Thursday, 9 April 2009

Tattoo / Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Summary - Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends - can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.

Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift - a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance.

Review - I picked this up after an increasingly common, depressing yet good YA novel that populate the genre. I needed something that was light and not a complete waste of space - I picked exceedingly well. Not only that but it is also my first official faerie book and I really liked it!

The concept is fun, plonk a temporary tattoo on your skin and develop a telekinetic power. The pace is speedy without sacrificing character development, meaningful without resorting to trite high school nonsense and hilarious in some parts. I really felt as if the girls had known each other for a really long time. They weren't cliches, each were entirely individual, vibrant and fun personality allowing the reader to see themselves in one or all of the girls. They are depicted so well that would be surprised if it wasn't optioned for a TV or movie deal in the near future.

Bailey is a great protagonist. She's not the typical, denying-their-beautiful girl that YA readers often come across. She's average and that's what makes her journey exploring her birthright, with help from Alea and Valgius, all the more intriguing. I was misdirected by the "bad guy" and didn't see how it all connected until much later in the novel which impressed me. More than anything it was the presence of humour (one word: butterscotch) throughout that made this a vastly enjoyable read. Combine that with the presence of mythology and you have me as a fan.

If you want a read that's heavy on the friendship and magic, very light on the romance and leaves you with a smile on your face, this is the book for you. Barnes has created a great story here and I cannot wait to read Fate!

Published: 2007
Format:
Publisher: Random House Aust.
Origin: USA
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Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Official Website
Jennifer Lynn Barnes' Blog

3 comments:

Alea said...

Is there really a character with my name in this book?!?!?!?! Or was that a mistake.

There is no way i can keep up with you! You read so fast!

Luisa at Chicklish said...

Oh, I loved this book! Great review.

Sadako said...

Ahh, I hate those YA protagonists who are so perfect but pretend they're not types...this looks like a refreshing change.