Misfit by Jon Skovron (early review)

Misfit by Jon Skovron

received from Abrams through NetGalley

Synopsis
Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help.

But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much.

Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school.

* * *

You might be misled by the synopsis into thinking that this is your regular run-of-the-mill YA, but the truth is far from it.


This is dark and twisted, Contantine-like story which I thought was AWESOME.


The beginning was a bit confusing because the author kept switching between first person, third person and third person present tense, but then you get used to it.


Jael knew she was a daughter of a demoness and a mortal since she was eight years old. Her father who is an ex-exorcist and a demon fighter keeps moving them every now and again. He teaches in a Catholic school and Jael goes to the same school for free. The last two years have been the longest they stayed anywhere and Jael even managed to get a best friend - Britt and a potential admirer/boyfriend, geeky and adorable Rob if only he becomes brave enough to ask her out.


Now Jael is sixteen and she finds out that her demonic part was hidden from her so one of the Hell Lords Belial, who hates halfbreeds, wouldn't find and kill her. She must claim her heritage and learn how to access her powers with the help of her goofy demon uncle pretty quickly,
so she can fight Belial, protect her friends and administer some necessary changes to the demonic world...


It's gritty, harsh and very realistic writing with pretty unexpected take on Jael's powers and the way she accesses them. There are bloody battles, subtle corruptions of the spirit, possessions and exorcisms and exploration of the darker side of the human soul.


I was also quite relieved that the focus wasn't on the love story, but on the survival. Don't get me wrong! Rob and Jael are good for each other, but them having or not having relationship is not as interesting as Hell intrigues and weird and wonderful demons around.


I totally adored the story, and I am dying to know what will happen next. If you like darker YA, more urban fantasy then paranormal romance, then this is definitely your kind of book.

P.S. I loved the cover as well. Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?

* * *

Шикарнейшая книга, просто шикарнейшая!

Сначала меня немного раздражало как сюжет перескакивал с третьего лица на первого, с нормального повествования на вырезки с описаниями в настоящем времени, но потом я привыкла.
Совершенно необычный YA.

Яхель (Jael, но произносится имя вот так) - дочка смертного, бывшего монаха и экзорсиста Пола и демоницы Астарты. Когда она родилась, один из Высших демонов Ада - Белиал, ненавидящий полукровок, поклялся её уничтожить. После первого года в бегах её мать решила спрятать демоническую половину Яхель и пожертвовала свою жизнь, чтобы на время остановить Белиала и дать дочке вырасти. С тех пор Пол и его дочь постоянно переезжают из одной страны в другую с помощью католической церкви, скрываясь от демонов.

И вот на своё 16-летие Яхель наконец-то получает свою демоническую половинку обратно.

Астарта верила, что её дочь сможет внести перемены в мир демонов, и теперь дядя Яхель - Дагон, пытается начать её обучение для управления со своими силами.
Но у них совсем нет времени, так как Белиал быстренько находит Яхель и начинает изощрённую игру, жонглируя жизнями её друзей и одноклассников.

У этой книги оказался уникальный, довольно тёмный голос в стиле Константина. Экзорцизм, схватки, жёстокие кровавые столкновения с демонами, и невероятный "зелёный" подход к описанию сил Яхель.

Порадовал даже потенциальный бойфренд Яхель, сёрфер и ботаник Роб. Порадовала работа с элементами и описание тёмных сторон человеческой души.

В общем, читайте! Книга выходит 1-го августа и я с удовольствием жду продолжения.

9.5/10