Review Detail

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.