a converted ranch house and goes to a Catholic school.
In the first few chapters we get to look into Jaels nomadic life, constantly moving from school to school, and place to place. Never knowing anyone long enough to make friends, and when she does make friends, loosing them in the next move.
This book took a while for me to get into it and a while for me to read.
It starts off with background information about Jael and after a few chapters we learn about her identity.
I had to really sit and make myself read this book. Although I found parts of it interesting eg demonology and Jael learning about her powers, I found myself skimming a lot of the pages, especially the history of Jael's birth.
When Jael was telling her friends about being half demon, they took it nonchalantly, and didn't seem to be phased about it, I was expecting big reactions of shock.
The best part about the book is the following quote, and if I had chemistry explained to me this way then I probably would have learnt more than I did.
"well you know, back in the day, there were people. Sorcerers, witches, shamans and whatnot, who thought they were making magic potions. But what they were really doing was chemistry. They just didn't fully understand it!"
Jael lives at home with her father in a converted ranch house and goes to a Catholic school.
In the first few chapters we get to look into Jaels nomadic life, constantly moving from school to school, and place to place. Never knowing anyone long enough to make friends, and when she does make friends, loosing them in the next move.
This book took a while for me to get into it and a while for me to read.
It starts off with background information about Jael and after a few chapters we learn about her identity.
I had to really sit and make myself read this book. Although I found parts of it interesting eg demonology and Jael learning about her powers, I found myself skimming a lot of the pages, especially the history of Jael's birth.
When Jael was telling her friends about being half demon, they took it nonchalantly, and didn't seem to be phased about it, I was expecting big reactions of shock.
The best part about the book is the following quote, and if I had chemistry explained to me this way then I probably would have learnt more than I did.
"well you know, back in the day, there were people. Sorcerers, witches, shamans and whatnot, who thought they were making magic potions. But what they were really doing was chemistry. They just didn't fully understand it!"
alboyer6's review against another edition
4.0
Jael's life hasn't been ordinary. Her mother died when she was a child, her father used to be a monk, and they have moved around from place to place throughout her childhood. But what makes her life really out of the ordinary is that she is half demon. A well balanced story that puts an interesting twist on what demons are that still combines believable characters with some great action and an ending that leaves you wanting more.
shaylagurule's review against another edition
4.0
It was a pretty good and interesting book. I really like the way it ended!
atinydisaster's review against another edition
3.0
It's taken me a few days to come up with a review for this one because I'm so back and forth. There were a lot of things I liked about this story and a few things that came up fairly short.
The main thing I liked was the main character, Jael. It's been a long time since I've read anything about a really over powered MC. While I prefer more relate-able characters, its fun to occasionally read about someone who is just coming into some real power. It's fun when the possibilities of what they can do are pretty endless. Jael has a way of talking to the elements, which sometimes could have been described a bit better, but is still really cool. The best part is that she's powerful without being ALL powerful. She still has a hard time with some things, occasionally messes up and can be fairly insecure.
Onto my main issues with the book. Too much of it was told with flash backs, way too much. Jael's necklace gives her the ability to see her deceased mother's past. Some of what she see's is relevant ish, other bits are totally unneeded. Even the relevant bits could have been worked in, in a less passive way. I got really bored with those parts pretty early on. The upside, is that Jael's mother was a pretty interesting character, it was just the actual scenarios that didn't hold my interest.
The other area that came up lacking was with Jael and her love interest. He was fleshed out enough but there was no real spark between the two of them. It seems like it's building up to me more of a passing crush than a relationship where they actually rely on each other, or you know... like each other. There just wasn't enough of a connection between the two of them and almost no actual falling in love moment. It was just kind of there so the story would have a little romance.
I liked the book, I just won't be holding my breath for the next book in the series. In fact, for the last chunk of it I was hoping it was going to be a stand alone and just be nicely wrapped up and over with. No such luck. The fantasy genre needs more stand alones! Besides the point. If you like new takes on demon's, this will definitely be a good book for you.
The main thing I liked was the main character, Jael. It's been a long time since I've read anything about a really over powered MC. While I prefer more relate-able characters, its fun to occasionally read about someone who is just coming into some real power. It's fun when the possibilities of what they can do are pretty endless. Jael has a way of talking to the elements, which sometimes could have been described a bit better, but is still really cool. The best part is that she's powerful without being ALL powerful. She still has a hard time with some things, occasionally messes up and can be fairly insecure.
