Misfit

Gr 8 Up—Jael's father tells her hardly anything about her mother or his past. They move often and are currently living in Seattle, where he teaches at the Catholic school she attends. On her 16th birthday, he gives her a strange necklace that belonged to her mother. He warns her not to wear it and when she does she has visions of his past and of her mother. Astarte was a goddess, a demoness, who came to Paul while he was in seminary. They fought demons together until Astarte sacrificed herself to save their daughter. The Grand Duke of Hell, Belial, continues to hunt them to this day. Paul didn't want Jael to know about her past, but Astarte's brother Dagon appears to her as well as Asmodeus and between them and her visions, Jael learns about her mother and her own powers, which have been restored to her. This gripping story, steeped in myth and religion, will have readers on the edge of their seats as Jael fights for her life against Belial, who is determined to kill her. Jael is a strong, believable character who also kicks butt!—Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library