Onto my main issues with the book. Too much of it was told with flash backs, way too much. Jael's necklace gives her the ability to see her deceased mother's past. Some of what she see's is relevant ish, other bits are totally unneeded. Even the relevant bits could have been worked in, in a less passive way. I got really bored with those parts pretty early on. The upside, is that Jael's mother was a pretty interesting character, it was just the actual scenarios that didn't hold my interest.
The other area that came up lacking was with Jael and her love interest. He was fleshed out enough but there was no real spark between the two of them. It seems like it's building up to me more of a passing crush than a relationship where they actually rely on each other, or you know... like each other. There just wasn't enough of a connection between the two of them and almost no actual falling in love moment. It was just kind of there so the story would have a little romance.
I liked the book, I just won't be holding my breath for the next book in the series. In fact, for the last chunk of it I was hoping it was going to be a stand alone and just be nicely wrapped up and over with. No such luck. The fantasy genre needs more stand alones! Besides the point. If you like new takes on demon's, this will definitely be a good book for you.
joyousreads132's review against another edition
5.0
I've read quite a few books about angels in this genre. For the most part, none of them seems to even give me an indication that they're holy beings. And maybe because they're supposed to be dark or fallen angels. But still, if the book is about angels then I should really get some sense and background that pertains to religion. The setting of this book was a in a Catholic private school, run by a group of priests. For those who would rather not read anything pertaining to religion, don't be put off. It wasn't like the whole book was about it. I guess the whole point of this diatribe was that some of the angels books out there wouldn't even dare touch religion. Maybe because of the author's background that he was able to weave in that aspect without attempting to shove down his beliefs(?) to the readers. It only made sense that he'd talk about it when you write a book about demons.
And Misfit is indeed, a book about demons, or in the MC's case, a half demon half mortal. Jael was born to the most seductive, most beautiful demon, Astarte who found an interest with a priest who refused to be swayed. One night of debating and talking lead to another until they realized that they'd fallen in love. The couple became demon hunters, ironic since Astarte was a demon herself--the pure kind. Half breeds are being hunted and destroyed by a group of purists lead by Belial and the Grand Dukes. So when Jael was born, possessing demonic powers from Astarte and the humanity of her father, Paul, she readily became a target. They spend their lives running with the help of Astarte's brother Dagon, a demon fish hell baker (IKR?). Astarte then made a decision that would eventually keep Jael away from Belial's radar and eventually led to her demise. I'm still keeping my hopes alive that somehow, someway, she would be resurrected. I really love Astarte's character.
We come to Jael. Well, she didn't belong anywhere. She's known as a misfit. But when she turned sixteen and accepted what she truly was, everything's changed. She's her mother's daughter after all. She was like a walking aphrodisiac to boys and men alike, even priests were fantasizing about her *shudders*. But for some reason, her charm wouldn't work on a boy that she liked. Rob, a spacey, Science and Math geek skater is quite possibly the quirkiest, most likeable geek I've ever read in a while. He's just not the norm.
There are some books in this genre where the world was just too fantastical for me to grasp. The overall ambiance of the book, apart from hell, was realistic enough for me. If demon possessions, exorcisms, with a twist of humour and romance is your thing, you should definitely read this!
I really loved this book! So thank you, Jon Skovron and Net Galley for allowing me to pre-read this. I'm looking forward to its actual release so I can buy a copy!
And Misfit is indeed, a book about demons, or in the MC's case, a half demon half mortal. Jael was born to the most seductive, most beautiful demon, Astarte who found an interest with a priest who refused to be swayed. One night of debating and talking lead to another until they realized that they'd fallen in love. The couple became demon hunters, ironic since Astarte was a demon herself--the pure kind. Half breeds are being hunted and destroyed by a group of purists lead by Belial and the Grand Dukes. So when Jael was born, possessing demonic powers from Astarte and the humanity of her father, Paul, she readily became a target. They spend their lives running with the help of Astarte's brother Dagon, a demon fish hell baker (IKR?). Astarte then made a decision that would eventually keep Jael away from Belial's radar and eventually led to her demise. I'm still keeping my hopes alive that somehow, someway, she would be resurrected. I really love Astarte's character.
We come to Jael. Well, she didn't belong anywhere. She's known as a misfit. But when she turned sixteen and accepted what she truly was, everything's changed. She's her mother's daughter after all. She was like a walking aphrodisiac to boys and men alike, even priests were fantasizing about her *shudders*. But for some reason, her charm wouldn't work on a boy that she liked. Rob, a spacey, Science and Math geek skater is quite possibly the quirkiest, most likeable geek I've ever read in a while. He's just not the norm.
There are some books in this genre where the world was just too fantastical for me to grasp. The overall ambiance of the book, apart from hell, was realistic enough for me. If demon possessions, exorcisms, with a twist of humour and romance is your thing, you should definitely read this!
I really loved this book! So thank you, Jon Skovron and Net Galley for allowing me to pre-read this. I'm looking forward to its actual release so I can buy a copy!
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Misfit was not at all what I expected and that may be what made me enjoy it so much. It was a very unique story and I feel like it will appeal to all readers: boys, girls, young, and old.
Jael is half-demon and half-human. It is something she has always known so she is okay with it. The powers that she acquires on her sixteenth birthday are what change things for her, in a good and bad way. I liked Jael from the very start of the book but I really liked her after she got her powers. She became a more fun, confident character. She didn’t worry what other people thought of her. She just made sure that she didn’t let her demon side take over her mortality. It never went to her head and she stayed very down to earth. She also had Rob to help her with that. He was a very sweet, funny, quirky guy that I thought was perfect for Jael. He really helped lighten the mood of the book. (My favorite scene was when Rob first meets Jael’s uncle!)
The plot itself was fabulous. It picked up at the very beginning and didn’t slow down until the end. There were demons popping up all over the place and I never knew when one would pop out or if it would be good or bad (because there are good demons in this book). The other thing that really made the book interesting were the visions that Jael had of the past. She got to see her parents story firsthand and it is not at all what you would expect.
Overall, Misfit is a wonderful book that will definitely stand out in today’s market and I couldn’t give it a higher recommendation. I really hope that there will be a sequel!
Jael is half-demon and half-human. It is something she has always known so she is okay with it. The powers that she acquires on her sixteenth birthday are what change things for her, in a good and bad way. I liked Jael from the very start of the book but I really liked her after she got her powers. She became a more fun, confident character. She didn’t worry what other people thought of her. She just made sure that she didn’t let her demon side take over her mortality. It never went to her head and she stayed very down to earth. She also had Rob to help her with that. He was a very sweet, funny, quirky guy that I thought was perfect for Jael. He really helped lighten the mood of the book. (My favorite scene was when Rob first meets Jael’s uncle!)
The plot itself was fabulous. It picked up at the very beginning and didn’t slow down until the end. There were demons popping up all over the place and I never knew when one would pop out or if it would be good or bad (because there are good demons in this book). The other thing that really made the book interesting were the visions that Jael had of the past. She got to see her parents story firsthand and it is not at all what you would expect.
Overall, Misfit is a wonderful book that will definitely stand out in today’s market and I couldn’t give it a higher recommendation. I really hope that there will be a sequel!
kiwiwonder's review against another edition
3.0
Misfit takes the idea of a half-human, half-demon teenager, throws in the usual teen angst, plus some more due to her own unique situation she finds herself in.
I really, really like this concept. Additionally, I love the idea that 'fallen' gods of the previous civilisation become the 'demons' of the current society; so deities that were once worshipped become the ones feared and scapegoated.
However, at times I felt that the book lost sight of the plot and the authenticity for trying to cram in the ideas behind the book - almost like at times it lost focus of the story in preference of educating about the lore around the gods, or whatnot. It may have been an attempt at further world building, but it didn't quite work all the time, and instead just left me frustrated.
Large parts of the story were also predictable... but didn't necessarily detract from the enjoyability. All in all, an enjoyable read, but not something that will stay with me forever more.
I really, really like this concept. Additionally, I love the idea that 'fallen' gods of the previous civilisation become the 'demons' of the current society; so deities that were once worshipped become the ones feared and scapegoated.
However, at times I felt that the book lost sight of the plot and the authenticity for trying to cram in the ideas behind the book - almost like at times it lost focus of the story in preference of educating about the lore around the gods, or whatnot. It may have been an attempt at further world building, but it didn't quite work all the time, and instead just left me frustrated.
Large parts of the story were also predictable... but didn't necessarily detract from the enjoyability. All in all, an enjoyable read, but not something that will stay with me forever more.